The Kerry Way was founded by Go Ireland's director of activity pro grammes, Sean O Suilleabhain, over 25 years ago. It is one of Ireland's premier walking tours. Sean was 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 on 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 leisurely pace.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Killarney. Transfer from Kerry Airport to accommodation in Killarney where you overnight.
Day 2: Killarney to Black Valley - Distance: 20.5 km/13 miles Ascent: 350m/1,150ft. Walk through Killarney National Park passing the ruins of Muckross Friary, Muckross House and its gardens, up beside Torc Waterfall and along The Old Kenmare Road to the ancient oak woods beside the Killarney's Upper Lake.
Day 3: Black Valley to Glencar - Distance: 21km/13 miles Ascent: 575m/1,900ft. 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 - Distance: 17km/10.5 miles Ascent: 350m/1,150ft. 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, windsurfing, orienteering, etc) at Cappanalea Outdoor Education Center.
Day 6: Glenbeigh to Kells - Distance: 18km/11.25 miles Ascent: 300m/1,000ft. Today's walking takes you on the early Christian route from Glenbeigh, with detours to archaeological artifacts and views across Dingle Bay and out to the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight in Kells.
Day 7: Kells to Caherciveen Distance: 10km/6 miles Ascent: 90m/300ft. A short walk, perhaps a morning one, completes the journey along the northern side of Iveragh Peninsula to the coastal settlement of Cahersiveen, from where transfer for final night in Killarney for those on the 7-night tour.
Day 8: Waterville to Caherdaniel - Distance: 12 miles/19km Ascent: 390m/1,250ft.For those taking the full 11-night tour 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 - Distance: 17km/10.5 miles Ascent: 350m/1,150ft. 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 1930s. You pass through the peat beds and close to the famous 2,000 year old Staigue Fort. Overnight in Sneem.
Day 10: Sneem to Kenmare - Distance: 32km/ 20 miles Ascent: 520m/1,700ft. 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 - Distance: 22.5km/14 miles Ascent: 560km/1850ft. The last leg of the Kerry Way takes us from the sea via mountain and lake through oak wood back to the Killarney National Park.
Day 12: Departure Day. Note: Depending on accommodation availability we may offer the Kerry Way in reverse: Killarney - Kenmare - Sneem - Catherdaniel - Waterville - Kells - Glenbeigh - Glencar - Blackvalley - Killarney.
Moderate walks of 10-11 miles (16-18Km) with gradual ascents of up to 1300ft (400m) approx.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices:
- €610 per person for 07 nights
- €920 per person for 11 nights
Price Includes:
- Courtesy transfer from and to Kerry Airport from May to September
- 7 or 11 night accommodation in Irish Tourist Board approved guest house, with en-suite facilities
- 7 or 11 Full Irish Breakfasts
- Route notes and maps from the founder of the Kerry Way, Sean O Suilleabhain
- Luggage Transfers each day
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