Walking the Kerry Way and Killarney National Park

Name: Walking the Kerry Way and Killarney National Park
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

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8 Days from

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CAD 2,675

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Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

3 out of 7 - Moderate

Ages :

18+

Trip Code :

W07KE

The Kerry Way is the Emerald Isle's longest trail - at 210km, it offers fantastic views of the unspoilt landscapes - a walk here will swathe you in 10,000 years of dramatic Celtic history.

Nestled in the south-west corner of Ireland, you'll spot contrastingly beautiful landscapes at every turn. From rugged cliffs to some of Europe's finest golden beaches, small friendly villages and velvety green fields to picturesque mountain ranges.

Starting in the famous town of Killarney, boasting the magnificent 'Three Lakes of Killarney'. This circular coastal route follows the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way, you'll pass lovely towns and villages - Waterville, a favoured fishing location for Charlie Chaplin, Sneem famous for its little bridge and Kenmare with its historic textile industry.

Meandering the landscape, which was carved out of rock by the last Ice Age 10,000 years ago, marvel at Iron Age forts and ruined abbeys amongst the many sheep that dot the fields, crisp blue loughs and pretty waterfalls. As you head southwards, the coastal views get better and better.

Highlights

Peaceful, beautiful walks in the south-west corner of Ireland
Killarney National Park: Ireland's oldest protected wilderness with Ireland's only herd of wild red deer
Panoramic views of glistening lakes and rugged mountains
A million shades of green as the road follows the contours of the land
10,000 years of dramatic Celtic history

Key Information

7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of HHH, HHHH and 4-star hotels
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps

Countries visited: Ireland

What's Included

Standard transfers at the start/end of the trip (if booking inclusive flights)
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers to the start of the walks on days 2/3/6 to ensure you see the best of the area

What's Not Included

Visas and vaccinations
Travel insurance
Single supplements
Arrivals and departure transfers (available for a supplement if booking tour only)

6 Days of Walking & Trekking

Terrain:

The walking is on well marked trails, the terrain at times can be a little muddy underfoot and some rocky sections.

Day 2

21 km / 13 miles

Day 3

18 km / 11.2 miles

Day 4

15 km / 9.3 miles

Day 5

12 km / 7.5 miles

Day 6

27 km / 16.8 miles

Day 7

25 km / 15.5 miles

Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Itinerary

This popular town is renowned for its three magnificent lakes in the heart of Kerry. Check into your B&B and then explore the town, choosing from one of its many restaurants for dinner and perhaps enjoying some live music.
You stay at the Abbey Lodge (breakfast included)

After a transfer to just outside Glenbeigh, today's walk takes you along the northern shores of the peninsula, to the town of Cahersiveen. Following an old 17th century 'stage coach' route, passing through deserted villages, once busy centres of activity, trading with passengers on the old stage coaches. You'll be met by spectacular views across to the Dingle Peninsula, with Rossbeigh Strand and Inch Beach, famous for the film, Ryan's Daughter.
You stay at San Antoine B&B (breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

From Cahersiveen, you will once again be driven a short distance to the starting point of today's walk at Coars Cross. From here you will be walking to the town of Waterville. This walk takes you across the tip of the peninsula with views north over the Dingle Peninsula and south to Kenmare Bay.
You stay at Seaclusion B&B (breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Continuing from the town of Waterville, you walk around and above the coast to reach the village of Caherdaniel. Glorious coastal views out towards the Skellig Islands and Ballinskelligs Bay await along the route.
You stay at Derrymane Bay House (breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Continue walking from the village of Caherdaniel, following an old 'butter road' to the village of Sneem. The views across the Beara Peninsula and out to the Atlantic Ocean are fantastic.
You stay at Coomasig View (breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning you will be transferred to Tahilla Church, just outside the town of Sneem to walk to the renowned town of Kenmare. This walk takes you along the shores of Kenmare Bay, with views across to the Beara Peninsula and the Caha Mountains.
You stay at Rockcrest House (breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

You will start your walk from your accommodation, through Esknamucky Glen and Killarney National Park to arrive at the magnificent Muckross House & Gardens - about 5kms outside Killarney. After spending some time exploring the House and Gardens at Muckross you will make your way to Killarney for your overnight This is a glorious walk, giving you an opportunity to see or hear some of Ireland's native red deer as you walk through the National Park.
You stay at Abbey Lodge (breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Departure after breakfast. Transfers can be arranged at a supplement, perhaps enjoy extra nights in Killarney to finish your trip.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Ireland

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Ireland. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Vaccination

Ireland

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies (bat lyssavirus). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts included.

Irish food is not exactly famous, but what you will find is extremely good ingredients used to create basic and classic dishes, both Kerry beef and Kerry lamb, are certainly well known all over Ireland and further afield. You will see rack of lamb, lamb stew and shepherd’s pie, in most places. The county’s other basket is the Atlantic Ocean, and its rivers and loughs. Sea bream and Sea Bass are popular.Trout and Salmon can be served in many different ways, and there is an abundance of shell fish, local chowders are excellent and look out for crab gratin.

