Ring of Kerry, a coastal circuit around Killarney
Published on 08/20/2026 at 20:42 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
The Ring of Kerry is a circular touring route that loops through County Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula, beginning and ending in the town of Killarney. It follows a ring of public roads around a landscape of mountains, lakes and Atlantic inlets, linking a chain of small towns and villages in the south-west of Ireland. The route took shape in the twentieth century as motor traffic reached these coastal roads and it is now a well-established part of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
A circuit around the Iveragh Peninsula
The Ring of Kerry traces a full circuit around the Iveragh Peninsula, the largest of the peninsulas that project into the Atlantic from County Kerry. Road descriptions consistently place its length at around 179 km (111 miles), forming a closed loop that returns to Killarney after passing through a series of settlements along the coast and interior.A 179 km circular route is frequently cited in walking and driving guides, and this figure anchors the idea of the Ring as a complete day’s circuit by road.
Killarney is widely given as both the starting and finishing point, making it the practical gateway to the Ring of Kerry.Descriptions of the Iveragh Peninsula emphasise that the Ring of Kerry circles its coastlines and nearby roads, with Killarney just to the east. Travellers following the loop encounter towns such as Kenmare, Sneem, Caherdaniel, Waterville, Cahirciveen, Glenbeigh and Killorglin one after another before returning to their starting point.Guides for walkers and motorists present these place names almost as waypoints on an extended coastal loop.
Roads, landscapes and the Wild Atlantic Way
The Ring of Kerry is formed by existing national roads, principally the N71 and N70, with short sections of the N72 used near Killarney.Driving guides describe how the N71 carries traffic from Killarney towards Kenmare, while the N70 loops around the coastal fringe of the peninsula before rejoining routes back to Killarney. The result is a clearly defined circuit that can be driven in either direction, though organised coach tours tend to favour one side of the loop.
The route forms part of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way coastal road, and it reflects that larger programme’s focus on seaboard scenery. Drivers and cyclists move between Atlantic bays, sandy strands and stretches of upland pasture, with the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and other mountain groups visible inland. Several guides mention detours such as the Skellig Ring, a separate loop branching off near Cahersiveen that connects Portmagee and Ballinskelligs before rejoining the main Ring of Kerry road system.Descriptions of the Skellig Ring underline how additional loops extend the coastal character of the journey.
Walking, cycling and touring the Ring
The Ring of Kerry is not only a driving route; it has also been adopted as a long-distance walking and cycling circuit.Walking-route descriptions explain that walkers tackle the Ring in stages over several days, staying in the towns and villages along the way. The full loop’s length makes it practical to divide into sections that connect settlement to settlement, with overnight stays arranged at regular intervals.
Cycling information from regional outdoor organisations presents the Ring of Kerry as a substantial but achievable circuit for experienced riders.Guides to scenic drives and cycles refer to a loop of around 180 to 200 km for combined driving and cycling routes that follow the coastline. Whether approached on foot, by bicycle or by car, the journey becomes a sequence of vantage points over bays, offshore islands and interior lakes, punctuated by short visits to local settlements.
Visiting Ring of Kerry: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Ring of Kerry lies in County Kerry in the south-west of Ireland, forming a circuit around the Iveragh Peninsula with Killarney as a common starting point. It is usually reached by road from Killarney, following the N71 and N70 routes.
- The circuit follows public roads with frequent changes in gradient, narrow sections and bends, particularly on coastal stretches of the N70. Travelling the route involves sustained periods of driving or cycling on winding roads.
- The Ring of Kerry forms part of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way coastal corridor, so open Atlantic shores and exposed headlands are a recurring feature along the drive and associated walking routes.
- The official language is English and the currency is the euro (EUR).
Searching for Ring of Kerry on social platforms
These links open searches for Ring of Kerry on each platform.
Frequently asked questions about Ring of Kerry
Where is the Ring of Kerry located?
The Ring of Kerry is a circular route in County Kerry in the south-west of Ireland, looping around the Iveragh Peninsula and commonly starting and ending in Killarney.
What should travellers expect on a visit?
Travellers encounter a long circuit of public roads with varied gradients, coastal scenery and a succession of towns and villages, with driving, walking and cycling routes using the same broad loop.
What makes the Ring of Kerry distinctive compared with other routes?
The Ring of Kerry combines a defined 179 km circuit with both Atlantic coastline and mountain landscapes, linking several named settlements in a single continuous loop centred on Killarney.
