Hiking Ring of Kerry

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IRELAND

Hiking Ring of Kerry

12 DAYS

The Ring of Kerry hiking trip was founded over 25 years ago. It is one of Ireland’s premier walking routes and the ideal way to explore this picturesque area. 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 a leisurely pace. You will receive detailed route description and maps on Day 1 of the tour. The notes below are designed to give you an idea of each hiking day.


Day 1.    Arrival in Killarney

Arrival in Killarney where you overnight.

Day 2.    Killarney to Black Valley, 20.5km/13miles. Elevation: 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, 21km/13miles. Elevation: 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, 17km/10.5 miles. Elevation:  350m/1150ft

You walk from Glencar, with magical views of Caragh Lake, to the village of Glenbeigh, with its sandy beaches.  Overnight: Glenbeigh.

Day 5.    Rest Day in Glenbeigh

A day at leisure. You also have a choice of local walks (notes provided). Adventure sports (canoeing, windsurfing, orienteering, etc.) available at Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre.

Day 6.    Glenbeigh to Foilmore, 18km/11.25 miles. Elevation: 300m/1,000ft

Today's walking takes you on the early Christian route from Glenbeigh, with detours to archaeological artefacts and views across Dingle Bay and out to the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight in Foilmore.

Day 7.    Foilmore to Waterville, 21.5km/13.5miles. Elevation: 900m/2,950ft

This leg of the Kerry Way travels inland along gentle rising ridgebacks and across the Inny Valley, giving views of land- and seascape. Overnight in Waterville.

Day 8.    Waterville to Caherdaniel, 19km/12 miles. Elevation: 390m/1,250ft

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, 17km/10.5 miles. Elevation: 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, 32km/20miles. Elevation:  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, 22.5km/14miles. Elevation: 560m/1,850ft

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.    Killarney and departure

Breakfast and departure.


Note: Depending on accommodation availability we may offer the Ring of Kerry hiking trip in reverse: Killarney – Kenmare - Sneem – Caherdaniel – Waterville – Foilmore – Glenbeigh – Glencar – Black Valley – Killarney.

 

SUMMARY

 

Inclusions:

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Courtesy transfer from and to Kerry and Shannon Airports (please see below)

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11 nights accommodation

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Full Irish breakfast

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Luggage transfer between each night’s accommodation

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Route description and maps by Seán Ó Súilleabháin, the author of Ireland’s best seller ‘Walk Guide – Southwest of Ireland’

Start and Finish:  Killarney

 

Accommodation:  Comfortable accommodation with private facilities. Due to the isolated nature of some of our locations, the en-suite accommodation may not be available on some nights of the trip  

 

Trip Grade:  Moderate

 

Dates:  Every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday March to October

 

Land Cost:  US$ 1,745 (per person, based on two persons sharing accommodation)

 

 

Airport Transfers

Shannon airport to Kerry at 11.00 and 16.00 on Saturdays from the information point in the arrivals hall.  Return transfer arrives at Shannon airport at 11.00 on Saturdays.

Kerry airport to your accommodation between 11.00 and 17.00 hours on Saturdays. Return transfer arrives at Kerry airport at 11.00 hours on Saturdays.

Travelers who cannot make these transfer times should make their own way to the accommodation.  Arrangements can be made for taxi transfers but at the traveler’s own expense.


Alternative Itinerary - 8 Days 

A shorter 8 days Itinerary is available. The 8 days trip can be combined with the Dingle Peninsula 8 days hiking trip to make a wonderful two-week hiking adventure.

Day 1.    Arrival in Killarney

Transfer from Kerry Airport to accommodation in Killarney where you overnight.

Day 2.    Killarney to Black Valley, 20.5km/13miles. Elevation: 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, 21km/13miles. Elevation: 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, 17km/10.5 miles. Elevation:  350m/1150ft

You walk from Glencar, with magical views of Caragh Lake, to the village of Glenbeigh, with its sandy beaches.  Overnight:  Glenbeigh.

Day 5.    Rest Day in Glenbeigh

A day at leisure. You also have a choice of local walks (notes provided). Adventure sports (canoeing, windsurfing, orienteering, etc.) available at Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre.

Day 6.    Glenbeigh to Foilmore, 18km/11.25 miles. Elevation: 300m/1,000ft

Today's walking takes you on the early Christian route from Glenbeigh, with detours to archaeological artefacts and views across Dingle Bay and out to the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight in Foilmore.

Day 7.    Foilmore to Caherciveen, 21km/6 miles. Elevation: 90m/300ft

A short walk, perhaps a morning one, completes the journey along the northern side of Iveragh Peninsula to the coastal, and ancient, settlement of Cahersiveen, from which transfer for final night in Killarney.

Day 8.    Killarney and departure

Breakfast and departure.  


Land cost: US$ 1,235  (per person, based on two persons sharing accommodation)  


Note:
Please note that all itineraries and prices are subject to change.


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