Judging by the ever changing Irish weather, it is hard to make a definitive statement on when the best time to walk might be. In the winter, daylight hours are short so from the safety perspective that is not your best option. Also many B&B’ s close over the winter months so in small places you might be challenged to find a room for the night. Consider the shoulder seasons of May, June and September, October for fewer people and greater accommodation choices. e weather can be poor to amazing but it can be like that in the summer too. ere is lots of daylight through until early October and you will encounter far fewer bugs than in the summer. e Way is usually close to civilization of some sort. In fact almost half of the walk is on tar - mac, with about half of the road walking taking Official start of the place in the first few days to Dingle. You will also The Dingle Way is one of ’s premier long dis - tance walking paths combining some of the coun - try’s best scenery with a rich archaeological story. e e 179 kilometre (112 mile) trail combines peace - ful countryside with wild ocean vistas, cliff-tops and Dingle Way beautiful countryside. It can be a social affair, meet - ing and chatting with people along the walk or shar - ally appreciate the experience. Days range in length have the chance to walk Ireland’s longest beach when ing a beer in the local pub. It can also be a time for from 17 kilometres to 29 kilometres. e hike over you leave the town of and head towards reflective thought as there are hours of opportunity the side of has the only serious ele - . e rest of the walking takes place on to enjoy your own company. vation gain (650 metres) though there are plenty of farm tracks, paths along cliff tops and through minor ups and downs along the way. Signage on the farmer’s fields, hill tracks like that going over Bran - e starting point is the town of in County Dingle Way is much improved over past years with don Mountain and old roads. Kerry. From here one heads out to Camp and then regular monitoring in place. Once you are out of the rest of the , typically in a clock - Tralee you will rarely need to read any directions. wise fashion with some retracing of steps on the last Look for posts with a yellow hiker or yellow arrows day as you return to Tralee from Camp. e walk is especially at intersections. best done over seven or eight days so you can actu -

1 Highlights of the Walk Include: Walking alone is never as safe as walking in a group. Getting to Tralee If you venture out alone ensure that friends and ere is frequent bus and train service to Tralee in • the low slopes of the as family members have a copy of your planned route southwest Ireland though you may have to make a they overlook and most importantly that you are competent in connection somewhere along the Way. e bus and • picturesque towns of Anascaul and Dingle the outdoors. e usual precautions of wilderness train stations are in the same convenient location, hiking should be addressed. Also, if you have your only a few blocks from downtown. Visit either • the walk heading towards Inch Strand luggage transferred between towns insure you carry www.buseireann.ie or www.irishrail.ie for sched - essential daypack items. • the views across to the Iveragh Peninsula aer ules and pricing beforehand. You will save 10% on Inch Strand are splendid a bus ticket if you book online. Dingle Way Local Bus Transport • the walk along the beach from all the ere is the option on the Dingle Way of taking the You could also rent a car and leave it at a B&B if way through to the wonderful hike on the bus between Tralee and Camp, Anascaul or Dingle approved by the owner ahead of time. If you are boreen before Slea Head on a daily basis. ere is additional regular sched - travelling before or aer walking the Dingle Way it uled service though it is infrequent (one to two times might make sense, but it is very easy to get around • world class views around Slea Head to the Blas - per week) that will transport you to Tralee from the country by bus or train. ket Islands Cloghane and Castlegregory. ere is limited bus service from Dingle to , , Bal - • cliff top stretches of walking just outside of lydavid and Feohanagh. Visit www.buseireann.ie Ballydavid to get more information or speak to your B&B host • the views off of Brandon Mountain on a clear who may be able to help. day e locals can probably help you arrange a taxi be - • the initial few kilometres on the beach past tween towns too. Cloghane

2 Day 2 Day 6 Camp to Anascaul – 17 kilometres. e hike Ballycurrane to Cloghane – 21 kilometres. over to Inch Strand is very pleasant as are the views Enjoy the climb and the views from the shoulder over to the Iveragh Peninsula. It is one of the easi - of Brandon Mountain. est days on the Way. Day 7 Day 3 Cloghane to Castlegregory – 29 kilometres. Anascaul to Dingle – 19 kilometres. e town Beach walking is an enjoyable change from yester - of Dingle is a fun one to visit but except for the area day's climb. around Minard Castle I found the day to be agree - able but less interesting than any other. Day 8 Castlegregory to Tralee – 27 kilometres. e beach Day 4 walk on the way to Camp is very pretty as is the re - Dingle to Dunquin – 20 kilometres. ere are turn hike along the Slieve Mish Mountains. sections of terrific beach walking and amazing hik - TRALEE ing and views around Slea Head. e Blasket Is - It was a little challenging getting web information lands are in view for many kilometres of the day. Windmill on where exactly the Dingle Way started and what is is a first rate day! accommodation choices would be nearby. We Itinerary Overview ended up with about a 2 kilometre walk which isn’t Day 5 much in the whole scheme of things but closer Day 0 Dunquin to Ballycurrane – 28 kilometres. would have been easier on the first morning. Get to Tralee and enjoy a good meal. ere are scenic views over to e ree Sisters from the heights of Dunquin and the cliop walk - Day 1 ing out of Ballydavid is fantastic. Tralee to Camp – 17 ½ kilometres. Today enjoy views of Brandon Bay and some very lovely hiking along the low slopes of the Slieve Mish Mountains.

