DAYHIKING ON THE KERRY WAY & BEARA PENINSULA IN IRELAND April 30 – May 13, 2022 AT# 2209 TRIP RATING – Vigorous For ratings description click here: AMC ratings Calling all hiking enthusiasts, have we got a trip for you! A two week trip of hiking in a fabulously scenic area of Ireland with comfy accommodations and delicious food! We’ll fly in/out of Shannon airport in order to explore the southwest corner of Ireland. County Kerry contains some of Ireland’s most iconic scenery: surf pounded sea cliffs and soft golden strands, emerald-green farmland crisscrossed by tumbledown stone walls, mist- shrouded bogs and cloud torn mountain peaks. With one of the country’s finest national parks as its backyard, the lively tourism hub of Killarney spills over with colorful shops and pubs filled with traditional music. The town is the jumping off point for the famed Kerry Way loop which skirts the mountainous, island fringed Iveragh peninsula. We’ll divide our time between here and the equally beautiful Beara peninsula which is just to the south. Day by Day Itinerary: Participants should have achieved a moderate level of hiking ability and be able to hike up to 12 miles per day on rolling or rocky terrain with up to 2961 feet elevation gain on our longest day. Hiking trails in the Killarney area travel through forests, open plateaus, along ridges, alongside waterways (streams/rivers/creeks) and offer fantastic scenery. This trip welcomes spouses, friends, and/or significant others who are not intermediate- advanced hikers. One could use the many easier walking routes or do one of several alternate activities. Although we will offer an activity each day, participants may opt to take a “day off” at any point and make their own plans. Day 1: April 30, 2022 Arrive in Shannon airport and transfer directly to Killarney via private charter transport. We will have a group meeting in the afternoon or evening, and if time allows we’ll have a walking orientation tour of Killarney. Hotel: Drumhall Hotel Killarney or similar; https://www.dromhall.com/ Meals: (D) Day 2: May 1, 2022 Muckross House & Killarney National Park The core of the national park, which is a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, is the Muckross Estate, an impressive Victorian mansion crammed with fascinating objects, 70% of which are original. The park is rich in wildlife as well as scenic beauty; Transfer to Muckross House and Gardens. Take a 1 ¼ hour guided tour of the house. The gardens are free to wander around. Afterwards we’ll walk part of the Kerry Way Walking Trail back to Killarney. Distance approximately 6 miles, elevation gain 750’, elevation loss 600’ Hotel: Drumhall Hotel Killarney or similar; https://www.dromhall.com/ Meals: (B, D) Day 3: May 2, 2022 Killarney National Park Boat Ride on Muckross Lake from Ross Castle to Lord Kenmare’s Cottage across the lakes (Journey Time is around 1 hr. 30 minutes) If time allows we’ll walk the lake loop trail before lunch. In the early afternoon walk part of the Kerry Way to Galway Bridge, pickup and transfer back to Killarney. Distance 5 miles, elevation gain 680’, elevation loss 490’ Hotel: Drumhall Hotel Killarney or similar; https://www.dromhall.com/ Meals: (B, D) Day 4: May 3, 2022 Kerry Way & Torc Waterfall Transfer to Galway’s Bridge and walk part of the old Kenmare Road taking in Torc Waterfall along the way. A short walk of approximately 650 feet brings us to the waterfall. From that point steps lead to another viewing point at a higher altitude that provides a view over the Middle Lake. The waterfall which is approximately 65 feet high is at its best after heavy rainfall. The day finishes in Muckross and transfer back to Killarney. Distance 9 miles, elevation gain 1270’, elevation loss 1110’ Hotel: Drumhall Hotel Killarney or similar; https://www.dromhall.com/ Meals: (B, D) Day 5: May 4, 2022 The island of Skellig Michael Depart Killarney for Waterville A trip to the Skellig Islands, with its wave battered pinnacles of rock 12km off the coast and the site of Ireland’s most remote and spectacular monastery, is an unforgettable experience. The jagged 217m high rock of Skellig Michael is the larger of the two Skellig Islands and a Unesco World Heritage Site. The monastic buildings perch on a saddle in the rock, some 500 feet above sea level and are reached by 600+ steps cut into the rock face. The island featured prominently in three of the Star Wars movies as well as in the movie “Saving Private Ryan”. Transfer to Portmagee and take a boat across to Skellig Michael, please note, only 12 pax per boat so two boats will be needed. This is very weather dependent so don’t be disappointed if you don’t get across. The island has National Park staff on the island that will explain everything to us. (This trip is not suitable for those who are not good sea travellers or who have a fear of heights). If for some reason the island is closed, or weather conditions are not suitable for landing it may be possible to do a boat trip around the island. Distance 1.25 miles, elevation gain/loss 600’. If we are not able to visit the island or circumnavigate the island, an alternative will be to visit the Skellig Michael Visitors Centre. Here we would have the option to see an audio visual display on the history and wildlife of the island. From the Visitors Centre there is a walk that takes us onto the Bray Head Loop. The walk travels along the Skellig coast of the Wild Atlantic Way, the Tower at Bray Head, and offers unrivalled views of the Skelligs, Blaskets, Valentia, the Dingle Sound and the Ivereigh Peninsula. Distance is 7.5 miles with elevation gain of 840’ and elevation loss 930’ Transfer back to Waterville Hotel: Butlers Arms Hotel Waterville or similar; https://www.butlerarms.com/ Meals: (B, D) Day 6: May 5, 2022 Transfer to Cahersiveen and do a circular walk onto Benfee Mountain, part of the Kerry Way and back to Cahersiveen. Transfer back to Waterville Distance: 7.5 miles, elevation gain 1617’, elevation loss 1095’ Hotel: Butlers Arms Hotel Waterville or similar; https://www.butlerarms.com/ Meals: (B, D) Day 7: May 6, 2022 Kerry Way Transfer out into the Kerry Mountains taking in mountain tops like Coomduff, Knag and An Dromaid and finishes back at your hotel in Waterville. Distance 7.5 miles, elevation gain 960’, elevation loss 855’ Hotel: Butlers Arms Hotel Waterville or similar; https://www.butlerarms.com/ Meals: (B, D) Day 8: May 7, 2022 Waterville to Caherdaniel The trail starts from your hotel and follows the Kerry Way east to the village of Caherdaniel. A fantastic low level walk. You will have a chance to visit the home of Irish politician and statesman Daniel O'Connell, Derrynane House. It is now an Irish National Monument and part of a 320-acre National Park. Daniel O'Connell was a lawyer, politician and statesman and one of the great figures in Irish history. Transfer back to Waterville, Distance: 9 miles, elevation gain 1050’, elevation loss 870’ Hotel: Butlers Arms Hotel Waterville or similar; https://www.butlerarms.com/ Meals: (B, D) Day 9: May 8, 2022 Transfer to the Beara Peninsula (Journey time 3 hours) After arriving in Castletownbere you have the option to relax and explore the town or do a circular walk just outside the town called the Creha Quay Loop. This is a beautiful low-level walk on forest tracks and open trails. Distance 5 miles, elevation gain 369’, elevation loss 270’ Overnight in Castletownbere Hotel: Beara Coast hotel or similar, https://www.bearacoast.com/ Meals: (B, D) Day 10: May 9, 2022 Beara Island & The Beara Way Take a ferry from Castletownbere to Beara Island (Journey Time 15 min) This is an enchanted place, enriched with ancient myth with its many stone circles and standing stones. This island is also a haven for wildlife. Our walk follows the Beara Way along quiet country tracks offering stunning views in all directions that must be seen to be believed. Overnight in Castletownbere. Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles, elevation gain 1425’, elevation loss 1395’ Hotel: Beara Coast hotel or similar, https://www.bearacoast.com/ Meals: (B, D) Day 11: May 10, 2022 The Beara Way Today you will walk from Castletownbere to the village of Allihies through the Slieve Miskish Mountains. Some of today’s route passes through conifer forests, about the only alternative on poor bogland to turf cutting or sheep farming. The Beara Way walking trail crosses open hill terrain and is under the peak of Knockgour at 481 m. You will pass a ringfort (an ancient farm enclosure), which would have served as a home for people and animals. Your walk finishes in the village Allihies where you will be picked up and transferred to Castletownbere. Distance: 10 miles, elevation gain 1050’, elevation loss 840’ Overnight in Castletownbere Hotel: Beara Coast hotel or similar, https://www.bearacoast.com/ Meals: (B, D) Day 12: May 11, 2022 Dursey Island Transfer from Castletownbere to (40 Min) Dursey Island, a small remote island that is serviced by Ireland’s only working cable car. The cable car carries six passengers or one cow at a time. Cows have priority over people here so don’t be upset if you have to wait your turn! Dursey Island is a wild-bird and whale sanctuary and is a beautiful haven of tranquillity and therefore a perfect end to your vacation.