Multi-Day Cycling Itineraries: 3, 5 and 7 Days in Ireland
Three itineraries: 427 km around Kerry in three days, 1,250 km of southern Wild Atlantic Way in five, or 1,400 km across Ireland in seven.
Introduction
Ireland is a small country with an unreasonable amount of coastline, which is why multi-day routes here rack up distance faster than the map suggests. A long weekend gets you a proper loop. A full week gets you most of the west.
Three itineraries follow, all put together for cyclingholidays.ie: a 3-day classic loop, a 5-day run along the Wild Atlantic Way and a 7-day circuit of the island. Each one lists daily mileage, elevation, the stops worth making, accommodation at three price points, and the logistics you would otherwise be working out at eleven at night in a B&B.
1. 3-Day Classic: The Three Rings of Kerry (≈ 427 km)
Why the Ring of Kerry?
- Scenic variety: coastal roads, mountain passes, lakes and small Irish villages.
- Challenge with reward: 5 361 m of climbing over three days, perfect for strong amateurs or club riders.
- Well-marked routes: Signage follows the “Classic Spins” route on Let’s Cycle Ireland, with downloadable GPX files on Ride with GPS.
Day-by-Day Breakdown
| Day | Start → Finish | Distance | Elevation gain | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenmare → Ballaghbeama Gap → Black Valley → Gap of Dunloe → Molls Gap (108 km) | 108 km | ~1 200 m | Spectacular valley views, the historic Black Valley, early sunset at Molls Gap. |
| 2 | Molls Gap → Ring of Beara (Cahersiveen, Glengarriff, Allihies) (140 km) | 140 km | ~1 800 m | The rugged Beara Peninsula, dramatic sea cliffs, the colourful village of Allihies. |
| 3 | Ring of Beara → Skellig Ring (Coomanaspig, Valentia Island) → Ring of Kerry (179 km) | 179 km | ~2 300 m | Skellig Ring’s hidden coves, the Skellig Islands view, final loop around the Iveragh Peninsula. |
Total: 427 km, 5 361 m climbing.
Accommodation Suggestions
| Night | Town | Budget (≈ €45-€70) | Mid-range (≈ €90-€130) | Luxury (≈ €180+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenmare | The Lodge B&B | Brook Lane Hotel | The Europe Hotel |
| 2 | Glengarriff | Glengarriff Hostel | Glengarriff House B&B | Glengarriff Lodge |
| 3 | Killarney | Killarney Oaks Hotel | Killarney Towers | The Europe (Killarney) |
Tip: Book early in summer (June-August) as rooms fill quickly, especially in Killarney.
Practical Tips
- Bike type: Light gravel bike or road bike with clearance for occasional gravel sections (e.g., 35 mm tyres).
- Gear: Pack a compact repair kit (multi-tool, spare tubes, CO₂ cartridges), waterproof panniers (≈ 12 L each) and layered clothing, Irish weather can shift from sunshine to rain in minutes.
- Navigation: Use Ride with GPS routes “Three Rings of Kerry, Group A/B” (available free with a basic account).
- Safety: Carry a high-visibility vest and a basic first-aid kit. Mobile signal can be spotty on remote passes; consider a portable power bank.
- Food & Fuel: Stock up in Kenmare and Killarney; carry energy bars and electrolyte drinks for longer climbs.
2. 5-Day Wild Atlantic Way (South Section): 1,250 km of Coastline
Overview
The Wild Atlantic Way stretches 2 500 km from the Old Head of Kinsale to Malin Head. This 5-day itinerary covers the southern half: cliffs, surf towns, historic sites and Connemara. Daily distances run from 250 km to 310 km, with an average of 260 km per day. That is a lot. These are days for people already used to long hours in the saddle.
Day-by-Day Route
| Day | From → To | Distance | Approx. Riding Time* | Key Stops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cork (Old Head of Kinsale) → Kenmare | 305 km | 6.5 h | Timoleague Abbey, Drombeg Stone Circle, Mizen Head, Beara Peninsula. |
| 2 | Kenmare → Killarney (Ring of Kerry) | 172 km | 3.5 h | Sneem, Portmagee (Skellig ferry), O’Carroll’s Cove, Killarney National Park. |
| 3 | Killarney → Bunratty (via Dingle) | 302 km | 5.3 h | Dingle town, Slea Head Drive, Gallarus Oratory, Brandon Bay, Bunratty Castle. |
| 4 | Bunratty → Galway | 255 km | 4.8 h | Loop Head, Lahinch (surf), Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Kinvara. |
| 5 | Galway → Westport (via Connemara) | 252 km | 5.0 h | Spiddal (Gaeltacht), Clifden (Connemara), Kylemore Abbey, Croagh Patrick (optional). |
*Times assume an average speed of 45 km/h on mixed road surfaces, with short stops for sightseeing and meals.
