Rates Note:

Transfer Option:

The Dingle Way is one of the first Waymarked Ways and follows minor roads, traditional access routes to turf cutting areas and forest paths. Much of the route west of Dingle follows minor roads and beaches due to land access issues, which makes the scenery no less spectacular, but does make less interesting hiking. The only high ascent is 600m, crossing the shoulder of Brandon Mountain between Ballydavid and Cloghane.
Overnight stops are in villages, other than Dingle town, allowing an opportunity to experience life with the locals and a chance to try Guinness and Gaelic! The full route is 153km in length. Specific itineraries will give a total of the distance you will be walking. Approximately 40% of the route in on tarred roads.
Early Christian sites, standing stones, burial mounds etc. will be all along the route - many are nameless clumps of stones and any of significance will be referred to in your route notes.
We don't offer the Tralee to Camp section, as it is the least interesting part of the route. It is possible to include this section in an itinerary if requested. For transfer and logistical reasons we overnight in Ballydavid village and not at the foot of Brandon Mountain.
Contrary to occasional opinion Camp (the starting point for our tours), is not a collection of canvas shelters! The English name translates from the Gaelic "An Com", the hollow, and refers to its topographical position.
 

Eight Day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival to Camp, Co. Kerry
Travel to Camp via Tralee. Camp is situated overlooking Tralee Bay to the north and the bulk of the majestic Gearhane and Caherconree Mountain to the east. It has been an historic crossing point of the Slieve Mish mountains since the first settlers were here in 1700BC . Camp is a small settlement, with plenty of local colour and a short circular walk to limber up for the kilometers ahead!
Day 2 Walk Camp to Annascaul via Inch Strand
17km, ascents 430m, approx. walking time 6 hours
Optional extra hike over Brackaloon Hill, 5km (2 hours)
Leaving Camp to the south, through the glorious bogland of Slieve Mish, on turf cutting roads, the wilderness of the blanket bog is punctuated with conifer forest and the stacks of drying turf. The Way climbs the side of Ardroe Hill overlooking the 8km of sand dunes and beach at Inch, with views south to the Ring of Kerry and Ireland's highest mountain range, before following the Maum or "Pass" down to Annascaul village.
Overnight Annascaul.    17km
Day 3 Walk Annascaul to Dingle
19km Ascents 410m, approx. walking time 7 hours
Leaving Annascaul passing the lovely Annascaul Lake, you skirt Acres Hill to the remains of 16th century Minard Castle before turning inland again to the railway village of Lispole. All the way you are within scent of the seas of Dingle Bay and encircled by the Kerry Mountains. From Lispole, the Way follows mostly sheep farming country before climbing An Cnoc Maol Mor and descending the old green road into Dingle town.
Overnight Dingle     19km
Day 4 Walk Dingle Town to Dunquin
22km. Ascents 350m, approx. walking time 6 hours
It is mostly minor roads and beaches today, but beyond the village of Ventry, is some of the most spectacular scenery you could hope to find. The Way weaves through fuchsia hedges and climbs an old track on the foothill of Mount Eagle past the early Christian beehive huts at Fahan. Behind are views of Ventry Harbour and south to the Ring of Kerry and Valentia Island. Ahead the Way opens up to Slea Head and the Blasket Islands. This is the most westerly point in Europe, beyond is North America!
Overnight Dunquin    22km
Day 5 Walk Dunquin to Ballydavid Village
14km, ascents 180m, approx. walking time 4 hours
A visit to the Blasket Island Interpretative Centre is recommended, to grasp the harshness of life on the islands, until the last inhabitants resettled on the mainland in 1953. Other than fishing, and sheep farming on the wind blown hills, there is little else to maintain the local communities. The route follows the Norse named Smerwick Harbour and a detour takes you to Dun an Oir, the Fort of Gold where Italian and Spaniard soldiers were besieged by troops of Elizabeth 1 in 1580. Ballydavid is a thriving fishing harbour and a Gaelic speaking community. Overnight Ballydavid    14km
Day 6 Walk Ballydavid to Cloghane
18km, ascents 750m, approx. walking time 7 hours
You are in the cradle of early Christian civilization here, with as many as sixty notable sites of cultural and religious development from the 5 th to 9 th centuries. Today's hike takes you up; up to the saddle of Mas an Tiompain, (the Pass of the Drum) below Brandon, Ireland's second highest mountain at 950m. The scenery is superb, Tralee Bay, the Magharees against the hues of the Slieve Mish mountains. The descent to Cloghane is nothing short of thrilling on a clear day, and well-earned respite is available in the village! Overnight Cloghane    18km
Day 7 Walk Cloghane to Camp via Castlegregory
22km, ascents 30m, approx. walking time 6 hours
Diversion via Castlegregory promontory 32km, 8 hours
Back at sea level, today's walk follows the coast, all the way around the Castlegregory promontory if you desire, or across the neck of it via Lough Gill, home to Bewick swans and natterjack toads. From Castlegregory village, mudflats and turf cuttings give way to farmland and a climb through Gleann na Gealt "The Valley of the Mad" back to Camp! Overnight Camp     22km or 32 km
Day 8 Departure from Camp by public transport
 

