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IRELAND
Guided
Cycling - Dingle Peninsula
8
DAYS
The Dingle Peninsula is a spectacular landmass jutting
out into the sea and is the most westerly point of Europe.
The area is renowned for its rugged beauty and is a place rich in
tradition. The Gaelic speaking area has
more antiquities, historic sites and mountain scenery than any other part of
Ireland. The whole area is steeped
in ancient history and folklore; its green hills resonate with the rhymes of
past and present poets. You will also enjoy the lively town of Dingle with its
many pubs, craft shops and restaurants. You
will receive detailed route description and maps on Day 1 of the tour. The notes
below are designed to give you an idea of each cycling day.
Overnight in Killarney. Day
2. Killarney to
Killorglin (42kms/26 miles) The morning cycle is 17km/10.6miles and takes you through Killarney National Park. (Diversions to Muckross Friary and to Muckross House will add to the distance.) The cycle is not a long one but you will need to allow yourself time to see everything. It is a good introduction to the habitats and scenery of the southwest of Ireland, well represented in the Killarney National Park. There are many options for lunch in the town of Killarney. The afternoon cycle is 25km/15.7 miles, almost following the course of the River Laune west and northwest, to the town of Killorglin, your overnight stop. Day
3.Killorglin – Dingle (54kms/33
miles) Today’s
cycle takes you along the shores of Dingle Bay to the attractive and lively town
of
Dingle, where you will overnight for 3 nights.
Inch Beach gives an opportunity to swim in the cooling waters of the
Atlantic. The morning cycle is 30km to
the beach. After
lunch, continue along the coast passing Lispole village and into the fishing
town of Dingle. The
afternoon cycle is 24km. Day
4. Dingle – Slea Head
Circuit (45km/28 miles) Today’s
cycle takes you around the renowned Slea Head in Dunquin, “the nearest parish
to America”. Archaeological remains
abound and there are spectacular views of the coast and the Blasket Islands.
This is one of the few remaining areas where the Gaelic language is
spoken still in the home. Day
5. Rest Day in Dingle Optional cycle or take a boat ride to
see Fungi, Dingle’s own dolphin, visit the Blasket Islands or simply enjoy the
numerous craft shops, restaurants and pubs in Dingle. Day
6. Dingle –
Castlegregory (24km/15 miles or 37km/23 miles) Today’s
cycle takes you over the highest road pass in Ireland, the Conor Pass and over
the spine of the peninsula to reach the beaches of the Maharees Peninsula.
Overnight in Castlegregory. You
can lengthen the cycle by detouring to Cloghane and Stradbally. Day
7. Castlegregory –
Killarney (48kms/30 miles) Today’s
cycle is 48km/30miles, once more starting with a mountain pass, again over the
spine of the peninsula along less-travelled backroads before lunch.
The final leg takes us along the inner end of Dingle Bay and back to
Killarney. Day
8.
Killarney and departure Breakfast
and departure. SUMMARY
Inclusions:
NOTE: We
recommend that the travelers bring their own helmets and raingear for comfort
and hygiene purposes Start
and Finish: Killarney Accommodation:
Comfortable accommodation with private facilities. Due to the isolated
nature of some of our locations, the en-suite accommodation may not be available
on some nights of the trip Trip
Grade:
Moderate Dates
in 2005: Land
Cost:
US$ 1,245 (per person, based on two persons sharing accommodation)
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