THE KERRY WAY A guide to walking Ireland’s longest and best known sign posted walking trail. Don’t just visit a place...experience it! hikebiketravel.com The Kerry Way he Kerry Way is Ireland’s longest and best known sign T posted walking trail with a total length of 203 kilometres (122 miles). It mirrors the Ring of Kerry which is the driving version but rarely does the Way reach the ocean. It is primarily an inland route starting in the town of Killarney in southwest Ireland, and encompasses a variety of terrain. Most people hike it in a counter clockwise direction and allow 8-10 days. Generally towns are nicely spaced and offer a variety of accommodation and restaurant choices though the selection is limited on the fi rst few days out. You will enjoy diverse scenery ranging from dramatic peaks including the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, RECOMMENDED ITINERARY OVERVIEW isolated valleys, beautiful lakes, wild moorlands and some spectacular Presented below is a quick layout of the itinerary Day 5: Option: Organize a very worthwhile followed in later sections with the rich details of day trip to the Skellig Islands and spend coastal vistas. The trail is for the most the trip. another night in Cahirciveen or bypass the hike part well signposted and efforts are to Waterville and get dropped off there at the in place to fi x areas of ambiguity. If Day 0: Arrive in Killarney and spend the day end of the day. time permits, a day off in Cahirciveen at leisure, visit Ross Castle or wander the town Cahirciveen to Waterville – 18-24 kilometres. to visit the Skellig Islands could and enjoy one of the 40 plus pubs. Either retrace 6 kilometres of yesterdays’ hike become the highlight of your trip. or taxi to Coars School and begin there. Two The weather is changeable so though Day 1: Killarney to Black Valley - 22 kilometres. ridge walks offer great views. This is one of the most scenic days. This section the probability of rain is high it rarely sees more pedestrian traffi c because of day Day 6: Waterville to Caherdaniel – 13 lasts for long. The popularity of this hikers. Visit the well placed Lord Brandon’s tea kilometres. Enjoy an easy day of hiking with hike allows for a certain camaraderie room near the end of the day. time for Derrynane Beach. On a clear day views and social atmosphere at cafes and are outstanding. pubs along the route. This is a trail Day 2: Black Valley to Glencar - 20 kilometres. well worth hiking and the Irish with Ascend two mountains and enjoy the views of Day 7: Caherdaniel to Sneem – 18 kilometres. Count on a day that varies from tiresome boggy their unique brand of hospitality desolate valleys. This is another very scenic day with a perfectly placed lunchtime stop at The sections to one with attractive sea and mountain will ensure that it is a memorable Cookie Monster Cafe. views. experience. Day 3: Glencar to Glenbeigh – 18 kilometres Day 8: Sneem to Kenmare – 30 kilometres. A long day that could saddle you with route It is a surprise to many as to just how .Views later in the day over to the Dingle fi nding issues in poor visibility. There are diffi cult the trail can be. The shortest Peninsula are great. Avoid the highway walking several kilometres of very pleasant hiking close day is 13 kilometres (8 miles) and by choosing the Windy Gap over the Scenic to the ocean and lovely views of the Beara there are a couple of days in the 28- Route at a well signed junction a kilometre Peninsula. Kenmare is a lively town in a pretty 30 kilometre (16.5 -18 miles) range. above the decrepit Bunglasha School. setting. Add a backpack, sore feet, sore Day 4: Glenbeigh to Cahirciveen – 28 shoulders, occasional route fi nding Day 9: Kenmare to Killarney – 24 kilometres. kilometres. The fi rst half of the day involves a The last day of hiking takes you up and along issues and changeable weather to lovely high traverse with views over the Ring quiet roads to the Windy Gap with views of the mix and you may fi nd it is more of Kerry Road to the Dingle Peninsula but get Killarney Park and Purple Mountain. Retrace than you bargained for. ready for muddy paths and confusing signage your route from day one once you have later in the day. descended from Windy Gap. 2 hikebiketravel.com General Info WHEN SHOULD YOU GO? PACKING LIST The Kerry Way can be hiked on almost a year Ireland is notorious for throwing four seasons at round basis though it is not recommended in you in one day. At any time of the year be prepared the height of winter. It would be foolhardy for heavy rain and fi erce winds. If you plan the to start out with short days of only 7-8 hours walk with the attitude that the weather will be of light and long hikes with no room for any poor then any lovely day is a real bonus. Chances error. Also in winter the bus doesn’t run are you will have very moderate temperatures which make for comfortable walking and although between towns and many B&B’s are closed it may rain hard it is unlikely to do that for the for the season. The fabulous side trip to the entire week. If you organize a service to move Skellig Islands is not available either. your luggage from place to place (more on page Spring and fall are wonderful times to hike 5) ensure that you have the bare essentials in a as there are fewer people, more last minute day pack. accommodation choices and far fewer, if • Large back with enough room to hold what is any, of the very pesky and annoying midges listed below plus a rain cover which are found in great abundance in the • Food for 6-8 hours of sustained hiking,(bars, summer. Buses are running between towns salty foods like pretzels, jerky, fruit, and the weather can be just as good as any sandwiches) in case you get lost or have an you might get in the summer. STATUE OF CHARLIE CHAPLIN accident IN WATERVILLE • 2- one litre (32 ounce) water bottles ; do GETTING TO AND FROM once an hour and taking about 50 minutes. not drink the water from streams and lakes, KILLARNEY There is an information center in the train especially considering the high density of farm Killarney is easily accessed by train and station and plenty of helpful people to get animals • bus from Dublin multiple times a day. you to the right bus stop (station 748) but First aid kit especially blister aids • In addition the Kerry Airport is only 12 the stop is literally 50 steps outside of the Waterproof bottoms, jacket and hat • kilometres away and it is easy to get a station across one lane and to the left. The Wicking clothes that can be layered ex. taxi to Killarney from there. Arrival in the bus is advertised as the Airport Link Bus. If capilene t-shirt and turtlenecks • centre of Killarney will put you within you are running for a plane then taxis are Windproof fl eece top + comfortable quick dry comfortable walking distance of the available for about 25 Euros. hiking pants and in milder weather consider start of the Kerry Way. The Kerry Way bringing a pair that zip off into shorts is also signposted at one of the major BY BUS: • Fleece hat and gloves intersections on the way to Ross Castle. Visit www.buseireann.ie/ for schedules and • Casual city clothes • BY TRAIN: pricing. The bus is cheaper but it takes Underwear and socks • Visit www.irishrail.ie for schedules. Trains much longer than the train and often you Well broken in leather boots • run almost every two hours throughout need to deal with several bus changes. Scandals or an extra pair of shoes in case your the day both ways between Killarney and Count on a minimum of 7 hours to and boots get wet • Dublin. Most trains will require a change from the Dublin airport versus 3 ½ to 5 Gaiters • in Mallow but that is a matter of moving 5 hours by train. The bus to and from the Camera in a waterproof case • steps across the platform to the next track airport runs only twice a day though there Headlamp with extra batteries • and waits are usually less than 15 minutes. are other bus stations within the city of Map and route description Dublin with connections. Add at least • Whistle and compass Train tickets can be bought from automated another hour to get from the airport to • Personal toiletries - bring your own soap, kiosks in the train station or from a live pick up one of those buses. shampoo, conditioner and cream as these items body but in Killarney that only happens 30 are rarely provided by B&B’s minutes before the train leaves. If you know You can save 10% if you buy your bus • Reading material and journal (optional) ahead of time what train you want then ticket online. If you do that present the • Sunscreen and lip balm buy online as there will be a considerable confi rmation number with picture ID to • Insect repellent cost savings.(We paid 68 Euros at the train the ticket agent when you get to the bus • Plastic bags as a further measure of protection station but saw it online beforehand for station who will issue a proper ticket for the inside your pack almost half of that!) Make sure you save day.