Kerry Gems
8 days/7 nights or 5 days/4 nights
Day 1: Arrival
19.00 hrs. Dinner and welcome briefing with guide at guesthouse in Glenbeigh.
Day 2: Dooks Beach and ‘Mountain’
Distance: 12km/7.5miles, Ascent: 50m/165ft
A gentle walk on road, bog road and beach allows you to experience a variety of habitats (blanket bog, sand dune, freshwater lake/stream and seashore) as well as to view peat cuttings. End the walk with a visit to Ireland’s only Bog Village museum where you can see how people lived in olden days.
Day 3: The Kerry Way (Kells-Glenbeigh)
Distance: 17km/10.5miles, Ascent: 300m/1,000ft
The first walk takes you on the early Christian route and medieval coaching road, with detours to view archaeological artefacts and 4,000-year-old rock art, views across Dingle Bay and a possible diversion to a beach for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 4: The Kerry Way (Glenbeigh-Glencar)
Via Windy Gap - Distance: 13km/ 8miles, Ascent 350m/1,150ft
You walk from the seaside village of Glenbeigh, ascend gradually to circle Seefin Mountain and stroll downwards into the lush valley of the Caragh River in storied Glencar.
Day 5: Killarney National Park
Distance: 10.5km/6.5mile Ascent: 230m/ 750ft. Descent: 330m/1,100ft Option extra: 12km/7.5miles
Killarney National Park The final leg of the Kerry Way takes you into Killarney National Park – through ancient oak woods, along the Old Kenmare Road, with a descent beside the spectacular Torc Cascade and into the gardens of Muckross House (19th century mansion), with its welcoming teashop. Optional extended walk to visit to the ruins of Muckross Friary (15th century).
Day 6: Free Day Options:
Boat trip to UNESCO World Heritage site of the Skelligs islands - Bus tours of the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula - Visit Killarney – cycle or stroll through the National Park. Enjoy the craft, book shops & tea houses. - Walk on the golden strands of the award winning blue flag beach of Rossbeigh.
Day 7: The Kerry Way (Black Valley) and the Gap of Dunloe
Distance: 11km/7miles, Ascent 400m/1,300ft
Go on a wonderful open topped boat trip through the three Lakes of Killarney from Ross Castle to Lord Brandons Cottage. After lunch walk through the dramatic, ice-carved Gap of Dunloe. Finish a wonderful week’s walking with an Irish coffee in Kate Kearneys Cottage. Black Valley to Gap of Dunloe.
Day 8: Departure