Highlights
- Cliffs of Moher: 214 m above the Atlantic; visitor centre and cliff-top walk.
- Dingle Peninsula: Slea Head loop, traditional music in Dingle town.
- Connemara National Park: 2 800 ha of mountain, bog and coastline; short hike to Diamond Hill (optional).
- Bunratty Folk Park: Live reenactments of 19th-century Irish life, if you want an afternoon off the bike.
Accommodation Options
| Night | Area | Budget (≈ €50-€80) | Mid-range (≈ €110-€150) | Luxury (≈ €200+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenmare | The Lodge B&B | Brook Lane Hotel | The Europe |
| 2 | Killarney | Killarney Oaks | Killarney Towers | The Europe |
| 3 | Bunratty | Shannon Springs Hotel | Bunratty Castle Hotel (includes Medieval Banquet) | Limerick City Hotel (30 min drive) |
| 4 | Galway | Jury’s Inn | The Hardiman | G Hotel |
| 5 | Westport | Wyatt Hotel | Westport Plaza Hotel | Westport House (historic luxury) |
Practical Advice
- Bike choice: Endurance road bike or touring bike with 700 c x 35-38 mm tyres; the route includes some narrow coastal lanes.
- Luggage: Two panniers (12-15 L each) plus a small handle-bar bag for snacks.
- Weather: Summer (June-August) offers longest daylight (up to 17 h) but expect occasional rain; pack a waterproof jacket and fenders.
- Fuel stops: Super-markets in Killarney, Dingle, Galway and Westport provide affordable meals; for a taste of the coast, try local fish-and-chips shacks.
- Bike services: Quick-fix bike shops are available in Killarney, Dingle and Galway; carry a spare inner tube and a patch kit.
- Navigation: Use the “Wild Atlantic Way, South” GPX from the official Wild Atlantic Way website or the “Wild Atlantic Way, 5-Day” route on Ride with GPS.
3. 7-Day All-Ireland Epic (≈ 1 400 km)
Concept
Combine the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Connemara, and a final stretch through Mayo and Sligo and you have covered most of the western seaboard in a week. This itinerary balances long days (250-280 km) with one lighter “recovery” day. You will still be tired by the time you reach Sligo.
Day-by-Day Schedule
| Day | Route | Distance | Elevation | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin → Kinsale (via Waterford) | 260 km | 1 800 m | Waterford crystal, Old Head of Kinsale lighthouse. |
| 2 | Kinsale → Kenmare (Ring of Kerry start) | 210 km | 1 600 m | Mizen Head, Beara Peninsula, O’Carroll’s Cove. |
| 3 | Kenmare → Killarney (Ring of Kerry) | 172 km | 1 300 m | Sneem, Portmagee (Skellig ferry), Killarney National Park. |
| 4 | Killarney → Dingle → Clifden (Connemara) | 260 km | 2 200 m | Dingle town, Slea Head, Connemara National Park, Clifden. |
| 5 | Clifden → Westport (Mayo) | 210 km | 1 900 m | Kylemore Abbey, Croagh Patrick (optional), Westport. |
| 6 | Westport → Sligo (north-west coast) | 190 km | 1 500 m | Achill Island detour (optional), Mullaghmore, Sligo’s Yeats sites. |
| 7 | Sligo → Dublin (via Donegal) | 200 km | 1 400 m | Donegal coastal cliffs, Glendalough (optional), return to Dublin. |
Total distance ≈ 1 400 km; cumulative climbing ≈ 12 000 m.
Key Sites Not to Miss
- Dublin: Trinity College, Guinness Storehouse (optional).
- Kinsale: Gourmet food scene; historic harbour.
- Ring of Kerry: Classic Irish vistas, Ross Castle, Muckross House.