10 Day Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival to Camp, Co. Kerry
Travel to Camp via Tralee. Camp is situated overlooking Tralee Bay to the north and the bulk of the majestic Gearhane and Caherconree Mountain to the east. It has been an historic crossing point of the Slieve Mish mountains since the first settlers were here in 1700BC . Camp is a small settlement, with plenty of local colour and a short circular walk to limber up for the kilometers ahead!
Day 2 Walk Camp to Annascaul via Inch Strand
17km, ascents 430m, approx. walking time 6 hours
Optional extra hike over Brackaloon Hill, 5km (2 hours)
Leaving Camp to the south, through the glorious bogland of Slieve Mish, on turf cutting roads, the wilderness of the blanket bog is punctuated with conifer forest and the stacks of drying turf. The Way climbs the side of Ardroe Hill overlooking the 8km of sand dunes and beach at Inch, with views south to the Ring of Kerry and Ireland's highest mountain range, before following the Maum or "Pass" down to Annascaul village. Overnight Annascaul.   17km
Day 3 Walk Annascaul to Dingle
19km Ascents 410m, approx. walking time 7 hours
Leaving Annascaul passing the lovely Annascaul Lake, you skirt Acres Hill to the remains of 16th century Minard Castle before turning inland again to the railway village of Lispole. All the way you are within scent of the seas of Dingle Bay and encircled by the Kerry Mountains. From Lispole, the Way follows mostly sheep farming country before climbing An Cnoc Maol Mor and descending the old green road into Dingle town. Overnight Dingle   19km
Day 4 Walk Dingle Town to Dunquin
22km. Ascents 350m, approx. walking time 6 hours
It is mostly minor roads and beaches today, but beyond the village of Ventry, is some of the most spectacular scenery you could hope to find. The Way weaves through fuchsia hedges and climbs an old track on the foothill of Mount Eagle past the early Christian beehive huts at Fahan. Behind are views of Ventry Harbour and south to the Ring of Kerry and Valentia Island. Ahead the Way opens up to Slea Head and the Blasket Islands. This is the most westerly point in Europe, beyond is North America! Overnight Dunquin    22km
Day 5 Walk Dunquin to Ballydavid Village
14km, ascents 180m, approx. walking time 4 hours
A visit to the Blasket Island Interpretative Centre is recommended, to grasp the harshness of life on the islands, until the last inhabitants resettled on the mainland in 1953. Other than fishing, and sheep farming on the wind blown hills, there is little else to maintain the local communities. The route follows the Norse named Smerwick Harbour and a detour takes you to Dun an Oir, the Fort of Gold where Italian and Spaniard soldiers were besieged by troops of Elizabeth 1 in 1580. Ballydavid is a thriving fishing harbour and a Gaelic speaking community. Overnight Ballydavid    14km
Day 6 Walk Ballydavid to Cloghane
18km, ascents 750m, approx. walking time 7 hours
You are in the cradle of early Christian civilization here, with as many as sixty notable sites of cultural and religious development from the 5 th to 9 th centuries. Today's hike takes you up; up to the saddle of Mas an Tiompain, (the Pass of the Drum) below Brandon, Ireland's second highest mountain at 950m. The scenery is superb, Tralee Bay, the Magharees against the hues of the Slieve Mish mountains. The descent to Cloghane is nothing short of thrilling on a clear day, and well-earned respite is available in the village! Overnight Cloghane    18km
Day 7 Free Day in Cloghane
Optional climb of Mount Brandon, 950m, 8 hours return. The climb is only recommended for experienced hikers and only in good weather.
Loch a Duin 18km, ascents 100m, approx. walking time 4 hours
The Valley of Loch a Duin was inhabited from the early Bronze Age – 2500-2000BC. What is important in the valley is an unbroken line of habitation for 4000 years. There are approximately eighty stone structures, wedge tombs, standing stones, cooking sites or fulacht fia and rock art .
Day 8 Walk Cloghane to Castlegregory
13km, ascents 30m, approx. walking time 4 hours
28km, ascents 30m approx. walking time 7 hours
Today's walk follows the coast around the Castlegregory promontory via the surfing beaches of Brandon and Scraggane Bay to the limestone Isles of Magharee. The fishing harbour of Kilshannig is one of the last places where the traditional namhog is made – a fishing boat with a tarred canvas skin on a light wooden frame. A cross slab bearing the Greek Chi-Rho symbol of Christ is in the 15 th century Kilshannig Church. Castlegregory is a traditional village serving the area !
Overnight Castlegregory.    13km or 28 km
Day 9 Walk Castlegregory to Camp with optional route to Killelton Famine Village
11km, ascents 30m, approx. walking time 3 hours
Killelton Famine Village 19km, 5 hours
A nice coastal route along Tralee Bay, or alternatively a climb through Gleann naGealt. The optional route visits the deserted village of Killelton, its inhabitants evicted by their landlord in the 19 th century. There are also the remains of a 12 th century oratory. It is a wonderful place, on the Dingle Way between Tralee and Camp with immense views of Tralee Bay.   Overnight Camp    13km or 19km
Day 10 Departure from Camp by public transport
Public transport from Enniskerry to Dublin. AirLink coach to Dublin airport is available from various points in Dublin City Centre.

