View source for Ring of Kerry

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The '''Ring of Kerry''' is a 179 km-long circular touristic road in County Kerry, in the South West of [[Ireland]]. Starting in [[Killarney]], the biggest and most touristic town in that area, it leads clockwise to [[Kenmare]] (N70/N71) and goes further to [[Killorglin]], passing the small towns [[Sneem]], [[Castle Cough]], [[Waterville]], [[Cahersiveen]] and [[Glenbeigh]]. Via N72 it goes back to Killarney. 

Having pretty interesting and beautiful spots (the small towns, mountains, the shore, museums etc.), the Ring is often busy and plenty of tourist buses, especially in the summer. Nevertheless, it is always possible to hitch from town to town. The part Killarney - Killorglin - Waterville (N72) is the busiest part so that hitchhiking is absolutely easy. Lots of traffic (on the day) let you find a lift after 5 minutes. Most of the cars drive to the next town, so you need several lifts what normal is for Ireland in general. But every town is a good touristic spot, where you can stop anyway. Sign boards are helpful, but not necessary, the drivers always guess your direction. 
The part between Waterville and Kenmare is really quiet in the evening so that hitchhiking works good but more slowly. Every car gives you a lift, but it could happen that you don't see a car within 30 minutes in your direction while you're walking along the street. 

The road has two lanes, which are not always very wide. However, there are enough several spots where you can stand harmless and the cars can stop easily (No hard shoulders!). In the towns themselves, just go until the end by heading the Ring of Kerry Road where you normally find a bus stop or another extra lane as a good spot. In the southern part you can walk on the road if there is no space next to and if no spots exist. The drivers already see you from a distance and, as mentioned, the next car, that passes you,stops normally. 

== Killarney ==

=== West towards [[Fossa]], [[Killorglin]], [[Glenbeigh]] ===

Just walk from the city center to the big cathedral (St. Mary Cathedral). From there, you just follow the street to the next roundabout (takes about 15 minutes), You turn right into the N72 at the roundabout and walk about 400 meters further. You see some guest-houses at your left side, in front of you there is a small bend. Before this bend, there is a short dirt track which is a good spot for the cars where you can thumb. Most of the cars go to Fossa and Killorglin, some of them to [[Dingle]]. If you head Fossa (just about 6km further) for staying in a hostel or in a camping site, you don't need a board at all. For going to Killorglin or even Dingle, a sign board would be helpful. 

== Fossa ==

=== West towards [[Killorglin]] ===

Fossa is a village that is composed of one road, the Ring of Kerry. Theoretically you could get a lift everywhere, because it is much space at the side of the road. But the best spot is immediately behind Fossa. You only go straight ahead at the left side and pass the village. The spot is a junction you should definitely use. Because there are many cars who turn left into the road. That leads to very touristic sites like the Carrauntohill (highest mountain of Ireland) or the Gap of Dunloe. So, if you hitch direction Killorglin, you should stand behind the junction, in order that the drivers know that you wanna go further along the Ring of Kerry and to ensure that every car passing you has the same way as you. There is much space to stop and you are seen easily by distance.

== Killorglin ==

=== North towards [[Dingle]], [[Tralee]] ===
From the town center you just follow the road aheading Killarney/Tralee. You will cross the river via a bridge of medium height. Behind that bridge you reach a roundabout where you turn left into the N70 and go along the pavement on the left side. After a bend (300m walking) you will find a wide place that looks like a car park. cars can stop easily. Just use a sign with TRALEE.

=== West towards [[Glenbeigh]] ===
Just go further the Ring of Kerry (N70) direction Cahersiveen. Go to the edge of the town (15 minutes to walk). On the lefthand side there is an entrance of a hotel property what is probably not used anymore. So there is enough space to stop. Cars passing you go at least to Glenbeigh (13km). You don't need a sign urgently since everybody knows where you wanna go.


== Glenbeigh == 

=== South west towards [[Cahersiveen]], Valentia Island ===