Kerry Way (8 Day and 12 Day)
8 days/7 nights or 12 days/11 nights
Day 1: Arrival in Killarney
Optional transfer from Kerry Airport to accommodation in Killarney where you overnight.
Day 2: Killarney to Black Valley
Distance: 20.5km/13miles, 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/13miles, 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/1150ft
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 Centre
Day 6: Glenbeigh to Foilmore
Distance: 13km/8 miles, Ascent: 320m/1,000ft
Today’s walk takes you on the first coastal stretch of the Kerry Way, on the line of a middle-ages coaching road, with spectacular views over Dingle Bay.
KW7 Day 7: Foilmore 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, and ancient, settlement of Cahersiveen, from which transfer for final night in Killarney.
KW11 Day 7: Foilmore to Waterville
Distance: 20km/12.5 miles
To-day’s journey is mainly inland, on ridge-backs giving views of land and sea, finishing at the angling centre of Waterville on the shore of Ballinskelligs Bay.
KW11 Day 8: Waterville to Caherdaniel
Distance: 12 km/8miles, Ascent: 270m/900ft
Today you travel from one seaside village to the next, connecting Waterville to Caheraniel – this section of the Kerry Way is on a middle ages coaching road and offers wonderful views of bay, sea, islands and archaeological sites. Overnight in Caherdaniel.
KW11 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.
KW11 Day: 11 Kenmare to Killarney
Distance: 22.5km/14miles, Ascent: 560m/1,850ft
The last leg of the Kerry Way takes us from the sea via mountain and lake through oakwood back to the Killarney National Park.
KW11 Day: 12 Departure
Note: Depending on accommodation availability we may offer the Kerry Way in reverse: Killarney – Kenmare- Sneem – Caherdaniel – Waterville – Caherciveen - Kells – Glenbeigh – Glencar – Blackvalley – Killarney.