The Dingle Way is a circular route of 179km (112mi) circumnavigating the Dingle Peninsula west of Tralee in County Kerry. It follows minor roads, traditional access routes to turf cutting areas and forest paths. The only high ascent is 600m, crossing the shoulder of Brandon Mountain between Ballydavid and Cloghane. This route is well marked and achievable by all walkers.The Dingle Way walking route skirts the mountains of the Slieve Mish range, which form the spine of this long peninsula, jutting into the Atlantic Ocean. The mountains are rounded, not as high as their nearest neighbours on the Iveragh Peninsula, and formed from a beautiful old red sandstone that is always visible. Glaciation in the last Ice Age left coums and valleys, the natural harbours of Dingle and Ventry and a gentleness that never fails to impress.
The town of Dingle retains its essential character attributed to a working fishing harbour. The steep streets have been reinvented with colourful tourist shops, craft outlets and a host of restaurants and pubs. There are still many local niches to enjoy the town behind the scenes. It is also the centre of one of Ireland’s most popular Gaeltacht regions, where 43% of households are predominantly Gaelic speakers, which adds a wonderful flavour to the local supermarkets!
Overnight stops (apart from Dingle) are in villages, allowing an opportunity to experience life with the locals and a chance to try Guinness and Gaelic.
Highlights:
♦ Beautiful Dingle Peninsula – dramatic coastal scenery and rugged landscapes
♦ Ventry Beach, beehive huts & views of Slea Head – sandy shores, ancient stone huts and spectacular coastal views
♦ Traditional Gaelic village with ancient Christian sites – authentic village life and early Christian heritage
♦ Valley of the Mad, mudflats, swans & natterjack toads – wild wetlands and distinctive local wildlife
Itinerary:
Day 1. Travel to Camp Village
Travel to Camp via Tralee on scheduled bus service or by taxi. Camp is situated overlooking Tralee Bay to the north with the majestic Gearhane and Caherconree peaks to the east. It has been an historic crossing point of the Slieve Mish Mountains since the first settlers were here in 1700BC . Camp is a small settlement, with plenty of local colour and a short circular walk to limber up for the kilometers ahead!
Day 2. Camp - Anascaul via Inch Strand
Hike to the south on turf cutting roads, through the glorious bogland of Slieve Mish – this wilderness of the blanket bog is punctuated with conifer forest and stacks of drying turf. Skirt Ardroe Hill, overlooking magnificent sand dunes at Inch Beach, with views south to the Ring of Kerry and Ireland’s highest mountain range, before following the “Maum” (pass) down to Annascaul village. B/-/-
Walking: 18.5 km / 6 hours, +460 m
Optional hike over Brackaloon Hill, add 5km (3mi) and 2 hours.
Day 3. Anascaul - Dingle
Follow Acres Hill to the staunch remains of 12th century Minard Castle, mostly destroyed by Cromwell’s army in 1650. Turn inland again on minor roads to the railway village of Lispole. All the way you are within scent of the seas of Dingle Bay and encircled by the Kerry Mountains. From Lispole, the Way follows mostly sheep farming country before climbing An Cnoc Maol Mor and descending the old green droving road into Dingle town. B/-/-
Walking: 23 km / 6-7 hours, +460m
Day 4. Dingle - Dunquin
It is mostly minor roads and beaches today, but beyond the village of Ventry is some of the most spectacular scenery you could hope to find. The Way weaves through fuchsia hedges and climbs an old track on the foothill of Mount Eagle past the early Christian beehive huts at Fahan. Behind are views of Ventry Harbour and south to the Ring of Kerry and Valentia Island. Ahead the Way opens up to Slea Head and the Blasket Islands. Beyond this is America! B/-/-
Walking: 25 km / 7 hours, +650m
We included an alternative route over Mount Eagle, which is a gorgeous walk but is demanding and requires navigation skills. It is not advisable in poor weather conditions. Optional extra hike over Mount Eagle: Walking 5km / 2 hours.
Day 5. Dunquin - Ballydavid
Today’s route follows the Norse named Smerwick Harbour and a detour takes you to Dun an Oir, the Fort of Gold where Italian and Spaniard soldiers were besieged by troops of Elizabeth 1 in 1580. Ballydavid is a thriving fishing harbour and a Gaelic speaking community. B/-/-
Walking: 16 km / 6 hours, +180m
Optional route over Cruach Mharthain add 1 hour.
Day 6. Ballydavid - Cloghane
You are in the cradle of early Christian civilization here, with as many as sixty notable sites of cultural and religious development from the 5th to 9th centuries. Walk to Cloghane, climbing up to the saddle of Mas an Tiompain (the Pass of the Drum) below Mount Brandon. Take in the superb scenery of Tralee Bay and the Magharees against the hues of the Slieve Mish Mountains. Overnight accommodation in Cloghane. B/-/-
Walking: 22 km / 7 hours, +30 m
Day 7. Cloghane - Camp
Today’s walk follows the coast all the way around the Castlegregory promontory or across the neck of it via Lough Gill, home to Bewick swans and Natterjack toads. From Castlegregory, mudflats, turf cuttings and quiet coastal paths give way to farmland and a climb back to Camp. B/-/-
We have 2 options for this route:
Walking: 22 km or 32 km, 6 or 8 hours, +30m
Day 8. Departure
Depart from Camp to Tralee via bus for onward connections. B/-/-
Nessesary equipment: waterproof hiking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), small rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch, first-aid kit, waterproof jacket and trousers.
Price Includes: 7 nights accommodation in guesthouses with breakfast
luggage transport each day (1 pc per person up to 15 kg)
people transfers where mentioned in tour itinerary
detailed Route Notes & Information Pack
maps and GPX-tracks
on-tour local support/advice number
Not Included: Flight tickets
lunches and dinners (can be provided at the places of accommodation)
drinks
entrance fees
transport from/to the airport and other public transport
insurance
personal expenses
tips
Extra Services: 2027: Solo traveller in single room + 830 EUR in addition to the basic price
Optional extras: Airport transfers and excursions. Please ask for a qoute
