Best UK biking routes in Ireland
Dublin > Wexford > Arklow > Wicklow > Dublin (N81/N80/N11/R742/N11/R750/R761/N11/M11)
Total distance: 180 miles (approx)
Time taken: All day, so it does…
A visit to the Emerald Isle simply wouldn’t be complete without a night or two spent in Dublin. That said this route takes in what are probably the three best alternative places to stay if you don’t fancy mixing with fellow tourists in the capital city.
Starting off in Dublin, you’re spoilt for choice. Either head off towards the coast on the R761 towards to Arklow or take the inland N81 through the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. The road surface here isn’t the greatest, so it’s best to just take it steady and savour some of the best scenery Ireland has to offer.
Once in Wexford, stop and enjoy the quaint Norman architecture and narrow streets that are home to plenty of local eateries serving fresh local produce. Once you’ve filled up both bike and belly, head along the R742 towards Arklow, then after a brief stint on the N11, pick up the R761 towards Wicklow for yet more breathtaking views as you near Brittas Bay — one of the best beaches anywhere in the UK. Relax for a chilled ride back to the capital on the N11 or continue to explore the coast road.
Quick instructions
- Pick up the signs for the N81 signed for Brittas and Tullow
- Get on the N80, then head down the N11 for Wexford
- Out of Wexford, head for Curracloe on the R742
- Follow the R742 north to the N11
- Ride into Arklow, then take the R750 to Wicklow
- Go back to Dublin on the N11 or continue along the coast road
Check out this great biking route now…
Killarney > Kenmare > Sneem > Caherciveen > Killorglin > Killarney (Also known as the ‘Ring of Kerry’) (N71/N70//N72)
Total distance: 115 miles (approx)
Time taken: Take five hours or more to enjoy
Quick instructions
- From Killarney, pick up the N71 to Kenmare
- Then jump on the N70 to Sneem
- It’s now the only main road all the way to Killorglin..
- Get on the N72 back into Killarney
Take on the ‘Ring of Kerry’ now…
Tralee > Ballyheigue > Ballyduff > Tralee (R551/R556)
Total distance – 32 miles (approx)
Time taken – Under an hour
Quick instructions
- From Tralee head to Ballyheigue on the R551
- Follow the R551 all the way to Ballyduff
- Find the ‘Wolf’s Step’ in Ballyduff…
- …then turn round and pick up the R556
- Arrive back in Tralee
Check out the route on our map…
Lisburn > Dundrod > Glenavy > Ballinderry > Lisburn (B101/B38/B154/B101/B38/B12/B104)
Total distance – 25 miles (approx)
Time taken – An hour but you’ll want to take longer
Quick instructions
- Leave Lisburn and pick up the B101 towards Antrim
- At Dundrod, turn right onto the B154
- Then take a right again onto the B38
- Follow the B38 all the way to Glenavy
- Fork left onto the B12…
- …then take the B104 back to Lisburn
Take a look at the route…
Enniskillen > Belleek > Kesh > Enniskillen (A46/A47/A32)
Total Distance – 60 miles (approx)
Time Taken – A great evening ride at sunset
Quick instructions
- Head for Belleek on the A46
- Turn right onto the A47 towards Kesh and Omagh
- Keep headed right onto the A32 back to Enniskillen
Check out the route now…
Larne > Bushmills > Portrush > Portstewart > Ballymoney > Ballymena > Larne (A2/A26/A36)
Total distance – 100 miles (approx)
Time taken – Spend at least three hours on this one…
Quick instructions
- Take the A2 north out of Larne towards Glenarm
- If the sea isn’t to your right, you’ve gone the wrong way!
- Stay on the A2 all the way into Portrush
- Out of Portstewart, pick up the A26 for Ballymoney
- Follow the A26 all the way to Ballymena
- Then head left onto the A36 back to Larne