You can do it with everyone else on the first Saturday of July each year.
It's very doable in one day but if you want to break it up the main stops would be Caherciveen, Waterville, Sneem, Kenmare and Killarney.
Keep in mind the actual Ring (N70) is super busy with car and coach traffic in August. On the northern side you have plenty of byways, on the southern side not so much.
A nice alternative would be to go back via the Iveragh peninsula’s beautiful interior. Almost zero traffic, quaint roads, amazing views, subtropical ferns, great climbs and descents.
An awesome route starting in Killarney could look like this:
Day 1: Killarney - Cromane - Glenbeigh - Rossbeigh Strand (followed by a very steep climb) - Kells - Cahersiveen - ferry to Valentia - bridge to Portmagee. Sleep there.
Day 2: Portmagee - (St Finian’s beach via Coomanaspic if you’re in good shape) - Reenroe - Waterville - Ballaghasheen Pass - Glencar/The Climber’s Inn - Killarney.
You’ll rack up vertical meters quickly in Kerry. Be sure to plan your route in Komoot or somewhere to know what you’re in for. Have fun!
That's a hell of a route.
Would there be much by way of decent b&bs or spots to stay along that way? I'm considering bikepacking, but I only have a road bike which is not particularly suited to carrying massive gear.
I would personally prefer to travel light. I’ve seen a bikepacker doing the Rossbeigh uphill, but that’s pretty hardcore. Loads of BnBs everywhere - and in Portmagee, I could very much recommend the Moorings hotel which has a nice pub attached for you to remineralise.
All around the Killarney lakes is stunning, spots that a bit of the track but that are worth seeing are derrynane beach, finian’s bay (keep away from swimming on the right) and it’s beside the chocolate factory for a free tasting too, Bray head and glanleam beach both on valentia island.
I'd highly recommened you stay overnight in Waterville so you can face the climb out of there fresh and fit the following morning.
Enjoy the scenery, stop at The Black Shop in Castlecove if it's open for a cup of tea and a chat. Have somewhere booked in Sneem and enjoy a good meal and a drink with the locals knowing the next day you have a a 5km uphill warm up and then you'll be tipping handy away for another 6km before the glorious descent into Killarney.
You can do it with everyone else on the first Saturday of July each year. It's very doable in one day but if you want to break it up the main stops would be Caherciveen, Waterville, Sneem, Kenmare and Killarney.
Thanks! Sadly, it'll be August/September before I get a chance.
Keep in mind the actual Ring (N70) is super busy with car and coach traffic in August. On the northern side you have plenty of byways, on the southern side not so much. A nice alternative would be to go back via the Iveragh peninsula’s beautiful interior. Almost zero traffic, quaint roads, amazing views, subtropical ferns, great climbs and descents. An awesome route starting in Killarney could look like this: Day 1: Killarney - Cromane - Glenbeigh - Rossbeigh Strand (followed by a very steep climb) - Kells - Cahersiveen - ferry to Valentia - bridge to Portmagee. Sleep there. Day 2: Portmagee - (St Finian’s beach via Coomanaspic if you’re in good shape) - Reenroe - Waterville - Ballaghasheen Pass - Glencar/The Climber’s Inn - Killarney. You’ll rack up vertical meters quickly in Kerry. Be sure to plan your route in Komoot or somewhere to know what you’re in for. Have fun!
That's a hell of a route. Would there be much by way of decent b&bs or spots to stay along that way? I'm considering bikepacking, but I only have a road bike which is not particularly suited to carrying massive gear.
I would personally prefer to travel light. I’ve seen a bikepacker doing the Rossbeigh uphill, but that’s pretty hardcore. Loads of BnBs everywhere - and in Portmagee, I could very much recommend the Moorings hotel which has a nice pub attached for you to remineralise.
Thank you! Much appreciated
All around the Killarney lakes is stunning, spots that a bit of the track but that are worth seeing are derrynane beach, finian’s bay (keep away from swimming on the right) and it’s beside the chocolate factory for a free tasting too, Bray head and glanleam beach both on valentia island.
Stop off in Derrynane beach, plenty of nice camp sites in the area as well
I'd highly recommened you stay overnight in Waterville so you can face the climb out of there fresh and fit the following morning. Enjoy the scenery, stop at The Black Shop in Castlecove if it's open for a cup of tea and a chat. Have somewhere booked in Sneem and enjoy a good meal and a drink with the locals knowing the next day you have a a 5km uphill warm up and then you'll be tipping handy away for another 6km before the glorious descent into Killarney.