Tailor-Made Walking Tours, Ireland - Walking in East Clare and Lough Derg

The Kerry Way

Level of Difficulty:

The Iveragh Peninsula or Ring Of Kerry, the middle of the three south- western peninsulas, is a popular tourist route. The Kerry Way takes you walking across it, as well as around it and only occasionally will you meet the tourists! You will also have a chance to meet local people in the villages where you are staying. The Kerry Way is a route of 215km (135miles) and the 8 day trail starts at Glenbeigh and finishes in Killarney. It is varied and interesting walking.

The 12 day trail starts in the famous town of Killarney and walks through Killarney National Park and over the Lakes of Killarney to the remote Black Valley and Glencar. Rhododendron forests, old oakwoods and along the foot of Ireland's highest mountains to Glenbeigh where you meet day 5-8 of the 8 day tour.

The Kerry Way is one of the first established Waymarked Ways. It follows old green roads, and mountain trails. There will be approximately 40% walking on quiet country roads as it is not always possible to walk in open hills. It is reasonably well signposted with wooden or plastic yellow markers and road signs

Itinerary:

	8 Day Tour
Day 1	Arrival in Cork or Shannon. Travel by bus to Killarney and on to Glenbeigh.
Day 2	Walk from Glenbeigh to Foilmore near Cahirciveen, with views over Dingle Bay. Your route passes the magnificent Rossbeigh beach with stunning views over Dingle Bay, before walking through Foilmore Valley overlooked by the majestic Knocknadobar.	19km
Day 3	Walk to Waterville through the hinterland of Cahirciveen. The route passes through turf bogs and pine forest. Valentia Island and the western end of the Iveragh peninsula. Overnight in Waterville, a colourful coastal village.	24km
Day 4	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.	15km
Day 5	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, follwoing rocky paths through sheep country to Sneem.	19km
Day 6	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 spands the Blackwater River coming from high in the Macgillicuddy Reeks. Kenmare is a an interesting and colourful market town, on the banks of the Boughty River where it opens up into Kenmare Bay. It was founded in 1670 and settled by a handful of Englishmen who built a properous fishing industry and an ironworks.	22 or 28km
Day 7	Walk to Killarney on the "Old Kenmare Road" , a delightful pass between Peakeen and Knockanaguish mountains. Descnd through Killarney National Park, old oak forsts, lichen, red deer, views over Lakes of Killarney. The end of the way passes 18th century Muckross House and Gardens and back into Killarney.	25km
Day 8	Departure by bus or train from Killarney

	12 Day Tour
Day 1	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 guesthouse Killarney
Day 2	Walk 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. Overnight in the remote Black Valley.	22km
Day 3	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 comminities 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.	23km
Day 4	Glencar to Glenbeigh, 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.	13km
Day 5	Walk from Glenbeigh to Foilmore near Cahirciveen, with views over Dingle Bay. Your route passes the magnificent Rossbeigh beach with stunning views over Dingle Bay, before walking through Foilmore Valley overlooked by the majestic Knocknadobar.	19km
Day 6	Free day to visit the famous 5th century monastic settlement on the Skelling Islands (weather permitting, boat ride 45 minutes, €30 not included). Optional walk on beautiful Valentia Island (10 minute ferry ride €6.00) with a visit to the Slate Quarry and Glanleam sub-trpoical gardens.	12km
Day 7	Walk to Waterville through the hinterland of Cahirciveen. The route passes through turf bogs and pine forest. Valentia Island and the western end of the Iveragh peninsula. Overnight in Waterville, a colourful coastal village.	24km
Day 8	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.	15km
Day 9	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, follwoing rocky paths through sheep country to Sneem.	19km
Day 10	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 spands the Blackwater River coming from high in the Macgillicuddy Reeks. Kenmare is a an interesting and colourful market town, on the banks of the Boughty River where it opens up into Kenmare Bay. It was founded in 1670 and settled by a handful of Englishmen who built a properous fishing industry and an ironworks.	22 or 28km
Day 11	Walk to Killarney on the "Old Kenmare Road" , a delightful pass between Peakeen and Knockanaguish mountains. Descnd through Killarney National Park, old oak forsts, lichen, red deer, views over Lakes of Killarney. The end of the way passes 18th century Muckross House and Gardens and back into Killarney.	25km
Day 12	Departure by bus or train from Killarney

Included in your tour:
7/11 nights Bed & Breakfast in guesthouse accommodation; luggage transfers each day; detailed route descriptions and 1:50000 maps

Excluded:
Other meals; transfers to Glenbeigh or Killarney and from Killarney; entries or excursions.

Price 2008:

8 Day
€ 496 per person sharing
€ 77 single supplement
€ 633 single party booking

12 Day
€ 687 per person sharing
€ 121 single supplement
€ 911 single party booking

Suggested Extra Options:
Extra night in Waterville, to visit the Skellig islands with 5^th century monastic remains and a bird sanctuary. An incredible place.

Extra night in Kenmare, a colourful lively town, in a wonderful location.

Airport for transfers:
Cork or Shannon. Kerry Regional airport, Farranfore.

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Irish Hiking Links

If you cannot find the information you are looking for on this site we hope that the following links are of use. If you think our website is lacking information or you have any other comments on our site please let us know.

Irish Tourism Links

Beara Tourism
Loads of information on the wonderful Beara peninsula.
www.beratourism.com

Connemara Information
A site for both locals and visitors alike
www.connemara.net

The Dingle Peninsula
A guide to the Dingle Peninsula and the town of Dingle.
www.dingle-peninsula.ie

The Iveragh Peninsula
A guide to the famous Ring of Kerry route which is the location for the Kerry Way
www.kerryholiday.co.uk/ring.html

The Burren Region
Interactive interpretive centre for the Burren
www.burren-beo.com

East Clare & Lough Derg
Guide to East Clare and Lough Derg region
www.celtnet.org/about-co.-clare-page.html

Achill Island
A site packed with information about Achill Island
www.achill-island.com

Westport and County Mayo
Tourist information for county Mayo and Westport
www.irelandwest.ie

Wicklow Tourism
Official County Wicklow Tourist site
www.wicklow.ie/tourism/

Dublin Uncovered - Dublin Guide
Complete guide to Dublin, Ireland. Includes tourist information, entertainment, restaurants and online hotel, hostel and car hire booking
www.dublinuncovered.net

Hillwalking and Mountaineering Links

Simon Stewart's Hillwalking
Comprehensive guide to hillwalking in Ireland with route descriptions and trip reports.
www.simonstewart.ie

Mountain Views
A place for everyone to learn and talk about walking in the mountains of Ireland
www.mountainviews.ie

Extreme Ireland
Extreme Ireland organise guided walking holidays throughout the year. We welcome couples, singles and groups alike to enjoy a combination of stunning country and coastal walking.
www.extremeireland.ie

Southern Trail Ireland
The Southern Trail is a unique 53 mile stretch of countryside in West Limerick/North Kerry. Developedl so that everyone can explore this beautiful region in a safe, leisurely way by foot or bicycle.
www.southerntrail.net

Irish Golfing Links

Tailor Made Golf Tours
Tailor made golfing tours in Ireland. Designed by golfers for golfers. www.tailormadegolftours.com

Accomodations

Rockwood House B&B Rockwood House is an award winnng guesthouse set in a quiet corner of lovely Glengarriff Village. Tel: + 353 27 63097	Island View House Island View Guesthouse, offers Bed & Breakfast Accommodation with Hotel standards in Castletownbere West Cork. Tel:+353 (0)27 70415
Doire Liath Doire Liath meaning The Grey Oak is a family run Bed & Breakfast situated only minutes walk from Bantry town centre. Tel:+353 (0)27 50223	Seamount Farmhouse Seamount Farmhouse B&B overlooking Bantry Bay in South West Ireland. We welcome you to our Seventh Generation Farmhouse B&B with magnificent views of Bantry Bay and mountains in West Cork. Tel:+00 353 (0)27 61226
Dromcloc House Dromcloc House B&B is situated on a dairy farm at Rylane point near Bantry in County Cork. Tel:+353 (0)27 50030	Reenmore Farmhouse Reenmore Farmhouse B&B is situated on an Irish Traditional Farm in a lovely scenic location by the sea 2 minutes walk from Reenmore Strand which provides a slipway for small boats.Tel:+353 (0)27 67051