Kerry Way Irish Walking Holiday | Walking Holiday in Ireland | Self Guided Walking Holiday

Ireland’s fabled County Kerry consists of a series of spectacular mountainous peninsulas divided by deep-seainlets. MacGillycuddy’s Reeks form the centrepiece of the Ring of Kerry, a 179-kilometre circuit from Killarney,via Killorglin, Caherciveen, Waterville, Kenmare and back to Killarney across Moll’s Gap and past Ladies View –one of Ireland’s most famous viewpoints. Weaving between these points are a network of ancient paths that arenearly as old as the land itself, many of which form part of a long-distance track known as the Kerry Way. Thename ‘Kerry’ comes from the Old Irish word Ciarraige meaning the people of Ciar, an early Celtic tribe that settledin the area around 300 BC. In fact, Kerry has an outstanding collection of historical and archaeological sites thatdate back over 7,000 years, with several ancient forts and numerous early Christian churches. Impossibly greenpastures stretch as far as the eye can see, completely empty save for small herds of sheep or goats, and at almostevery turn there are spectacular views of mist-covered mountains and wild stretches of uninhabitable coastlinewhere deep fissures have been carved, over the eons, by the pounding waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Here and therealong the coast, pretty fishing villages, such as Caherdaniel and Portmagee, have successfully withstood theelements and offer a picturesque contrast to the verdant hills that surround them. The Skellig Islands lie 8 miles offthe tip of the peninsula, two rocky peaks rising sheer out of the Atlantic Ocean. Skellig Michael is a world heritagesite on account of its 6th century monastery, with beehive huts, oratories and inscribed crosses. Small Skellig ishome to over 40,000 gannets, the second largest colony in the world. This is a delightful one-week walk and alongthe way you’ll enjoy plenty of good Irish cheer.

Trip Outline: This trip takes us on a circular route from Killarney, unveiling some of the most beautiful scenery in the region,exploring both the southern and northern coastlines of the Iveragh peninsula. You will spend one night at each ofthe following centres: Killarney, Kenmare, Sneem, Caherdaniel, Waterville, Caherciveen and Glenbeigh. The dailystages take you cross-country, and the landscape can be quite hilly at times. During the week you’ll experiencedramatic, almost wild, scenery, along with picturesque coastal villages.

Getting There:

Fly to Shannon Airport or Cork Airport
Birmingham - Cork  - Aer Lingus
Bristol -  Cork - Aer Lingus
Cardiff -  Cork - Aer Lingus
Edinburgh Cork Aer Lingus
Glasgow Cork - Aer Lingus
Jersey Cork - Aer Lingus
Liverpool - Cork - Ryanair
London Gatwick - Cork - Aer Lingus or Ryanair
London Heathrow -  Cork - Aer Lingus
London Stansted - Cork - Ryanair
Manchester - Cork - Aer Lingus

Bus Distances as per Bus Eireann:Killarney - Shannon Airport – 3hrs 20mins approximately or Killarney - Cork Airport – 2 hrs 15mins approximately

Day 1 Arrive in Killarney - the popular town renowned for its three magnificent lakes in the heart of Kerry. On arrival at your firstguesthouse, your hostess will give you your full detailed information pack. She will also be able to suggest some of themany local restaurants or pubs for food and possibly music.Access for this holiday can be from Dublin, Cork or Shannon Airports with bus and/or train connections available toKillarney all year round.

Day 2 You will be transferred/driven to the start of your walk - about 5kms outside Killarney. From here you walk acrossKillarney National Park and through Esknamucky Glen to the heritage town of Kenmare. This is a glorious walk, givingyou an opportunity to see some of Ireland’s native red deer as you walk through the National Park. Overnight in Kenmare.Walk Details: Distance: 22kms or 13.5 miles. Duration: 6 hours. Max. Height: 400m. Mountain tracks and green roads. Can be wetunderfoot - boots essential

Day 3 From Kenmare you walk to the award winning village of Sneem via Templenoe. This walk takes you along the shores ofKenmare Bay, with views across to the Beara Peninsula and the Caha Mountains. Overnight in Sneem.Walk Details: Distance: 23kms or 14 miles. Duration: 6.5 hours. Max. Height: 300m. Forest tracks, some road walking, mountaintracks and country lanes. Boots essential.

Day 4 Continue walking from the village of Sneem, following an old ‘butter road’ to the little village of Caherdaniel - once homeof our famous liberator - Daniel O’Connell. The views across the Beara Peninsula and out to the Atlantic Ocean arefantastic. Overnight in Caherdaniel.Walk Details: Distance: 19kms or 12 miles. Duration: 5.5 hours. Max. Height: 400m. Country lanes, grass tracks, rocky mountainsand some road walking. Boots essential.

Day 5 Continuing from the village of Caherdaniel, you walk around and above the coast to reach the town of Waterville. Gloriouscoastal views out towards the Skellig Islands and Ballinskelligs Bay. Overnight in Waterville.Walk Details: Distance: 16kms or 10 miles. Duration: 5 hours. Max. Height: 350m. Rocky and grass tracks, mountain tracks andbogland and some road walking. Boots essential.

Day 6 From Waterville, you will once again be driven a short distance to the starting point of today’s walk at Mastergeehy. Fromhere you will be walking to the town of Caherciveen. This walk takes you across the tip of the peninsula with views northover the Dingle Peninsula and south to Kenmare Bay. Overnight in Caherciveen.Walk Details: Distance: 24kms or 15 miles. Duration: 6.5 hours. Max. Height: 400m. Grass mountain tracks with some rockysections. Gravel tracks and some road walking. Boots essential.

Day 7 Your final walk takes you from the town of Caherciveen along the northern shores of the peninsula to the little town ofGlenbeigh. This walk follows an old 17th Century “Stage Coach” route and gives spectacular views across to the DinglePeninsula. You will pass through old deserted villages which were once busy centres of activity, trading with passengers onthe old stage coaches. Your holiday finishes in the village of Glenbeigh. Overnight in Glenbeigh.Walk Details: Distance: 24kms or 15 miles. Duration: 6.5 hours. Max. Height: 350m. Grass mountain tracks with some rockysections. Gravel tracks and road walking. Boots essential.Day 8 Departure from Glenbeigh by bus or taxi to Killarney. Bus leaves at 08:45 and arrives at 09:50 (Does not operate onSundays or Public Holidays). From Killarney, connections by bus and train are frequent to Cork, Limerick, Shannon orDublin.