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Route Rating Level 2 to Level 5

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RESERVE THIS TRIP!

Casual Inns
  • $3,198 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$620 for sgl. occ.)

Reserve early for the best available price. More Info

TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 2 lunches and 1 dinner.

Cancellation Policy

View cancellation policy

Meet / Depart

Cork, Ireland

Special Interest

Culture & History, Golf

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

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Contact Us

Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
E-mail us

801 Cedar St.
Berkeley, CA 94710

Business Hours:
7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

Or contact your travel agent

Ireland Biking Tour

Ireland Biking

Counties Cork & Kerry in the Southwest

Join Backroads for an unforgettable week exploring the quiet nooks of west Cork and Kerry, and admiring breathtaking scenery. Begin in Kenmare and travel east along flower-lined country lanes to historic Kinsale. Ride into the untamed landscape of the Beara Peninsula. Spin past ancient fortresses, crumbling churches, dramatic coastlines and peaceful glens cloaked in emerald. Off your bike, relax and rejuvenate with a leisurely stroll, an afternoon of shopping or a round of golf. And best of all, get to know the Irish people—friendly, full of good humor, and overflowing with pride for their country’s heritage and natural wonders.

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View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.

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Days 1-2 kenmare

Pedal alongside the Roughty River and past undulating hills dotted with cows  Explore the wild rugged Beara Peninsula and the subtropical gardens of the Derreen House In Kenmare, explore the many craft shops and coffee houses, walk the banks of the River Finnihy or visit the nearby prehistoric stone circle Top off the day with a whiskey tasting.

Days 3-4 bantry

Bicycle over Caha Pass with magnificent views of Bantry Bay  Ride through Glengarriff on your way to picturesque Bantry Breathe in fresh sea air during the optional ferry ride to Garinish Island, a lush and unexpected Italian garden  Relax at Bantry’s local pub Admire sweeping vistas of the south coast’s emerald bluffs as you ride to Sheep’s Head Peninsula, a narrow headland jutting into the Atlantic Enjoy an afternoon of leisure: shop, golf or visit the 18th-century manor near our hotel.

Days 5-6 kinsale

Take in more impressive coastal scenery while riding to the bustling market town of Clonakilty  Spin along Courtmacsherry Bay through a classic Irish tableau of green hills, small farms, quaint cottages and woolly sheep  Fall under the spell of a charismatic local storyteller, who regales us with Irish history and legend  Join a local historian for a walking tour or pedal to the Old Head of Kinsale, where a ruined castle and watchtower from the Napoleonic War stand sentinel.

Guest Trip Reviews

This being my first Backroads trip, I really didn't know what to expect. I loved that within the structure of the itinerary, there was always room to move at my own speed. It meant that the trip was truly tailor-made for me on a day to day basis.
Minta Hsu - Palo Alto, CA

More Reviews of this Trip

All Guest Reviews

For more than 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Ireland tour experts. For biking tours in Europe At Large, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe At Large biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe At Large walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe At Large multisport tours click here.

Ireland Biking

IRISH TRADITION: Casual Inns

Brook Lane Hotel

Kenmare (2 nights): This locally owned boutique hotel on the outskirts of Kenmare features well-appointed guest rooms and an inviting bistro.

The Maritime Hotel

Bantry (2 nights): This modern hotel overlooking Bantry Bay welcomes us with richly appointed guest rooms, a swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness center and steam room.

Friar's Lodge

Kinsale (1 night): This guesthouse in the heart of Kinsale combines traditional Irish hospitality with modern facilities.

Ireland Biking Ireland Biking

Friar's Lodge

You are viewing the Classic Casual Inns version of this trip.
View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.

Ireland Biking

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 16 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
  • 33, 41 miles
  • 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
  • 18, 35, 41 miles
  • 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
  • 23, 31, 48 miles
  • 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 2 to 4  3 Route Options Available
  • 24, 40, 51 miles
  • 2000 - 3500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Level 1  2 Route Options Available
  • 15 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
  • Walking Tour of Kinsale

Due to the constantly rolling hills, the regular route options are considered moderate to challenging. Other conditions, including rain, headwinds, and narrow and bumpy roads, can make the riding feel tougher than the mileage might suggest.

Ireland Biking Ireland Biking

Trips 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 Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours
10-20
miles
2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours
21-30
miles
5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours
31-40
miles
7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours
41-55
miles
9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours
56-75+
miles
11-13+
miles