Discover the Kerry Way, Ireland’s most picturesque walking trail
The Kerry Way is Ireland’s longest way-marked walking and hiking trail. With a total distance of 215 km (134 miles), the Kerry Way forms one part of the famous Wild Atlantic Way. From this, we have selected 128 km (80 miles) of the finest walking trails to be found anywhere in Ireland — this is wild Ireland at its very best.
Revitalise yourself in the peaceful beauty of Ireland’s natural landscape. As you hike the Kerry Way, you will encounter small towns and quaint villages, old country roads and trails, castles and traditional farms in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
The Ring of Kerry, or to give it its proper title “the Iveragh Peninsula”, is a mystical place and a wonderful opportunity to walk in an unspoiled region of Ireland that has attracted many visitors for hundreds of years.
If you have any questions or comments concerning the itinerary outlined below, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Prices / Dates
Price: €852 per person sharing
Single Supplement: +€435
Solo Traveller Supplement: +€105
Tour Dates: 1 April to 31 October
Tour Grade: Moderate
Accommodation: Guesthouse & B&Bs
Included / Excluded
- 7 nights bed & breakfast
- All accommodation is pre-booked in approved family-run guesthouses or B&Bs with all rooms en-suite.
- Kerry Way Guide Book
- GPX Tracks
- Details on restaurants and places of interest to visit along the way.
- Luggage transfers daily while you walk.
- All information on trains or buses needed to get to your first accommodation and back at the end of the tour.
- 24-7 Emergency Telephone support
- Public transport to the beginning of the tour and back at the end
- Packed Lunches
- Evening Meals
- Drinks and Snacks
- Personal Equipment
Arrive at Cork, Shannon or Kerry Airport and take a bus to your first accommodation in Glenbeigh, situated on the edge of the wild Atlantic Ocean. We will supply you with all the travel details that you will need to get to your first accommodation in Glenbeigh as soon as we have your flight details.
Glenbeigh is a village that welcomes you with traditional music and dance in its old-world pubs.
You have two options for the length of your walk today, 30 or 23 km, 18/14.3 miles.
The walking trail today takes you out of the village, across the river Behy and up through Behy Forest to join an old rail track. Your route passes the magnificent Rosbeigh Beach with stunning views over Dingle Bay before continuing through the Foilmore valley overlooked by the majestic Knocknadobar.
Distance: 30/23 km / 18/14.3 miles, Ascent: 640 m / 1940 ft, Approximate walking time: 6 / 8 hours
Today's walk takes you inland along a gentle ridge that is covered in a blanket of heather and peat. You will cross over a series of small hills including Keelmagore, Kanckayahaun, Coomduff and Knag and cross the Inny Valley. The day offers you a mixture of fantastic views of both land and sea. A network of minor road leads you into the town of Waterville.
The Gaelic translation for Waterville is "An Coirean" which means "The Little Whirlpool”. One of Waterville’s most famous sons was the great Charlie Chaplin. It was here that he and his family spend long holiday periods and a bronze statue stands on the promenade as a tribute to his love for the area.
Distance: 21.5 km / 13.4 miles, Ascent: 900 m / 2700 ft, Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours
Today’s walk is short but exceptionally beautiful, taking you along some minor roads and through a forest of hazel trees and fuchsia hedgerows. You will have a chance to take a short detour to visit Derrynane House, the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, better known to the Irish people as "The Great Liberator" and father of Catholic Emancipation during the 19th century.
Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles, Ascent: 400 m / 1200 ft, Approximate walking time: 4 / 5 hours
The walking trail today takes you on one of Ireland’s “Old Butter Roads” where butter was transported to Cork in the 19th century. The Kerry Way walking trail climbs again on the foothills of Eagle Hill and a short detour takes you to the 3rd century stone-built Staigue Fort, one of the largest and finest ring forts you are likely to see in Ireland. Your walking route stays above the main Ring of Kerry road, following rocky paths through sheep country to the village of Sneem.
Distance: 19 km / 11.8 miles, Ascent: 460 m / 1320 ft, Approximate walking time: 5 / 6 hours
You have the option today to walk 21 km/13 miles or the full route which is 30 km/18.6 miles. If you take the shorter route from Blackwater Bridge this requires a taxi transfer which is not included in the tour cost, the extra cost will be approximately €30 for the trip.
This walk takes you along the rocky shoreline of Kenmare Bay, followed by some easy walking through the forest and the estate of Dromore Castle. The delightful Blackwater Bridge spans the Blackwater River coming from high in the McGillycuddy Reeks.
Kenmare is an interesting and colourful market town on the banks of the Roughty River where it opens up into Kenmare Bay. It was founded in 1670 by a handful of Englishmen who built a prosperous fishing industry and an ironworks in the town.
Option 1: (Taxi Transfer) Blackwater Bridge to Kenmare.
Distance: 21 Km / 13 miles, Ascent: 650 m / 1950 ft, Approximate walking time: 4 / 6 hours
Option 2:(Full Route) Sneem to Kenmare
Distance: 34 km / 21 miles, Ascent: 700 m / 2100 ft, Approximate walking time: 9 / 11 hours
Your final day of walking on the Kerry Way takes you along what is known as the old Kenmare Road. This disused road will guide you through remains of old farmsteads, small fields and potato furrows, clear evidence of a bygone era. On this very scenic walk, you may also encounter some native red deer that roam this land. Your tour finishes in the lively town of Killarney, a hub of activity offering you a choice of excellent restaurants, traditional pubs and interesting shops. You might also be interested in visiting the beautiful Cathedral, Ross Castle and Muckross House, the perfect place to end your Kerry experience.
Distance: 25 km / 15.6 miles, Ascent: 720 m / 2160 ft, Approximate walking time: 7 / 9 hours
After a hearty Irish breakfast, you will depart for home.
All travel details will be supplied in your tour pack for your onward journey.
