Biking & Hiking Ireland, 5-Day Activity Holiday from €685

Expand to view itinerary »

Point 1: Dingle to Ring-of-Kerry (Killarney)

We begin this fun-packed day with a visit to Muckross Estate and Killarney National Park, where you can choose to walk or cycle the shores of Muckross Lake to Torc Waterfall or take an optional visit into the magnificent 19th century Muckross House. Alternatively, you can experience Killarney National Park from a different perspective, on an optional kayaking trip out onto its magical lakes. Following a scrumptious picnic lunch in the shadow of the 15th century Ross Castle, we begin our afternoon's adventures in open boats, crossing over the tranquil lakes to Lord Brandon’s Cottage. Once on dry land again, we'll enjoy a leisurely walk through the ruggedly beautiful Gap of Dunloe (approx. 7kms) to Kate Kearney's Cottage - a traditional pub that marks the trail’s end.

Point 2: Ring-of-Kerry to West Cork

Today, we explore the spectacular coastal scenery of the Ring of Kerry, taking one of the most scenic walks in Ireland along the old Mass Path, which forms part of the Kerry Way. The path brings us out on the sand dunes above Derrynane beach. Here, on a fine day, you can take a dip in the Irish Atlantic, or, if the tide is out, you'll be able to cross over the beach to Abbey Island, where you’ll find the remains of a 10th century abbey and the local cemetery. We continue on to the heritage town of Kenmare for lunch, with time to explore the colourful market town and the nearby Bronze Age stone circle. In the afternoon, we discover the art of Irish cheese making traditions at Manning’s Emporium and sample some local cottage varieties, before heading out onto Sheep’s Head, where, without a doubt, sheep outnumber people on this secluded peninsula. One of the quietest and most remote parts of Ireland, Sheep’s Head possesses a tranquil beauty where we can enjoy our trails in picturesque solitude. When the sun sets, you have the option to join us on a starlight kayaking trip, where, if we’re lucky, we may experience the beauty of bio-luminescence around us while we paddle, marvelling as the waters glow with a thousand tiny lights!

Point 3: West Cork to Cork City

Romantic, rural Ireland is epitomised as we creep along the Cork coastline, passing through the many colourful towns and villages as we go. Walks and cycles take us along the craggy coastline and through the verdant hills of West Cork, past abbeys and ancient ruins, into the picture-perfect postcard town of Kinsale. Known as the gourmet capital of Ireland, we’ll be sure to arrive in plenty of time for a leisurely lunch and lots of photos, before heading up to the magnificent Charles Fort. Standing guard over the sheltered bay, Charles Fort is considered one of the most well-preserved 17th century star-shaped forts in Europe. After our visit, we end our day in vibrant Cork City, known as the Venice of Ireland. You have the option to see Cork from a different perspective, on an optional guided evening paddling tour of the city along the River Lee, before you venture out to discover this exciting, thriving capital of the south.

Point 4: Cork City to Kilkenny

Departing Cork for the ‘Sunny South East’, we begin our day’s touring with a trip to an old favourite, the famed Blarney Castle. Prepare to hang upside down and receive the ‘gift of the gab’ as you kiss the Blarney Stone! We’ll then follow the pilgrims' footsteps to the pretty seaside village of Ardmore, where it’s said that St. Declan brought Christianity to Ireland even before St. Patrick! It boasts a beautiful 5km cliff walk, along part of a longer walking trail known as ‘St. Declan’s Way’, which ends at the old monastic site and round tower. We follow our visit with a cycle along the spectacular Copper Coast in Waterford. In the afternoon, we enjoy a peaceful walk or cycle along the meandering Barrow River, between St. Mullins and Graiguenamanagh, or you can join an optional paddling trip on the tranquil river instead, before enjoying a well-deserved pint in ones of Graigue’s extraordinary traditional pubs. We rest our heads in Ireland’s finest medieval city, the seat of Irish political power in the Middle Ages, which has left its mark on the town with a majestic riverside castle, charming architecture and a medieval cathedral.

Point 5: Kilkenny to Dublin

We begin our day with a scenic drive through the lush landscape of County Carlow and into Wicklow, stopping at Ireland’s oldest working woollen mills, in the pretty village of Avoca, where we learn of the time-old tradition of weaving. We then make our way along the valley, into the ancient monastic ruins of Glendalough, meaning ‘valley of the two lakes’. We take a visit to the famous Glendalough Monastic Settlement to learn about ‘the land of saints and scholars’, before taking a walk along the lakeside to the picturesque Poulanass Waterfall. We finish our day with a spectacular scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains National park, over the Sally Gap, where those who fancy pedalling will be rewarded with a breath-taking cycle back down towards Dublin.

We Include ~ No Hidden Extras!

• 5-day activity holiday, with an experienced tour leader
• 4 nights' hotel accommodation in 3-4* hotels
• All entrance fees for guided visits, as outlined in the itinerary
• Bike hire, with fully equipped bicycle, helmet and accessories
• Stunning walks each day, with route notes & maps
• Exhilarating bike-rides each day, with route notes & maps
• Picnic lunch in Killarney National Park  & Waterford Copper Coast Park
• Breakfast each morning
• All our buses are fitted with drinking water tanks, to refill your water bottles, as well as a fruit basket and cookie jar to refuel along the way!
• All ferries, tolls and taxes
• Heaps of fun along the way!

Included Activities & Excursions ~

• Open boat ride across Killarney lakes to the Gap of Dunloe
• Visit Torc Waterfall
• Walk or cycle Muckross Lake, Killarney National Park
• Walk the Gap of Dunloe
• Ring of Kerry
• Valentia Island
• Mass path walk in Derrynane Park
• Kenmare heritage town
• Irish Farmhouse Cheese discovery and tasting
• Walk or cycle on Sheep's Head Peninsula
• Walk or cycle the back roads of west Cork
• Visit 17th Century Charles Fort, Kinsale
• Visit Blarney Castle and Stone
• Walk Ardmore coastal path to St. Declan's monastic site
• Cycle Copper Coast Geopark in Waterford
• Walk or cycle the Barrow Towpath, Graiguenamagh
• Visit Avoca Woolen Mills
• Visit Glendalough monastic settlement
• Walk Glendalough lakes to Poulannass Waterfall
• Cycle the Sally Gap in Wicklow National Park

We Don't Include ~ Giving You The Choice!

• Optional* activities, as outlined below
• Lunch & dinner, as outlined in the itinerary
• Transport to tour meeting point
• Any additionally requested pre- or post-tour services
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses

Optional Activities & Excursions ~

• 3-hour kayaking our of Killarney lakes = €50
• Starlight kayaking in west Cork = €50
• Irish Home Cooking class at a farmhouse in Cork = €40
• Paddling on the river Barrow by canoe = €45
• Tour of Cork City by kayak on the river Lee = €50

Frequently Asked Questions

This tour is available on the following dates:

All of our tours are subject to a minimum amount of bookings - if you can see a green tick to show the tour is guaranteed to run, this means we have already met the minimum amount of bookings required.