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 city 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.