Kerry Way

Introduction
Kerry Ireland
The Kerry Way is a long distance walking route of 215 km (135 miles) traversing the Iveragh Peninsula (Ring of Kerry) in the southwest of Ireland.

Starting and finishing in Killarney, The Kerry Way is one of Ireland’s first Waymarked long distance walk and features remote valleys and expansive coastline providing varied and interesting walking. The Iveragh Peninsula (or Ring of Kerry), the second of the five southwestern peninsulas, is the more popular tourist driving route. You will be walking across it as well as around it and only occasionally will you meet the mainstream tourists.
The north side of the peninsula mirrors the old red sandstone of the Dingle Peninsula, gradually changing as you venture south to the limestone crags of the Beara Peninsula. Long sandy beaches on the north side give way to rocky inlets and coves.

The glaciated Lakes of Killarney have been long famous as a tourist destination and are the centre of the Killarney National Park, home to native oak woods, birch, beech and one of the last remaining herd of red deer. Since their introduction from Norway in 2008, it is also now home to breeding white tailed eagles. The section through Killarney National Park is composed of well-formed trails, footbridges, graded paths and plenty of Way marker signs. Beyond the Park boundaries, trails become sheep paths, old droving and butter roads and formed forest tracks. Modern recycled plastic Way markers and stiles are interspersed with wooden signs, which date to the original marking of the route.

There are no great ascents but there are some long and challenging days. This is not a route for the faint hearted, or the first time hiker!

Tour Highlights
- Walking above and beyond the very famous Ring of Kerry.
- Muckross House and Killarney National Park.
- Looking west to the Skellig Islands and the Atlantic from Foilclogh Hill. And don’t miss the Skellig Chocolate makers!
- Derrynane House and Park, blissful gardens, dunes and coffee shop.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
You will be staying in comfortable guesthouses and farmhouses. Rooms are as much as possible en-suite. However B&B’s do still have rooms that are not en-suite but should have a bathroom adjacent to the room. We will book these rooms when there are no en-suites available. This happens regularly in the high season.

We do try to make your accommodation convenient to each day’s walk. The walking distances for each day as specified in your tour itinerary may vary, depending where you are staying, as your accommodation may not be in the centre of the village. This will be referred to in your route notes and may add 2-3 km to your walk. Please check this before you walk!

While we have reserved your accommodation, it is a good idea to telephone your hosts with the approximate time of your arrival. Some accommodations will offer you tea or coffee on arrival – if they don’t please do ask if you would like some. You will find that hosts are very approachable and sometimes you just need to ask for what you want.

You must show your accommodation list to your host each day on your arrival. Your luggage will be transferred for you each day by the guesthouse owners or taxi.

Accommodation Itinerary for 12-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Accommodation in Killarney
Night 2: Accommodation in Black Valley
Night 3: Accommodation in Glencar
Night 4: Accommodation in Glenbeigh
Night 5 & 6: Accommodation in Foilmore/Caherciveen
Night 7: Accommodation in Waterville
Night 8: Accommodation in Caherdaniel
Night 9: Accommodation in Sneem
Night 10: Accommodation in Kenmare
Night 11: Accommodation in Killarney

Accommodation Itinerary for 8-day tour - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Accommodation in Glenbeigh
Night 2: Accommodation in Foilmore/Caherciveen
Night 3: Accommodation in Waterville
Night 4: Accommodation in Caherdaniel
Night 5: Accommodation in Sneem
Night 6: Accommodation in Kenmare
Night 7: Accommodation in Killarney

Room Occupancy
If you are travelling alone, you will be booked into a single room in your accommodations. This is often a room for two persons that you will have to yourself, which means a single supplement fee needs to be applied.
Please, note that a single traveller also incurs the full luggage transfer fee, which is normally divided between two people.
It is a good idea to contact your hosts and let them know what time you expect to arrive – they tend to be more concerned about walkers hiking alone.


Meals
Only breakfasts are included in your package.

Ireland is renowned for its “Full Irish Breakfast” which consists of bacon, sausages, fried egg and toast. Cereals or a lighter option might be available if you ask. Some walkers find the “full Irish” too much every morning. You can agree with your host on your arrival what time you want breakfast – this is usually between 8.00 and 9.00am.