3 AShe TownhouSe B&B The STATIon houSe www.ashtownhouse.com www.thestationhouse.ie 15 Denny Street Ph: +353(0) 66 7149980 Ph: +353(0)66 7121003 Rooms are 39 Euros per person sharing but break - Rates are 30-35 Euros per person sharing. fast is extra. e B&B/restaurant is found 2 ½ kilo - meters from the start of the Dingle Way on the BlennervIlle main street in Blennerville. ACCommoDATIon Blennerville – 2 ½ kilometres from the start of the Dingle Way Day 1 — Tralee to Camp OVERVIEW OF THE DAY fInneGAn hoSTel MILEAGE www.finneganshostel.com 17.5 kilometres + more depending on where you 17 Denny Street stay in Tralee and in Camp. Total vertical for the Ph: +353 (0) 66 7127610 day is 427 m (1400 feet). Rates are 15 Euros for dorms and 20 Euros for pri - HIKING TIME Brandon Bay at low tide vate rooms. Breakfast is extra. 7-9 hours but a slower hiker with a heavy pack GreenvIew houSe could end up adding an additional few hours. Accommodation options include: www.greenview-house.com TERRAIN The GrAnD hoTel 2 Greenview Terrace Roads, minor roads, path along the canal, kilome - www.grandhoteltralee.com Ph: +353(0) 66 7122564 tres of rocky paths, muddy, boggy sections Denny Street Rates are 35 Euros per person sharing. ey can Ph: +353 (0) 667121419 transfer luggage (for a fee) if booked ahead of time. HIGHLIGHTS A three star hotel for 99 Euros a night within 2 Views of the Slieve Mish Mountains on one side blocks of the official start. BrAnDon hoTel and expansive ocean views on the other side which www.brandonhotel.ie in the sunshine look almost tropical. The ImPerIAl hoTel Princes Street www.imperialtralee.com WARNING Ph: +353 (0) 66 7123333 ere are many kilometres of traversing the low 27 Denny Street Rates start from 40 Euros per person sharing. It is slopes of the Slieve Mish Mountains which lack any Ph: +353 (0) 667127755 located shortly aer the official start of the walk. shelter whatsoever plus some sections would be Rates are 45-60 Euros per person sharing depend - e hotel may be a bit too business oriented for the very unpleasant walking as they would be even ing on the month. It is a short walk to the start. average walker. muddier than usual. Watch out for rough and slip - pery walking in places.

4 At the bridge turn le onto the road and go over will try to impede your progress. Nonetheless this the Canal and River Lee. Carry on the N86 past part of the way is obvious and well signed. the entrance to the windmill and aer approxi - mately 200 metres turn le onto a small tarmac Pass a few houses, ruins of old stone cottages and road. Before you turn le, consider stocking up on the well preserved ruins of Killelton Church. Next lunch supplies at the gas station in sight and down to the church is a signpost with more information. the N86 about 100 metres. Continue on through a more thickly vegetated area which also tends to be on the buggy side. ere are From here on in you will find that it is becoming numerous stiles (step ladders over a fence) to clear second nature to look for the Dingle Way markers. and hundreds of metres of truly gnarly, wet, muddy Continue on the asphalted road for 300 metres and path. ere are conveniently placed streams to turn right at the junction. Head right again for a allow you to clean up aer the worst muddy sec - little less than a kilometre and hopefully enjoy the tions too. plentiful birdsong. Traffic on this road is light. Stile Eventually you will reach a real road again. Head Turn le at the next junction. ere are way mark - le to stay on the Dingle Way. e right fork leads RESTAURANT AND FOOD POSSIBILITIES ers at every intersection though sometimes the to the N86, Lower Camp and pubs. Pick up food ahead of time in Tralee or at the gas marker is only a yellow arrow. Continue uphill for station in Blennerville. ere is nothing available 1.3 kilometres and look for the gate on your right Once over a crest you can see Camp in the distance between Blennerville and Camp. leading to a very obvious path. on your right. Descend a hill and continue across a road all the way to the Finglass River. ere is a sign Route Head through the gate and begin the bulk of the before you reach the river warning you not to cross Once you start walking you will find that you will days walk contouring along the lower elevations of it if it is flooding. Crossing the river is easy on large, rarely have to consult the route notes to get to the Slieve Mish Mountains. Shortly there is a no - flat, well placed stepping stones with a handrail for Camp but it is initially a little tricky getting out of tice board for the Tonavane Walk. Ignore that and added comfort. If you can’t cross it then go back up Tralee. Outside of Blennerville put away the route look for your yellow hiker indicating the Dingle to the road you just crossed, turn le and go down notes and focus on the scenery as the rest of the day Way. You will cross numerous streams and small the road until you meet the main road and then is obvious and well marked at all intersections. bridges over the Curraheen and Derryquay Rivers head le for Camp. over the course of many kilometres. e Dingle Way begins on the west side of Ashe Assuming you have safely crossed the river, head up Memorial Hall which is at the southern end of ere is occasional elevation gain but it is always the hill on a grassy path until you reach a paved Denny Street. If you were facing south looking at gradual. Meanwhile views are expansive, especially road. is is a Dingle Way junction with signs to the front doors of the hall then to your right and out over the water. On a sunny day you may think three towns in three different directions. Remem - across the street is a Dingle Way map on a signpost. you are in the Caribbean because of the beautiful ber this junction as you will most likely be back To the le of the map about 10 paces away is a gate. water colour. here in the morning and again on the last day of the Go through the gate and follow the path west walk. If you are nighting over in Camp, turn right across the greens, sticking to the right. Near the end of the contouring you will cross one in the direction of Cloghane. Head right for about more bridge over the Derrymore River. e next a kilometre to the main intersection in Camp. Exit via a gate at the far end and turn le (south) part of the path heads gradually down in the direc - Ashes Bar will be on your immediate le and the onto Princes Street which very quickly becomes tion of the road. It is rockier and wetter and will B&B’s are all close by. Princes Quay. Start looking for the Dingle Way probably be slower going. hiker marker. Continue south to the roundabout, cross over to your right and walk for a short dis - At the bottom at a fence line turn le onto a grassy tance (about 200 m) along the N86. old farm road which climbs gradually. It is boggy and may require frequent skirting and moves to Take the first right in the direction of Ballybunnion higher ground. Blackberry bushes line the side and (R551), cross the canal and then take a le so you are walking along the canal. Continue until you reach the next canal bridge 1.7 kilometres later. e windmill of Blennerville will soon come into view.

