Difficulty Rating : 9 Start : Killarney Finish : Killarney Daily Average : 95km Weekly Average : 380km Tour Type : Self Guided,Sportive,Group Terrain : This is a challenging hilly terrain Teaser : Cycling Safaris is going green on our Sportive tours and focusing on our own emerald garden.
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Cycling Safaris is going green on our Sportive tours and focusing on our own emerald garden.

The glossy cycling magazines always manage to lure you towards the wonderful cols and mountains made famous by the Tour de France, Giro and the Vuelta. These classic climbs reign supreme on every cyclist's bucket list.

How about tackling some of the best climbs in Ireland instead? The absolute height and length of Ventoux or the Tourmalet can not be replicated here, but that does not mean all climbs are easy. Neither does it mean that the scenery is not sublime with equally great places to stop over each night.

We can arrange private groups on request and self guided tours from anytime from summer through to October.

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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Dossiers Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival in Killarney

On arrival in Killarney you should make your way to your accommodation and explore this bustling town. If you have time you could visit Ross Castle a wonderfully restored 16th Century Norman Tower House overlooking Lough Leane. You can even hire a boat from here and row out to a 6th Century monastic site located on one of the nearby islands. Ross Castle is about 1.5 miles from the town.

Day 2

Molls Gap ~ Priests Leaps Loop : 120km (1745m)

The day begins easily enough meandering through the National Park. It is worth a moment to stop at the lovely Torc Waterfall before heading to Molls Gap , a climb that brings you via the famous Ladies View en route. It is a fast downhill to Kenmare which makes an ideal stop for a coffee before heading out to tackle Priests Leap. This climb skirts into the border of Cork and perhaps less well known, is one of the toughest. Over 4.6km the gradient averages 8% topping out at 463m, however it is the maximum gradient at 17% that really tests the mettle. From the top Bantry Bay lies before you along with a technical descent before heading back to Killarney.

Day 3

Killarney ~ Dingle : 125km or 135km (1540m)

Once again the day starts gently enough allowing the legs a chance to get going before tackling any of the climbs. The first climb of the day is the beautiful Gap of Dunloe, which although not very long has some quite steep sections, especially near the top. The road then descends into the spectacular Black Valley, a wonderfully quiet road sandwiched between the National Park and Carrauntoohil. Inevitably there is a climb to leave the valley then descending a while skirting past Carrauntoohil to then cross the Macgillycuddy's Reeks via Ballaghbeama Pass. It is only 3km long from this side but averages 6.7% with the last 500m sections plenty steeper, but another wild and wonderful landscape all the same. The route is much flatter now heading out to Inch beach. There are then a few short pulls on the small backroads to avoid the traffic and arrive in Dingle, a town that needs no introduction.

Day 4

Slea Head Loop : 60km

Today is a much easier cycle, perhaps you can consider it a recovery ride, as the truly spectacular Slea head awaits. This is a ride that is best left unhurried so as to take in the spectacular scenery. The ride is fairly flat as it passes Ventry beach but includes a few short climbs where the road twists and turns offering fantastic views of the Blasket Islands. Other distractions include the Blasket Island visitor centre, the Gallarus Oratory, and the remote and pretty Brandon Beach, where Brendan the Navigator began his epic voyages. After a short climb, there is a long gentle descent back to Dingle, where the extra time can be spent checking out the ludicrous number of pubs.

Day 5

Dingle ~ Killarney: 75 km (1170m)

The last day includes one the better known and higher roads of the trip. Almost immediately leaving Dingle the Conor Pass climb begins. It is a straight 7km up to the top at 410m where on a clear day spectacular views can be had. Perhaps the most unusual feature of the climb from this side is the consistency of gradient. It averages 5.7% and has no sharp steep sections or false flats.
The descent is twisty and scenic demanding concentration before the flat road ahead with its normal tailwind offers some fast riding to the passing Castlegregory (a small detour if you like) to the village of Camp. The last of the climbs is another remote road to Caherconree. The road begins easily enough with a few short climbs and descents before emerging onto a wild mountainside. Here the climb proper begins gradually getting steeper until the last 500m that touches 20%. The view is spectacular towards the Iveragh Peninsula. There is then a descent back to the coast and some nice backroads to finish back in Killarney.

  • 5 nights accommodation in 3 & 4* accommodation
  • Luggage transfer on Day 3 & 5
  • Fully Researched cycle routes
  • Route details and maps
  • GPX cycling files
  • Cycling Safaris Gilet

 

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SELF GUIDED TOUR PRICE 2024:

€855.00 per person sharing May to October
€50.00 pp supplement if travelling in July & August

€450.00 single occupancy ( when travelling with others )

Possible to price this tour for a group,  please email with your group requirements

Self Guided Tour Information

Self guided tour is available from April to October and can start any day of the week.
Private group tours with a guide and back up support van are available on request

This tour starts and finishes in Killarney.   It is up to each cyclist to make their own way to and from the trip and assumed that they are bringing their own bike.

It is possible to rent road bikes in Killarney,   please advise us on booking a tour if you would like more information on this

KILLARNEY

There are many places to choose from in Killaey but our first preference will be Dromhall Hotel or something of a similar standard and location in the town

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DINGLE

Dingle too has its choice of accommodation.   One of our favourite guesthouses is An Capall Dubh.   A beautiful house set in a courtyard in the heart of the town.  All the advantages of staying in the centre of Dingle but in a calm oasis!

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Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available

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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €300.00 non refundable deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The balancing payment is required two months prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The full payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.