Ireland Family Biking
- Spin through the classic Irish landscape: green hills, small farms, quaint cottages and woolly sheep
- A private whiskey tasting for adults
- Soak up fascinating history and lively village culture
- The hospitality of the acclaimed Park Hotel Kenmare
- An evening of storytelling with a well-known Irish seanachie
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A Pot O' Gold for Families in Counties Cork & Kerry
Finding bliss on a family vacation is easy. All it takes is getting rid of the non-essentials. No e-mail. No video games. No gadgets that begin with the letter "i." Then hightail it to a beautiful place. Like Ireland. Out here, on two wheels, it’s easy to feel connected to your surroundings - and to each other. Gaze at the clouds. Listen to birdsong. Feel the wind on your face. Visit quaint villages like Ballylickey and Gougane Barra. And share a giggle as you pronounce their names. There's an ancient fortress for all to explore, whiskey tasting for adults and sheep shearing for kids. Ease, simplicity and a family vacation that suits you to a T.
Day 1 Spin through the classic Irish landscape: green hills, small farms, quaint cottages and woolly sheep 
Arriving in Gougane Barra, a town surrounded by lush forest and mountains, spot the 300-year-old church set on a tiny island Villages painted in cheery colors line country roads to Ballylickey Retreat to a nearby pub for some local flavor.
Day 2 The hospitality of the acclaimed Park Hotel Kenmare Bike past streams and waterfalls in scenic Glengarriff State Forest Reserve en route to a unique sculpture garden 
A gradual five-mile climb leads to magnificent Caha Pass, complete with tunnels and sweeping views of Kenmare Bay Get a feel for traditional Irish life at Molly Gallivan's historic cottage and farm.
Day 3 A private whiskey tasting with expert John Moriarty for adults, while youngsters indulge in fish n' chips Pedal by pristine lakes, stately cliffs and glacier-carved mountains on the sparsely populated Beara Peninsula A lively sheep-shearing demonstration inspires kids to give it a whirl The younger set learns about "soloing" during a game of Gaelic football, giving grown-ups the chance to browse Kenmare's boutiques, discover an impressive prehistoric stone circle or simply relax at the hotel - spa time, anyone?
Day 4 Soak up fascinating history and lively village culture Gorgeous cycling routes wind through Moll's Gap and the Gap of Dunloe, a narrow pass cutting between the Purple Mountains and MacGillycuddy's Reeks.
Days 5-6 An evening with a well-known Irish storyteller Wind past ancient churches, cemeteries and working farms to beautiful Caragh Lake The incredible scenery just does not quit! Feast your eyes on spectacular ice-scraped Glencar Valley Relish the joyous energy of Killarney, full of pubs and shops Make your way to 15th-century Ross Castle by bike or horse-drawn cart for a fun and interesting tour.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
This was my best vacation ever! I can't say enough about the trip leaders who made this trip so much fun for my family.- Manitou Springs, CO
I know it can sound insincere to rate a trip so highly, but I simply cannot find anything to complain about on this trip. It absolutely exceeded my expectations in every way. I think Backroads is such an awesome company. This is our second Backroads trip, and I would gladly go on many more. The combination of keeping to a schedule and being flexible is perfect, and the balance of physical and cultural activity just right.- Seattle, WA
I was really impressed with the planned kid activities, which exceeded our expectations. Our leaders were extremely patient with the children and created fun for them. They clearly love their jobs, people and families, and it shows.- Sun Valley, ID
Premiere Inns*
Seaview House Hotel
Ballylickey, County Cork (1 night) Owner Kathleen O'Sullivan pampers us at her country house on the shore of Bantry Bay.
* Casual Inn
Park Hotel Kenmare
Kenmare, County Kerry (2 nights) It's just a short walk to pubs and shops from this regal Victorian estate, nestled amid magnificent parkland on Kenmare Bay. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool, spa, tennis, golf)
Killarney Park Hotel
Killarney, County Kerry (2 nights) A handsome family-owned hotel, promising and delivering "warmth beyond the smile," in the heart of Killarney. (pool, spa)
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This Trip Is Rated Level 2-4
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned below, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 11, 25 miles
- 800 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 16, 31, 45 miles
- 1100 - 2300 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 9, 35, 43 miles
- 300 - 2200 feet elevation gain
- Optional Kayaking 1 hour
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 20, 35 miles
- 1400 - 2300 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 20, 35, 48 miles
- 400 - 1700 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 10 miles
- 150 feet elevation gain
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For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Ireland tour experts. See our award-winning Europe At Large biking tours, Europe At Large walking and hiking tours and Europe At Large multisport tours.
