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THE KERRY WAY ITINERARY AT A GLANCE DDaayy Travel / Activities 1 Hike Arrive in Killarney 2 Hike Killarney To Kenmare Transfer Hikers to start of hike & Luggage to Kenmare 3 Hike Templenoe To Sneem Transfer from Kenmare to start of hike & Luggage to Sneem 4 Hike Sneem To Caherdaniel Luggage Transfer to Caherdaniel 5 Hike Caherdaniel To Waterville Luggage Caherdaniel - Waterville 6 Hike Waterville To Caherciveen Luggage transfer to Cahersiveen (optional transfer for hikers to Mastergeehy - to shorten hike) 7 Hike Caherciveen To Glenbeigh Transfer luggage from Cahersiveen to Glenbeigh - optional hikers to Foilmore 8 Hike Glenbeigh To Glencar Luggage Glenbeigh - Glencar 9 Hike Glencar To Black Valley Luggage Transfer to Black Valley 10 Hike Black Valley To Killarney Luggage to Killarney 11 Hike Depart Killarney THE KERRY WAY One of the oldest, longest and most beautiful of all the Walking Trails in Ireland, the Kerry Way boasts 214kms of magnificent scenery that rivals any hike in the world. It is a magical place to discover on foot, from rugged cliffs to golden beaches, small villages, green pastures, peat bogs and always picturesque mountain ranges in sight. Hiking the Kerry Way allows you to see the “real” Ireland, away from crowds and only the sounds of nature to accompany you. This area was first settled around 300 BC by the people of Ciar – an early Celtic Tribe, and your holiday will immerse you in almost 10,000 years of dramatic history. Come and discover this region of Kerry known as the Iveragh Peninsula or more famously “The Ring of Kerry” & you will wonder why it has taken you so long to discover such an idyllic part of the world. This holiday begins & ends in Killarney and takes you to the eastern highlights of this trail. DAY 1, HIKE ARRIVE IN KILLARNEY Arrive in Killarney – the popular town renowned for its three magnificent lakes in the heart of Kerry. On arrival at your first guesthouse, your host/ hostess will give you your detailed information pack. They will also be able to suggest some of the many local restaurants or pubs for food and possibly music. Access for this holiday can be from Dublin, Cork or Shannon Airports with bus and/or train connections available to Killarney all year round. DAY 2, HIKE KILLARNEY TO KENMARE You will be transferred to the start of your hike at the magnificent Muckross House & Gardens - about 5km outside Killarney. From here you will start following the Kerry Way past Torc Waterfall, across Killarney National Park & through Esknamucky Glen to the heritage town of Kenmare. This is a glorious hike, giving you an opportunity to see or hear some of Ireland’s native red deer as you hike through the National Park. Overnight in Kenmare. Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 20.0km | Height gain - 689m | Height loss -710m | Max Height - 321 m | Min Height - 9m Terrain: Mountain tracks, board walks and green roads. Can be wet underfoot – boots essential. DAY 3, HIKE TEMPLENOE TO SNEEM A taxi will transfer you from Kenmare to the start of your hike at the little village of Templenoe. From here, you follow the Kerry Way west to the award winning village of Sneem. This hike takes you along the shores of Kenmare Bay, with views south to the Beara Peninsula and the Caha Mountains. Overnight in Sneem. Walk Details: Distance: 19.90kms. Approx. Max. Height: 300m. Forest tracks, some road walking, mountain tracks and country lanes. Boots essential. DAY 4, HIKE SNEEM TO CAHERDANIEL Continue hiking from the village of Sneem, following an old ‘butter road’ to the little village of Caherdaniel – once home of our famous "Liberator" – Daniel O’Connell. The views across the Beara Peninsula and out to the Atlantic Ocean are fantastic. Overnight in Caherdaniel. Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 17.25km (option of 34km) | Height gain -473m | Height loss - 450m | Max Height - 195m | Min Height - 9m Terrain: Country lanes, grass tracks, Rocky Mountains and some road walking. Boots essential. DAY 5, HIKE CAHERDANIEL TO WATERVILLE Continuing from the village of Caherdaniel, you hike around and above the coast to reach the village of Waterville. Enjoy glorious coastal views out towards the Skellig Islands and Ballinskelligs Bay. Overnight in Waterville. Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 16km | Height gain - 379m | Height loss -405m | Max Height - 240m | Min Height - 0m Terrain: Rocky and grass tracks, mountain tracks and bogland and some road walking. Boots essential. DAY 6, HIKE WATERVILLE TO CAHERCIVEEN From Waterville, you will be driven a short distance to the starting point of today’s walk at Mastergeehy. From here you will be hiking along the Kerry Way in a easterly direction to the town of Caherciveen. This walk takes you across the tip of the peninsula with views north over the Dingle Peninsula and south to Kenmare Bay. Overnight in Caherciveen. Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 24km | Height gain - 943m | Height loss -933m | Max Height - 362m | Min Height - 10m. Terrain: Grass mountain tracks with some rocky sections. Gravel tracks and some road walking. Boots essential. DAY 7, HIKE CAHERCIVEEN TO GLENBEIGH Today’s hike takes you from the town of Caherciveen along the northern shores of the Iveragh Peninsula to the little village of Glenbeigh. This section of the Kerry Way follows an old 17th Century “Stage Coach” route and gives spectacular views across to the Dingle Peninsula. You will pass through old deserted villages which were once busy centres of activity, trading with passengers on the old stage coaches. Overnight in Glenbeigh. Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 24km | Height gain - 689m | Height loss -681m | Max Height - 330 m | Min Height - 13m. Terrain: Grass mountain tracks with some rocky sections. Gravel tracks and road walking. Boots essential. DAY 8, HIKE GLENBEIGH TO GLENCAR From Glenbeigh you will follow west around the slopes of Seefin Mountain to the ‘Windy Gap’ before descending into the picturesque Caragh valley, following the Caragh River to Blackstones Bridge. Continuing through forestry, the Kerry Way takes you to the little village of Glencar. Overnight in Glencar. Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 21.0km | Height gain - 832m | Height loss -624m | Max Height - 335m. Terrain: Road walking, mountain rocky tracks, grass tracks and forest paths. Boots essential. DAY 9, HIKE GLENCAR TO BLACK VALLEY From Glencar, you follow along by the shores of Lough Acoose to enjoy a spectacular hike into the foothills of the MacGillycuddy Reeks. An old ‘droving’ path takes you over a mountain saddle & down into the Bridia Valley. From here, you continue over a second mountain saddle to reach the Black Valley for your overnight. Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 18.0km | Height gain - 694m | Height loss -822m | Max Height - 383m. Terrain: Road walking, grass and gravel tracks, open mountain and bogland, can be wet underfoot. Boots essential. DAY 10, HIKE BLACK VALLEY TO KILLARNEY The Kerry Way directs you from the Black Valley along the shores of the Upper Lake of Killarney and follows an old ‘mass path’ to Derrycunnihy Church. At this point – you are now back onto your first day’s hiking route, as you follow it in reverse to finish back in Killarney for your final overnight. Walk Details: Approx. Distance – 21.0km | Height gain - 539m | Height loss -548m | Max Height - 297m. Terrain: Mountain tracks and green roads. Can be wet underfoot – boots essential. DAY 11, HIKE DEPART KILLARNEY After your final breakfast and farewell you follow your own arrangements for your onward journey. From Killarney you can avail of excellent train & bus services with connections to Cork, Shannon, Limerick or Dublin. OPTIONAL EXTRA DAYS Day 2 or 8, Carrauntoohil Hike - Today you will hike to the top of Ireland on this Guided tour of Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain. Feast your eyes upon the most amazing scenery of wild and untouched landscapes. Day 7, Beentee Loop - Cahersiveen is often described as “the town that climbs the mountain and looks down on the sea”. Spend an extra day here to enjoy a magnificent looped hike around Beentee Mountain. Leaving the town centre, you follow an old Mass Path onto the lower slopes of Beentee with glorious views down to Valentia Harbour. Following beside some forestry, you climb more steeply as you ascend the ridge on the south of the mountain. Following in a north westerly direction, you reach the summit of Beentee (376m) to enjoy superb views across Valentia Island, Cahersiveen & Dingle Bay. Descending north, you will have spectacular views of the town, the harbour & the marina. Walk Details: Distance: 9.0kms. Height Gain: 460m | Height Loss: 463m | Max Height: 359m. Terrain: Rocky and sometimes wet & muddy tracks with some road walking. Boots essential. WHAT'S INCLUDED TRIP DETAILS RESERVATIONS Reservations to be made through our booking page at www.irelandwalkhikebike.com CANCELLATIONS Should you need to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or our agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows: More than 56 days from start date: Deposit only 35 to 55 days from start date: 30% 15 to 34 days from start date: 50% 14 days to departure day: Nil Refund ALL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE IN WRITING BY POST OR E-MAIL. PAYMENT CONDITIONS A deposit of €150.00 per person is required at the time of booking. Balancing payments are then required no less that 8 weeks prior to the holiday start date. WHY BOOK WITH US TESTIMONIALS TERMS AND CONDITIONS Ireland Walk Hike Bike Ltd (“the Company”) formerly trading as South West Walks Ireland, accepts bookings subject to the following Terms & Conditions: 1. The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour/ holiday operated by the company.