May 1st Day 1 – Arrive in Killarney
Our Hiking tour begins in the bustling own of Killarney. Killarney
is home to the spectacular National Park and the majestic Three Lakes of
Killarney. We will meet our guide at 5 pm this evening for a tour briefing
before enjoying a delicious meal with your fellow hikers in a local restaurant.
Included: Dinner
May 2nd Day 2 – Killarney to the Black Valley
Today is all about the lakes. Our route today takes us along
sections of the shores of all 3 of the famous Lakes of Killarney, you will
begin in Killarney National Park and then follow an old “mass path” along the
shores of the Upper Lake to reach the Black Valley.
We will then take a magical boat journey through the 3 lakes to
return to Killarney for our overnight.
Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 13.29 miles | Height gain – 1614
ft | Height loss – 1598 ft | Max Height – 948 feet. Terrain: Mountain tracks
and green roads. Can be wet underfoot – boots essential. Due to limited
lodging in the Black Valley – we will stay in Killarney again on Day 2.
May 3rd Day 3 – Black Valley to Glencar
This morning we will be transferred back to the Black Valley to
begin our hike. From the Black Valley we follow a route overlooking a
lake, then ascend to cross over a ‘saddle’ into the Bridia Valley. We’ll
Ascend another saddle once used for driving animals to markets. The hike
takes us into the foothills of McGillcuddy’s Reeks (Ireland’s highest mountain
range) as we follow through the wild magnificence of the Ring of Kerry. With
views across to Carrauntohill Mountain, we continue beside a river to reach the
tiny hamlet of Glencar where we’ll overnight.
Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 10.87 Miles | Height gain – 2693
ft. | Height loss – 2273 ft. | Max Height – 1256 ft. Terrain: Road walking,
grass and gravel tracks, open mountain, and bogland, can be wet underfoot.
Boots essential.
May 4th Day 4 – Glencar to Glenbeigh
This is a fantastic walk today taking us over the beautiful
Blackstone’s Bridge, along the Caragh River and Valley. We continue
around Seefin mountain which is closely linked to Ireland’s mythology. From
here you descend to the lovely village of Glenbeigh. The views across
Castlemaine Harbour and out west to Dingle Bay have to be seen to be
appreciated. Glenbeigh, once a thriving Stage Coach stop is a village with
immense character. If you have more energy you can visit Rossbeigh Beach
which lies further west. Overnight in Glenbeigh.
Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 13.23 Miles| Height gain – 2077
ft. | Height loss – 2493 ft. | Max Height – 1112 ft. Terrain: Road
walking, mountain rocky tracks, grass tracks, and forest paths. Boots essential.
May 5th Day 5 – Glenbeigh to Caherciveen
Our hike takes us from just outside the town of Glenbeigh, along
the northern shores of the peninsula, to the town of Cahersiveen. This
walk follows an19th century Stage Coach route with spectacular views across to
the Dingle Peninsula. We will pass through old, deserted villages which
were once busy centers of activity, trading with passengers on the old
stagecoaches. We follow along little boreens and old farming trails today
to reach the town of Cahersiveen. Overnight in Cahersiveen.
Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 18.33 Miles | Height gain – 1821
ft. | Height loss – 2110 ft. | Max Height – 1204 ft. Terrain: Grass mountain
tracks with some rocky sections. Gravel tracks and some road walking. Boots
essential.
May 6th Day 6 – Cahersiveen to Waterville
Following in a south-westerly direction today, we will have
coastal views for much of our hike! This walk takes us across the tip of the
peninsula with views north over the Dingle Peninsula and west across the
Atlantic Ocean. We’ll likely meet some sheep on the high hills on
our way to reach Waterville – one of Charlie Chaplin’s favorite
haunts. Overnight in Waterville.
Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 18.9 Miles | Height gain – 2694
ft. | Height loss – 2661 ft. | Max Height – 1299 ft. Terrain: Grass mountain
tracks with some rocky sections. Gravel tracks and some road walking. Boots
essential.
May 7th Day 7 – Waterville to Caherdaniel
Today’s hike takes us around the most westerly tip of the Ring of
Kerry, overlooking the stunning Derrynane Bay, the Beara Peninsula, and an
abundance of islands. We’ll finish your hike in the beautiful village of
Caherdaniel where we overnight.
Upon reaching Caherdaniel you will meet a local seaweed forager
who will introduce you to this amazing plant. You can taste different seaweeds
and learn about the Irish seashore and what lies beneath the waves.
Included: Breakfast, Seaweed experience
Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 9 miles | Height gain – 1102 ft.
| Height loss – 997 ft. | Max Height – 807 ft. Terrain: Rocky and
grass tracks, mountain tracks and bogland, and some road walking. Boots
essential.
May 8th Day 8 – Caherdaniel to Sneem
We’ll learn more about Kerry’s Dark Sky Reserve (one of only a
small number of reserves worldwide) as we start our hike out of
Caherdaniel. Our route today will have views across the Atlantic as well as an
opportunity to see ancient ring forts. We’ll walk in an easterly direction
along an old ‘butter road to the colorful village of Sneem for our
overnight.
Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 10.8 Miles | Height gain – 1749
ft. | Height loss – 1795 ft. | Max Height – 741 ft. Terrain: Country lanes,
grass tracks, Rocky Mountains and some road walking. Boots essential.
May 9th Day 9 – Sneem to Kenmare
The heritage town of Kenmare is our goal today, as we follow along
the shores of the Kenmare River from Sneem. Beginning with a short drive from
Sneem, our hike starts on farm tracks, goes across the open hillside, and then
along the shores of Kenmare Bay. Finally, we gain height to enjoy glorious
views before descending into Kenmare for our overnight.
Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 21 miles | Height gain – 2405 ft.
| Height loss – 2408 ft. | Max Height – 2405 ft. Terrain: Forest tracks, some
road walking, mountain tracks, and country lanes. Boots essential.
May 10th Day 10 – Kenmare to Galways Bridge
Today starts with a visit to a local sheep farm. Meet some newborn
lambs and see how the shepherds work with the sheepdogs to control their
flock.
Following time at the farm we will be transferred to the start of
today’s short hike where we complete the circuit of the Kery Way hiking trail!
The route takes us along the Old Kenmare Road, once used by people traveling to
markets. This is unspoiled wilderness seen only by hikers, deer, and the
soaring sea eagles that we may be lucky enough to see.
At the end of today’s route, we will be transferred to Killarney
for our final night of celebration. Enjoy a delicious meal and a few pints!
Look back and revel in our epic journey through the wilds of County
Kerry.
Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Sheep Farm Experience
Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 6.5 Miles | Height gain –
1191 ft. | Height loss – 1227 ft. | Max Height – 955 ft. Terrain: Rocky and
gravel tracks, some road walking, mountain tracks, and country lanes. Boots
essential.
May 11th Day 11 – Depart from Killarney
Your tour finishes this morning after breakfast (included).
You can either make your way back to Dublin for a departure flight or stay
extra days in Ireland and explore on your own! From Killarney, connections by
bus and train are frequent to Cork Limerick, Shannon, or Dublin.
How to Get To/From Killarney
You’ll need to arrive in Killarney on May 1st by 5 PM as we
will have our group meeting and dinner that night before we start hiking the
next day.
There are a number of ways to get to Killarney – bus, train, plane
It’s pretty easy to book your own bus or train shuttle to
Killarney, however, if you’d rather not, Ireland Walk Hike Bike can book this
for you. The cost is an additional €12.50 to your final invoice to cover their
administration costs for this service.
Nearby Airports:
Dublin – 5-6 hours to Killarney
Shannon – 3-4 hours to Killarney
Cork – 1.5 hours to Killarney
Kerry (regional) – 20 to 30 minutes to Killarney
*If you cancel when your spot is confirmed and outside of 60 days until departure, you can receive a trip credit for your down payment minus the $100 cancellation fee.
