The best road cycling routes around Kenmare Municipal District

Killorglin, beautifully situated on a hill on the banks of the salmon-rich River Laune, is often called the "gateway" to the Ring of Kerry. The town is known worldwide for the ancient Puck Fair (August), Ireland's oldest festival, where a wild mountain goat from the nearby MacGillycuddy’s Reeks is crowned "King Puck". For cyclists, the imposing Laune Bridge is an iconic resting point with a direct view of the bronze statue of the goat king. With its steep, colourful streets full of characterful pubs and restaurants, Killorglin is the ideal place to soak up the atmosphere of the "Reeks District" before the route continues towards the coast.

A breathtaking sandy beach over 6 kilometers long, ideal for a break or a walk along the waterline. Enjoy the sweeping panoramas of Dingle Bay and the fresh sea breeze on this iconic headland. An absolute gem on the Ring of Kerry where the mountains and the ocean meet in their most beautiful way.

Shortly after crossing the Gleensk river, you reach this impressive viewpoint on the N70. From this height, you have an unobstructed panorama over the deep blue Dingle Bay towards the rugged mountain ranges of the Dingle Peninsula on the other side. It is a place where the scale of the Irish landscape truly becomes palpable: the depth of the cliffs below you, the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, and the iconic contours of the Blasket Islands in the distance.

During a visit to this small town, deeply marked by the struggle for independence, visit the Heritage Centre (Old Barracks, Bridge St.). Here, among other things, the story of its most famous inhabitant, Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847), who fought for the emancipation of Catholics, is told. On the other side of the estuary, in Kimego West, you should not miss two of Kerry's most beautiful round forts.

This island on the Wild Atlantic Way is an absolute must-stop. From the 365 million-year-old Tetrapod footprints to the site of the first trans-atlantic telegraph cable: Valentia breathes history. Cycle to the iconic lighthouse or conquer Geokaun Mountain for a spectacular 360-degree view over the Dingle Peninsula and the Skellig Islands. Whether you take the bridge from Portmagee or the ferry at Reenard, the mix of rugged cliffs, subtropical gardens and the charm of Knightstown makes this an unforgettable route.

Portmagee Harbour is the beating heart of the small fishing village of Portmagee. The colourful row of houses along the water, the bobbing boats, and the view of the bridge to Valentia Island give the harbour a charming, almost postcard-like atmosphere. In the early morning, boats depart from here towards the Skellig Islands; later in the day, calm returns and the light of the bay reflects in the still water.

A wide, open bay on the west coast of Kerry, known for its rugged Atlantic character: dark rocky edges, a narrow strip of beach, and powerful waves rolling straight onto the coastline. The bay lies deep between two headlands, making the view tightly focused on the ocean and — in clear weather — the silhouettes of Skellig Michael and Little Skellig.

A clear white beach that feels like a quiet breather along the usually busy Ring of Kerry. The rock formations break the beach into small, sheltered rooms where the sound of the ocean rolls in muffled. Despite the proximity of O’Carroll’s Cove and the campsite, the beach itself remains surprisingly quiet: buses race past, but rarely stop. As a result, the dominant rhythm here is that of the coastal wind and the seagulls circling in fixed patterns above the Kenmare River.