Cycling in Ring of Kerry

Terrain

Road, Touring, Climbing

Difficulty

Moderate — Challenging

Road Quality

Mixed

Cycling Culture

Growing

Pro Team Presence

No WorldTour training presence, but the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle — held annually in July — is one of Ireland's largest mass-participation cycling events, drawing up to 10,000 riders and raising the sport's profile significantly in the region.

Traffic

Moderate

Best Time to Cycle in Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry operates on an extended Irish seasonal calendar. May, June, and September are the sweet spot: manageable temperatures of 13–18°C, adequate daylight for the full 180km circuit, and traffic that has not yet reached the July and August peak when coach tours dominate the N70. June is generally excellent — long evenings, stable weather windows, and roads that are busy but not oppressive. July and August bring the highest visitor volumes, which means the anticlockwise direction (opposite to coach tour convention) becomes almost essential for enjoyable riding on the southern coastal section. September is arguably the finest month: the summer crowds recede, temperatures remain mild, and the light on the Kerry mountains takes on a quality that early-season riding cannot match. April and October are viable for experienced riders who will accept Irish weather uncertainty. Winter months (November through February) are not recommended: short days, wet roads, and little infrastructure open on the circuit.

Temperature: 4°C (winter) to 20°C (summer)

Best Cycling Climbs in Ring of Kerry

Insider Tips

• Ride the Ring of Kerry anticlockwise. The official touring direction (and the direction all coach tours follow) is clockwise. Anticlockwise puts you ascending Coomakista from the better side, avoids the eastward headwind on the northern coastal section, and removes the coach convoy from your day almost entirely. The only trade-off is a longer climb out of Killorglin on the western approach.
• Start the full 180km circuit from Killarney by 07:00 if attempting it in a single day. The gap between hotel breakfast opening (typically 07:30 or 08:00 in most Killarney properties) and the ideal start time creates a real logistical challenge — negotiate an early start bag the evening before or rely on a café in Killorglin (22km from Killarney) for first food stop.
• The N70 between Cahirciveen and Glenbeigh on the northern coastal section can be exposed to strong Atlantic westerlies that create brutal headwinds for clockwise riders. Anticlockwise riders get this as a tailwind section and can cover the 40km between Cahirciveen and Killorglin significantly faster than the gradient profile suggests.
• The Gap of Dunloe road is technically private and pony-and-trap tourist operators have right of way. Be courteous, yield to horses, and do not attempt to pass a trap in a narrow section. Horses can be unsettled by cyclists appearing suddenly from behind — approach slowly and announce your presence verbally.
• Killarney National Park is freely accessible by bike on the estate roads through the Muckross demesne. These traffic-free sealed paths connect Killarney town to Muckross House (9km) and continue to the Upper Lake — an excellent recovery ride or warm-up loop that keeps you off the N71 while delivering extraordinary scenery through ancient oak woodland along the lakeshore.

How to Get to Ring of Kerry for Cycling

Getting around: Car Recommended — Killarney is the natural hub for Ring of Kerry cycling. The full 180km circuit starts and finishes in Killarney town, making a base here entirely practical for the full loop and for exploring individual sections of the route on separate days. The Gap of Dunloe and Moll's Gap are both within 15km of Killarney centre, rideable directly from accommodation without any car transfer. A car becomes useful for accessing the Beara Peninsula (40km south of Killarney) or for combining Ring of Kerry cycling with the Dingle Peninsula. Killarney has reliable taxi and transfer services with estate car and van capacity for bikes.