KERRY WAY WALKING ROUTE

The Kerry Way is a long distance walking route of 215km (135 miles) traversing the Iveragh Peninsula (Ring of Kerry) in the southwest of Ireland. Starting and finishing in Killarney, The Kerry Way is Ireland's oldest long distance walk and features remote valleys and expansive coastline providing varied and interesting walking.

The Iveragh Peninsula or Ring of Kerry, the middle of the three southwestern peninsulas, is the most popular tourist 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 give way to rocky inlets and coves. The climate is warm and temperate, allowing sub-tropical plants to flourish.

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. You will also have a chance to meet local people in the villages where you are staying.

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!

The 12 day tour consists of 9 full days walking on the complete route starting and finishing in Killarney. The tour starts through remote Black Valley to Glenbeigh via Glencar. It then follows the northern coastline to Caherciveen before turning south to Waterville and then following the spectacular southern coastline through Sneem to Kenmare. The route finsihes by ascending from Kenmare and descending to Killarney through Killarney National Park. A free day at the western end of the peninsula can be used to explore Valencia Island or to visit the magnificent Skellig Islands.

The 8-day tour is an abbreviated tour that starts at Glenbeigh and follows the full route from Slenbeigh to Killarney via Caherciveen, Waterville, Sneem and Kenmare.

* Kerry Way 8 Day Tour
* Kerry Way 12 Day Tour

Suggested Extra Options

* Extra night in Waterville, to visit the Skellig islands with 5th century monastic remains and a bird sanctuary. An incredible place.
* Extra night in Kenmare, a colourful lively town, in a wonderful location.
* Take a extra day in the buzz of Killarney. Ten minutes from the hustle of a busy town are the beautiful mountains and lakes of the Killarney National Park. Take a shuttle bus to Kate Kearney’s Cottage, walk through the Gap of Dunloe, and drift slowly down the Upper and Muckross Lake by riverboat to the 15th century towerhouse Ross Castle.
* Spend and extra night in the village of Waterville and take a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Skellig Islands. Climb the stone-carved steps to the 5th century monastic remains and cruise past the sea bird colonies on the Little Skellig.
* Or spend some time in Kenmare, a colourful market town, carefully designed by the early Lords of Kerry at the head of the Kenmare River. Climb Mucksna Mountain overlooking the town and bay. Or walk the Kenmare Heritage Trail to see the prehistoric stone circle.

AIRPORT FOR TRANSFERS

* Kerry Airport is the most convenient for this tour.
* Cork and Shannon Airports are also convienent but you will need to take a bus/rail transfer also.