The Kerry Way | Ireland
The Kerry Way | Ireland
The Kerry Way | Ireland
11 Days Starting and ending in Killarney
Visiting: Killarney, Black Valley, Glencar, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Caherdaniel, Sneem, Kenmare
Tour operator:
Tour code:
99148
Group Type:
Independent
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
12-85
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Trip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Tour Overview
This is a Self-Guided Walk on the Kerry Way. The Kerry Way is a long distance trail in the south West of Ireland on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. The trail is over 200Km in length making it one of the longest self-guided routes and one of the most popular. Killarney is one of Ireland’s most visited parts of the country and extremely popular with tourists. It's not hard to see why when you visit this area for yourself with the Lakes of Killarney and the high peaks sitting behind them given this small town one of the most spectacular backdrops. There are also many other fine small towns along the way such as Sneem, where I suggest you visit a small Deli to get some local cheeses and a great sandwich for your days walk. With its ancients ruins, spectacular beaches, small towns and fine hills the Kerry Way really is a great trail.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Killarney
Location: Killarney
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Arrive in Killarney — receive notes, maps books. We will give you the accommodation details etc, when you book this tour.
Day 2 : Walk From Killarney To Black Valley
Location: Black Valley
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
The official start of the Kerry Way is at the Tourist Office in the town of Killarney.
A steep climb for 80m by the waterfall, where we join the old Kenmare road dating back to mediaeval times — the original Ring of Kerry Road!
Killarney to Black Valley, Distance 22Km, Ascent 400m
Day 3 : Walk From Black Valley To Glencar.
Location: Glencar
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
The way out of the Black Valley ascends with fine views of Bridia Valley ahead.
With a further kilometre on the road leading to Maghanlawaun, you may be greatly surprised to come across the Cooky Monster’s Café in this remotest of places! The Kerry way follows the flank of Lough Acoose and reaches the main road to Glencar.
Black Valley to Glencar, Distance 20Km, Ascent 500m — 8 hours
Day 4 : Walk From Glencar To Glenbeigh
Location: Glenbeigh
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Glencar to Glenbeigh, Distance 18Km, Ascent 420m — 5 hours.
Start from The Climbers Inn, the trail out of the town follows the road and meanders along quiet boreens and forestry paths through the Glencar Valley. You will have fabulous views of The McGillycuddy Reeks, Seefin Mountain and Lough Carragh.
1km of rough trail descends to meet a boreen at Gowlane, where the final 2km of tarmac road lead to the centre of Glenbeigh.
Day 5 : Walk From Glenbeigh To Caherciveen
Location: Cahersiveen
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen, Distance 28Km, Ascent 450m — 8 hours.
This section of the Kerry Way is a strenuous 7 to 10 hour (28 km) walking route along quiet back roads and gentle ascents with stunning views of Dingle Bay and Peninsula from mountain stage on the slopes on Drung Hill (640m), through woodland and finishing on quiet county roads to Cahersiveen.
Day 6 : Walk From Caherciveen To Waterville
Location: Waterville
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Caherciveen to Waterville, Distance 22km, Ascent 270m
Rejoin the Kerry Way at Teeraha. The trail leads up along a ridge of small hills and gradually up to some higher peaks of over 300 metres. Descending again, the trail leads along minor roads to Mastergeehy and on towards Coomduff.
Day 7 : Walk From Waterville To Caherdaniel
Location: Caherdaniel
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Waterville to Caherdaniel, Distance 13km, Ascent 300m — 5 hours.
Starting from the Tourist Office (open in Summer), the first 1km of the Kerry Way passes a statue of Charlie Chaplin who was a frequent visit to Waterville back in the day. After travelling the length of the promenade, the trail crosses the Currane River.
Day 8 : Walk From Caherdaniel To Sneem
Location: Sneem
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking from Caherdaniel to Sneem, Distance 19km, Ascent 400m — 7 hours.
This is a quite pleasant walk along ”green roads”, part of it being the Old Kenmare Road (we started from Killarney on this old mediaeval track) with boggy pasture around and views south over the Kenmare River Bay towards Bantry.
Watch out for Staigue Fort enroute: This ancient ring fort is well worth the small detour and is highly recommended. Staigue is an Iron Age fort, 1km off the track in quiet countryside. The drystone walls are 30 meters in diameter, 4 meters thick and 5 meters high! An intriguing system of diagonal runs of steps is leading to the top of the wall.
Day 9 : Walk From Sneem To Kenmare
Location: Kenmare
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking from Sneem to Kenmare, Distance 23km, Ascent 520m — 8 hours
This penultimate section of the Kerry Way is one of the longest but, luckily, one of the flattest. Leaving Sneem behind, the route heads south-east towards the 19th c estate of Parknasilla and through various types of oak, birch and holly, all mixed with the ubiquitous rhododendron.
After about 2.5km, you will arrive at the dormant village of Tahilla which was once a busy fishing village. The trail gradually gains height along Lough Fadda with great views back across Coongar Harbour and Drongawn Lough beyond to the south-west.
Day 10 : Walk From Kenmare To Killarney
Location: Killarney
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking from Kenmare to Killarney, Distance 26km, Ascent 630m — 7 hours.
This final stage of the Kerry Way starts from outside the Kenmare Tourist Office (only open in Summer). The first two-thirds of the section is uphill climb to the Windy Gap at around 320m via Strickeen Hill. From here you descend into Killarney National Park. Incheens is surrounded by a splendid horse-shoe of mountain peaks. From Eagles Nest to the west, to Peakeen and Knockanaguish to the south. Knockrower and Shaking Rock are to the east and Stumpacommeen and Cromaglan Mountain to the north-east. The exit to the valley is to the north with the more distant Purple Mountain on the horizon, above Killarney’s Upper Lake.
Day 11 : Stay In Killarney
Location: Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast
After you successful walk on the Kerry Way, we are sure you will be glad to have a days rest. There is so much to do in Killarney we would recommend a good rest day here.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals – Breakfast Only
There is a great selection of breakfast to choose from.
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Luggage transferred between accommodations. Maps, Books and route details.
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Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
What's Not Included
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
Details on how to get to the start will be supplied.
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Drinks with Meals
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Train Tickets
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Tipping and Gratuities
Booking Notes
Newsletter: You can sign up to our Newsletter Here to receive details of our upcoming walks and Tours!
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Check out our Q&As
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes there is plenty of time to explore after each walk each day.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been operating tours now for over 10 years.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes and the single Room Option has an additional, which is specified in the tour rates.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We follow all the Irish Governments guidelines in regard to COVID19 and only use partners such as accommodation who also follow such guidelines.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our company follows the guidelines of Leave No Trace to help preserve our counryside and it's natural beauty.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Before you travel. You will have a full list of your accommodation, travel documents if required your Itinerary. Other documents will be waiting for you when you arrive.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you let us know in time, then we can arrange an updated travel date to suit you.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes, we have checked all the accommodations we use and they follow all the Irish Healthe service guidelines.
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Low Deposit
Hilltoptreks requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of hilltoptreks charges.
Up to 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.