5 Accommodation in Camp path. e last 3 kilometres are straight down a tar - mac road into Anascaul. fInGlAS houSe B&B www.finglashouse.com HIGHLIGHTS Ph: +353 (0) 66 7130125 Expansive views of Inch Strand and over to the It is conveniently located just as you enter the vil - Iveragh peninsula are superb as is the pretty little lage of Camp on your le. Rates are 35-40 Euros town of Anascaul. per person sharing. WARNINGS e first 6 kilometres can be quite exposed to wind SeA vIew houSe and rain. Once you hit the conifer forest you would www.seaviewhse.com be somewhat sheltered. Ph: +353 (0) 66 7130186 e B&B is down the hill about a kilometre from FOOD AND RESTAURANTS the main intersection. It is run by a very friendly In Inch Strand there is a decent café and a pub. lady. Rooms are bigger than average and there is a ere is nothing else until you reach Anascaul. larger American style shower. Rates are 30 Euros per person sharing. The Route is is a much easier day physically and also from the CAmP JunCTIon houSe route finding perspective than the first day to Camp. Road to Anascaul — day 2 www.campjunctionhouse.com e entire Way from Camp to Anascaul is well Ph: +353 (0)66 713084 marked and the only time you need to even think is Inch Strand and the Iveragh Peninsula come into It is located in Camp Village and would be a better at an occasional intersection. Put away this sheet and view. choice to stay at on the way back to Tralee at the enjoy the day and the views!! You will be able to see the café at Inch Strand which end of the trip as it is a bit out of the way. Rates are serves fine food in a lovely setting. You can take the 35 Euros per person sharing. Retrace your steps from yesterday up from Camp to the Dingle Way Junction where you came up the side trip down to the cafe by heading le down an path from the river to the road. is is the spot asphalt road for about 250 metres until you reach Restaurants in Camp the highway. Turn le again but be careful walking Ashes Bar is the only place in town for pub food. where there is a sign for three directions on the Din - on the highway to the cafe. If instead you head right, Look for it on your le just as you arrive in Camp. gle Way. It is just up from the village of Camp about you will stay on the Dingle Way. e best thing to e garage has snack food and drinks and is 200 m a kilometre. Head in the direction of Anascaul on a do aer you visit the café is to retrace your steps to east from Ashes on the main road. quiet, narrow road. this point and continue right on the Dingle Way. Bear right up to the pass on a gradual incline. Head Day 2 — Camp to Anascaul le at the fork and follow the very quiet road along Continue ascending on a path through the fields OVERVIEW OF THE DAY the lower slopes of the mountains. Look for evidence which will soon reach a road. Follow the road and then the path again which climbs steadily. MILEAGE of peat cutting. 17 kilometres with a total vertical over the day of e path crosses a few roads and eventually reaches 450 metres (1485 feet) Gradually descend for almost 4 kilometres until you reach a stand of conifer forest. It seems they could a junction where you head le onto a road. HIKING TIME use a little forestry management help here. 4- 5 hours. It is a much easier day than yesterday. When the road swings right you can see your final At a junction head le and continue to look for the destination straight ahead - though three kilometres TERRAIN down a straight and at times steep road. e road Quiet roads through moorland and a small way markers which are well placed and easy to lo - cate. You will end up passing some newer looking takes you directly to the junction with the main conifer forest. Some grassy paths and street running through the town of Anascaul. small sections of boggy houses and will find yourself zigzagging in the di - rection of the ocean. ere are gates to pass through B&B’s can be found a short distance in either di - and one stile to climb. As you continue the views of rection from this junction.

6 ANASCAUL • Anchor Inn restaurant for delicious pizza TeAC SeAn B&B • e South Pole Inn for bar food (west side www.teacseain.com of town) and some interesting history Ph: +353 (0) 66 9157001 e B&B is conveniently located on Main Street • e randy leprechaun for bar food and just as you come into town and run by a friendly you can probably guess the rest. family. Nice rooms and clean. Rates are 35 Euros • Ashes Deli can make sandwiches and is also a for person sharing. good spot to stock up on lunch fare for the ArDrInAne houSe next day. www.ardrinane.com Ph: +353 (0) 66 9157119 Day 3 — Anascaul to Dingle It is located right on the Dingle Way. Rates are 30- OVERVIEW OF THE DAY 32 Euros per person sharing. MILEAGE 19 kilometres plus 518m (1700 feet) of total verti - The olD AnChor cal www.oldanchorinn.com Signage junction Ph: +353 (0) 66 9157382 HIKING TIME It is located in the heart of the village with rates of Plan on a minimum of 5 hours and up to 7 hours Accommodation in Inch & Anascaul 30-37 Euros per person sharing. depending on your pace. Route finding is never a problem and other than some short muddy sec - INCH Restaurants in Anascaul tions it is pretty smooth sailing. InCh BeACh GueST houSe ere aren’t too many choices and with business www.inchbeachguesthouse.com TERRAIN down it is hard to know what will remain open A lot of road, dirt road and later in the day, farmer’s Ph: +353 (0) 66 9158118 from year to year. For now you can choose one of fields and paths through fields. e last kilometre e guest house is very close to the Dingle Way and the following which are all found on the main of the day into Dingle is quite busy and noisy on a stay here would permit an extended period of beach street. the road. time. Rates are 35-60 Euros per person sharing. HIGHLIGHTS e views in the morning are lovely but aer the Minard Castle ruins not quite so interesting. Warnings: ere is a surprising amount of vertical over the course of the day. ere are very few choices to even sit down aer the curbs of unless you fancy cow dung so even finding a suit - able lunch spot is difficult.

