Rates Note:

Transfer Option:

 

8 Day Tour
Day 1: Arrival to Glenbeigh - Arrival in Cork or Shannon. Travel by bus to Killarney and on to Glenbeigh. Your first accommodation is in this traditional seaside village.  Overnight in Glenbeigh.
Day 2: Glenbeigh to Foilmore - Walk from Glenbeigh to Foilmore near Cahirciveen, with views over Dingle Bay. Your route passes the magnificent Rosbeigh beach with stunning views over Dingle Bay, before walking through Foilmore Valley overlooked by the majestic Knocknadobar.  Distance 19km or 23km. Ascents 300m. Approx. walking time 7 hours. Overnight accommodation in Foilmore.
Day 3:  Foilmore to Waterville - Walk to Waterville 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. Distance 25km. Ascents 350m. Approx. walking time 7 hours. Overnight accommodation in Waterville.
Day 4: Waterville to Caherdaniel - Waterville to Caherdaniel via the coastal route and Derrynane National Park. A wonderfully scenic route, the distance is short and there is time to take a detour at Derrynane and visit Derrynane House and Gardens. Derrynane House is the home of Daniel O'Connell, an important man in Irish history. O'Connell is known as 'The Liberator' and was the father of Catholic Emancipatio duting the 19th century. Distance 15km. Ascents 200m. Approx. walking time 5 hours. Overnight accommodation in Caherdaniel.
Day 5: Caherdaniel to Sneem - Walk Caherdaniel to Sneem on the "old Butter road" where butter was transported to Cork in the19th 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. Distance 19km. Ascents 280m. Approx. walking time 6 hours. Overnight accommodation in Sneem.
Day 6: Sneem to Kenmare - Sneem to Kenmare via Tahilla and Blackwaterbridge. 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 Macgillicuddy Reeks. Kenmare is a an interesting and colourful market town, on the banks of the Roughty River where it opens up into Kenmare Bay. It was founded in 1670 and settled by a handful of Englishmen who built a prosperous fishing industry and an ironworks. Distance 14 or 26 km. Ascents 50m. Approx walkingt time 6 or 8 hours. Overnight accommodation in Kenmare.
Day 7: Kenmare to Killarney - Walk to Killarney on the "Old Kenmare Road" , a delightful pass between Peakeen and Knockanaguish mountains. Descend through Killarney National Park, old oak forests, lichens, red deer, views over Lakes of Killarney. The end of the Way passes 18th century Muckross House and Gardens and into the town of Killarney. Distance 25km. Ascents 550m. Approx. walking time 7 hours. Overnight accommodation in Killarney.
Day 8: Departure from Killarney - The end of your tour. Departure by bus or train from Killarney.
 