- Dingle Peninsula: Slea Head Drive, Fungie the Dolphin (if still around).
- Connemara: Sky Road loop, Kylemore Abbey, rugged mountain lakes.
- Westport: Westport House, Great Western Greenway (optional bike trail).
- Sligo: Benbulben mountain, Yeats’ Grave, Strandhill surf beach.
Accommodation Overview
| Night | Region | Budget (≈ €60-€90) | Mid-range (≈ €130-€180) | Luxury (≈ €220+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinsale | Kinsale Harbour Hostel | The White House | The Old Bank Hotel |
| 2 | Kenmare | The Lodge B&B | Brook Lane Hotel | The Europe |
| 3 | Killarney | Killarney Oaks | Killarney Towers | The Europe |
| 4 | Clifden | Clifden Hostel | The Quay Hotel | Connemara Lodge |
| 5 | Westport | Wyatt Hotel | Westport Plaza Hotel | Westport House |
| 6 | Sligo | Sligo Backpackers | The Glasshouse | The Glasshouse (suite) |
| 7 | Dublin | Abbey Court Hostel | The Gibson Hotel | The Shelbourne |
Practical Recommendations
- Bike: Endurance road bike with disc brakes (better in wet conditions). 38-40 mm tyres give comfort on mixed surfaces.
- Luggage: Four-pannier system (total ~30 L) plus a waterproof saddle-bag for tools.
- Clothing: 3-layer system, breathable base, insulated mid-layer, waterproof shell. Pack a packable down jacket for high-altitude passes.
- Nutrition: High-energy bars, trail mix, and electrolyte tablets. Re-stock each evening in towns; supermarkets in Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Sligo are well-stocked.
- Navigation & Apps:
- Ride with GPS: pre-loaded routes for Ring of Kerry, Dingle, and Connemara.
- Komoot: offline maps and turn-by-turn voice guidance.
- Strava: for tracking daily stats and comparing with other cyclists.
- Bike Maintenance: Carry a mini-pump, CO₂ cartridges, spare cassette (10-11-12 t), and a chain tool.
- Safety: Always wear a helmet, front and rear lights, and a high-visibility vest. Rural sections have limited mobile coverage; consider a portable satellite messenger for emergencies.
- Booking: Peak season (July-August) requires reservations 2-3 months ahead, especially in Kinsale, Dingle and Westport. Off-season (May-June, September-October) offers milder crowds and lower prices.
4. General Tips for All Itineraries
| Topic | Advice |
|---|---|
| Bike Rental | If you’re flying in without a bike, reputable Dublin, Cork or Shannon bike-hire companies (e.g., Cycle Ireland, Bike Hire Ireland) provide touring-grade bikes with pannier sets. |
| Transport to Starting Point | Fly into Dublin for the 3-day Ring or 7-day all-Ireland loop; Cork or Shannon are better gateways for the 5-day Wild Atlantic Way. |
| Navigation Backup | Print out the daily route maps and waypoint lists; a paper backup is invaluable when GPS fails. |
| Weather Planning | Ireland’s weather is changeable. Check Met Éireann forecasts each morning and be prepared for wind, rain, or sudden sunshine. |
| Health & Insurance | Ensure your travel insurance covers cycling (including crash and bike theft). Carry a basic first-aid kit with plasters, antiseptic wipes, and painkillers. |
| Cultural Etiquette | Greet locals with a friendly “Dia dhuit” (hello) and thank them with “Go raibh maith agat”. Respect private farmland, stick to marked roads and footpaths. |
| Food & Drink | Sample local specialties: seafood chowder in Dingle, Irish stew in Killarney, and black pudding in Cork. Hydrate with water and Irish tea; avoid excessive alcohol before long rides. |
| Leave No Trace | Pack out all litter, use designated bins, and stay on the road to protect fragile coastal dunes and bogs. |
Conclusion
Pick by how much time you have and how much climbing you can absorb. The 3-day Ring of Kerry is the hardest per kilometre: three mountain passes and very little respite. The 5-day Wild Atlantic Way is flatter but longer, and the coastal lanes are narrow in places. The 7-day All-Ireland Epic strings the west together and gives you one easier day in the middle.
All three assume you book ahead in July and August, and that you check Met Éireann every morning rather than trusting the forecast you read on the way over. The rest is panniers and patience.