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Highlights
This hiking tour along the Kerry Way is a true bucket-list item
Enjoy the renowned beauty of Ireland’s oldest national park, a perfect place to hike and explore.
Visit the tumbling grace of Torc Waterfall, an absolutely camera-worthy spot.
Hike through Ireland’s tallest mountains, the MacGillycuddy Reeks.
Stroll along 3 kilometres of sand dunes at Rossbeigh Beach.
The Kerry Way is simply one of the world’s greatest hikes of any kind! On this 5-day self-guided hiking tour, you’ll experience some of the region’s best sights, just enough to convince you to book an even longer tour for your return!
Arrive in Killarney, the hub for County Kerry travel. After an evening at leisure, head for the beloved Muckross House before setting off on the Kerry Way. Walk along the shores of famous lakes and tumbling waterfalls as you head into the remote Black Valley. Winding farmer’s paths bring you up into the foothills of the MacGillycuddy Reeks, the tallest mountains in all of Ireland. The final day follows the River Caragh then up and over the side of Seefin Mountain into the seaside village of Glenbeigh. With Dingle Bay views and a gorgeous beach, it’s the perfect place to wrap up the journey.
This 5-day hike is an excellent introduction to the Kerry Way and its world-renowned charms!
The Kerry Way is simply one of the world’s greatest hikes of any kind! On this 5-day self-guided hiking tour, you’ll experience some of the region’s best sights, just enough to convince you to book an even longer tour for your return!
Arrive in Killarney, the hub for County Kerry travel. After an evening at leisure, head for the beloved Muckross House before setting off on the Kerry Way. Walk along the shores of famous lakes and tumbling waterfalls as you head into the remote Black Valley. Winding farmer’s paths bring you up into the foothills of the MacGillycuddy Reeks, the tallest mountains in all of Ireland. The final day follows the River Caragh then up and over the side of Seefin Mountain into the seaside village of Glenbeigh. With Dingle Bay views and a gorgeous beach, it’s the perfect place to wrap up the journey.
This 5-day hike is an excellent introduction to the Kerry Way and its world-renowned charms!
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5-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Killarney
Arrive in the town of Killarney, your starting point for the adventure. Check into your accommodations and pick up your detailed information pack, which includes route guides and contact information. Your host will provide some recommendations for Killarney’s best food and entertainment!
Overnight Location: B&B in Killarney
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Into the Black Valley
Set off directly from your accommodation towards Muckross House. This stately 19th-century mansion is a centrepiece of the Killarney area and worth a visit on any itinerary. From here, follow the Kerry Way through the Killarney National Park and Esknamucky Glen.
You’ll pass the lovely Torc Waterfall and skirt the shores of Killarney’s Upper Lake on the way to an old “Mass Path” leading to Derricunnihy Church. The route leads you into the heart of the Black Valley towards Lord Brandon’s Cottage, a delightful stop for tea and sandwiches.
Overnight Location: B&B in Black Valley
Distance: 4 hours, 16km, 492m of ascent, 487m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Farms & Foothills
Continue along the Kerry Way with a short hike over a mountain saddle and then a descent into the Brida Valley. A gorgeous old farmer’s track takes you up into the foothills of the MacGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland’s tallest mountain range.
Descend along the serene shores of Lough Acoose into the tiny hamlet of Glencar, your stop for the night.
Overnight Location: B&B in Glencar
Distance: 5 hours, 18 km, 821m of ascent, 693m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Down to Dingle Bay
Today’s hike starts with a crossing of the scenic Blackstones Bridge, following the River Caragh north. Hike around the “shoulder” of Seefin Mountain, then descend into the coastal town of Glenbeigh.
This is a stunning location for your final day of adventure! Enjoy fabulous views of the Dingle Bay and Castlemaine Harbour across the waves. Don’t miss Rossbeigh Strand just west of town – this long stretch of beach is one of Ireland’s best.
Overnight Location: B&B in Glenbeigh
Distance: 5 hours, 21km, 592m of ascent, 727m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Departure
After a hot Irish breakfast, check out from your accommodations and depart the region via your own arrangements.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
5-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided hiking tour of the Kerry Way is run as a custom tour for your group and the price per person is fixed. There are upgrades available that add follow-up phone calls and welcome briefings to your tour, please contact us if you’d prefer these options. Prices below are per person:- Self-guided groups of 2+ in shared double rooms: EUR580 per person
Accommodation on the 5-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour
This tour is based in small B&Bs and/or guesthouses. Properties offer warm rooms with an ensuite washroom and daily hot Irish breakfast.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy.
What’s Included in the 5-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour?
Meals
4 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 4 nights along the tour are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Luggage transfers each day are included on the tour.
Also Included
- Detailed route book with full area maps or GPS-enabled app for navigation & points of interest
- 24-hour emergency/information support
- Full pre-departure information to maximize your experience
- In-house holiday specialist to assist with any additional services
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Transport into Killarney or out from Glenbeigh
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Visas if required
- Entrance fees to any sites or parks
Optional Extras
- Additional accommodation nights before/after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Extra services:
- Welcome briefing
- Welcome briefing and follow up calls during the tour
- Extend tour to 8 or 11-day tour package
- How hard is the 5-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Are meals included on the 5-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Killarney to start this tour?
- Is the 5-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour guided?
- Where does the 5-Day Kerry Way Hiking Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Ireland?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Ireland?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. A moderate level of fitness is required for the distance and elevation changes on this route, and previous hiking experience is recommended. However, no technical expertise or gear is necessary. The route involves various surfaces: grass and gravel tracks, open mountain paths, road walking, and bogland, with some wet sections underfoot. Good boots are essential.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
4 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Kerry Airport (KIR). Being a regional airport, you may need to connect via one of Ireland’s three international airports. From Kerry Airport, the town of Killarney is 20 minutes away by car or about 30-40 minutes by public transport. You can also travel from Cork International Airport (ORK), roughly 2 hours from Killarney by bus. Your holiday specialist can assist you with arrival and departure plans if needed.
No. You will be provided with all necessary information to complete your self-guided tour.
The tour ends in the town of Glenbeigh. From here, the Kerry Airport (KIR) is just over 30 minutes by car. Travelling by bus will take roughly 1 ½ hours.
If you want or need to return to Killarney, a public bus service runs twice daily (excluding Sundays and public holidays). The bus takes about 50 minutes.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
Ireland Walk Hike Bike was set up with one purpose in mind – to show you the real Ireland that we know and love. Having watched many visitors “flash” through Ireland – founder Linda Woods decided back in 1994 to find a better way to see the country. “My aim was to slow people down, so they really get their feet into the soul of the country, meet the locals & discover what makes Ireland & the Irish tick………” and 25 years later – this is exactly what Ireland Walk Hike Bike is still doing today…
Whatever holiday you want – walk, hike, bike, more active than that or less active than that – we will be delighted to chat with you, help plan your holiday with you to ensure you have a really memorable trip to Ireland.