7 Continue paralleling the highway on this less trav - Dingle Accommodation elled road until you reach the N86 aer about 1.5 ere are plenty of accommodation choices in Din - kilometres. If you need food turn right by the gle. Below is just a sampling of what is offered. church and head across the highway to the one store that you can see while on the Way. Otherwise con - DevAne’S fArmhouSe B&B tinue on a short distance to the hamlet of Lispole. www.devanesfarmhouse.com Ph: +353 (0) 66 9151418 Walk across the bridge spanning the Owenlondrig You will pass the farmhouse along the Dingle Way River, cross the N86 and almost immediately head about 5 kilometres before town. ey are in a pretty right. Continue for about a kilometre through a location but discuss an evening meal before booking. pastoral landscape and then take the well marked minor road that bends to the le. Head le (west) ArChwAy loDGe for almost 1.5 kilometres. You will be doing some www.archwaylodge.com gentle climbing at times so there are nice views over Ph: +353(0) 66 9151536 to the water. e lodge is situated in the heart of Dingle. Rates are 35-40 Euros per person sharing. e next four kilometres have seen massive im - Waymarkers provements in signage over the last few years. It is rAInBow hoSTel www.rainbowhosteldingle.com Route a mix of climbing through farmer’s fields with e route is well signed again with no surprises. plenty of stiles to scale, short sections of dirt farm Ph: +353(0) 66 9151044 Waymarkers are nicely placed. road and a small amount of tarmac thrown in for is is a budget hostel which has the convenience good measure. You will work your way in a west - of a free shuttle to Dingle, a mile away. It also has Head west out of Anascaul by turning le at the erly direction until you reach the Garlinny River at internet service. ey offer dormitory style and pri - point where you entered the village yesterday and which point the path starts down about 200 me - vate rooms. Contact them for rates. cross over the Anascaul River Bridge. Turn le to - tres on your le. wards Castlemaine aer 250 metres, and then le AlPIne houSe again on R561 followed by a right onto a smaller Cross the bridge over the Garlinny River and www.alpineguesthouse.com road. Stay on this road for almost 4 kilometres as shortly thereaer the path will lead you to tarmac Ph: +353 (0) 66 9151250 it angles down towards the water. where you will turn le. Aer a short ascent the ey are a two minute walk away from the town road descends towards Dingle for more than a kilo - center. Rates are 35 to 60 Euros per person sharing. e road passes Minard Castle said to be built by metre, eventually becoming Spa Road. is is one GreenmounT B&B the Knight of Kerry and used in the movie ’Ryan’s of the less interesting sections of road. Daughter’. It overlooks a small beach. www.greenmount-house.com e road heads right into town where you will Ph: +353(0) 66 915 1414 Just past the castle turn le and then take a quick come to a major business street with lots of B&B’s, e B&B is located about a 5 minute walk from right up a grassy path to the road. Follow the road hotels, pubs and shops. If you continue straight the town center. Rooms start at 50 Euros per per - up and then take a well marked le onto a dirt road. through this intersection you will reach the main son sharing. e dirt road twists and turns and eventually road in front of Dingle Harbour. Turn right, and comes out on a paved road. Follow the paved road the tourist information centre is about as it climbs past a couple of houses and a cemetery one kilometre west on the water side of to an intersection. Turn right and soon le. Con - the road. tinue on this road and as it heads for An Bhanog Bheag bear le. Do not go down as far as the high - way at this point.

8 try post office. Slea Head has a good café that can’t be missed but Dunquin does not have any food for sale on a retail basis.

SIDE TRIPS Great Blasket Center. ere are great views to the from here and exhibits about life on the island. It is open from Easter to November. You can also visit the Blasket Islands by ferry. Visit www.blasketislands.ie for timetable and rate in - formation.

Route Leave Dingle’s waterfront area by following the road west, past the tourist information centre out to a roundabout. Turn le at the well signed round - about onto the R559 road, cross the bridge and continue walking up the road. In 300 metres turn right at a fork and continue on the quiet roads for about four kilometres. en turn right onto a smaller road and le onto a Dingle pub boreen that climbs quite steeply with beautiful views over to the Dingle area. Exit the boreen onto DInGle BennerS hoTel TERRAIN a paved road, turn le and head down about a kilo - www.dinglebenners.com A bit of everything - paved roads, beach walking, metre until you arrive in Ventry. ere are a few main Street minor roads, farm tracks and truly lovely grassy, B&B’s and a post office with groceries. Pick up food Ph: +353(0) 66 915 1638 walled paths near Slea Head. for your evening meal here if you plan to stay at the e hotel is conveniently located in the middle of HIGHLIGHTS Dunquin youth hostel. town. In mid season a double is 75 Euros and up e coastline around Slea Head is stunningly beau - per person sharing. tiful. Views to the Blasket Islands are lovely and the You will want to work your way down to the beach beach around Ventry is peaceful. With luck you so cross the R559 and look for the signs to the Day 4: Dingle to Dunquin may be able to see Bottlenose dolphins swimming beach. Turn right at the bottom of some steps and OVERVIEW OF THE DAY in Ventry Harbour. follow along the beach for 2.5 kilometres. If high tide prevents you from crossing the stream part way TOTAL MILEAGE 20 kilometres plus a total of 784 m (2575 feet) of FOOD AND RESTAURANTS along the beach then look for a bridge at the top of Dingle has a wide variety of everything - pubs, vertical!! the beach, cross it and return down to the beach. restaurants and shops. Ventry has a pub which e sand is hard packed and makes for easy walk - doesn’t serve food and a restaurant which may or HIKING TIME ing. Keep an eye out for dolphins in the bay. 6-7 hours allowing for a few breaks may not be open. Sandwiches and other supplies can be purchased at the store attached to the Ven - At the far end of the beach cross another stream by

9 comes a lovely walk through a wide valley. ere is Ventry Accommodation a huge concentration of archaeological stones in this area including some roofless stone beehive SeASIDe hAven huts. www.godingle.com/seasidehaven Ph: +353 (0) 66 9159855 Follow the boreen, wet at times, as it undulates e B&B is newly built and just a few minutes’ walk across old stone walled fields most of the way to away from town. Rooms are great and breakfast is Slea Head. Views over to the Blasket Islands more interesting than most. e owner is very help - through here are excellent as are the stunning views ful and in fact went out of her way to move our bags. to the twisting road below. Look for more beehive Rates are 30-35 Euros per person sharing. huts (clochans) in various degrees of disintegration. CeAnn TrA heIGhTS Eventually you will see the Slea Head Cafe below. www.iol.ie/~ventry To reach it, follow the markers as they lead you over Ph: +353 (0) 66 9169866 a stile and then steeply down a slope to arrive on ey are located about 5 minutes walking from town. the main road about 150m north of the cafe. Turn Rates are 32.50 to 38 Euros per person sharing. right and continue to walk along the road until you reach the cafe. The PlouGh B&B www.ireland-discover.com/plough.htm Dunquin Pier Aer a break at the cafe continue walking along the Ph: +353 (0)66 9159727 way of three narrow steel bridges. Carry on the road in a northerly direction. You pass Dunmore ey are close to the beach and open year round. beach and watch for the signs pointing inland from Head, the most westerly point of mainland Ireland. Rates are 30 Euros per person sharing. it. Take a short sandy path to reach a tarmac road e movie’ Ryan’s Daughter’ was filmed in this area and turn le. Bear right aer 120m and then right in 1969. Just a little further on another plaque com - Dunquin Accommodation memorates the 1992 movie’ Far and Away’ which again. Way markers are plentiful. SleA heAD fArm was also filmed in the area. www.sleaheadfarm.com Carry on until the tarmac ends and turn right on a Ph: +353 (0)66 9156120 path in front of a farmhouse. Shortly make a sharp Aer 1.6 km of walking on the highway bear le le along a path between tall hedgerows. It can be down a path to a smaller road. Turn right and stay is B&B is part of a real working farm overlook - muddy. e path gently rises and then heads right on the road that hugs the coast and leads you past ing the Blasket Islands. ey are at the foot of and meets the main road (R559) in about half a the Dunquin pier where boats in the summer ferry . Contact them for rates. kilometre. visitors to the Blasket Islands. Turn le on the R559 and then right up a path. Go le at a fork down a gravel road. Cross the Carry on until you reach a rough tarmac road. stream on a bridge and then follow the road uphill, Shortly turn right and climb a boreen which is ini - past the Great Blasket Center on your le to the tially steep but gradually moderates and in fact be - village of Dunquin.

10 hoTel oSTAn CeAnn SIBeAl Route www.ceannsibealhotel.com Continue on the Way crossing the main road of Ph: +353 (0) 66 9156433 Dunquin and walk north and uphill. Aer round - Rates are about 50 Euros per person sharing. ing a bend head le along a gravel road and shortly thereaer right along a track. is heads up and Day 5 — Dunquin to Ballycurrane across open fields over the height of land and even - OVERVIEW OF THE DAY tually down to the main road. From the high point you can see e ree Sisters and the area close to TOTAL MILEAGE 28 kilometres plus 244m (800 feet) of elevation your day’s final destination. gain Turn right on the main road (R559) and pass the Grey seal — Blasket Island HIKING TIME renowned potter, Louis Mulcahy. You can pick up An PorTAn 6 1/2 - 8 hours depending on your pace and the a bite to eat in the cafe there. www.anportan.com number of stops Ph: +353 (0) 66 9156212 Continue for about 500 m along the main road and TERRAIN then turn le along a tarmac road. ey are close to the Dingle way and are able to Paved roads, farm tracks, highway, grassy paths, and provide an evening meal and a packed lunch. Prices beach walking When the road bends right continue ahead on a are 40 Euros per person sharing. grassy path which leads towards the sea and then HIGHLIGHTS Dun ChAoIn hoSTel Scenic views form the heights out of Dunquin. bends right parallel to the water. At the end of the www.anoige.ie/hostels/dun-chaoin Fantastic cliff top walking especially the 2 kilome - path you reach a parking area. Now follow the lit - Ph: +353 (0) 66 9156121 tres leaving Ballydavid. tle road up to the main road and turn le. e prices range from 14 -42 Euros per room de - Follow the main road to a T intersection and turn pending on the time of year and number of people. SIDE TRIPS right. Continue for almost another kilometre and Purchase food ahead of time though supposedly In Clogher consider visiting the studio of one of then turn right at that intersection. Go 50 m and meals are available for purchase. ere are no shops Ireland’s most renowned potters, Louis Mulcahy. turn le. Continue to the end of that road and turn in the immediate vicinity. You will pass it on the Way and he has a website at www.louismulcahy.com . right. You will be in the vicinity of Smerwick. ere is a detour on the le that leads you to Dun Ballyferriter Accommodation FOOD AND RESTAURANTS Sparse!! Food is available at Louis Mulcahy Pottery an Oir, a fort from the Iron Age. On nice days the TIG BhrIC and Cafe in Clogher. ere is no food available in views are very good. Aer the turnoff to the fort www.tigbhric.com Ballydavid but there is a pub with a restaurant in bear right along the beach. You can walk about 1.4 Ph: +353 (0) 66 9156325 Ballycurrane. Ballyferriter has a few restaurants but kilometres on nice firm sand until you reach a ey are located 1.6 kilometres from the village of is a short distance off of the Way so it is best to headland. Ballyferriter. ey have an onsite pub and shop and arrange for a drive ahead of time. offer meals. You may need to arrange a pickup to Leave the beach just before the headland through a stay here. Rates are 40-45 Euros per person sharing. signed gap and head le along a cliff top path. Head towards a larger headland. en walk

11 of the premier sections of the entire walk. Con - Ballydavid Accommodation tinue along the cliffside path for about 2 kilome - tres. Views are spectacular and the walking is ImeAll nA mArA sublime here. www.imeallnamara.com Ph: +353(0)66 9155101 Aer you pass the second of two communications e B&B is run by a wonderful, energetic lady who towers bear le along a road. Look for signage be - kindly drove us to dinner in Ballyferriter and cause this section has changed in the last few years. picked us up aerwards. Her breakfasts are deli - Continue on the main road straight through the cious too. e rate is 35 Euros per person sharing. intersection in the village and look for the signs in - I highly recommended this spot. through a caravan park and turn right on the tar - dicating a le turn. GormAn’S ClIffToP houSe mac road. Make your way through an area of cot - Follow this road and signs to a farm track and cross www.gormans-cliophouse.com tages and then head le down a lane to the beach. a stile. Cross another stile in 100 metres and con - Ph: +353(0)66 9155162 Cross a bridge and a stream to reach the 2 kilome - tinue along the farm track in the direction of Bran - ey are 2.2 kilometres from Ballydavid. ey offer tre section of beach called Wine Strand. At the end don Mountain. ere are some very muddy premium accommodation and dining plus free in - of the beach you arrive in Murreagh by crossing a sections through here. ternet. Rates are 60-75 Euros per person sharing. stream on stepping stones. To stay on the Dingle Cross through a series of fields over many stiles and Way head le at the first intersection aer getting bear right when you reach a farm road. Follow the Feohanagh/Ballycurrane off the beach. Follow a small road along the coast farm road to the tarmac. Turn le and follow it a Accommodation towards the village of Ballydavid, only a kilometre short distance down to the An Bothar pub and An BoThAr away. ere are a few B&B’s and pubs but no B&B. e B&B and a few in the neighbourhood www.botharpub.com restaurants. are what make up the hamlet of Ballycurrane. Ph: +353 (0)66 915 5519 Pass by the colourful pubs in the village and turn e B&B is in Ballycurrane right on the Way. You right. e road yields to a grassy path which is one can expect very good food and a helpful host. It is

12 the perfect place to stay before the more difficult one pub/restaurant and Cloghane has pub and Brandon Mountain section. snack food available. Long section with no food options at all. foreST of The roSeS B&B www.dinglebb.com WARNINGS Ph: +353 (0) 66 9155475 Under no circumstances should you have anything ey are a bit out of the way, especially for an to do with Mount Brandon unless you are fully pre - evening meal. Rates are 35-40 Euros per person pared with excellent rain gear. ere is nothing but sharing. mountain for at least 10 kilometres. Do not at - tempt to do this on your own as it is treacherous Inishtooskert Island — Blasket coming off the col and any accident could become Day 6 – Ballycurrane to Cloghane want a side trip to the summit of Mount Brandon very serious or fatal if weather was poor. is day OVERVIEW OF THE DAY be prepared to walk a few more kilometres to reach is not for inexperienced hikers. MILEAGE it. Only attempt it under good conditions! 21 kilometres plus a total vertical of 781 metres (2565 feet). You can save a few kilometres by taking Route e descent on the Way is treacherous especially a shortcut to avoid Brandon once you reach tarmac From the An Bothar Pub go le as you walk out under wet conditions. It is a steep drop down on roads aer the descent off of Brandon Mountain. their door and follow the road for several hundred oen very slippery, tussocky ground. Pick your way metres. Turn right at a signed intersection and fol - down looking ahead for markers as you go. Even - TIME NEEDED low the road around farm buildings, climbing grad - tually you reach a dirt road. Turn right and follow 6 -9 hours depending on how much difficulty you ually as you go, for 1.6 kilometres to a car park. the dirt road for a desolate feeling 4 kilometres might have ascending and descending the shoulder Watch for the signs. until you reach a small tarmac road. Here you can of Brandon Mountain. take a shortcut to avoid Brandon by turning right. When you reach a car park go through a gate on the You will save about 2 ½ kilometres. e weather TERRAIN far side. In 100m head right and start climbing. e and your state of fatigue may be the determining Small roads, grassy and rocky paths on the ascent route is well signed and takes you alongside fences factors. On a fine day though, the view and the and VERY hummocky and boggy paths on the de - over open fields. In bad conditions with poor visi - pubs overlooking Brandon Bay can be very entic - scent followed by dirt and gravel roads. bility try to locate the next marker before you lose ing. If you choose to continue on the official route sight of the previous one so you stay on the route. HIGHLIGHTS through Brandon then follow the signage from the Views from Brandon Mountain on a fine day are intersection with the tarmac road. e Way con - superlative. e climb continues for 650 metres, steeply at times. ere are white posts that act as midway markers. tinues to head down towards the water and around FOOD AND RESTAURANTS e Way crosses over the gap in the ridge but if you Brandon to meet the road to Cloghane. Pubs in Brandon with one serving pub food and one snack food on a seasonal basis. Ballycurrane has

13 mounT BrAnDon loDGe Route [email protected] Walk through Cloghane, across the Owenmore Ph: +353(0)66 7138117 River, and continue on a quiet road for roughly 3 ey are walking distance to town. Rates are 35 kilometres. Euros per person sharing. Follow the signs pointing le towards the beach via mounT BrAnDon hoSTel the crossing of a small bridge. Reach the beach and www.mountbrandonhostel.com turn right. You are now on Ireland’s longest beach. Ph: +353(0)66 7138299 Follow it for almost 10 kilometres. ere may be ey offer a mixture of twin rooms and dorms. Rates the occasional spot where you need to take to the are 20 -25 Euros per person depending on room type. Natterjack's Pub dunes if the tide is very high. Otherwise enjoy the sight of the surfers, seabirds and anything of inter - For the shortcut turn right and cross the Owe - Transportation out of Cloghane est that may have washed up on shore. nafeana River and continue about ½ kilometre to A bus leaves Cloghane Village at 10am and 3pm another tarmac road. Turn right and follow it for on Fridays only for Tralee. Head through a gap in the sand dunes about 250 2 ½ kilometres to reach Cloghane. e road has metres before the end of the beach. Follow the path some traffic but is generally fine. Day 7 — Cloghane to Castlegregory to meet a road and then head le for . ere is also a signed route off to the right about OVERVIEW OF THE DAY Aer you pass Spillane’s Bar turn right along a 600 m aer turning onto the road that heads the MILEAGE track. Follow it to the edge of a cliff above Scrag - long way to Cloghane. If you choose it look for well 29 kilometres with almost no vertical gane Bay and turn right. placed markers that take you gradually up a road TIME NEEDED Stay along the edges of fields. Once you pass a for two kilometres. en bear le and cross a series 7-9 hours white house head for the beach though you could of bridges and descend down into Cloghane. TERRAIN also walk on the road parallel to it. Exit the beach Mostly beach walking with some road walking. at the end of a wall of boulders. Cloghane Accommodation o’Connor’S GueST houSe HIGHLIGHTS Head right and then almost immediately le along e beach is very enjoyable. Seascape views of the is - www.cloghane.com a track across from a white cottage. Walk straight lands are more interesting as you approach Fahamore. Ph: +353 (0) 66 7138113 ahead to the next beach. is is a very friendly, family run B&B with an ad - FOOD AND RESTAURANTS Turn right to walk along the beach and follow it Cloghane, Fahamore and Castlegregory have pubs. joining bar and restaurant on the main street of for 2 kilometres. Cloghane. Rates are 35 Euros per person sharing. ere is also a grocery store in Castlegregory. In the summer season there are more restaurants open in Cross a wide grassy area and then head back to the Castlegregory with wider choices. beach. Leave the beach by walking up a ramp.

WARNINGS Continue across the grass along a path until you A particularly rainy or windy day could be very un - meet a bridge. Cross it and follow the road for an - pleasant on the beach. other 1 ½ kilometres until you reach Castlegregory.

14 Castlegregory Accommodations in Camp and Blennerville plus gas stations with food. Tralee has a full selection of eating establish - fITzGerAlD’S euro hoSTel ments. Ph: +353 (0) 66 7139951 Rates are 15 Euros per person. e hostel is conve - Route niently located at the first crossroads as you come Continue from yesterday walking on the Way and into town. pass to the le through Post Office Square to the first crossroads. Look for the Dingle Way marker CASTle houSe and make a le turn on a small road. www.castlehouse-bnb.com Ph: +353 (0) 66 7139183 e road gives way to a gravel and sand track aer It is located right on the Dingle way. Rates are 35- approximately 1.8 kilometres. Go by a camping and 40 Euros per person sharing. caravan (RV) park. Continue on tarmac aer bend - ing right. Day 8 — Castlegregory to Tralee Look for a large standing stone on the le. It is a OVERVIEW OF THE DAY Railway ties monument from 1921. Stay straight to reach the MILEAGE hundred metres later head up a gap in the low cliffs. 27 kilometres or 10 kilometres to Camp with a R560 which passes through the small village of Aughacasla. Pick up refreshments here if needed. Signage is in short supply in this area but do keep total vertical for the day of 350 metres (1150 feet) going around the headland and you will see the Turn le onto the R560 and follow it for 200 me - steeple of Kilgobbin Church which is the next TIME NEEDED It will take 2 to 3 hours to reach Camp and then tres. Turn le again towards another camping and landmark you will encounter. another 7-9 hours to reach Tralee. It can be a par - caravan (RV) park. Continue straight on this road Aer passing the church go le around a bend and ticularly arduous day. ere is also the option of and then follow a short track down to the beach. then right to reach Lower Camp and the R560. returning to Tralee by bus from Camp. Buses leave Turn right on the beach. e bus stop to Tralee is nearby. Camp daily at 1:05pm, 3pm, 4:50 pm and 6pm. Follow the beach for about four kilometres. is is very nice section of walking as you head back in the Cross the main road and head up a steep minor TERRAIN Quiet roads, beach walking, rough and muddy direction of the Slieve Mish Mountains. Aer road to the next crossroads where you will find tracks, canal side paths and roads into Tralee walking a short distance on the beach you may have Ashes Pub on the right hand side across the street to remove your shoes and wade across the in Upper Camp. You will have now completed a HIGHLIGHTS loop and the return to Tralee should be familiar. e quiet roads and beach walking out of Castle - Meenascally River which runs parallel to the shore. gregory are scenic and very pleasant. e return to Use a dose of common sense if the tide is high. Fur - So to continue back to Tralee follow the minor Tralee enjoys pretty views over Tralee Bay and ther down the beach is a headland which may be road up from Upper Camp to the triple signed walking the lower slopes of the Slieve Mish Moun - difficult to negotiate under high tide conditions. junction. Turn le and cross the Finglass River tains is enjoyable. Look for a ramp to bypass the rocks and walk on stepping stones. Cross a tarmac road and around the field edges. Aer 250 metres work your follow the rough road uphill. Signage is WARNINGS good. e section across the slopes of the Slieve Mish way back down to the beach. Mountains is exposed and would be tough in wet Round the headland and a few and windy weather.

FOOD AND RESTAURANTS Pick up food in Castlegregory before you head out or buy lunch supplies in Aughacasla. ere are pubs

