The Kerry Way

Kerry, Ireland

Holiday overview

Destination

Ireland


Type

Self Guided


Difficulty

Moderate to Strenuous


Month

Apr - Oct


Price

£ 795 pp


Duration

7 nights


On the Kerry Way, enjoy the inimitable Irish lifestyle and the friendliness of the people along with the beautiful scenery of the area.

The famous Ring of Kerry! Ireland’s best known secret flows westwards from the Lakes of Killarney. Walking the Kerry Way avoids the bustle, takes you into the mountains, above the roads and away from the masses. Hike the foothills of the Reeks, spectacular coastline scenery and stay in Killarney, splendid in its lakeshore location. The 12 day trail starts in the famous town of Killarney and walks through Killarney National Park and over the Lakes of Killarney to the remote Black Valley and Glencar. Rhododendron forests, old oakwoods and along the foot of Ireland’s highest mountains to Glenbeigh where you meet day 2 of the 8 day tour. The Kerry Way follows old green roads, mountain trails and small country roads. It is well signposted with wooden or plastic yellow markers and road signs.

The Kerry Way covers a wide variety of terrain, from the firm footing of tarmac roads to more rugged sections out on wild mountainous countryside. The trail follows small roads commonly known to the Irish as ‘boreens’, long-abandoned coach roads and mass paths that are now overgrown with grass but nonetheless quite firm underfoot. There are also sections that cross through forestry, national parks and farmland which can get soft underfoot in places.

 

Price:

8 days/7 nights: £565.00 per person sharing, £85.00 single supplement.

12 days/11 nights: £795.00 per person sharing, £135.00 single supplement.

 

Included:

  • 7 nights (or 11) Bed & Breakfast or guesthouse accommodation;
  • Luggage transfers each day;
  • Detailed route descriptions and maps.

 

Not Included:

  • Other meals; transfers to and from Killarney;
  • Entries or excursions.

 

Suggested Extras:

Extra night in Waterville, to visit the Skellig islands with 5th century monastic remains and a bird sanctuary. An incredible place.

 

Departure Dates:

April 1- October 20.

Day 1:

Arrival in Glenbeigh

Arrival in Glenbeigh, situated at the foot of a well-wooded mountain and close to the head of Dingle Bay. Overnight Glenbeigh

 

Day 2:

Glenbeigh to Foilmore

Walk Glenbeigh to Foilmore near Cahirciveen, with views over Dingle Bay. Overnight Foilmore.

19 kms/11.9 miles

 

Day 3:

Foilmore to Waterville

Walk to Waterville over hills of 200-300m and overlooking Lough Currane. Overnight in Waterville.

25 kms/15.6 miles

 

Day 4:

Waterville to Caherdaniel

Waterville to Caherdaniel via the coastal route to Derrynane – lovely village with great beach. Overnight Caherdaniel.

15 kms/9.4 miles

 

Day 5:

Caherdaniel to Sneem Walk

Caherdaniel to Sneem on the “old Butter road”. Overnight Sneem.

19 kms/11.9 miles

 

Day 6:

Sneem to Kenmare

Sneem to Kenmare via Tahilla and Blackwaterbridge, enjoying the views over Kenmare Bay. Overnight Kenmare.

22 kms/13.75 miles or 30 kms/18.75 miles

 

Day 7:

Kenmare to Killarney

Walk to Killarney through Killarney National Park on the “Old Kenmare Road”. Overnight Killarney.

25 kms/15.6 miles

 

Day 8:

Departure from Killarney

Departure by bus or train from Killarney.

 

11 night/12 day Tour

The 11 night trail starts in the famous town of Killarney and walks through Killarney National Park and over the Lakes of Killarney to the remote Black Valley and Glencar. Rhododendron forests, old oakwoods and along the foot of Ireland’s highest mountains to Glenbeigh where you meet day 2 of the 8 day tour. An extra night is built in as a rest day at Foilmore, which also gives you the chance to visit the Skellig Islands.

 

Day 1:

Arrival in Shannon or Cork. Transfer by bus to Killarney. Overnight guesthouse Killarney.

 

Day 2:

Walk Killarney to Black Valley, through Killarney National Park to finish at Brandon’s Cottage.

22 km/13.75 miles

 

Day 3:

Walk Black Valley to Glencar. Pass under the magnificent Magillicuddy Reeks and Ireland’s highest mountain. Overnight Glencar.

23 kms/14.4 miles

 

Day 4:

Glencar to Glenbeigh, with views over Caragh Lake and Dingle Bay. Overnight Glenbeigh.

13 kms/8 miles

 

Day 5:

Walk Glenbeigh to Foilmore near Cahirciveen, with views over Dingle Bay. Overnight Foilmore.

19 kms/11.9 miles

 

Day 6:

Free day either for rest or to visit the 5th century monastic settlement on the Skellig Islands (weather permitting – boat trip not included 30 euro) or walk on Valentia Island (10 euro by boat)

 

Day 7:

Walk to Waterville over hills of 200-300m and overlooking Lough Currane. Overnight in Waterville.

25 kms/15.6 miles

 

Day 8:

Waterville to Caherdaniel via the coastal route to Derrynane – lovely village with great beach. Overnight Derrynane.

15 kms/9.4 miles

 

Day 9:

Walk Caherdaniel to Sneem on the “old Butter road”. Overnight Sneem.

19 kms/11.9 miles

 

Day 10:

Sneem to Kenmare via Tahilla and Blackwaterbridge, enjoying the views over Kenmare Bay. Overnight Blackwaterbridge.

22 kms/13.75 miles or 30 kms/18.75 miles

 

Day 11:

Walk to Killarney through Killarney National Park on the “Old Kenmare Road”. Overnight Killarney.

25 kms/15.6 miles

 

Day 12:

Departure by bus or train from Killarney.

ACCOMMODATION

Bed & Breakfast in guesthouse accommodation usually with ensuite bathroom

 

GETTING THERE

AIRPORT FOR TRANSFERS Cork or Shannon, bus to Killarney. Kerry Regional Airport.

 

WHAT TO TAKE

Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch, first-aid kit

 

WHEN TO GO

Mid-April to mid-September. Accommodation will be difficult to obtain on UK national holidays unless booked well in advance (and may require an alteration to the programme).

 

INSURANCE

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.