Ireland's mild and humid climate is ideal for walking. You will never feel too hot! The summers are pleasantly warm. However , we do get rain and you need to bring a good weatherproof coat and trousers, day rucksack and most important of all sturdy waterproof boots are vital to the success of your holiday. Temperatures reach a maximum of 25C/80F in summer with variations down to 15C/60F on some days.

Temperate zone; mild all year round, due to the North Atlantic Drift.
Coldest months: January and February with average temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees Celsius during the day.
Warmest months: July and August with average temperatures of 14 to 16 degrees Celsius. The sunniest months are May and June, with between five to seven hours of sunshine per day.
Average annual rainfall: 750 mm (30 inches) in some Eastern areas
800-1200 mm (31 to 47 inches) in low lying areas
1500 mm (59) inches in parts of the west
2000 mm (79 inches) or more in mountainous areas.

 The Irish climate is damp and mild.

Cell phone rental is available and can be pre-booked through www.rentaphone-ireland.com

 If you are travelling from the USA you may wish to check out unlocking your cell phone to use and Irish SIM card. Check out www.unlockitfree.com or  www.bilemo.com/unlock  

In order to enhance your holiday these items should be in your suitcase:

You will be staying in comfortable guesthouses and farmhouses. Most rooms have ensuite facilities. You must show your accomodation list to your host each day on your arrival. Your luggage will be transferred for you each day by the guesthouse owners or taxi.

Lunches & Evening Meals
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 (approx. €3.50-4.50).
Some guesthouses can provide an evening meal (approx. €15-20) and will also suggest alternative places to eat. This may be a pub or restaurant and prices will vary enormously depending on where you are but are usually between €15.00 and €25.00 Meals are served in pubs until about 9.00pm.
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.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. persons born in the UK travelling direct from the UK (applicable to British passport holders only).
Note: Whilst UK citizens do not require a passport or visa to enter Ireland, most carriers by air or sea now require some form of identification with photograph, usually a passport or driving licence with photo. Visitors should check what form of ID is required with the individual airline, ferry company or travel agent before travelling.
(b) 2. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
3. Imposition of a return ticket as a condition of entry is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at point of entry.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period (nationals of EU countries wishing to stay for longer than three months must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau).
(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements