Ireland Bike Tour

Irresistible Ireland—Counties Cork & Kerry

From $4,299 - $4,449 pp dbl. occ. | 6 days / 5 nights

(+$440 for sgl. occ.)

There's something legendary about Ireland. Indescribable hues of green, herds of sheep and tiny thatch-roofed homes. City names sing like songs—Ballylickey, Clonakilty and Glengarriff. Park Hotel Kenmare only adds to the drama. Stopping in a small pub for a pint, it seems everyone has a story to tell. And now so do you.

Highlights

Share a private Irish whiskey tasting with John Moriarty, a local expert and our resident whiskey aficionado
Soak up fascinating history and village culture, then take in a pint and some local lore with our longtime friend and guide Mike Murphy
Explore the Ring of Kerry's treasures by land and sea, including deep forests, rugged coastline and sweeping views
Cycle through a quintessential Irish landscape of verdant hills, family farms and plenty of the requisite woolly sheep

Ireland

Start/End Cork

Itinerary

Day 1 Discover a classic Irish landscape—green hills, small farms and quaint cottages—on two wheels | Listen to the lilt of Gaelic in Inchigeelagh | Arriving in Gougane Barra, a hamlet surrounded by lush forests and mountains, spot the 300-year-old church set on a tiny island | Villages painted in cheery colors line the country roads to Ballylickey.

Day 2 Bike past streams and waterfalls in scenic Glengarriff State Forest Reserve | A gradual climb leads to magnificent Caha Pass, complete with tunnels and sweeping views of Kenmare Bay | Savor award-winning treats from a chocolatier in Bonane | Join a private whiskey tasting with an expert.

Day 3 On the Beara Peninsula, pedal by lakes, cliffs and glacier-carved mountains | Check out Kenmare's shops, its prehistoric stone circle or just relax at the acclaimed Park Hotel Kenmare | How's your Irish accent? Our friend and guide Mike Murphy gives pointers over a pint.

Day 4 Gorgeous cycling routes wind through Moll's Gap and wild Ballaghbeama Pass into remote Glencar Valley and around Caragh Lake | Legend comes to life during an evening with a well-known Irish storyteller.

Days 5-6 Country roads lead to dazzling spots along the Ring of Kerry | Take in the views from Dingle Bay during a ferry ride to Valentia Island.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

Cancellation fees may vary based upon departure date. Please review the grid below:

Number of Days Prior to Trip Start	Cancellation Fees (per person)	Departure Dates
96+ days	$200	2019 5/26, 6/2, 6/9, 6/16, 6/23, 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4, 8/11, 8/18, 8/25, 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22
61-95 days	30%
31-60 days	60%
0-30 days	100%
156+ days	$600	2019 7/7
126-155 days	30%
96-125 days	50%
61-95 days	75%
31-60 days	100%
0-30 days	100%

For information on our trip transfers see here.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Available
to Book i
Going
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Contact
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Private Trip
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C Classic Dates

2019 May

5/26–5/31

2019 June

6/2–6/7

6/9–6/14

6/16–6/21

6/23–6/28

2019 July

7/7–7/12

7/14–7/19

7/21–7/26

7/28–8/2

2019 August

8/4–8/9

8/11–8/16

8/18–8/23

8/25–8/30

2019 September

9/1–9/6

9/8–9/13

9/15–9/20

9/22–9/27

View Private Dates

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16 or more guests while other dates are available for 8 or more guests. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.

2019 Private Trip Pricing

10 or more guests: from $4,299 pp dbl occ
8 - 9 guests: from $4,999 pp dbl occ
6 - 7 guests: from $5,899 pp dbl occ
4 - 5 guests: from $6,899 pp dbl occ
2 - 3 guests: from $8,199 pp dbl occ

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date

8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
12 AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 12 or more guests
16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

The sky’s the limit! Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2019
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep

View Scheduled Dates
Go Private
Go Custom

Prices

From $4,299 - $4,449 pp dbl. occ.
6 days / 5 nights

(+$440 for sgl. occ.)

Reviews

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Premiere Hotels*

Seaview House Hotel

Ballylickey (1 night)

* Casual Hotel

Park Hotel Kenmare

Kenmare (2 nights)

Carrig Country House

Caragh Lake (2 nights)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 2-4

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Ireland

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

View more photos

Watch videos

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

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Next: Lodging

Premiere Hotels*

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

Seaview House Hotel

Ballylickey (1 night)

* Casual Hotel

Owner Ronan O'Sullivan pampers us at his country house on the shore of Bantry Bay.

Park Hotel Kenmare

Kenmare (2 nights)

It's just a short walk to the pubs and shops from this regal Victorian estate, nestled amid magnificent parkland on Kenmare Bay. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)

Carrig Country House

Caragh Lake (2 nights)

Enjoy the gracious hospitality of Mary and Frank Slattery at this restored Victorian gem—originally a hunting lodge—set on the world-renowned Ring of Kerry.

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

This Trip Is Rated Levels 2-4

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.

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Day	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4		Level 5
	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain
1	11*	700	25	1200	27	1600
2			22*	1900	31	2200	45	3000
3			30*	2100			49*	3100	64	3500
4			28*	2000	38	2500			56	3600
5			26*	1700	37*	2300
6	16	600

Note: Ireland's landscape is characterized by constant rises and valleys, and the continuously rolling terrain (as well as other conditions such as rain) can make routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.

* Includes shuttle.

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.

Touring Bike (Included)

Performance Road Bike (Included)

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price)

Wishing for a little extra assistance up those hills? Our custom Backroads Electric-Assist Bike lets you experience the thrill of exploring on two wheels while providing a boost when you want it. We've modified a selection of our great Titanium Bikes with the intuitive BionX "pedal-assist" system.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)

Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)

Also Included

Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
Snacks and beverages between meals
Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
Park and other entry fees
Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
Select coach transfers
Baggage transfers and porterage

Previous: Activity Level

Next: Why Backroads

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in Ireland

Everyone at Their Own Pace

We design and support our Ireland trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.

More Leaders to Support You

On our Ireland trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the road—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.

A Second Van When You Need It

Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in Ireland—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.

The Best Leaders in Ireland

Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Ireland, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.

Quality You Can Measure

Since 1979, Backroads Founder and President Tom Hale has shown that staying #1 means constantly evaluating our performance using the best possible source of information: our guests. As we systematically analyze your feedback on our trip consultants, leaders, hotels, meals and on-trip activities, we never stop working to make a great company even better.

Great Bikes Included

Our custom-designed titanium bikes are best in class. From avid cyclists to easygoing riders, we believe that everyone deserves a seriously great bike to match their riding style. Learn more about our bike fleet.

Navigate Your Way in Ireland

Your ride comes equipped with a GPS device, preloaded with all the routes and route options for your trip. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.

Choose Your Fellow Travelers

With Backroads you won't end up with kids on what you thought was an adult trip; we have exclusive departures for families, so they're off having their own adventures. As you browse our unrivaled selection of trips and dates, you can count on finding a trip in Ireland that's geared exclusively to your choice of traveling companions.

Only the Best Hotels

On this trip featuring Premiere Hotels, you can count on the best lodgings Ireland has to offer. In fact, the hotels we've chosen in this region have higher retail room rates than those offered by any other active travel company—even when their trips cost more.

In Europe Since 1988

Backroads has been welcoming active travelers to Europe since before the Berlin Wall came down. Today it's virtually our second home. We know the perfect roads and trails, the most scenic valleys and hilltop towns, the hidden churches and gem-like museums, the up-and-coming vintners and celebrated chefs—and, of course, all the best places to stay.

Your Trip Will Run. Period.

Under our Book with Confidence policy, your Backroads trip will run even for one or two people (or a family of three or four), subject to a nominal extra fee. Or transfer to another trip, and we'll give you a credit. It's all part of our trademark commitment to treating guests with integrity, transparency and total accountability. Read all the details.

Experts with Secrets to Share

In choosing the ideal experts to enrich your travel experience, we look for people with a wealth of local knowledge, but also the ability to convey their insights in English. Too often travelers find themselves smiling politely, not quite understanding what they're being told. Our experts share intriguing facts, anecdotes and inside stories that stay with you forever.

Signature Backroads Picnics

Guests rave about our picnic spreads. Enjoy a welcome break in a scenic spot, or a quick refuel stop if you don't want to lose momentum. And because we have two vans, one can host lunch while the other is out providing support along the route.

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip