Ireland is one of cycling's best-kept secrets. While everyone flocks to Mallorca, Girona, and the French Alps, this island sitting in the Atlantic has empty roads, dramatic coastline, mountain passes that rival anything in Europe for scenery, and a cycling culture that has been quietly growing for years.
The roads are not always perfect. The weather is, frankly, unreliable. But there is something about cycling in Ireland -- the light, the colours, the sheer variety of landscape compressed into a small island -- that gets under your skin. These are 15 routes that every cyclist should ride at least once.
1. Ring of Kerry
Distance: 180km | Elevation: ~2,200m | Start/Finish: Killarney
The most famous cycling route in Ireland for good reason. The Ring of Kerry loops around the Iveragh Peninsula through some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Europe. Expect Atlantic views, mountain passes, quiet villages, and a road that constantly reveals new vistas around every bend.
The key climbs are Coomakista Pass and Ballaghbeama Pass, neither of which will trouble an experienced cyclist but both of which reward you with extraordinary views. Do it anti-clockwise to avoid the tourist buses, which all run clockwise. Start early.
2. Wicklow Mountains Circuit
Distance: 100-130km (multiple options) | Elevation: ~1,800m | Start/Finish: Dublin
The best cycling within an hour of Dublin. The Wicklow Mountains offer proper climbing on quiet roads through a landscape of blanket bog, forests, and glacial valleys. The Military Road is the spine of most routes here, running along the ridge with expansive views in every direction.
A classic loop takes in Sally Gap, the Wicklow Gap, and Glendalough, with options to extend via Lugnaquilla or the Vartry Reservoir. The roads are well-surfaced and the gradients are steady rather than savage.
3. Wild Atlantic Way: Dingle Peninsula
Distance: 160km | Elevation: ~2,000m | Start/Finish: Tralee
The Dingle Peninsula packs an absurd amount of scenery into a relatively compact loop. Conor Pass -- the highest paved mountain pass in Ireland -- is the centrepiece, a narrow road climbing to 456m with views across the peninsula that justify every pedal stroke.
Add in the Slea Head Drive along the western tip, Brandon Bay, and the rolling roads between Dingle Town and Tralee, and you have a ride that rivals the Ring of Kerry with half the traffic.
4. Slea Head Drive
Distance: 47km | Elevation: ~700m | Start/Finish: Dingle
If you only have half a day on the Dingle Peninsula, make it Slea Head. This short loop around the western tip of the peninsula is one of the most scenic short rides in Europe. Dramatic cliffs, Blasket Island views, ancient beehive huts, and roads that feel like they are clinging to the edge of the continent.
It is short enough to savour rather than suffer. Take your time. Stop often.
5. Healy Pass
Distance: 14km one way (build into a longer loop) | Elevation: ~350m | Start: Adrigole | Finish: Lauragh
A single climb that belongs in the conversation with any European mountain pass. The Healy Pass crosses the Caha Mountains on the Beara Peninsula, and the road up from Adrigole on the south side is a proper test -- narrow, steep in places, and spectacularly isolated.
At the top, the view north across the Kenmare River and into Kerry is one of the great cycling views in Ireland. Combine it with a loop around the Beara Peninsula for a full day of extraordinary riding.
6. Gap of Dunloe
Distance: 20km through the gap (build into a loop from Killarney) | Elevation: ~400m | Start/Finish: Killarney
A narrow, winding road through a glacial valley between the MacGillycuddy's Reeks and Purple Mountain. The Gap of Dunloe is dramatic, atmospheric, and feels genuinely remote despite being minutes from Killarney.
The road surface is rough in places and the gradient kicks up toward the top. Horse-drawn jaunting cars share the road, so patience is required. Go early in the morning to avoid the tourist traffic.
7. Mourne Mountains Circuit
Distance: 80-100km | Elevation: ~1,500m | Start/Finish: Newcastle, Co. Down
Northern Ireland's best cycling. The Mournes are a compact granite mountain range that rises steeply from the coast, and the roads that circle and cross them offer proper climbing with coastal views that stretch to the Isle of Man on a clear day.
Spelga Dam, the Trassey Road, and the coast road between Newcastle and Annalong are highlights. The climbs are short but steep, and the descents are fast with good surfaces. A brilliant day out on the bike.
8. The Burren
Distance: 80-120km (multiple route options) | Elevation: ~800m | Start/Finish: Ballyvaughan or Lisdoonvarna
Cycling through the Burren is cycling through a landscape that looks like nothing else in Ireland -- or anywhere. The limestone karst terrain creates an eerie, lunar landscape of grey rock, wildflowers growing from cracks, and horizons that stretch forever.
The roads are quiet, the surfaces are decent, and the terrain is rolling rather than mountainous. Corkscrew Hill is the signature climb, short and steep with views over Galway Bay. Combine with the Cliffs of Moher coast road for a route that mixes geological oddity with Atlantic drama.
9. Sally Gap
Distance: 40km one way from Dublin (build into a loop) | Elevation: ~600m | Start: Dublin | Finish: Sally Gap crossroads
The most accessible mountain riding from Dublin. The road to Sally Gap climbs steadily from the suburbs into genuine upland wilderness within 30 minutes. At the top, you are surrounded by blanket bog, heather, and the kind of silence that feels impossible given the proximity to a million people.
