Cork Cycling Route Offers City and Countryside Views

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Keen cyclists looking to appreciate the beauty of Ireland may like to launch their trips from the city of Cork. Drivers arriving into Dublin airport can simply rent a car, pick up their vehicles and continue to Cork in order to start their cycling adventures. Visitors who are exploring the rest of the county often like to spend some time in the city before they move on to other locations.

Holidaymakers are free to take bike tours around its streets or walk if they prefer. The compact city is teaming with cultural delights that provide a great insight into the area's past. Visitors looking for water sports can visit Cork's harbour, which is one of the largest in the world and helped the city become a major maritime centre in Ireland.

Sightseers can take the opportunity to view St. Finn Barre's Cathedral, which stands on the site of a monastery founded by the city's patron saint Fin Barre in the 6th century. In addition, many tourists also choose to visit the famous Church of St Anne Shandon where they are offered the chance to ring its bells. Cyclists keen to explore the region tend to head west from the city on a recognised bike route that takes them through the stunning countryside to arrive at Inchigeelagh, which is 56km from the Cork. The small village sits near the banks of the River Lee and is a great stopping off point for those wishing to relax and enjoy the scenery before heading further into the county.

From here, cyclists can travel 38km to the seaside enclave of Glengarriff where they are able to take advantage of the amenities on offer for tourists. The lively village often hosts musical evenings and has numerous shops and galleries. Sightseers are also free to take a ferry trip to the nearby Ilnacullin, which is a peaceful island located in Bantry Bay that boasts stunning, manicured gardens.

Cyclists keen on taking in more of Ireland's rolling countryside can then choose to travel
towards the north east towards Gougan Barra. The route returns to Inchigeelagh where some travellers spend more time before making the 40km to the national park. Located in the area is a lake containing an island that is believed to be the location of another monastery that was built by St Fin Barre in the 6th Century. Here visitors can take in the forest scenery, which is made up of an eclectic mix of trees, plants and wildlife.

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