You can enjoy evening meals in the guesthouses in some locations (for an extra fee), but the hosts need to be notified beforehand. If you choose to eat with your hosts in their home, please ring them the previous evening, or the morning before you arrive to book a meal. They may have to travel some distance to get supplies! Please ask your hosts for any advice in relation to the best places to eat if you wish to eat out and where to find traditional entertainment.

In the early or late season, local restaurants may be closed or pubs may not be serving evening meals. Your hosts will assist you with alternative arrangements if you are walking in the off-season.

Lunches such as sandwiches or filled rolls are often available in local shops or supermarkets, and many also have hot food counters. Look for names such as Centra, Londis, Statoil, Spar, or check in petrol stations. Please note that it is advisable to carry lunch with you unless told otherwise in the route notes.

Do tell your hosts when you arrive if you would like them to provide a packed lunch for the next day (extra fee applies).

Riding

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: 12-day tour - subject to changes

Note: It is also possible to sign up for a shorter tour (8 days).

Day 1: Travel to Killarney
Make your own way to Killarney. The town is world renowned for the unsurpassed beauty of its setting on the shores of Lough Leane. It is an interesting place to stay, with plenty to see and do.
Overnight in Killarney
Meals Included: none

Day 2: Killarney to Black Valley
Follow the lake shore through Killarney National Park, passing Muckross House & Gardens, Torc Waterfall, and through native oak forests. The Way is well marked and a pleasant start to the tour. We suggest stopping for lunch at Lord Brandon’s Cottage at the head of the Upper Lake before entering the remote Black valley – the last place in Ireland to be electrified in 1967.
Walking Distance 22 km (about 7 hours) / Ascent 400 m 
Overnight in Black Valley farm guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Black Valley to Glencar
Old green roads and mountain sheep country, under the magnificent Magillicuddy Reeks and Carrauntohill, Ireland’s highest mountain. The Black Valley passes into the Bridia Valley and mountain farming communities are all that are to be found here. Old roads from settlements go by the magnificent Lough Acoose under the Reeks to Glencar on the Caragh River.
Walking Distance 23 km (about 6.5 hours) / Ascent 300 m 
Overnight in Glencar
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Glencar to Glenbeigh
Start through the old woodlands of Glencar and lovely Blackstones Bridge. The route climbs above Caragh Lake then crosses Seefin Mountain via the Windy Gap with views of Dingle Bay. Descend through the Cummergorm Glen to the seaside village of Glenbeigh.
Walking Distance 13 km (about 4 hours) / Ascent 200 m 
Overnight in Glenbeigh
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Glenbeigh to Foilmore/Caherciveen
Pass under Seefin mountain with stunning views to the north over the magnificent Rosbeigh Beach and Dingle Bay. The route turns inland at Drung Hill before walking through the Foilmore valley overlooked by the majestic Knocknadobar.
Walking Distance 19 or 23 km (about 7 hours) / Ascent 300 m 
Overnight in Foilmore/Caherciveen
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Free Day
Free day in Caherciveen with a number of options. Take a ferry to Valentia Island and walk on the island (11km). Take a boat trip from Portmagee to the Unesco heritage site at the Skellig Islands (45 minutes, fare not included); spectacular scenery with 5th century monastic remains perched on the Atlantic edge.
Overnight in Foilmore/Caherciveen
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Foilmore/Caherciveen to Waterville
Walk through the hinterland of Cahirciveen. The route passes through turf bogs and pine forest. Some short climbs give views over Valentia Island and the western end of the peninsula. Overnight in Waterville, a colourful coastal village.
Walking Distance 25 km (about 7 hours) / Ascent 350 m 
Overnight in Waterville
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Waterville to Caherdaniel
A wonderfully scenic route as the Way rounds the southern side of the peninsula into a different climate. The distance is short and there is time to take a detour at Derrynane and visit Derrynane House and Gardens, home of Daniel O’Connell known as ‘The Liberator’ and the father of Catholic Emancipation during the 19th century.
Walking Distance 15 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 200 m 
Overnight in Caherdaniel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9: Caherdaniel to Sneem
Walk on the “old Butter road” – from where butter was transported to Cork in the 19th century. The Way climbs again on the foothills of Eagle Hill and a short detour takes you to the 3rd century, stone built Staigue Fort. Your route stays above the main Ring of Kerry road, following rocky paths through sheep country to Sneem.
Walking Distance 19 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 280 m 
Overnight in Sneem
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10: Sneem to Kenmare
This walk takes you along the rocky shoreline of Kenmare Bay, easy walking through forest and the estate of Dromore Castle. The delightful Blackwater Bridge spans the Blackwater River coming from high in the Macgillycuddy Reeks. Kenmare is an interesting and colorful market town, on the banks of the Roughty River where it opens up into Kenmare Bay.
Walking Distance 14 or 26 km (about 6 or 8 hours) / Ascent 320 m 
Overnight in Kenmare
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11: Kenmare to Killarney
Walk on the “Old Kenmare Road” a delightful pass at 500m between Peakeen & Knockanaguish mountains. Descend through Killarney National Park, old oak forests, lichens, red deer, views over the Lakes of Killarney. The end of the Way passes 18th century Muckross House and Gardens and into the tourist town of Killarney.
Walking Distance 25 km (about 7 hours) / Ascent 550 m 
Overnight in Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12: Departure
Make your own transfer arrangements from Killarney.
Meals Included: Breakfast

--------------------------------------

Sample Itinerary: 8-day tour - subject to changes

Day 1: Travel to Glenbeigh
Make your own way to Glenbeigh, a traditional seaside village on the north side of the peninsula..
Overnight in Glenbeigh
Meals Included: none

Day 2: Glenbeigh to Foilmore/Caherciveen
Pass under Seefin mountain with stunning views to the north over the magnificent Rosbeigh Beach and Dingle Bay. The route turns inland at Drung Hill before walking through the Foilmore valley overlooked by the majestic Knocknadobar.
Walking Distance 19 or 23 km (about 7 hours) / Ascent 300 m 
Overnight in Foilmore/Caherciveen
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Foilmore/Caherciveen to Waterville
Walk through the hinterland of Cahirciveen. The route passes through turf bogs and pine forest. Some short climbs give views over Valentia Island and the western end of the peninsula. Overnight in Waterville, a colourful coastal village.
Walking Distance 25 km (about 7 hours) / Ascent 350 m 
Overnight in Waterville
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Waterville to Caherdaniel
A wonderfully scenic route as the Way rounds the southern side of the peninsula into a different climate. The distance is short and there is time to take a detour at Derrynane and visit Derrynane House and Gardens, home of Daniel O’Connell known as ‘The Liberator’ and the father of Catholic Emancipation during the 19th century.
Walking Distance 15 km (about 5 hours) / Ascent 200 m 
Overnight in Caherdaniel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Caherdaniel to Sneem
Walk on the “old Butter road” – from where butter was transported to Cork in the 19th century. The Way climbs again on the foothills of Eagle Hill and a short detour takes you to the 3rd century, stone built Staigue Fort. Your route stays above the main Ring of Kerry road, following rocky paths through sheep country to Sneem.
Walking Distance 19 km (about 6 hours) / Ascent 280 m 
Overnight in Sneem
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Sneem to Kenmare
This walk takes you along the rocky shoreline of Kenmare Bay, easy walking through forest and the estate of Dromore Castle. The delightful Blackwater Bridge spans the Blackwater River coming from high in the Macgillycuddy Reeks. Kenmare is an interesting and colorful market town, on the banks of the Roughty River where it opens up into Kenmare Bay.
Walking Distance 14 or 26 km (about 6 or 8 hours) / Ascent 320 m 
Overnight in Kenmare
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Kenmare to Killarney
Walk on the “Old Kenmare Road” a delightful pass at 500m between Peakeen & Knockanaguish mountains. Descend through Killarney National Park, old oak forests, lichens, red deer, views over the Lakes of Killarney. The end of the Way passes 18th century Muckross House and Gardens and into the tourist town of Killarney.
Walking Distance 25 km (about 7 hours) / Ascent 550 m 
Overnight in Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Departure
Make your own transfer arrangements from Killarney.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Kerry Way

Dates Note: Any time during the season.

Other Info
Meeting: Glenbeigh
Airport: Shannon. Cork
Transfer: By pubilc bus, book and pay locally

Climate:
                                                    Glenbeigh area

• Fully waterproof rainwear;
• Waterproof hiking boots;
• Hiking-pole;
• Light walking shoes;
• Spare layer of clothing;
• Hat/cap;
• Gaiters;
• Day-rucksack;
• Thermos flask;
• Water bottle;
• Lunchbox;
• Plastic bag;
• Torch; Insect-repellent spray;
• First Aid kit;
• Blister-plaster;
• Sunscreen.