Wine is readily available but of course one of the symbols of Ireland is Guinness, and we can say from experience that it tastes better in Ireland, but if have a thirst after a long walk, beware the Guinness is not poured quickly, many might say there is a certain amount of time you need to leave after filling the glass halfway up the harp. However it should be left until you see a vivid distinction between the dark body and the creamy white head. Only then can the rest of the glass be filled. Learning from the
locals, you should order your second pint before you have finished your first!
Craft beer is making a name for itself in Ireland and there are some excellent local ones. Then there is the Irish whiskey, the famous one being Bushmills and Jameson’s, and there are many local whiskies for you to try, the Dingle distillery produces a good whiskey and an excellent gin.

Weather

The climate on the South West Coast of Ireland is mild due to its location and the influence of the Gulf Stream. The weather, however, is temperamental and proves quite hard to predict, therefore it is important to be prepared for all weather. The warmer months tend to be the summer months, July and August, with an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. Temperatures rarely fall below 0 during the year. The wettest months tend to be from October through to March. April is often the driest month. Rain can be expected at any time of the year.

Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?

Average daily distance on move on days: 22km.
No. of days walking: 6
Terrain and route: The walking is on well marked trails, the terrain at times can be a little muddy underfoot and some rocky sections. There are some coastal paths which are wide but do have drops. Walking boots are essential and poles are highly reccommended.
Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. A representative will be there to meet you and will be on call throughout the trip should you need.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Catriona Griffin

Reviewed September 2018

Walking in Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland and doing a walking trip is one of the best ways to see it. This trip gets you well away from the tour coaches that take over the roads of this area and you will see a different side of the country you might not experience even if driving it yourself. The 6 days of walking takes in most of the Kerry Way and the tracks take you through national parks, farmland and along coastal paths. Staying at B&Bs in little towns, this trip gives you a taste of true Irish hospitality.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not so much one particular moment but for me the history of the area was the highlight. South West Ireland was hit hard during the famine in the 1800s and there is still evidence of that in the area with memorials, museums and graveyards. The Irish fight for independence is also a big part of the history of this region with key figures such as Daniel O’Connell coming from near Cahersiveen. You can also see ancient stone ring forts and rock tombs on the trail. The side trip to see Staigue Ring Fort on Day 4 is well worth it. One notable moment was making it to the hotel at Glenbeigh in time for the All Ireland hurling final! We joined the locals at the bar and cheered on Limerick to a well deserved win!

Thoughts on Group Leader

This is a self-guided trip so there was no leader but you will have the support of the local operator whenever you need it. Our contact, Maurice, met us at the first B&B and ran through what would happen over the week. He was really helpful and kept in touch every day to see how we were getting on. True to form in Ireland, all the people we met from B&B hosts and restaurant staff to taxi drivers were so friendly and helpful. In particular the driver who took us back to Killarney at the end of the trip was brilliant and went out of his way to help, suggesting a local castle to visit and taking us to the airport.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the walking isn’t difficult, there are some long days over the course of the week. A good level of fitness is essential. It is relatively flat with a few undulating hills and some steady ascents and descents. There plenty of stiles along the way so expect to climb a few of those! Most of the walks are over farmlands and walking tracks and are quite remote. There are no facilities along the way so you will need to take a picnic lunch with you. I went mid August and saw only a few other people along the track, generally going in the opposite direction to the way we were walking. The tracks are all well marked and the directions were clear and easy to follow. Be prepared for all sorts of weather. Being Ireland it will rain at some point so take a good waterproof jacket. Layers are important as when the sun did come out briefly it was warm but it could also get chilly when it was raining or windy. I made use of my woolly hat even in August. It did rain most days so quick dry clothes are a good idea. Walking boots are recommended but not essential as a good pair of trail shoes with a sturdy sole would be fine. The tracks are at times rocky and/or very muddy so waterproof footwear is strongly advised. Don’t rush it – there is plenty of time to stop and take in the views (if it’s not cloudy!). Each day is planned to start about 9.30am and if you go in the summer months it is light til quite late in the evening so you have the whole day to get from point to point. Take time to stop and speak to the locals when you can. Most of the towns we stayed in had live music in the pubs in the evenings which are worth taking in. Expect to eat a lot! Most mornings a full Irish breakfast was on offer and the size of meals when eating out were very generous. There are plenty of options to choose from for dinner in the towns we stayed at and the B&B hosts were always happy to make a recommendation. The restaurant at the Towers Hotel in Glenbeigh was especially good. Fresh seafood is also on the menu everywhere. Stop and have a Guinness at the Blind Piper pub in Caherdaniel. Nothing better than a cold Guinness after a long walk.

Suggestions

Do not hesitate to do this trip! If you like walking and dont mind a bit of rain, Ireland is the perfect destination.

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Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.

Walking the Kerry Way and Killarney National Park

The Kerry Way is the Emerald Isle's longest trail - at 210km, it offers fantastic views of the unspoilt landscapes - a walk here will swathe you in 10,000 years of dramatic Celtic history.

6 Days of Walking & Trekking

Responsible Travel

Itinerary

Essential Info

Visa

Ireland

Vaccination

Ireland

Eating and Drinking

Weather

Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?

Hotels

Reviews

Walking in Kerry

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions