Tour Overview
Embark on the Ring of Kerry Walk, a self-guided trekking adventure through Northern Ireland's breathtaking coastal scenery. Experience the rich history, mythology, and traditional Irish culture as you walk from village to village with just a daypack. Begin in the charming town of Killarney, renowned for its three magnificent lakes, and journey through picturesque landscapes including the northern shores of the peninsula, the town of Waterville with views over the Dingle Peninsula and Atlantic Ocean, and the stunning Esknamucky Glen and Killarney National Park. Enjoy 7 nights in welcoming family-run B&Bs, complete with ensuite facilities, and savor full Irish breakfasts each morning. Transfers and luggage transport are provided, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable walking holiday. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Killarney
Location: Killarney
Accommodation Name: guesthouse
Arrive in Killarney, the popular town renowned for its three magnificent lakes in the heart of Kerry. On arrival at your first guesthouse, your host can assist with suggestions for dinner and possibly music. (If you have boked with the premium service your printed information will be provided on arrival).
Killarney can be reached from Dublin, Cork or Shannon Airports with bus and/or train connections available year round.
Note: There are options to extend your trip, see 'Special Notes' below for details. These must be requested at time of booking. ...more ...less
Day 2 : Walk from Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen (6hrs)
Location: Cahersiveen
Accommodation Name: guesthouse
A morning transfer takes you to the start of today's walk. You will set off on foot from just outside the town of Glenbeigh, along the northern shores of the peninsula, to the town of Cahersiveen. The walk follows an old 19th century 'stage coach' route and gives spectacular views across to the Dingle Peninsula. You will pass through old deserted villages which were once busy centres of activity, trading with passengers passing through. Overnight in Cahersiveen.
Walk details: 24km/15mi. Total ascent 555m, Total descent -643m. Highest point 367m
Grass mountain tracks with some rocky sections. Gravel tracks and some road walking – boots essential.
Day 3 : Walk to the town of Waterville across the tip of the peninsula (5hrs)
Location: Waterville
Accommodation Name: guesthouse
A short transfer will take you a short distance to the starting point of today's walk at Coars Cross. From here you set out to to the town of Waterville. This walk takes you across the tip of the peninsula with views north over the Dingle Peninsula and west across the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight in Waterville.
Walk details: 18km/11.25mi. Total ascent 653m, Total descent -789m. Highest point 396m
Grass mountain tracks with some rocky sections. Gravel tracks and some road walking - boots essential.
Day 4 : Enjoy glorious coastal views as you continue to Caherdaniel (4hrs)
Location: Caherdaniel
Accommodation Name: guesthouse
Setting out from Waterville, you walk around and above the coast to reach the little village of Caherdaniel, once the home of Ireland's famous liberator, Daniel O’Connell. Glorious coastal views out towards the Skellig Islands and Ballinskelligs Bay await along the route. Overnight in Caherdaniel.
Walk details: 14.5km/9mi. Total ascent 336m, Total descent -304m. Highest point 246m
Rocky and grassy trakcs, mountain tracks and bogland and some road walking - boots essential.
Day 5 : Follow an old 'butter road' to Sneem village (4.5hrs)
Location: Sneem
Accommodation Name: guesthouse
Continue walking from Caherdaniel, following an old 'butter road' to the village of Sneem. The views across the Beara peninsula and out to the Atlantic Ocean are fantastic.
Walk details: 17.4km/10.9mi. Total ascent 533m, Total descent -547m. Highest point 226m
Country lanes, grass tracks, rocky mountains and some road walking - boots essential.
Day 6 : Walk along bay shores to Kenmare (6.5-8hrs)
Location: Kenmare
Accommodation Name: guesthouse
This morning you will be transferred to Tahilla Church, just outside Sneem, to start your walk. This walk takes you along the shores of Kenmare Bay, with views across to the Beara peninsula and the Caha mountains. Overnight in Kenmare.
Walk details: 27.3km/10.9mi. Total ascent 733m, Total descent -734m. Highest point 213m
Forest tracks, some road walking, mountain tracks and country lanes - boots essential.
Day 7 : Return to Killarney on foot (6hrs)
Location: Killarney
Accommodation Name: guesthouse
Starting from your accommodation, walk through the Esknamucky Glen and Killarney National Park to arrive at the magnificent Muckross House and Gardens, about 5km outside Killarney. After spendig some time exploring the house and gardens, make your way to Killarney for your overnight. This is a glorious walk, giving you the opportunity to see or hear some of Ireland's native red deer as you walk through the National Park.
Walk details: 25km/15.6mi. Total ascent 853m, Total descent -823m. Highest point 351m
Day 8 : Trip concludes
Location: Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip arrangements conclude in Killarney after breakfast.
From Killarney connections by bus and train are frequent to Cork, Limerick, Shannon or Dublin. Private transfers are available on request.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in B&Bs -
7 full Irish breakfasts
Irish breakfasts usually start with porridge or cereals followed by fried eggs, bacon/sausages, tomato, toast, coffee, tea, and juices.
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7 nights in B&Bs on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
Enjoy 7 nights in charming family-run B&Bs with ensuite facilities, providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere after each day's walk.
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Luggage Transfer
1-2 pieces with a maximum combined weight of 15kg; a supplement applies for excess.
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Digital information pack
Includes route notes, maps, and navigational app access.
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Transfers as per the itinerary
Transfers are provided as per the itinerary, including travel to and from Killarney, and additional transfers by taxi or public transport if needed to skip a stage.
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Welcome briefing
A welcome briefing to help you get started on your journey.
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Emergency hotline
Access to an emergency hotline for any urgent needs.
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Travel to and from Killarney
Travel arrangements to and from Killarney are included.
What's Not Included
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
Meals not listed as included and drinks are not covered.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory and not included.
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Guide
This is a self-guided walking holiday, so no guide is provided.
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Solo traveler or single room supplement
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Entrance fees not listed included
Entrance fees that are not listed as included are excluded.
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Transfers not listed included
Transfers that are not listed as included are excluded.
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Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage
Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage are not included.
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Excess and storage of luggage
Excess luggage and storage fees are not included.
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Hotel taxes if applicable
Hotel taxes, if applicable, are payable directly to the hotel.
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Items of a personal nature
Items of a personal nature are not included.
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Travel to Killarney and from Glenbeigh
Travel to Killarney and from Glenbeigh is not included.
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Dinner, lunch, and drinks
Dinner, lunch, and drinks are not included. Note: During some walking days there will not be an opportunity to purchase lunch, and it is recommended to pack a picnic lunch.
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Storage of luggage
Storage of luggage is not included.
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Guide - this is a self-guided tour
A guide is not included as this is a self-guided tour.
Grading
GRADE 4 - Daily stages of 5 to 6.5 hours. The distances in km are listed for each stage. The paths are well defined and clearly marked. There are some steep sections on sometimes loose and rocky ground and through muddy areas, and there are lots of ups and downs. A good level of fitness is required and you should be able to read a map. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise – swimming, cycling, jogging, two to three times a week for three months prior to your departure. ...more ...less
What You Carry
As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, phone etc.
Mode of Transport
Transfers are provided as per the itinerary, including travel to and from Killarney, and additional transfers by taxi or public transport if needed to skip a stage.
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights in charming family-run B&Bs on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities, providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere after each day's walk.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 7 nights in charming family-run B&Bs on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities, providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere after each day's walk.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 7 full Irish breakfasts. These usually start with porridge or cereals followed by fried eggs, bacon/sausages, tomato, toast, coffee, tea, and juices.
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Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer is provided. You can transfer 1-2 pieces with a maximum combined weight of 15kg. A supplement applies for excess luggage.
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What kind of support is available during the tour?
The tour includes a digital information pack with route notes and maps, access to a navigational app, a welcome briefing, and an emergency hotline. Note that this is a self-guided walking holiday.
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Are there any additional costs I should be aware of?
Additional costs include meals not listed as included, drinks, travel insurance (mandatory), a supplement if you are traveling solo or book a single room, entrance fees not listed as included, transfers not listed as included, excess and storage of luggage, hotel taxes if applicable, and items of a personal nature. ...more ...less
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What should I carry with me during the walks?
As the walks are fully supported, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, and phone.
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What is the difficulty level of the walks?
The walks are graded as moderate to challenging. Daily stages are 5 to 6.5 hours long, with well-defined and clearly marked paths. There are some steep sections on sometimes loose and rocky ground and through muddy areas, with lots of ups and downs. A good level of fitness is required, and you should be able to read a map.
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What kind of terrain can I expect during the walks?
The terrain includes grass mountain tracks with some rocky sections, gravel tracks, some road walking, forest tracks, and country lanes. Walking boots are essential.
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How do I get to the starting point of the tour?
Killarney, the starting point of the tour, can be reached from Dublin, Cork, or Shannon Airports with bus and/or train connections available year-round.
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What happens on the last day of the tour?
The trip concludes in Killarney after breakfast. From Killarney, connections by bus and train are frequent to Cork, Limerick, Shannon, or Dublin. Private transfers are available on request.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Ring of Kerry Walk
8 Days Starting and ending in Killarney, Ireland
Visiting: Killarney, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Caherdaniel, Sneem, Kenmare
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ROK
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