The classic loop takes in Sally Gap, the Military Road, Glencree, and back through Enniskerry. It is the after-work ride for Dublin cyclists who want mountains. The surface is good and the traffic is manageable outside of sunny weekends.
10. The Vee Drive
Distance: 40km (loop from Lismore or Clogheen) | Elevation: ~600m | Start/Finish: Clogheen
The Vee is a V-shaped pass through the Knockmealdown Mountains on the Tipperary-Waterford border. The climb from either side is steady and scenic, and the top offers panoramic views across the Golden Vale to the north.
It is not the most famous route in Ireland, but cyclists who know it rate it among the best climbs on the island. The roads are quiet, the surface is good, and the surrounding countryside is beautiful in an understated, rolling-farmland kind of way. Combine with a loop through Lismore and the Blackwater Valley.
11. Sheep's Head Peninsula
Distance: 90km loop | Elevation: ~1,200m | Start/Finish: Bantry
The smallest and quietest of the West Cork peninsulas, and many cyclists' favourite precisely because of that. While everyone is on the Ring of Kerry or the Ring of Beara, Sheep's Head offers empty roads, constant ocean views, and a sense of remoteness that is hard to find elsewhere.
The road out to the tip of the peninsula narrows to single track in places and the terrain is rolling rather than mountainous. It is a ride to savour at a moderate pace rather than hammer.
12. Conor Pass
Distance: 20km one way (Dingle to Camp) | Elevation: ~456m | Start: Dingle
Ireland's highest paved mountain pass deserves its own entry beyond the Dingle Peninsula loop. The climb from the Dingle side is the more dramatic approach -- narrow, steep, and winding up through a landscape of lakes and cliffs with the Atlantic stretching out behind you.
The descent into Camp on the north side is fast and sweeping. If you are only doing one climb in Kerry, make it this one.
13. Inishowen 100
Distance: 160km | Elevation: ~1,800m | Start/Finish: Buncrana, Co. Donegal
Ireland's most northerly cycling route loops around the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal, reaching Malin Head -- the northernmost point of the island. This is wild, remote cycling through landscapes that feel closer to Iceland than to the rest of Ireland.
Expect dramatic coastal cliffs, quiet roads, the occasional hairpin climb, and weather that can change five times in an hour. The Gap of Mamore is a sharp, punchy climb with views that make the effort worthwhile. Not the easiest route logistically, but one of the most rewarding.
14. Great Western Greenway
Distance: 42km one way | Elevation: Minimal (mostly flat) | Start: Westport | Finish: Achill Island
A different kind of ride. The Great Western Greenway is a traffic-free path following a disused railway line from Westport to Achill Island in County Mayo. It is flat, family-friendly, and scenically gorgeous -- running through bogs, along the coast, and past Croagh Patrick.
This is not a training ride. It is a ride for the pure pleasure of turning the pedals through beautiful landscape without worrying about traffic, gradients, or average speed. Perfect for a rest day, a family outing, or a visiting non-cyclist who wants to understand why you love bikes.
15. Waterford Greenway
Distance: 46km one way | Elevation: Minimal | Start: Waterford City | Finish: Dungarvan
Ireland's second major greenway and another traffic-free gem. The Waterford Greenway follows the old railway line from Waterford to Dungarvan along the south coast, crossing a stunning 48m-high viaduct at Kilmacthomas that is worth the trip alone.
Like the Great Western Greenway, this is about enjoyment rather than intensity. The surface is excellent, the scenery is varied, and there are enough pubs and cafes along the route to make frequent stops both possible and advisable.
Planning Your Irish Cycling Trip
A few practical tips for cycling in Ireland:
Weather: Bring a rain jacket. Always. Even in July. Read our cycling in rain guide for technique and kit recommendations.
Road surfaces: Generally good on main roads, variable on rural lanes. Run 25-28mm tyres and you will be fine everywhere.
Navigation: Many of these routes follow signed tourist trails. A GPS device is still recommended for the more remote routes, especially in Donegal and West Cork.
Accommodation: Ireland has excellent cycling-friendly B&Bs and hotels throughout the country. Booking ahead is advisable in summer, especially along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Bike hire: Available in most major towns. Quality varies, so check reviews.
Food and drink: Do not pass a cafe without stopping. Irish scones, brown bread, and a pot of tea are the best mid-ride fuel available.
Ireland deserves its place alongside the great cycling destinations of Europe. The roads are quieter, the scenery is world-class, and the welcome is warm -- even when the weather is not. Get yourself over here and ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year for cycling in Ireland?
May to September offers the longest days and mildest weather, with June and July being the warmest months. That said, Irish weather is unpredictable year-round, so pack a rain jacket regardless of when you visit. The upside of shoulder season (April or October) is emptier roads and fewer tourists on popular routes like the Ring of Kerry.
Are Irish roads safe for cycling?
Generally yes. Outside of major cities, Irish roads carry relatively little traffic and drivers are accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists. The smaller rural roads (R-roads and local roads) are often excellent for cycling with very low traffic volumes. Main N-roads should be avoided where possible as they tend to be busier and faster.
Do I need a gravel bike for cycling in Ireland?
A road bike is perfect for all 15 routes listed here. Irish road surfaces vary, and you will encounter some rougher patches on rural roads, but nothing that requires anything beyond standard 25-28mm road tyres. Wider tyres (28-32mm) will add comfort on rougher surfaces without any real speed penalty.