Itineraries are subject to change

12 Day Tour

Day 1: Arrival to Killarney - Arrival in Shannon or Cork. Transfer by bus to Killarney, world renowned due more to the unsurpassed beauty of its setting than any historical or architectural features. Lots to see and do. Overnight accommodation in Killarney.  
Day 2: Killarney to Black Valley - Walk from Killarney to Black Valley, along the lake shore through Killarney National Park, Torc Waterfall and native oak forests. The Way is well marked and a pleasant start to the tour. Finish at Lord Brandon's Cottage at the head of the upper lake. Distance 22km. Ascent 400m, Approx. walking time 7 hours. Overnight in remote Black Valley.
Day 3: Black Valley to Glencar - Walk 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. Distance 23km. Ascents 300m. Approx. walking time 6 or 7 hours. Overnight accommodation in Glencar.
Day 4: Glencar to Glenbeigh - Start through the old woodlands of Glencar and the lovely Blackstones Bridge. The route climbs above Caragh Lake and then crosses Seefin mountain via the Windy Gap with views of Dingle Bay. Descend through the Cummergorm Glen to the seaside village of Glenbeigh. Distance 13km. Ascent 200m. Approx. walking time 4 hours. Overnight accommodation in Glenbeigh.
Day 5: Glenbeigh to Foilmore - Walk from Glenbeigh to Foilmore near Cahirciveen, with views over Dingle Bay. Your route passes the magnificent Rosbeigh beach with stunning views over Dingle Bay, before walking through Foilmore Valley overlooked by the majestic Knocknadobar.  Distance 19km or 23km. Ascents 300m. Approx. walking time 7 hours. Overnight accommodation in Foilmore. 
Day 6: Free Day - Free day in Foilmore with a number of options.  Transfer to Cahirciveen to take a ferry to Valentina Island and walk on the island (approx. 11km). Boat trip from Portmagee to the Skelling Islands (45 minutes, fare not included), spectacular scenery with 5th century monastic remains.
Day 7: Foilmore to Waterville - Walk to Waterville 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. Distance 25km. Ascents 350m. Approx. walking time 7 hours. Overnight accommodation in Waterville.                                                                                                  Day 8: Waterville to Caherdaniel - Waterville to Caherdaniel via the coastal route and Derrynane National Park. A wonderfully scenic route, the distance is short and there is time to take a detour at Derrynane and visit Derrynane House and Gardens. Derrynane House is the home of Daniel O'Connell, an important man in Irish history. O'Connell is known as 'The Liberator' and was the father of Catholic Emancipatio duting the 19th century. Distance 15km. Ascents 200m. Approx. walking time 5 hours. Overnight accommodation in Caherdaniel.
Day 9: Caherdaniel to Sneem - Walk Caherdaniel to Sneem on the "old Butter road" where butter was transported to Cork in the19th 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. Distance 19km. Ascents 280m. Approx. walking time 6 hours. Overnight accommodation in Sneem.
Day 10: Sneem to Kenmare - Sneem to Kenmare via Tahilla and Blackwaterbridge. 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 Macgillicuddy Reeks. Kenmare is a an interesting and colourful market town, on the banks of the Roughty River where it opens up into Kenmare Bay. It was founded in 1670 and settled by a handful of Englishmen who built a prosperous fishing industry and an ironworks. Distance 14 or 26 km. Ascents 50m. Approx walkingt time 6 or 8 hours. Overnight accommodation in Kenmare.
Day 11: Kenmare to Killarney - Walk to Killarney on the "Old Kenmare Road" , a delightful pass between Peakeen and Knockanaguish mountains. Descend through Killarney National Park, old oak forests, lichens, red deer, views over Lakes of Killarney. The end of the Way passes 18th century Muckross House and Gardens and into the town of Killarney. Distance 25km. Ascents 550m. Approx. walking time 7 hours. Overnight accommodation in Killarney.
Day 12: Departure from Killarney - The end of your tour. Departure by bus or train from Killarney.

    Itineraries are subject to change

You can walk this route anytime between April and October. In April/May and October the weather can be unpredictable so knowledge of map reading and compass are important

Climate & Clothing

Ireland has a reputation of being wet but it is also famous for having 40 shades of green. The expression "a soft day" is a popular one with the Irish and describes light rain in mild temperatures. Because of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream, the weather can be very unpredictable, so waterproof rainwear is essential. Your clothing must be warm but also easy to put on and take off as you climb and descend. Tight clothing or jeans are NOT recommended. The temperatures can range from 5° - 19° Celsius and the highest will rarely go over 25° Celsius. Due to the high humidity it can get very warm in summer but on higher ground it can suddenly become colder due to the wind-chill factor. We had exceptional weather in 2006 with hot sunny days of 30 degrees celsius. If it's looking the same for 2007, don't forget sun protection and a good hat!

The best time to walk here is from April to the end of October. We have wonderful daylight in good weather until the late evening, so even a late start should allow plenty of time to complete the walks. On a number of routes, it is possible to take time to enjoy or explore a location by foot or bike before setting off on your walk.

On June 21^st , we have daylight from 04.30 to 23.30. The western seaboard is just on the edge of another time-zone (in more ways than one!) and enjoys about 45 minutes extra daylight to London Greenwich.

Current weather information is available at www.meteireann.ie or www.accuweather.com

 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 en suite facilities. You can enjoy evening meals in the guesthouses in some locations, but the hostess needs to be notified beforehand. Picnic lunches can be supplied by her also at a cost of £3.00-£3.50 p.p. Dinners in the guesthouses cost around £12 p.p. 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. You must show your accommodation list to your host each day on your arrival as verification.

Your luggage will be transferred for you each day by the guesthouse owners or local taxi services.

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