Cycling in Waterville

Whether you have your own bicycle, or wish to hire one for the day, Waterville has you covered!
Fair weather cyclist? How about an easy spin from the main village to Waterville Golf Links beach or maybe a longer spin out to the Inny Valley and back - there's a nice 30 kilometer loop with excellent views of the mountains.
Looking for a challenge? How about 100 kilometers over the famous Ballaghasheen Pass, the Ballabeama Gap, onto Sneem, and then back again on the Ring of Kerry road.  It's stunning - you'll not see many cars out by Ballybeama, but you'll see lots of sheep!
One of the hardest hills - some of us walk it - is on the cycle to Valentia Island and back!  You'll need to dig deep to make it up the hill by St. Finian's Bay.  That cycle is about 50 km - if you're ready for more, cross the bridge at PortMagee and loop around Valentia Island, too.
The best part about cycling in Waterville is coming back at the end of the ride and enjoying a relaxing pint at one of our local pubs! You deserve it.....

Some suggested routes...

Route 1

Leave Waterville going towards Caherdaniel, just about 1km approx take a left for Hogs Head Lodge. This road will carry you approx 16km to a dead end - turn around returning via the same route. Parts of ithis runs along by the lake shore, where you will get a scenic view on your of both Lough Currane and the Capall Lake and mountains.

Also if you wish to view a part of the world famous Kerry Way Walking Trail, take a left where you see Kerry Way sign and this will bring you on a dirt track (bohereen) through the forest and return. Further on you will see the old Glenmore School which is now a small heritage centre. This road is windy and narrow. There are a few little steep short climbs dotted along the way. This route suits most cyclists.

Route 2

Leave Waterville going towards Caherdaniel, just after crossing bridge take a right where you see a sign for The Kerry Way. This road will take you past the Hogs Head Golf Club and close to the coastline. Again this is a narrow road. There are a few short climbs along the way, the longest being after passing Rineen pier on your right which will take you over the top into the townland of Rinearagh.

Approx total distance is 14km. On your right you have Ballinskelligs Bay and you will also see the Skelligs Rock in the distance. On your left you will see mountains and when you go over the top you will see Derrynane and both Scariff and Deenish Islands. Some spectacular scenery along this route. Also if you wish, you can go on the grass path and walk towards Hogs Head and return same route. Again this route suits most cyclists. Also if you wish just before you come to Rineen pier after crossing a small bridge you can take a left which will take you to a part tarmac and track and will take you in a loop around Rineen and Lohar, where you will see Loher Fort on your left. Continue on and see another sign for Kerry Way, just beyond this you will come to a junction whereby going right will bring you onto the main Caherdaniel-Waterville road and swing left for Waterville. Also if you wish at the junction you can go left, pass old Loher school(now a holiday home) and swing right which will bring you back part of route of outward trip and then at main Caherdaniel -Waterville road swing left to get back to village. Again this route suits all type of cyclists.

Route 3

On leaving Waterville take a right at The Grotto (Mace Supermarket) onto the Beenbane Road, heading towards the mountains. Along this route you can see Lough Currane on your right (Church Island is on lake). After approximately 4 km take a right for Dromkeare, Killagurteen.

This again is a narrow road and there is a sharp bend just before and after you cross bridge. You have views of mountains as you leave Lough Currane behind you. Continue on and you will come to a junction ( on right an old school house).
Here again you have options. If you stay right, you can continue to Octive which will bring you to a dead end at Maughernane and return. Here you can view the Upper lakes, Cloonaghlin, Derriana on you left and Iskanamacteery on your right.  Also spectacular views of the mountains. Return the same way pass junction, keep straight where you come to Top of Cross (sign) at the main road and swing left for Waterville. Option 2- At junction if you do not wish to continue to Upper Lakes you may go left for Top of Cross and then left again for Waterville. Distances varies depending on what route you take.

Max approx 25km-30km. Again suits all type of cyclists.

Extreme care taken on these routes as some of these country roads can be bumpy and one lane wide. Beware of oncoming traffic at the narrow bends.

For savety, be sure you wear a cycle helmet at all times.

For the more adventurous

There are also numerous longer routes for the more experienced cyclists with plenty of climbs and descents within a radius of 30-50km of Waterville taking you around South Kerry. You can take in a route to approx max 110km. To name a few, you have Coomaneaspaig on the The Skellig Ring overlooking Portmagee and Valentia Island. Ballaghasheen Pass on the main Waterville - Glencar road heading towards the Climbers Inn turn left at junction and also on same route at Bealough Bridge turn right at junction for Ballaghbeama Pass which will bring you onto Killarney (left) and Sneem (right) road.

Enjoy and safe cycling.

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