Highlights
- Hike along Fermoyle Beach, one of Europe's longest beaches
- Walk in the foothills of the ancient Slieve Mish mountains
- Explore wind-swept hillsides and the rocky coastline of Slea Head
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Tralee | Tralee |
| Day 2 | Slieve Mish Mountains | Camp |
| Day 3 | Camp to Annascaul | Dingle Town |
| Day 4 | Dunquin | Dingle Town |
| Day 5 | Ballydavid | Dingle Town |
| Day 6 | Dingle to Cloghane | Cloghane |
| Day 7 | Cloghane to Castlegregory | Castlegregory |
| Day 8 | Departure Day |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tralee
Welcome to Ireland! Your trip starts in Tralee, the administrative capital of County Kerry. Bus and train connections run year-round to Tralee from Kerry, Dublin, Cork, and Shannon airports.
Pick up your hiking information packet, as well as insider tips for your stay in Tralee. If there's time visit the Kerry County Museum to see the local history as told through archaeology and rotating seasonal exhibits, as well as a medieval walk-through exhibit and a gallery devoted to Antarctic explorer Tom Crean. Spend the evening exploring the cozy downtown, restaurants and neighborhood pubs before turning in for the night.
Day 2: Slieve Mish Mountains
Today is your first day hiking along the northern side of the Dingle Peninsula. Enjoy views across North Kerry as you walk in the foothills of the ancient Slieve Mish Mountains. Explore the beautiful landscapes around you as you hike east towards Tralee, imagining the incredible history of folklore and mythology of the area. At the end of the hike gather in the village of Blennerville with the rest of the group before returning by bus to the town of Camp for the evening.
Walk Distance: 3.1 miles (5 km) - 12.4 miles (20 km)
Terrain: Paved roads, gravel tracks & open hillside with no tracks, boggy & uneven underfoot conditions with some very rocky sections. Boots essential.
Day 3: Camp to Annascaul
From the village of Camp start walking west today as you follow a great trail to the beautiful Inch Beach. This magnificent expanse of white sandy beach is a popular location for filmmakers and is a popular swimming and surfing location. From Inch, continue to the village of Annascaul and meet the rest of your group members at the South Pole Inn, the former home of Antarctic explorer Tom Crean. From here, catch a ride to the town of Dingle, your home for the next three nights.
Walk Distance: 3.7 miles (6 km) - 10.6 miles (17 km)
Terrain: Paved roads, gravel tracks & beach walking. Boots highly recommended.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Dunquin
Follow in the steps of pilgrims from previous millennia, hike along stunning scenery with views across the Blasket Islands and the Wild Atlantic Way. Follow the western tip of the Dingle Peninsula to Slea Head, then continue to Dunquin—the last "Parish" before America—to reach the Blasket Island Center. Stop here to learn about the amazing people who managed to survive on these tiny islands until the 1950s, then return to Dingle for the night.
Walk Distance: 3.1 miles (5 km) to 10.6 miles (17 km)
Terrain: Sandy beaches, paved roads, gravel tracks & open hillside with no tracks, boggy & uneven underfoot conditions with some rocky sections. Boots essential.
Day 5: Ballydavid
Keep following the magnificent coastline as you hike further west along the shores of the peninsula as you reach the Gaeltacht region, where Irish is the primary language of the local people. At the end of the day, gather together in a cozy pub in Ballydavid to enjoy a pint or a seaweed bath before returning to Dingle.
Walk Distance: 3.1 miles (5 km) - 10.6 miles (17 km)
Terrain: Sandy beaches, paved roads, gravel tracks & some sections which are uneven underfoot & rocky. Boots highly recommended.
Day 6: Dingle to Cloghane
Magnificent views await you today as you follow the Dingle Way route from the southern side of the peninsula to the northern coast. This region is only accessible by foot, making it all the more beautiful and unique. Spend the day walking through isolated and protected nature, arriving at the small village of Cloghane in the evening.
Walk Distance: 3.1 miles (5 km) - 10.6 miles (17 km)
Terrain: Paved roads, gravel tracks & open hillside with no tracks, boggy & uneven underfoot conditions with some rocky sections & steep descent. Boots essential.
Day 7: Cloghane to Castlegregory
Your final day of hiking takes you along one of the longest beaches in Europe, renowned by paragliders and surfers for its sea and wind currents. Follow Fermoyle Beach until you reach the tip of the Maharees Peninsula, with a unique micro-climate, and head to Kilshannig. From here, continue to the village of Castlegregory where you will spend your last evening on the peninsula.
Walk Distance: 3.1 miles (5 km) - 13.7 miles (22 km)
Terrain: Sandy beaches, paved roads, gravel tracks & some rocky sections. Boots highly recommended.
Day 8: Departure Day
After one last hearty Irish breakfast, transfer to the bus and train station in Tralee. From here, public transport connections are available to all major airports, cities, and ferry ports in Ireland.
Map
