The Dingle Peninsula: A Must See for All Ireland Travelers

Earlier this year, I have the opportunity to visit Ireland.  A friend of mine made the arrangements, and I was tagged along for three weeks of glorious scenery and loads of fun.

One of our excursions was a seven-day biking tour of the Dingle Peninsula.  Located in the Southwest, this area is renowned for its rugged beauty and mountain scenery.  Irish myths and archaeology also abound in this unique area.

The area stretches for about 48kms between Tralee in the east and Slea Head in the west.  As you bike along this wondrous area, rugged mountains and cliffs are beautifully interspersed with softly molded glacial valleys and lakes.  It’s difficult to forget the awe inspiring beauty of the long sandy beaches and Atlantic pounded cliffs that unravel along the coast.

If you choose to visit this gorgeous area, be sure to check the forecast before you go.  If mist or continuous rain is in the forecast, try to postpone your trip until visibility improves. 

We had the opportunity to stay in Dingle Town, which is unbelievably quaint and surprisingly has its share of celebrity visitors!  Dingle’s pubs are renowned for their music, so be sure to visit a few.

We had the wonderful fortune of viewing one of Dingle’s central attractions, a bottle nosed dolphin named Fungi, who has taken up residence in the harbor.  He’s such a permanent fixture in the harbor that local boatmen will offer day trippers their money back if you don’t get a glimpse of the cheeky dolphin.

We took Virgin Vacation’s Dingle Peninsula Biking tour, which had a terrific itinerary.  I’ve included a glimpse of it below in case you’re interested!

Day 1: Arrive at Killarney hotel and collect your bike.  Tour the town if interested and stay the night in Killarney.
Day 2: Cycle 26 miles from Killarney to Killorglin, which takes you through Killarney National Park.  Relaxing day giving you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the park and Lakeland scenery.
Day 3: Ride 34 miles from Killorglin to Dingle riding along the shores of Dingle Bay.
Day 4: On this day, you ride from Dingle to Slea Head Circuit, a distance of around 28 miles.  Archaeological remains abound and there are unbelievable views of the coast and the Blasket Islands.
Day 5: They build in a rest day in Dingle because there is so much to see and do.  You can of course take your bike and explore the surrounding areas, but I preferred to discover this quaint and enjoyable town.
Day 6: You cycle a very steep ascent over the highest road pass in Ireland, the Conor Pass.  Be sure to stop and take in your final views of Dingle and its Bay.  Heading over to Castlegregory, you will have time to discover its magnificent beach.
Day 7: Another steep ascent awaits you, but it is worth every pedal because you take the only road that traverses the peninsula, the mountain pass overlooked by Caherconree Mountain and its legendary fort.  You’ll head back to Killarney for your final night’s accommodation.
Day 8: The tour ends after breakfast and complementary transport to the airport is also included if you need it!

I hope you’ll consider visiting Ireland and taking a bike tour of your own in 2007.  It is a magical way to discover the country and will leave you with wonderful memories to last your lifetime.

Posted by on 01/25 at 12:26 PM

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