West Kerry Mountain Bike Trail * UPDATED OCT '19 *
22nd April 2019
* * * UPDATED OCTOBER 2019 * * *
This is an off-road cycling route I've been tinkering with over the past six months, linking multiple different walking trails and beaches around West Kerry with the idea to keep off the main roads as much as possible. I did the eastern half first, and then a slightly shorter version of this (which is what this blog was originally about). This loop is the best variation so far, taking in some brilliant scenery and with a good chunk of the route on green laneways, rough roads, and long lengths of beach. The road sections are quiet for the most part. The distance is 66km and the height gain is 1111m. Here it is on Strava.
The route passes pretty close to my house but for anybody else interested in doing it Ventry is probably the most logical start. There's a shop and pub in the village and toilets in the beach car park. You'll want a low tide for the beaches at Ventry and Smerwick Harbour. Starting an hour or two before low water should give you plenty of time to ensure hard sand in both places. If you'd rather save your bike the sand and salt there are roads going more or less parallel to all the beach sections. Ideally you could wait for a week of dry-ish weather beforehand but that's rare enough around these parts. Unless you're in the depths of a particularly bad winter I don't think the mud should detract from the fun too much. Be prepared to hike your bike over about half a dozen stiles/gates, maybe something to bear in mind if you're particularly heavily loaded or riding an ebike.
I did it on a hardtail (the photos here are from an older version of the ride on an older bike). I wouldn't really recommend a rigid bike unless you're willing to walk a few sections. Anything with skinny tyres will make for a pretty brutal ride in the rough places. I initially planned on doing the route in two halves with an overnight camp to try get it in between two work days, but free time and weather didn't allow. If you've never been to the area it'd make for a cool weekend trip. Though the total route is only 66km there are so many nice places to stop along the way that it wouldn't be unreasonable to make two slow days out of it. It passes numerous accommodation options if camping isn't your thing.
The off-road section on the Dingle Way between The Stonehouse (52.1057, -10.4052) and Coumeenole (52.1032, -10.4559) isn't all that enjoyable on a bike, scenic as it is. The uphills are generally too steep to ride, which is to be expected, but the flat and downhill sections don't make up for that. A good rider on a full-sus bike would probably enjoy the challenge but personally I think I'll just cycle around on the road next time. It's still incredibly scenic, and a lot less gruelling. But maybe I'm just soft.
This route includes a loop around the cliff walk at Dunquin. It could easily be left out but I think it's worth doing if you're looking to maximise miles off tarmac. There are some fun little sections of singletrack and it's just a really cool place to be riding a bike, on a clifftop overlooking the Blaskets and the wild seas surrounding them. Just maybe don't go too hard on this section as parts of the trail are quite close to the cliffs. The same warning is worth noting on the cliff section near Ballydavid. Take care.
Some day I'll get around to photographing the route properly. For now these uninspiring phone snaps might entice you to come visit.
This is an off-road cycling route I've been tinkering with over the past six months, linking multiple different walking trails and beaches around West Kerry with the idea to keep off the main roads as much as possible. I did the eastern half first, and then a slightly shorter version of this (which is what this blog was originally about). This loop is the best variation so far, taking in some brilliant scenery and with a good chunk of the route on green laneways, rough roads, and long lengths of beach. The road sections are quiet for the most part. The distance is 66km and the height gain is 1111m. Here it is on Strava.
The route passes pretty close to my house but for anybody else interested in doing it Ventry is probably the most logical start. There's a shop and pub in the village and toilets in the beach car park. You'll want a low tide for the beaches at Ventry and Smerwick Harbour. Starting an hour or two before low water should give you plenty of time to ensure hard sand in both places. If you'd rather save your bike the sand and salt there are roads going more or less parallel to all the beach sections. Ideally you could wait for a week of dry-ish weather beforehand but that's rare enough around these parts. Unless you're in the depths of a particularly bad winter I don't think the mud should detract from the fun too much. Be prepared to hike your bike over about half a dozen stiles/gates, maybe something to bear in mind if you're particularly heavily loaded or riding an ebike.
I did it on a hardtail (the photos here are from an older version of the ride on an older bike). I wouldn't really recommend a rigid bike unless you're willing to walk a few sections. Anything with skinny tyres will make for a pretty brutal ride in the rough places. I initially planned on doing the route in two halves with an overnight camp to try get it in between two work days, but free time and weather didn't allow. If you've never been to the area it'd make for a cool weekend trip. Though the total route is only 66km there are so many nice places to stop along the way that it wouldn't be unreasonable to make two slow days out of it. It passes numerous accommodation options if camping isn't your thing.
The off-road section on the Dingle Way between The Stonehouse (52.1057, -10.4052) and Coumeenole (52.1032, -10.4559) isn't all that enjoyable on a bike, scenic as it is. The uphills are generally too steep to ride, which is to be expected, but the flat and downhill sections don't make up for that. A good rider on a full-sus bike would probably enjoy the challenge but personally I think I'll just cycle around on the road next time. It's still incredibly scenic, and a lot less gruelling. But maybe I'm just soft.
This route includes a loop around the cliff walk at Dunquin. It could easily be left out but I think it's worth doing if you're looking to maximise miles off tarmac. There are some fun little sections of singletrack and it's just a really cool place to be riding a bike, on a clifftop overlooking the Blaskets and the wild seas surrounding them. Just maybe don't go too hard on this section as parts of the trail are quite close to the cliffs. The same warning is worth noting on the cliff section near Ballydavid. Take care.
Some day I'll get around to photographing the route properly. For now these uninspiring phone snaps might entice you to come visit.