The Kerry Way - 11 Days & 10 Nights
- Walking Kerry’s historic trails amongst the highest peaks in the Emerald Isle
- Soak up the atmosphere of County Kerry’s market villages and towns
- Lively Irish music and the ‘craic’ of authentic old-world pubs
- The 2000 year old Staigue Fort is one of Ireland’s best examples of a ring fort
- Majestic views of the Lakes of Killarney from the grounds of Muckross House
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive KillarneyFáilte! Or welcome to Ireland! The lively town of Killarney is the official start of the Kerry Way. Relax into the Irish ‘craic’ at one of the many pubs or bars, or sample some of the country’s excellent seafood in one of the great restaurants you’ll find here. Check into your accommodation and enjoy exploring the narrow streets and colourful shops for the rest of the day.Â
Toni and Danny look forward to welcoming you to Larkinley Lodge situated just a 2 minute walk from the town centre of Killarney in County Kerry. The B&B has elegant ensuite guestrooms furnished with LCD flat screen TV, crisp linen, power showers, and luxury breakfasts. Guests will also be able to make use of complimentary wifi, and free parking. The B&B also run Killarney Private Tours which is a service provided by the accommodation taking guests on very bespoke tours of the region. Please contact the B&B direct if interested.
Abbey Lodge is a family run, newly refurbished B&B located just a 3 minute walk from the town centre.
This 4-star guesthouse boasts 15 luxurious bedrooms with private bathroom, TV, direct dial telephone, power showers, trouser press. The house is tastefully decorated throughout and features many interesting antiques and art.
All guestrooms are spacious, en-suite with direct dial telephone, television and trouser press. The accent is on friendly personal service backed by the highest standards throughout.
A short transfer (20 min) will drop you off at the start of your walk at Galway's Bridge. Head west towards the Black Valley where spectacular lake and mountain views await. From time to time, you’ll be following the famed Ring of Kerry road route, with impressive views across to Purple Mountain, and MacGillycuddy’s Reeks beyond. Ascend out of the Black Valley to find views of Bridia Valley ahead. Soon you’ll reach the shores of Lough Acoose and Glencar, with far-reaching views of the Dingle Peninsula and Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain (1,039m).Â
It is possible to shorten this walk by getting transferred a little further along the trail in Black Valley. This would make your total walking distance 21km (13 mi). If you are interested, please let us know at the time of booking so we can arrange this for you.Â
There is only one accommodation in Glencar, The Climbers Inn. In the busier months, this may be full. If this is the case, you will be booked into alternative accommodation outside of Glencar, affecting your daily mileage. Refer to accommodation directions on confirmation for accurate distances.
The Climbers Inn Glencar, dates back to 1879, it is one of the oldest walking and climbing establishments in Ireland. The Climbers Inn has been extensively refurbished throughout providing excellent en-suite rooms. The Climbers Inn affords guests spacious and clean rooms, onsite traditional bar and free wifi.
A warm welcome awaits you at the Stepping Stone B&B. In a stunning location and the nearest accommodation to Carrauntoohil. All rooms have ensuite facilities and each room comes with a hospitality tray in each room, tea, Coffee, Mineral water & Confectionary. A laundry service is available from €8.
Blackstones House B&B is an old style award winning house scenically situated beside Blackstones Bridge on the Upper Caragh River. There are 6 en-suite bedrooms. All bedrooms are en suite with powered showers, tea/coffee making facilities, with satellite television, hairdryer and free WiFi. Each of the rooms are decorated to the highest of standards and are spacious. Each room has a panoramic view of the Caragh river, mountains and woodlands together with the soothing sound of the Blackstones Falls.
Easy trails characterise this section as you follow a ‘boreen’ (small road) and then gravel forestry tracks to Lickeen Wood. Panoramic views of the wooded valley of Glencar and Lough Caragh enchant you as you round the hill and then ascend the gentle lower slopes of Seefin.
You have a choice of (both delightful) paths to Glenbeigh; either descending on a more relaxed but longer approach (9km), or following a shorter rocky track to Glenbeigh (4km) ascending 100m to the saddle at Windy Gap, from where you will enjoy vistas over beautiful Inch Strand beach and the Dingle Peninsula. Glenbeigh is situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is a great place to revel in traditional music and old-world pubs.
Liosderrig House B&B is a family run accomodation that offers cozy rooms with wonderful sea views. The bright and airy bedrooms are individually decorated. All rooms are en suite. Full Irish breakfasts are served daily at Liosderrig House B&B.
Your hosts extend a warm welcome to this small traditional hotel. They have 12 well-appointed rooms and a bar and restaurant where you are sure to get a hearty meal and a drink and perhaps some live music!
Established in 1895, the family run Towers Hotel is located in the heart of the picturesque village of Glenbeigh. The cosy rooms all include bathrooms with baths, showers and hairdryers. They also feature TVs and tea/coffee-making facilities and rooms either have views of the village or the beach. The Curra Restaurant serves modern Irish cuisine and sources its meats from local suppliers and seafood from Dingle Bay. The lounge bar has a baby grand piano and artwork from Irish artists. Towers Old Bar has a range of bar food, a real log fire and a large-screen TV showing live sports. There is also an outdoor seating area in the garden.
The trail takes you out of Glenbeigh and onto an elevated path crossing over Rossbeigh Hill where you can enjoy spectacular views across Dingle Bay. This scenic hill track continues onto the slopes of Drung Hill to follow an old coach road passing Foilmore and into the Ferta valley beside the wild Atlantic. Arrive in Cahersiveen on the banks of Valencia River, this is the principal town of the Skellig Kerry Peninsula.
This is a family run business with over 60 years in the hospitality industry. Your hosts Alan & Ann are the second generation of the Landers family offering visitors the personal touch.
Located 3km outside the town of Cahirciveen on the stunning Ring of Kerry. This country house looks onto Cnoc na dtobar mountain and the Fertha river. Our guestroom is very comfortable with guest sitting room & private bathroom. Fresh Scones, yogurt, juice, tea & coffee for breakfast. If you are traveling to Skelligs this is a very convenient location.
Quinlan & Cooke offers the ideal base for guests looking to explore Skellig Michael, Waterville and the Ring of Kerry, all of which are steeped in history, culture and rugged beauty. The family run townhouse offers 10 beautiful ensuite guestrooms and a luxurious suite, all individually decorated in a unique and quirky style.
After a hearty breakfast, a short transfer (20 min) will bring you to Foilmore to start an undulating inland walk to Waterville. Today you will explore the remote and rugged Irish landscape at its best, with first-class walking. Ascend the highest point of the Way’s coastal route, the summit of Knockavahaun, at 371m. A patchwork of forest and fields stretches out to Lough Currane, Ballinskelligs Bay and Waterville.Â
Charlie Chaplin and his family used to spend long holiday periods here and a bronze statue stands on the promenade at Waterville.
Golf Links View B&B is in a scenic location with views to Ballinskellig Bay and the Mountains of the Iveragh Peninsula on the Ring of Kerry, Ireland. The town of Waterville is only a shortwalk away and sits between the bay and Lough Currane. A warm welcome awaits from John and Breda, and home baking is often served on check in, delicious after a day walking.
They are a traditional family run B&B and have been welcoming guests since 1991 - You will be guaranteed a warm welcome when you check in at the Clifford’s Ocean View B&B. The rooms are all individually decorated, have en-suite facilities and all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay. They also have a drying room for those unfortunate wet weather days. They are also centrally located so walking distance to a number of restaurants and pubs.
One of the region’s top hotels, the Butler Arms in Waterville is run by the Huggard family, originally opened in March 1884.I t offers an exceptional warm Irish welcome to its guests, has luxurious facilities and is set in a wonderfully scenic location in the heart of Waterville in county Kerry.
Today's route follows a coastal path and you will enjoy constant views of the sea and inshore islets, as well as the Beara Peninsula hills across the Kenmare River estuary. Why not take a short detour (2.5km) to visit Derrynane House National Historic Park (visitors’ centre has a seasonal opening), the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, Ireland’s ‘Great Liberator. Descend through the native hazel forest and see the Caherdaniel Stone Fort before arriving in the town itself.Â
If your legs are feeling a bit heavier today you can shorten today's walk by going via the inland route that heads north of the Derrymane House Grounds. This shortens the route to 12.5km.Â
Clare and Dezy's home is around 3 miles before Caherdaniel. From its outstanding location on the Ring of Kerry, you can take in a 300° panoramic view of the wild coasts and beautiful Derrynane beach, the Atlantic Ocean in all its moods, and patchwork green fields dotted with sheep. Most rooms have sea views and the communal lounge/breakfast area has magnificent views in all directions. There is excellent Wi-Fi and phone reception. There are no TVs and they pride themselves on being a place of peace and quiet.
The Olde Forge has been serving breakfast to Kerry visitors for over 20 years! Cathy Fitzmaurice’s homely accommodation is located just 2km from the village of Caherdaniel. Rooms boast an unrivalled view over Kenmare bay to greet you in the morning. All rooms are en suite with shower and have tea/coffee making facilities and free WiFi.
Get ready for a "roller-coaster day" filled with spectacular sea views and mountain scenery. Set off along Ireland’s ‘Old Butter Road’, used in the 19th century to transport butter to Cork. Climb the lower slopes of Eagle Hill before revealing some lovely views across the inlet of Kenmare. Along the way, you can take a short but busier detour to visit Staigue Fort, one of the largest ring forts to be found in Ireland. Walk an old coach road leading to a boreen as you trace the track above the main Ring of Kerry road, following rocky trails, approaching the picturesque village of Sneem, with its jagged and rocky river bed.
Coomassig View B&B is a luxury spacious dormer bungalow, situated less than half a km from the colourful little village of Sneem on the N70 Ring of Kerry. The comfortable and spacious double, twin and family rooms are all with en suite bathroom and satellite TV. Facilities include drying facilities for walkers and cyclists, private parking and lock up indoor storage for bicycles and back packs. The house backs onto the Kerry Way just outside Sneem and is perfectly situated for hikers.
Ideally located on the Ring Of Kerry, the Sneem Hotel offers modern and comfortable accommodation. The Hotel offers numerous servies, such as restaurants, free bike hire and Spa. This quiet and unspoilt location will take your breath away and make you feel right at home from the moment you arrive at this beautiful hotel.
Due to a lack of accommodation available in Blackwater Bridge, you will be transferred to Blackwater Bridge in the morning (15 min) and walk back to Sneem in reverse for an extra night. Another taxi transfer will be provided the next day to take you back to Blackwater Bridge to continue your walk to Kenmare as usual.
This is a gently walk from Blackwater Bridge to Sneem along woodland tracks and quiet roads. Enjoy views of the Kenmare River and Rossmore Island before crossing Tahilla River and returning to Sneem.Â
Coomassig View B&B is a luxury spacious dormer bungalow, situated less than half a km from the colourful little village of Sneem on the N70 Ring of Kerry. The comfortable and spacious double, twin and family rooms are all with en suite bathroom and satellite TV. Facilities include drying facilities for walkers and cyclists, private parking and lock up indoor storage for bicycles and back packs. The house backs onto the Kerry Way just outside Sneem and is perfectly situated for hikers.
Ideally located on the Ring Of Kerry, the Sneem Hotel offers modern and comfortable accommodation. The Hotel offers numerous servies, such as restaurants, free bike hire and Spa. This quiet and unspoilt location will take your breath away and make you feel right at home from the moment you arrive at this beautiful hotel.
After a short transfer to Blackwater Bridge (15 min) continue your walk into Kenmare. As you head north along Kenmare River you'll have two scenic hills to look forward to, of just 120m and 150m. You will pass Dromore Castle, built in the 1830s before the Irish famine, and then pass by the ruins of Cappanacush Castle from the 13th century. After descending from Gortamullin Hil and crossing the Finnihy River into Kenmare you may like to walk to the ancient 4,000-year-old Reenagoppul stone circle, situated just 0.5km outside of the town centre. Kenmare is a pretty market town with a host of great pubs and restaurants.
In business for over 30 years four stars Rockcrest House is where style, elegance and attention to detail comes to life. Your hosts Marian & David O'Dwyer offer all the modern conveniences in a warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere. With beautiful scenery, lots to do, gourmet food and live music; Kenmare & Rockcrest is the ideal base for touring the famous Ring of Kerry.
O’Donnabhain’s offer guest accommodation with en-suite rooms. While they are situated right in the heart of Kenmare, their modern rooms are located away from the busy street and bar area.
You are assured the warmest of welcomes at Watersedge. This fine property offers all that is required for a most comfortable stay. The bedrooms are finished to a very high standard, with the house enjoying lovely views.
This final stage of the Kerry Way takes you along the Old Kenmare Road through farmland and over a high saddle before reaching the leafy woodlands. Enjoy a scenic walk through Killarney National Park and pass through old oak forests rich with lichens and home to native Irish deer. See the verdant moss-covered forest surrounding Torc waterfall and Muckross Estate. With views across the Killarney Lakes, you’ll soon find yourself back in the bustling small tourist town of Killarney itself, where you can raise a glass at one of the many pubs or bars to having completed the Kerry Way!
Toni and Danny look forward to welcoming you to Larkinley Lodge situated just a 2 minute walk from the town centre of Killarney in County Kerry. The B&B has elegant ensuite guestrooms furnished with LCD flat screen TV, crisp linen, power showers, and luxury breakfasts. Guests will also be able to make use of complimentary wifi, and free parking. The B&B also run Killarney Private Tours which is a service provided by the accommodation taking guests on very bespoke tours of the region. Please contact the B&B direct if interested.
Abbey Lodge is a family run, newly refurbished B&B located just a 3 minute walk from the town centre.
This 4-star guesthouse boasts 15 luxurious bedrooms with private bathroom, TV, direct dial telephone, power showers, trouser press. The house is tastefully decorated throughout and features many interesting antiques and art.
All guestrooms are spacious, en-suite with direct dial telephone, television and trouser press. The accent is on friendly personal service backed by the highest standards throughout.
After breakfast your walking holiday will come to an end. See the Travel Info section for some useful details for your onward travel. Â
This trip has a carbon score of 16kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our greenest trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 16kg is equivalent to 6 paperback books in the USA. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?If you would like to walk the full Kerry Way, starting and finishing in Killarney, then this is the trip for you! Ireland’s longest national trail takes you around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry in 8 daily stages. This trip offers a unique mix of dramatic mountains, peaceful lakes and coastal views, perfect for regular walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. The Kerry Way follows some of the highlights of the famed ‘Ring of Kerry’ route and allows you to take life at a slower pace on foot.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers
The minimum age for this tour is: 15 Years
Our 11-day Kerry Way walking trip is graded moderate to strenuous. This is one of Ireland's longest waymarked trails and it is suitable for regular and experienced walkers. If you are interested in walking the first sections of the Kerry Way, please see our 5-day itinerary which is graded easy to moderate.
The trail includes daily walks of around 20 to 30km (12 to 19mi) on varied terrain. It is generally a low-level (albeit undulating) walk, interspersed with several ridge and spur crossings of between 200-300m. The highest point of the route is the summit of Knockavahaun at 371m. Please note that the first walk from Galway's Bridge to Glencar is 29.5km (18mi) with an ascent of roughly 650m making it arguably the most challenging walk, leaning more towards strenuous grading. It is advisable to do several longer walks of a similar distance to build up your fitness before setting off on the Kerry Way. If you would like to have some flexibility it is possible to add some rest days along the trail, please let us know if this is of interest.
The Kerry Way uses a variety of routes, from forest tracks, farm tracks, and paths across moorland and fields to historic old roads through villages. Overall about 35% of the Kerry Way follows tarmac roads (also known as bitumen) which is less than most Irish national trails. This reflects the fact that rights of way are almost non-existent in Ireland. The road walking is scenic and mostly along quiet lanes with little traffic, although a few short sections are along busier main roads where extra care and attention are needed.Â
If you are thinking of travelling solo, please consider that mobile phone coverage may be patchy in remote areas along the trail. We also welcome small groups on the trail, ideally no bigger than 6-8 travellers due to accommodation limitations in remote areas along the Kerry Way. Booking in advance is a must.Â
The accommodations along the Kerry Way are small and varied, you will stay in family-run B&Bs, guest houses, and hotels. A warm welcome is guaranteed as well as traditional Irish hospitality. We will always try to accommodate you at the locations that are detailed in the itinerary, but this may sometimes be difficult due to limited availability. Some of the overnight locations are in remote valleys and for this reason, we might sometimes have to accommodate you elsewhere. If this is the case, you will always receive directions to and from the trail in your route notes or in some cases, return transfers from the path. Please be aware that this may result in slightly longer or shorter walking days.Â
We will be happy to accommodate your party with single rooms if requested and this trip is also available to solo walkers.
Meals
A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Alternatively, you can buy lunch at local shops or stop in a café. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs or restaurants.
The Kerry Way is a low-level walk that is waymarked throughout. Our recommended route and the general best practice is walking the Kerry Way circuit anti-clockwise. This way you start with the stages that are of modest length and by the time you encounter longer walking days, you will be well into your stride. You will be supplied with the Rucksack Readers guidebook and you will have access to the GPX tracks via the Macs Adventure smartphone app so you should have no problems following the route each day.
Please note hat depending on the time of year and recent weather, the trail may be boggy in places which could reduce your average walking speed.Â
- 11 Nights in en suite rooms
- Door-to-door baggage transfers
- Transfer Killarney to Galway's Bridge (Day 2)
- Transfer Cahersiveen to Foilmore (Day 5)
- Transfer Sneem to Blackwater Bridge (Day 8&9)
- A detailed information pack with guidebook
- Access to the GPS tracks via the Macs Adventure smartphone app
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support in the event of any issues
- Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Equipment
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Extra nights before, during and after your walk.
Irish weather is typically unpredictable year-round so be prepared for any conditions and you will be pleasantly surprised. No matter what month you choose to travel, being close to the coast and in remote valleys between mountains, means it can get wet and windy at any time of year (particularly at the start and towards the end of the season). It is important that you check the local weather forecast before setting off each day. It is safe to walk along coastal stretches in most weather, as long as you are well-prepared.
The Kerry Way conveniently start and finishes in Killarney and there are a number of different ways to get there.Â
Flights are available to Kerry Airport with Ryanair from London Luton, London Stansted and Frankfurt. If you can't fly into Kerry Airport directly, there is an Aer Lingus flight between Dublin and Kerry Airport. There is a bus (25 mins) from Kerry Airport to Killarney. For bus timetables, check the website of Bus Eireann.Â
You could also fly into Cork Airport with Aer Lingus from Bristol, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham. From Cork Airport it is a short bus ride (20 mins) to Cork Kent train station, then a 1h30-2hr train ride to Killarney. For train timetables, check the website of Irish Rail.
Another option is flying into Shannon Airport with Aer Lingus from Dublin, Bristol, Manchester, London Heathrow and Birmingham, as well as Boston and New York JFK. Ryanair fly to Shannon from Liverpool and London Stansted. Air Transat fly from Toronto and US Airways fly from Philadelphia to Shannon. From Shannon Airport take a bus (approx. 2h50-3h40, via Limerick) to Killarney.
It is also possible to take a ferry from Holyhead to Dublin, please check Irish Ferries for more information.
Getting from Killarney, just follow the getting to suggestions in reverse.
Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 18kg per person.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes a transfer of 1 bag per person.  It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jackets and pants), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking/cycling gear such as good walking shoes or boots, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes, and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
At up to 33km a day for the more strenuous tour, and up to a total of around 210km for the complete circuit, the Kerry Way is a fair distance and the higher your level of fitness the more you will enjoy the experience. Most of our itineraries involve an average of around 5-6 hours of walking daily so you should be comfortable walking on good tracks and paths over undulating terrain. If you currently don’t enjoy that level of fitness regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardio-vascular exercise for at least 6 months prior to your walk is recommended. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
Our itineraries are mostly graded moderate and are suitable for regular walkers. Youll be walking along green roads, historic old roads, farm and forest tracks, paths across moorland and fields and minor roads. It is generally a low-level (albeit undulating) walk, interspersed with several ridge and spur crossings of between 200-300m. The highest point of the route is the summit of Knockavahaun at 371m.Overall about 35% of the Kerry Way follows tarmac (bitumen) roads, which is less than most Irish national trails. This reflects the fact that rights of way are almost non-existent in Ireland. The road walking is scenic and mostly along quiet lanes, however there are from time to time some busier stretches where you will need to be cautious with traffic.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the Kerry Way is extremely popular especially over April/May and July/August. You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans.
You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc. Our info packs have a list of all equipment to bring on your walk.
Traditionally April through to August is a very pleasant time of year to walk.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets and several sections of the way are closed to dogs as they are permissive paths through farm land.
You can use public transport, local taxis or our baggage van may be able to move you to the next overnight stop. Full details are included in your info pack.
This route is well way-marked and much of it does follows a path. It is always advisable that you are know how to navigate with a map and compass although the Way is largely very straightforward to follow, especially with the maps and guidebook we provide.
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