The Kerry Way was founded by Seán Ó Súilleabháin, over 25 years ago. It is one of Ireland's premier walking routes. Seán was the author of the best seller - Walk Guide - Southwest of Ireland. This is the ideal way to explore The Ring of Kerry. You start and end the tour in Killarney and en route you have a wonderful selection of woodland, valley and coastal walks. It will take 11 days to complete The Ring. The average walking time ranges from 5 to 7 hours per day at a leisurely pace.
Itinerary Day 1 - Arrival in Killarney Transfer from Kerry Airport to accommodation in Killarney where you rest overnight.
Day 2 - Killarney to Black Valley Walk through the Killarney National Park passing the ruins of Muckross Friary, Muckross House and its gardens, up beside Torc Waterfall and The Old Kenmare Road to the ancient oak woods beside the Killarney's Upper Lake.
Day 3 - Black Valley to Glencar Today you walk through the rugged and lonely ice carved Glens of Mid Kerry (Black Valley and Bridia Valley) to overnight in storied Glencar.
Day 4 - Glencar to Glenbeigh You walk from Glencar, with magical views of Caragh Lake, to the village of Glenbeigh, with its sandy beaches. Overnight in Glenbeigh.
Day 5 - Rest/Option Day in Glenbeigh Options: Choice of local walks (notes provided) Adventure sports ( canoeing, windurfing, orienteering, etc.) at Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre.
Day 6 - Glenbeigh to Kells Today's walk takes you on the first coastal stretch of The Kerry Way, on the line of a middle-ages coaching road, with spectacular views over Dingle Bay.
Day 7 - Kells to Caherciveen A short walk, perhaps a morning one, completes the journey along the northern side of Iveragh Peninsula to the coastal and ancient settlement of Caherciveen. Those on the shorter 8-day itinerary will transfer to Killarney for the final night.
Day 8 - Waterville to Caherdaniel We turn inland to travel from one seaside village to another over the mountain pass of Bearna Gaoithe on the way. Overnight in Caherdaniel.
Day 9 - Caherdaniel to Sneem This leg of the way provides walking mainly on the old coach road between the two settlements, in use for droving cattle up to the 1930's. You pass through the peat beds and close to the famous 2000-year old Staigue Fort. Overnight in Sneem.
Day 10 - Sneem to Kenmare This is an attractive stage through woodland sections and close to the shoreline of Kenmare Bay. There are splendid views along the way. Overnight in Kenmare
Day 11 - Kenmare to Killarney The last leg of The Kerry Way takes us from the sea via mountain and lake through oakwood back to the Killarney National Park.
Day 12 - Departure Note: Depending on accommodation availability we may offer The Kerry Way in reverse.
Includes • Courtesy transfer from and to Kerry Airport from May - Sept (Please see below). • Seven/eleven nights accommodation, based on two adults sharing, in Irish Tourist Board approved accommodation with en-suite facilities* • Full Irish breakfast each day. • Luggage transfers each day. • Route notes and maps by Seán Ó Súilleabháin (founder of Kerry Way) * Accommodation is based on a twin-sharing basis. Due to the isolated nature of some of the locations, we cannot guarantee the availability of single rooms or ensuite accommodation every night. In exceptional cases we may be able to provide one single room at a supplement.