15 Cross the N86 and turn right. Cross over the bridge ey arrange self guided walking tours for 680 to pick up the path on the far side of the canal. Euros per person sharing. Walk 1 ½ kilometres along the canal and then turn Trek-Inn holIDAyS right and almost immediately le again on the www.trek-inn.com N86. Walk on it until you reach the roundabout Ph: +44 (0) 7005 803364 and turn le. Cross the road and continue until you eir 8 day self guided trip is 950 Euros. reach James Street on the le. en turn right and pass through a gate which opens into the Green. SouThweSTwAlkS IrelAnD Cross the Green, exit the gate and look for the Din - www.southwestwalksireland.com gle Way Signboard marking the completion of your Ph: +353(0) 66 7128733 hike. Now to find a pub to celebrate!! ey offer guided and self guided trips with ver - sions of the route described above. Contact them for rates. Dingle Peninsula coastline Tour Companies e philosophy of this guide is to help you figure Continue straight over numerous stiles and ladders, out how to book the Dingle Way yourself. How - Dingle Way Travel Tips past a few houses and the ruins of Killelton ever, if you want alternatives to doing the arrang - MOUNTAIN RESCUE Church. is is the particularly muddy section ing yourself you could consider calling one of the dial 999 or 112 from the first day of hiking. Fortunately there are following tour operators. also lots of small streams to cross which will allow CALLING NORTH AMERICA FROM IRELAND you to clean up. wonDerful IrelAnD wAlkInG 00 1 + area code + local number TourS Continue on the grassy old farm road and descend CELL PHONE RENTALS www.walkinginireland.ie ere are times a cell phone would be handy and if through gorse and blackberry bushes. en, turn Ph: +353 87 761 3344 you are travelling alone it might give you and your right and climb a narrow path that is quite rocky ey offer one week to 10 day self guided trips family some peace of mind. Visit and wet. starting at 695 Euros based on two people sharing. www.cellhire.com or www.cellularabroad.com Descend and cross a bridge over the Derrymore CounTry wAlkerS for more information. River. www.countrywalkers.com Ph: 800-464-9255 ELECTRIC PLUGS Climb steeply to the right for a few hundred me - Use the same plug that is used in Great Britain. ey offer a Dingle/Kerry Mix. Trips are $US tres. Watch your footing in this area. en enjoy ey are found in travel stores and at airports. 3898 for 7 days and 6 nights. kilometres of the gently undulating path as it WEATHER FORECASTS crosses the Slieve Mish Mountains. Near the end fooTfAllS wAlkInG holIDAyS www.met.ie Select of this section start losing height and pass the Tona - www.walkinghikingireland.com vane Walk notice board. Descend to a gate to reach Ph: +353 (0) 404 45152 a tarmac road and turn le. Self guided trips are 546 Euros per person sharing. Follow this road for 1.3 kilometres to a junction and CelTIC nATure turn right. Walk another 1 kilometre to a T junction www.celticnature.com and head le again. Arrive in Blennerville in 700 m. Ph: +353 (0) 66 9152095

16 CAMPING FOLLOW THE FARMLAND CODE OF with a dog but most farmers are not interested in ere are some hardy souls that do camp along the CONDUCT having additional dogs on their property. Dingle Way but because all land is privately owned Respect the environment and leave everything as it is necessary to get the farmer or landowner’s per - you found it. Specifically close the gates behind MAPS mission before you start setting up a tent. e you, always use the gates and stiles provided, pack If you want a good map ahead of time visit weather and the bugs in the summer are two other out your litter, help keep water clean and bury any www.irishmaps.ie . You can always pick one up at detractions so consider the hostel route if you are human waste completely and at least 30 m away the tourist information center in Tralee. trying to save money instead. from water supplies or the path. MILEAGE CONVERTER 1 kilometre = 0.621371192 miles or visit SHOTS DOGS I would recommend that you have an up to date It is not recommended that you bring a dog on the www.metric-conversions.org tetanus shot. ere are plenty of rusty fences along Way and in fact, in many areas they are forbidden. the Dingle Way. Some of the locals might do sections of the walk

PPAACCKKIINNGG LLIISSTT

Ireland is notorious for throwing four seasons at you • sandals or an extra pair of shoes in case your BAGGAGE TRANSFER in one day. At any time of the year be prepared for boots get wet heavy rain and fierce winds. If you plan the walk with One of the great things about long distance walking the attitude that the weather will be poor then any • gaiters and hiking in Ireland is the fact that many B&B’s lovely day is a real bonus. Chances are you will have can help arrange to transfer your luggage for a fee. very moderate temperatures which make for comfort - • camera in a waterproof case able walking and although it may rain hard it is un - Before you leave home confirm with each B&B likely to do that for the entire week. If you organize a • headlamp with extra batteries (preferably in writing) that they provide this service. service to move your luggage from place to place, en - Some of them will do it themselves and some will sure that you have the bare essentials in your day • map and route description subcontract it out to the local taxi company. If there pack. are many of you, the cost per bag will be consider - • whistle and compass ably less. Unfortunately single travellers may end • large pack with enough room to hold what is up paying close to 30 Euros each day to get their listed below plus a rain cover • personal toiletries - bring your own soap, sham - luggage moved. poo, conditioner and cream as these items are • food for 6-8 hours of sustained hiking,(bars, salty rarely provided by B&B’s Rates will vary depending on the distance, the num - foods like pretzels, jerky, fruit, sandwiches) plus a ber of people and the number of bags needing to be bit of extra in case you get lost or have an accident • reading material and journal (optional) moved. Once you have your luggage transfer pre - arranged, do remember to include the following be - • 2- one litre (32 ounce) water bottles ; do not drink • sunscreen and lip balm fore you happily head out. the water from streams and lakes, especially considering the high density of farm animals • insect repellent DAYPACK ESSENTIALS

• first aid kit especially blister aids • plastic bags as a further measure of protection • Wallet and identification inside your pack • waterproof bottoms, jacket and hat • Map and guide • credit card and cash (ATM machines aren’t al - • wicking clothes that can be layered ex. capilene t ways available and most B&B’s take only cash) • Rain gear – both top and bottom and a hat -shirt and turtlenecks • trekking poles (optional) • Camera and extra batteries, binoculars • windproof fleece top • cell phone or phone card • Extra clothing in case the weather changes • comfortable quick dry hiking pants and in milder weather consider bringing a pair that zip off into • small thermos for hot drinks in the off season • Adequate water and food shorts (optional) • Sunscreen and bug repellent • fleece hat and gloves *** Most bedrooms in the B&B’s are heated by hot water radiators (although not likely to be on in • Cell phone or phone cards in case you run into • casual city clothes the summer months). It is really easy to wash a problems few pieces of clothing and dry them out on the • underwear and socks radiator. • flashlight and whistle

• well broken in leather boots (blisters can ruin the • small first aid kit trip!)

17