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Self-Guided Walking Holidays Kerry Way

   Overview  
 The Kerry Way  8 Days / 7 Nights  Grade B/C: Hills / Mountain walking

This is one of our most popular independent walking holidays - and for very good reason. The Kerry Way has it all along its 110 mile length. The walk takes you from the lush vegetation of the Killarney National Park, past the majestic peaks of the MacGillacuddy Reeks, along coastal paths overlooking Dingle Bay to the golden sands of Waterville and Derrynane. This part of Ireland is rich in history, myth and legend, and also has an abundance of local flora and fauna – including the Irish Red Deer.

The walk is primarily along the renowned Kerry Way, allowing you to carry out an almost complete circuit of the Iveragh Peninsula. Your route crosses hills, valleys and some rocky mountain passes. However you never venture to the heights of the Reeks where serious rock and mountain climbing can be had. Instead you walk along a network of forested and moss-lined paths, open bog, moorland, past island-studded mountain lakes and waterfalls and along coastal paths. Every day of your holiday you experience different aspects of the remarkable and varied countryside before returning to the warmth of your new hostelry each evening.

Walkers, climbers and tourists from all over the world visit this part of Kerry for very good reason. Join us on this wonderful walking holiday along the Kerry Way and you too will come to quickly appreciate why this is one of our most popular walking holidays!
Looking over Lough Acoose from the Kerry Way, Glencar, Co Kerry.
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   Itinerary  

Day 1 (Arrival)
Arriving at airport or station, you are met by our transport. You will be transported to your first night’s accommodation at the legendary town of Killarney. You will have time free to acclimatise and to see some of Killarney before your meal in the evening.

Day 2 (25km Killarney to Sneem)
Your route takes you from Killarney toward Kenmare – passing through the scenic Killarney National Park. On the way you can enjoy the views as you ascend alongside the Torc Waterfall. Continuing through deciduous forest, by the Upper Lake, you continue to ascend a gentle valley between Knockrower and Peakeen Mountain, before descending to the lovely town of Kenmare.
You are then met by our transport and transfer to your night's accommodation at Sneem.

Day 3 (19km Sneem to Caherdaniel)
Leaving from your base in the beautiful village of Sneem you ascend through a wooded valley on the Kerry Way. Crossing over hills and valleys and through forest you are afforded views over Kenmare Bay to the Beara Peninsula. Skirting Eagles Hill there is a gentle ridge descent to the small village of Caherdaniel, and your stop for the night. Time permitting you can enjoy a walk along the beach at Derrynane and perhaps a visit to the house and gardens at Derrynane House - the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell.

Day 4 (20km or 28km Caherdaniel to Waterville)
Retracing your steps a little, you ascend the ridge of Eagles Hill and follow the ridge to the high point with views down over Lough Currane and Ballinskelligs Bay. Dropping down to a wooded valley you skirt Isknagahiny Lough and then come out onto Lough Currane proper. A choice of routes is then offered to you, either by lakeside or by hillside to your destination in Waterville.

Day 5 (20km Foilmore to Glenbeigh)
This morning you start with a transfer from Waterville to Foilmore Bridge. Ascending the shoulders of Drung Hill you pass through forests and rise to the peak of the hill before following a gentle ridge descent overlooking Dingle bay and across to Inch Strand. You descend by Rossbeigh Beach to finish in our lovely accommodation at Glenbeigh.

Day 6 (17km Glenbeigh to Glencar)
Leaving your base in the morning, ascending alongside Mt Seefin, you pass through the Windy Gap (Bearna na Gaoithe) with views back to Inch Strand and Dingle Bay and onward through the valley of Glencar to the MacGillycuddy Reeks proper. Descending through forest trails you rise again to your destination at Glencar.

Day 7 (18km Glencar to Brandon's Cottage)
You start the morning on forest trails before climbing alongside Lough Acoose Dropping off a shoulder to the valley below, you ascend again to cross a rugged mountain gap by the Bridia Valley and onward under the shadow of Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil. Carrying on you cross the Black Valley and down to Brandon's Cottage - where you can stop for a cup if you please. There you are met by our transport for today - a boat ride down through Killarney's beautiful lakes to the town of Killarney itself - and the completion of your tour and tonight's accommodation.

Day 8 (Departure)
Transfer back to airport or station for your return journey.

Included
7 nights accommodation, based on two adults sharing, in Irish Tourist Board approved hotels and guesthouses (normally with en-suite facilities).

Meals consist of a full Irish breakfast each morning. The Meals Package option also includes a packed lunch, and a two/three course meal each evening. Drinks are not included.

Luggage transfer each day, route description and maps and a general map of the area.
Transfers to and from Kerry Airport or Killarney train station. Other transfers can be arranged.

For more information on Ireland visit the Tourism Ireland website at www.ireland.ie.
Flight schedules and information on Shannon Airport.
Flight schedules and information on Kerry Airport.
Flight schedules and information on Cork Airport.
For information on trains to Killarney and Tralee, visit the Irish Rail site.

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   Prices  

Prices and options

Option 1 - Standard Package The price for the Kerry Way self-guided (standard package) tour is £480 Sterling (approx $765 US Dollars or €575 Euro) per person sharing.

  • 7 nights accommodation, based on two adults sharing, in Irish Tourist Board approved hotels and guesthouses (normally with en-suite facilities).
  • Transfers to and from Kerry Airport or Killarney train station.
  • Meals consist of a full Irish breakfast each morning.
  • Luggage transfer each day along the route, detailed daily route notes, and map(s).
Option 2 - Meals Package The price for the Kerry Way self-guided (meals package) tour is £655 Sterling (approx $1,045 US Dollars or €790 Euro) per person sharing.

  • 7 nights accommodation, based on two adults sharing, in Irish Tourist Board approved hotels and guesthouses (normally with en-suite facilities).
  • Transfers to and from Kerry Airport, Killarney or Tralee train stations.
  • Meals consist of a full Irish breakfast each day, packed lunch, and a two/three course meal each evening. Drinks are not included.
  • Luggage transfer each day along the route, detailed daily route notes, and map(s).

Single supplement - Single occupancy (if accompanying a party) at £80

Lone traveller supplement - Travelling alone (not with a party) at £110. Note that this is in place of the single supplement (not in addition to it).

Other transfers - For transfers to or from Shannon Airport, Cork Airport or Cork train station the cost is £130 per transfer. Note that this is not the price per person but is for each transfer (one way) for up to 4 people.

You can start your self-guided tour on any day that you wish throughout the year. Please complete a booking form, or contact us to arrange.

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