The Kerry Way
11 Days Starting and ending in Killarney
Visiting: Killarney, The Black Valley, Glencar, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Caherdaniel, Sneem, Kenmare
Tour operator:
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Medium
Age range:
21-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
The Kerry Way is a long distance trail in the south West of Ireland on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. The trail is over 200Km in length making it one of the longest self-guided routes and most popular in Ireland. The trail is traditionally walked in an anti-clockwise direction starting and finishing at the very popular town of Killarney. The trail covers a wide variety of terrain, from roads to more rugged sections out on the hills and mountains. The trail follows 'boreens' (lane ways), abandoned coach roads and deserted mass paths now overgrown but easy underfoot. There are parts crossing countryside and mountains that are boggy in places. The extraordinarily beautiful Kerry landscape can be seen immediately when you pass by Muckross House and Killarney National Park. Along the way, you will pass small towns and quaint villages, castles, farms, lakes, rivers and streams. This route offers a unique combination of mountains, lakes and coastal views including the Skelligs as you walk part of the Wild Atlantic Way. You will experience some of the most isolated and dramatic countryside in Ireland.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Killarney
Location: Killarney
Accommodation: Accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved Guesthouses with ensuite bathroom.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Receive notes, maps and guide books.
Killarney is a very lively town in County Kerry and there are many bars with live music and restaurants.
The official start of the Kerry Way is at the Tourist Office in the town of Killarney. Walk south along the Muckross Road, a stretch of hotels and B&B’s, crossing the River Flesk, and walk a gravel road which you’ll share with horse-drawn jaunting cars.
Day 2 : Depart Killarney For The Black Valley
Location: Killarney
Accommodation: Accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved Guesthouses with ensuite bathroom.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk through the famous Gap of Dunloe to the Black Valley,
Distance 22Km, Ascent 400m, duration about 6 hours.
Day 3 : Black Valley To Glencar.
Location: The Black Valley
Accommodation: Accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved Guesthouses with ensuite bathroom.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Keeping the towering Macgillycuddy's Reeks above on the right and the Gearhameen River below on the left, cross over into the Bridia Valley and descend into the village of Glencar.
Distance 20Km, Ascent 500m, duration about 8 hours.
Day 4 : Glencar To Glenbeigh
Location: Glencar
Accommodation: Accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved Guesthouses with ensuite bathroom.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Soon after leaving Glencar you will have panoramic views across the wooded valley to the MacGillycuddy Reeks and Lough Caragh and Inch Strand on The Dingle Peninsula will come into view.
Distance 18Km, Ascent 420m and about 5 hours duration
Day 5 : Glenbeigh To Caherciveen
Location: Glenbeigh
Accommodation: Accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved Guesthouses with ensuite bathroom.
Meals Included: Breakfast
This is a long day with varied terrain and magnificent views over to Dingle and Ventry on the Dingle Peninsula. The route splits between two of your OSI maps so make sure to keep them handy.
Distance 28Km, Ascent 450m and about 8 hours duration.
Day 6 : Caherciveen To Waterville,
Location: Cahersiveen
Accommodation: Accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved Guesthouses with ensuite bathroom.
Meals Included: Breakfast
The route passes through turf bogs and pine forests with some short climbs with amazing views over Valentia Island and the western end of the peninsula.
Distance 22km, Ascent 270m and about 6 hours duration.
Day 7 : Waterville To Caherdaniel
Location: Waterville
Accommodation: Accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved Guesthouses with ensuite bathroom.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you pass by a statue of Charlie Chaplin who holidayed in Waterville frequently, old stone forts and panoramic views of offshore islands and Derrynane Bay,
Distance 13km, Ascent 300m and about 5 hours duration
Day 8 : Caherdaniel To Sneem
Location: Caherdaniel
Accommodation: Accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved Guesthouses with ensuite bathroom.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you will pass over the Windy Gap at Eagles Hill and descend to Staigue Stone Fort. You will have panoramic views of The Beara Peninsula to the south. Sneem is a colourful village and a great place to finish your trail.
Distance 19km, Ascent 400m about 7 hours duration.
Day 9 : Walk From Sneem To Kenmare
Location: Sneem
Accommodation: Accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved Guesthouses with ensuite bathroom.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Sneem to Kenmare, Distance 23km, Ascent 520m — 8 hours
This penultimate section of the Kerry Way is one of the longest but, luckily, one of the flattest. Leaving Sneem behind, the route heads south-east towards the 19th c estate of Parknasilla and through various types of oak, birch and holly, all mixed with the ubiquitous rhododendron.
Day 10 : Walk From Kenmare To Killarney
Location: Kenmare
Accommodation: Accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved Guesthouses with ensuite bathroom.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kenmare to Killarney, Distance 26km, Ascent 630m — 7 hours
This final stage of the Kerry Way starts from outside the Kenmare Tourist Office (only open in Summer). The first two-thirds of the section is uphill climb to the Windy Gap at around 320m via Strickeen Hill. From here you descend into Killarney National Park. Incheens is surrounded by a splendid horse-shoe of mountain peaks. From Eagles Nest to the west, to Peakeen and Knockanaguish to the south. Knockrower and Shaking Rock are to the east and Stumpacommeen and Cromaglan Mountain to the north-east. The exit to the valley is to the north with the more distant Purple Mountain on the horizon, above Killarney’s Upper Lake.
Day 11 : Kenmare To Killarney
Location: Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you can depart Killarney by bus or train to many parts of Ireland.
What's Included
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Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
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Maps and books are supplied for your walk.
Maps and books of the Kerry Way are supplied for you.
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Meals – Breakfast Only
There is a wide selection of breakfast to choose from.
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Your Luggage is forwarded to the next accommodation for you.
Your Luggage is forwarded so you can just walk with a smaller backpack.
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Accommodation
The accommodation is in Irish Tourism board approved Guesthouses with en-suite bathrooms.
Check out our Q&As
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, you will some free time in teh evening after your walks.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been operating tours now for over 10 years.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes and the single Room Option has an additional, which is specified in the tour rates.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We follow all the Irish Governments guidelines in regard to COVID19 and only use partners such as accommodation who also follow such guidelines.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our company follows the guidelines of Leave No Trace to help preserve our counryside and it's natural beauty.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Before you travel. You will have a full list of your accommodation, travel documents if required your Itinerary. Other documents will be waiting for you when you arrive.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you let us know in time, then we can arrange an updated travel date to suit you.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes, we have checked all the accommodations we use and they follow all the Irish Healthe service guidelines.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Hilltoptreks requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of hilltoptreks charges.
Up to 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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