COUNTY KERRY - WALKING ROUTES

The Kerry Way

The Kerry Way, at 143 miles, it is the longest of the Irish Waymarked Trails. It is a circular route that circumnavigates the peninsula, starting and finishing in Killarney, and also passing through fine Kerry towns such as Glenbeigh, Caherciveen, Waterville, Sneem and Kenmare.

The landscape the route passes through is very varied, from the lakes of Killarney to high and remote mountain moorland: Carrauntoohil and Caher tower over the route west of Black Valley and the return leg passes along the startlingly contrasting semi-tropical, palm-treed south coast. Terrain consists mainly of quiet tarmac roads, open moorland, woodland and field paths and boreens. Some sections of the open moorland can be very isolated, and off-road sections can often be very wet and muddy. Aggregate ascent over the whole route is about 17,000 feet, and there are some sustained and quite steep climbs. The highest point on the Way is 1,250 feet above sea-level, at Windy Gap between Glenmore and Caherdaniel There are some long stretches between overnight accommodation possibilities, and walkers should plan their days carefully.

In general the Kerry way is broken into 9 main stages,

Killarney to the Black Valley: 14 miles
BlackValley to Glencar: 12 miles
Glencar to Glenbeigh: 11 miles
Glenbeigh to Cahirciveen: 17 miles
Cahirciveen to Waterville: 19 miles
Waterville to Caherdaniel: 17 miles
Caherdaniel to Sneem: 12 miles
Sneem to Kenmare: 19 miles
Kenmare to Killarney: 16 miles

If you wish to walk the entire route you should allow around nine days. We would recommend that you buy a good book (one possible choice is The Kerry Way - Sandra Bardwell) which will give more detail on the route itself along with the relevant maps. You will not find one ordnance survey map that covers the entire region but we would recommend that you get map numbers 78, 83 ,84 from the discovery series (from the OSI, Ordnance Survey Ireland). These in effect cover most of Kerry and can be purchased at any good bookshop. In general the walk starts and finishes in Killarney, walking in an anticlockwise direction. As the walk is largely circular in nature with a few spurs you can start and finish where you please.

The walking route predominately follows paths and "unsurfaced roads” with no vehicular traffics (there are a few linking pieces on surfaced roads) and is generally quite firm underfoot. Sections of the walk go through forestry, national park and private farmland. (The Kerryway has been set up in agreement with local farmers and landowners so please respect the landowners property. It is after all the source of their livelihood). Parts of the route can be rough underfoot and parts can be boggy. That said for the most part the route is very well laid out and extremely pleasant.

The Dingle Way

The Dingle Way is a 95 mile circular walking trail. The walk begins in Tralee, overlooking Tralee Bay, and then swings southwest across the peninsula from Camp to look down on Dingle Bay while you ramble inland to Annascaul, and then on to Dingle Town. From Dingle the route continues west around Slea Head to Dunquin, with magnificent views of the Blasket Islands to the west and beautiful coastal cliffs to the north. Then the trail turns back along the north coast of the peninsula, past Smerwick Harbor, and continues on below the massive Brandon Mountain, Ireland`s second highest peak and named for St. Brendan the Voyager. A high pass will bring you to the village of Cloghane, east of Brandon, and then the route continues along coastal beaches to Castlegregory and the Maharees, ultimately ending back in Tralee.

The Irish Trails (irishtrails.ie) website details the route. For convenience they have divided the Way into 13 sections, each representing a half days walking. Detailed maps (in PDF format) can be downloaded.

The North Kerry Way

The North Kerry Way is a 30 mile, long-distance walking trail. The trail starts in Tralee and ends in Ballyheigue.
Trail Sections -

Tralee to Spa
The Slieve Mish mountain range is the dominant backdrop and extends as the backbone of the Dingle Peninsula as far Mount Brandon. Tralee Bay is shallow and low tides expose broad mud flats which attract vast numbers of seabirds such as lapwings, Brent geese, and waders of many species all year round. About .15 of a mile street, remainder tow path, track, field and sea ramp (wall). Generally easy walking – take care when walking sea ramp.
Distance: 4.3 miles
Time Estimate: 2 hours
Grade: Easy
Parking At Start:
Charge for street parking, off-street parking in car park opposite Brandon Hotel in Princes Street.
Parking At End:
Space for one or two cars near slip - take care not to block entrances or access. In Oyster Tavern car park for customers.

Spa to Banna
This section has much mixed agricultural land and a wide sandy beach between the Atlantic shore-line, with ever breaking waves, and the long sand-dune barrier. About 5 mile road, .5 mile unsurfaced road, .5 mile track, 1 mile beach, 1/6th mile sand dune. Gentle incline from Spa then descent to Listrim Cross. Take care on Ardfert/Fenit road - busy, not much space for walkers. Banna Strand firm unless very high tide.
Distance: 7.5 miles
Time Estimate: 4 hours
Grade: Easy
Parking At Start:
Space for one or two cars near slip - do not block entrances or access. In Oyster Tavern car park for customers
Parking At End:
Car park for beach

Banna to Ballyheigue
This section has a continuation of beach and sand dunes. About 2.5 miles beach, remainder grassy path and track. Watch for marker directing off beach. Firm sand on beach except in very high tide when use storm beach.
Distance: 4 miles
Time Estimate: 2 hours
Grade: Easy
Parking At Start: In car park for beach
Parking At End: In car park for beach

Ballyheigue to Glenderry
Along this section one finds mountain commonage at about 700 feet, giving wide sweeping views over the Atlantic and the River Shannon. About 2 miles road, 3.5 miles track, bog road, path and field. Gentle climb out of Ballyheigue, steeper to top of Maulin Mountain, track to Glenderry can be rough and sometimes wet at bottom
Distance: 5.5 miles
Time Estimate: 3.5 hours
Grade: Easy
Parking At Start: In car park for beach
Parking At End: Limited parking outside school (a few feet east of Way) except during school hours

Glenderry to Maulin Road
Mountain commonae with good views can be found along this section. About 2 miles road, 2.5 miles unsurfaced road, 1 mile path. Good walking surface around Kerry Head and around Triskmore Mountain. Take care on section of road from Glenderry to Bus Shelter as narrow and no space for walkers
Distance: 5.5 miles
Time Estimate: 3 hours
Grade: Easy
Parking At Start: Limited parking outside school (a few metres east of Way) except during school hours
Parking At End: Very limited

Maulin Road to Ballyheigue
The landscape surrounding this section is dominated by sea views and small holdings of agricultural land. About 3.5 miles road, a 3rd mile path and field. Easy walking on quiet roads. Rejoin outward route on path and field to descend to Ballyheigue.
Distance: 3.75 miles
Time Estimate: 2 hours
Grade: Easy
Parking At Start: Very limited
Parking At End: In car park for beach