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Highlights
Embark on a true Irish adventure hiking the Ring of Kerry
Explore the stunning beauty of Ireland’s oldest national park, Killarney.
Follow historic trails made by and for the people of Ireland’s past.
Gaze across an endless panorama of the Dingle and Beara peninsulas.
Hike through the foothills of Ireland’s tallest mountains, the MacGillycuddy Reeks.
There’s no hike along the Kerry Way quite like this one! The 11-day self-guided Kerry Way Hiking Tour takes you all the way around the Ring of Kerry, a journey nearly without equal in Ireland and one of the greatest adventures on foot found worldwide.
The famous town of Killarney is your start and endpoint for the trip. After a night to get settled in, set out along the Kerry Way through the Killarney National Park, Ireland’s oldest and most beloved park. From coastal Kenmare, head west along the shores of Kenmare Bay. Stop along the way in the colourful villages of Sneem and Caherdaniel, stunning southern views of the Beara Peninsula accompanying your every step. Round the Iveragh Peninsula and head north, passing through Waterville and climbing the central hills for panoramic vistas of the Dingle and Beara Peninsulas to the north and south.
At Caherciveen, turn back towards the east and hike along the coast of Dingle Bay. Old stagecoach routes will have you travelling back in time as you descend into Glenbeigh. Your closing stretch takes you back through the beautiful forested interior on the Kerry Way, following the Caragh River into the heart of the Black Valley. A final day of hiking along idyllic lakeshores and through verdant woods brings you back to Killarney for an evening of celebration!
There’s no hike along the Kerry Way quite like this one! The 11-day self-guided Kerry Way Hiking Tour takes you all the way around the Ring of Kerry, a journey nearly without equal in Ireland and one of the greatest adventures on foot found worldwide.
The famous town of Killarney is your start and endpoint for the trip. After a night to get settled in, set out along the Kerry Way through the Killarney National Park, Ireland’s oldest and most beloved park. From coastal Kenmare, head west along the shores of Kenmare Bay. Stop along the way in the colourful villages of Sneem and Caherdaniel, stunning southern views of the Beara Peninsula accompanying your every step. Round the Iveragh Peninsula and head north, passing through Waterville and climbing the central hills for panoramic vistas of the Dingle and Beara Peninsulas to the north and south.
At Caherciveen, turn back towards the east and hike along the coast of Dingle Bay. Old stagecoach routes will have you travelling back in time as you descend into Glenbeigh. Your closing stretch takes you back through the beautiful forested interior on the Kerry Way, following the Caragh River into the heart of the Black Valley. A final day of hiking along idyllic lakeshores and through verdant woods brings you back to Killarney for an evening of celebration!
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11-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Killarney
Arrive in the town of Killarney, the hub for your adventure. Check into your accommodations and pick up your detailed information pack, which includes route guides and contact information. Enjoy a fun evening in town – you’ll see it again ten days down the road!
Overnight Location: B&B in Killarney
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Mansions & Parks
The tour starts with a walk to Muckross House, a gorgeous 19th-century estate that laid the grounds for today’s beloved Killarney National Park.
Set off into the park, keeping an eye out for rare flora and fauna, such as the native red deer. Pass by the tumbling Torc Waterfall and hike through Esknamucky Glen. The day ends with a descent out of the park and into the lively town of Kenmare.
Overnight Location: B&B in Kenmare
Distance: 5 hours, 20km, 689m of ascent, 710m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Westward Bound
Start the day with a quick taxi to the nearby village of Templenoe. Set off along the Kerry Way, heading west along the shores of Kenmare Bay. Enjoy wonderful views over the water with the Beara Peninsula and its sandstone Caha Mountains south of the bay. Your hike ends in the colourful village of Sneem.
Overnight Location: B&B in Sneem
Distance: 4-5 hours, 19.9km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Land of the Liberator
Continue hiking west along the Kerry Way and the shores of Kenmare Bay. Today’s route involves passage along an old “butter road” which once allowed farmers in the region to haul their butter to markets in central ports such as Cork.
The day ends in the old coastal village of Caherdaniel. This was the home of Daniel O’Connell, known as “The Liberator” for his efforts in securing Irish Catholic emancipation in the early 19th century.
Overnight Location: B&B in Caherdaniel
Distance: 4 hours, 17.3km, 473m of ascent, 450m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Water, Water Everywhere
Today brings you to the tip of the Iveragh Peninsula and the start of your turn to the north. Hike above the coastline as you make your way to the village of Waterville.
The geography of this town is certainly unique. Situated on a skinny isthmus, it has the fish-filled waters of Lough Currance to the east and Ballinskelligs Bay to the west. On a clear day, you might be able to spot the remote Skellig Islands, where scenes from the recent Star Wars movies were filmed.
Overnight Location: B&B in Waterville
Distance: 4 hours, 16km, 379m of ascent, 405m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Vaunted Vistas
The day beings with a short taxi to nearby Mastergeehy. Some relatively steep ascents bring you incredible panoramic vistas in all directions! To the north lies the Dingle Peninsula and its beautiful bay, to the south stretches familiar Kenmare Bay, with the Beara Peninsula beyond.
Descend into the village of Caherciveen, one of the westernmost towns in all Ireland. Tucked between the mountains and the sea, it’s a wonderful place to spend the night.
Overnight Location: B&B in Caherciveen
Distance: 6 hours, 24km, 943m of ascent, 933m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 The Eastern Path
Now on the northern flank of the Iveragh Peninsula, it’s time to head back towards the east. You’ll hike along an old stagecoach route, filled with deserted towns and markets that sprung up around the travellers who made this same trip. Thankfully, transport has improved quite a bit!
Gorgeous views of the Dingle Peninsula accompany you into the village of Glenbeigh. If time allows, pay a visit to the Rossbeigh Strand, a massive beach stretching into the bay just west of town.
Overnight Location: B&B in Glenbeigh
Distance: 6 hours, 24km, 689m of ascent, 681m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Leaving the Coast
Head west around the shoulder of Seefin Mountain before descending into the wooded Caragh Valley. Hike along the lovely Caragh River, crossing over the four-arch Blackstones Bridge.
Continue through magnificent forests until you reach the village of Glencar.
Overnight Location: B&B in Glencar
Distance: 5 hours, 21km, 832m of ascent, 624m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Through the Black Valley
Set off along the shores of serene Lough Acoose as you hike through the foothills of the MacGillycuddy Reeks. An old “droving” path used by farmers carries you up over a mountain saddle and down into the stunning Bridia Valley. A second, smaller saddle brings a descent into the Black Valley – much more pleasant than it sounds!
Overnight Location: B&B in Black Valley
Distance: 4-5 hours, 18km, 694m of ascent, 822m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Back to Killarney
Your final day on the Kerry Way takes you along the shores of Killarney’s Upper Lake and down a well-worn “mass path” leading to Derrycunnihy Church. The rest of your hike should look familiar – it’s the trail used on your first day!
Head back to Killarney through the national park for your final night, and a toast to an incredible adventure along the Kerry Way.
Overnight Location: B&B in Killarney
Distance: 5 hours, 21km, 539m of ascent, 548m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 Departure Day
After one last hot Irish breakfast, check out from your accommodations and depart the region via your own arrangements.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
11-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided hiking tour of the Kerry Way is run as a custom tour for your group only and the price per person is fixed. There are upgrade options available that add follow-up phone calls and welcome briefings to your tour. Please let us know if you’re interested in these options. Prices below are per person:- Price per person staying in a double room (min 2 travellers): EUR1245
Accommodation on the 11-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour
This tour is based in small B&Bs and/or guesthouses. Properties offer welcoming rooms with an ensuite washroom and daily hot Irish breakfast.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible.
What’s Included in the 11-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour?
Meals
10 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 10 nights are included. You can add additional nights before or after the tour as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport to the start of the hike on Days 3 and 6 is included. Luggage transfers between properties are also included on the tour.
Also Included
- Detailed route book with full area maps or GPS-enabled app for navigation & points of interest
- 24-hour emergency/information support
- Full pre-departure information to maximize your experience
- In-house holiday specialist to assist with any additional services
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Transport into Killarney or out from Glenbeigh
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Guide services
- Visas if required
- Entrance fees to any sites or parks
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single room supplements
- Extra services:
- Welcome briefing
- Welcome briefing and follow up calls during the tour
- How hard is the 11-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Are meals included on the 11-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Killarney to start this tour?
- Is the 11-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour guided?
- Where does the 11-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Ireland?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Ireland?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. A moderate level of fitness is required for the distance and elevation changes on this route and previous hiking experience is recommended. However, no technical expertise or gear is necessary. The route involves various surfaces: grass mountain tracks, country lanes, road walking, forest paths, and bogland, with some wet sections underfoot. Good boots are essential.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel, since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
10 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Kerry Airport (KIR). Being a regional airport, you may need to connect via one of Ireland’s three international airports. From Kerry Airport, the town of Killarney is 20 minutes away by car, and about 30-40 minutes by public transport. You can also travel from Cork International Airport (ORK), roughly 2 hours from Killarney by bus.
No. You will be provided with all necessary information to complete your self-guided tour.
The tour begins and ends in the town of Killarney.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
Ireland Walk Hike Bike was set up with one purpose in mind – to show you the real Ireland that we know and love. Having watched many visitors “flash” through Ireland – founder Linda Woods decided back in 1994 to find a better way to see the country. “My aim was to slow people down, so they really get their feet into the soul of the country, meet the locals & discover what makes Ireland & the Irish tick………” and 25 years later – this is exactly what Ireland Walk Hike Bike is still doing today…
Whatever holiday you want – walk, hike, bike, more active than that or less active than that – we will be delighted to chat with you, help plan your holiday with you to ensure you have a really memorable trip to Ireland.
