Ring of Kerry Trail

7 Days  |  From £1888pp

Ireland ( Best airport: Kerry)

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Explore the highlands of Kerry with the majestic McGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland’s greatest mountain range as your backdrop. Ride on country lanes, mountain tracks through forests, over bogs and on the golden beaches. Journey on historic Celtic trails stopping for picnic lunches in breathtaking landscapes, it’s easy to see why this trail has been named one of the World’s Greatest Horse Treks by CNN Travel. Accommodation in local hotels/b&Bs in traditional Irish villages and small towns.

The Riding

Situated in South-West Ireland, County Kerry boasts some of the finest scenery in the world and this trail takes you through the varied terrain of country lanes, beaches, forests and mountains. There truly is no better way to get under the skin of Ireland than on a horse, and this journey around Kerry is no exception.

There are opportunities for some fast canters on the beaches while the pace will be mainly walk and trot when exploring the more hilly and mountainous terrain. At all times the trail is accompanied by an experienced guide and special care is taken of nervous riders.

Level of Riding and Fitness

All riders need to be comfortable in walk, trot and canter to join the trail and should be able to ride competently in an English saddle. We advise western riders to take some English Style lessons before participating on this trip in order to familiarise themselves with English tack and style of riding.

You’ll be riding for between 4-6 hours per day so a basic level of fitness is required for you to fully enjoy the trail. The weight limit is 95kg.

Guides and Group Size

The stables were established in 1968 by Donie O’Sullivan and are still very much a family business with Donie’s wife Noreen, their two daughters Lorraine and Aoife, and son William all involved. Approved by the Irish Tourist Board, the stables are home to some 70 horses. All guides are friendly and approachable adults and experienced guides.

The group size is between 2-12.

Any questions?

Contact us now on WhatsApp with any queries you have about this trail.

The Horses

The horses are willing and reliable, allowing you to take in all the sights and enjoy the faster riding confidently. There is a wide variety of Irish bred horses and something to suit everyone, from schoolmasters to very forward going horses. All are ridden in English tack, the saddles used are the ‘Swiss Ranger’ saddle, made by Peter August Spirig (Switzerland). These are designed for comfort for the long distance rider and their horse. So extra gel pads etc. are not necessary, but if riders wish to bring them, they are more than welcome to. The horses used for the trail are a mixture of Irish Drafts, Irish Cobs and Percheron Crosses.

Ring of Kerry Trail - Horse Riding Holiday in Ireland

Accommodation and Dining

Accommodation along the route is in small hotels and B&Bs all handpicked for their friendliness and welcoming Irish atmosphere. Breakfast is included at all accommodations; either a full Irish or continental style breakfast. Lunch is a picnic, carried in saddlebags and eaten while out on the trail (usually comprising bread, fruit, meat, cheese etc.) as well as tea/coffee/water. Dinner is not included, all the villages and towns you will stay at have a selection of pubs and restaurants serving good, local food.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Ireland (transfers available from Cork, Shannon or Kerry Airport or Killarney train station) and check in at your host's farm. Meet your hosts and fellow riders and have a briefing on the upcoming trail Head into Killarney for dinner and get a good night's sleep before the trail begins the following day.
Day 2 The day begins with a short trip to the base of Seefinn Mountain, (about 20 minutes’ drive) where the first day’s ride begins. Once we have introduced horses and riders, the group heads off, and up over the Windy Gap, taking in panoramic views and the splendor of Caragh Lake and the valleys beyond. Once the Windy Gap has been conquered, the ride continues on to Coomasaharn Lake enclosed by Horseshoe Mountain, followed by a scenic ride over an Irish Bog. The first day finishes at our stables in Mountain Stage, overnight in the village of Glenbeigh.
Day 3 Glenbeigh village (Glenbeigh comes from Gleann Beithe, the Glen of the Birch Trees) is almost entirely surrounded by mountains, and the area offers a famous friendliness and humor which is nowhere better found than in this tranquil and charming region of Kerry. The scenery is breath-taking, with the River Behy and Rossbeigh Strand close by. Today is spent on Rossbeigh beach, galloping through the water’s edge and along stretches of golden sand. The day finishes with the ride taking the old Cliff road back to the stables with stunning views of Dingle Bay and the Dingle Peninsula.
Day 4 Today is a relaxing trail, giving horses and riders a chance to recover after the last two days and get ready for the next two. The morning ride takes the group from Kells Station through the bogs of Cnoc Bawn and on to Liss Bawn, with some spectacular views of Caherciveen and its surrounds. It then continues on through Island Boy and the Inny Valley and finishes for the day alongside the Tulligane Woods, where we have an Old School House dating back to 1915. Overnight in the small coastal village of Waterville (meaning the little whirlpool). The village nestles on a narrow strip of land between Lough Currane and the Atlantic Ocean, right in the heart of south-west Kerry. Its location between the seashore and the impressive mountains and headlands, gives the area many interesting scenic points and fine beaches.
Day 5 Head out on the trail after breakfast and enjoy an adventurous morning in Tulligane Woods, riding through the Inny Valley and lunching back at the School House alongside the Inny River. The afternoon ride takes a scenic route into Waterville along the old Glencar/Waterville road, with splendid views of the famous fishing lake – Lough Currane.
Day 6 Today is the final day of riding on the trail. The morning begins with either a brisk ride to Waterville beach, enjoying some exciting gallops or a trip around the panorama of Hoggs Head and Ballinskelligs Bay (the tide dictates which one we do first). Once we finish riding for the day, it’s time for riders to say goodbye to their horses and guide(s) before everyone and everything is transferred back to Killarney. This last night is spent in your host's Killarney accommodation.
Day 7 Check-out after breakfast and transfer back to the airport/train station for onward travel.

Ring of Kerry Trail

7 days / 6 nights / 5 days riding
£1888pp

Single Occupancy £230
Non-rider Price £650

Flights & Airport transfers

Do not book flights until you have received the Booking confirmation email from saddletravel.com.

Please plan your flights to/from as follows:

The closest airport is Kerry Airport (a 15 min drive). Alternatively you can also fly to Cork or Shannon (around 2 hours drive) and either be picked up at the airport or travel by bus or train to Killarney.

Please book flights to arrive between 9am-4pm on the first day of your holiday
Book departure flights to leave after 11am on the last day of your holiday

Airport Transfers

Cork: €180
Shannon: €220
Kerry Airport: €50

The train can be taken from Dublin to Killarney and from Cork to Killarney. The hosts can collect from Killarney train station free of charge.

Price Includes
  • 6 nights accommodation in twin rooms
  • Breakfasts
  • Lunches
  • 5 days of riding (4-6 hours per day)
  • Luggage transfer
  • Tea, coffee and water
  • Return transfer from/to Killarney train station if required
Price Excludes
  • Airport transfers
  • Dinners
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips