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.
We offer 8-day, 7-day and 10-day trip options
8-Day Tour - Camp to Camp
Day 1:
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. 17 km / Ascents 430m / Approx. walking time 6 hours w/ Optional extra hike over Brackloon Hill (5km and 2 hours)
Heading south, through the glorious bogland of Slieve, 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.
Day 3: Walk Annascaul to Dingle 19km / Ascents 410m / Approx. walking time 7 hours
Walking on minor roads starts in earnest today, as 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.
Day 4: Walk Dingle town to Dunquin 22km / Ascents 350m / Approx. walking time 6 hours w/ Optional route over Mount Eagle (5km and 2 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. Beyond this is America!
We have included an alternative route over Mount Eagle, which is a gorgeous walk but is demanding and requires navigation skills. It is not advisable in poor weather conditions.
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.
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 5th to 9th centuries. Today's hike takes you up; up to the saddle of Más an Tiompáin, (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!
Day 7: Walk Cloghane to Camp 22km or 32km / Ascents 30m / Approx. walking time 6 / 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.
Day 8: Departure from Camp - via own transportation
10-Day Tour - Camp to Camp
Day 1-6:
As per 8 day itinerary
Day 7: Free day in Cloghane
Optional climb of Brandon Mountain Ascents 950m, 8 hours return, only recommended in good weather and to experienced hikers.
Loch a Dúin 8km, Ascents 100m Approx. walking time 4 hours
The Valley of Loch a Dúin 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 or 28km / Ascents 30m. / Approx. walking time 4 / 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 15th century Kilshannig Church. Castlegregory is a traditional village serving the area.
Day 9: Walk Castlegregory to Camp 11km / Ascents 30m / Approx. walking time 3 hours w/ Optional route via Killelton famine village (8km Ascents 20m Approx. walking time 2 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 19th century. There are also the remains of a 12th century oratory. It is a wonderful place, on the Dingle Way between Tralee and Camp with immense views of Tralee Bay.
Day 10: Departure from Camp - Public transport from Enniskerry to Dublin. AirLink coach to Dublin airport is
available from various points in Dublin City Centre.
7 day tour - Annascaul to Cloghane
Day 1: Travel to Annascaul via Tralee.
Annascaul is a traditional Irish farming village beautifully located under Mweelin Hill and the dark shadows of Loch an Scáil, Annascaul lake. There are two circular walks you can do when you arrive to break in your boots!
Day 2: Walk Annascaul to Dingle 19km. Ascents 410m Approx. walking time 7 hours
Walking on minor roads starts in earnest today, as 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.
Day 3: Free day in Dingle Local circuit walk on Ballysitteragh Hill 19km, Ascent, 630m Approx. walking time 6.5 hours or Dingle harbour walk 6km, no ascents, 2 hours
A chance to, explore the local shops, do a little shopping, take a ferry to the Great Blasket Island, read a book or simply sit back and relax by the harbour and watch the world go by.
Day 4: Walk Dingle town to Dunquin 22km, Ascents 350m Approx. walking time 6 hours
Optional route over Mount Eagle add 5km and 2 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. Beyond this is America!
We have included an alternative route over Mount Eagle, which is a gorgeous walk but is demanding and requires navigation skills. It is not advisable in poor weather conditions.
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.
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 5th to 9th centuries. Today's hike takes you up; up to the saddle of Más an Tiompáin, (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!
Day 7: Departure from Cloghane. Transfer from your guesthouse in Cloghane back to Dingle town. Bus transfer to Tralee to depart.