Cork & Kerry Walking Holiday

Meet at Killarney Train Station

Killarney Train Station will be the starting point of your guided group walking holiday. You can make your journey to Killarney independently by train, bus or by car. We recommend arriving to Killarney Train Station no later than 14.45hrs to give you time to meet your guide and fellow group members.

Transfer to Glengarriff

Lets’ start our adventure! Our expert guide will meet you at 15.00hrs at Killarney Train Station from where we will transfer by coach to the lovely village of Glengarriff (approximate transfer time 1 hour and 15 minutes) Situated on the Beara Peninsula in Cork, Glengarriff provides an idyllic base for the first 3 nights of our guided group experience. At 17.00hrs, our guide will host a welcome meeting at our hotel, with the aim of preparing us for what we can expect in terms of distance, duration, and terrain during the hikes of our walking holiday. Following the welcome meeting join our guide and your fellow group members for an evening meal at our hotel. The rest of the evening will be at your leisure in Glengarriff to spend as you wish.

The Shehy Mountains & Gougane Barra Walking Tour

Full Day

Lets’ explore some stunning natural surroundings today. After breakfast we will drive to Kealkill and start our hike just beyond the village (Approximate transfer time: 25 minutes). From here we will follow in the footsteps of the historic “O’Sullivan Bere March” through the Sheehy mountains to reach Gougane Barra. We will descend the hills down to the lake and chapel to end our hike. A packed lunch is included today. We will have some time to recuperate in the tranquil setting of Gougane Barra before returning to our hotel in Glengarriff (Approximate transfer time: 1 hour).

(Difficulty: Moderate / Duration spent hiking: 5 hours approximately / Distance: 15kms / Height Gain: 620m / Height Loss: 476m / Max Height: 530m).

During our adventure we can expect to encounter some road walking, some paths, and some unsurfaced tracks. We will hike on open mountain which can be boggy, rocky, and wet underfoot. We will tackle one short but steep section during our descent. Walking poles can be a help for any slippery underfoot conditions during our hike. Walking or hiking boots are essential for all our hikes throughout our guided group holiday.

Dinner & time at leisure in Glengariff

Evening

Dinner is included at our hotel this evening. Afterwards you will have the evening free to independently explore Glengarriff as you desire. Our expert guide will be happy to make recommendations to suit your taste.

Explore Allihies & the Beara Peninsula

Full Day

Join us and discover the beauty of the Beara Peninsula. After breakfast we will drive west from Glengarriff to reach the beautiful village of Allihies (Approximate transfer time: 1 hour and 45 minutes). Arriving in to Allihies is like coming upon an oasis in what appears to be a barren section of the peninsula. We will embark on an invigorating hike through the hills, trekking over Knockoura Mountain and along a ridge with glorious views across Ballydonegan Bay before descending back down to Allihies village. A packed lunch is included today. 

We will have some time for rest, recuperation, or further exploration in Allihies. You may choose to have a refreshing drink at one of the local pubs, a hot beverage at one of the cafes, soak in some of the stunning seaside views or visit the Allihies Copper Mining Museum to learn more on the amazing industry that put this tiny village on the map. Following your free time in Allihies we will return to Glengarriff together.

(Difficulty: Moderate / Duration spent hiking: 5 hours approximately / Distance: 12kms / Height Gain: 567m / Height Loss: 566m / Max Height: 485m).

Our route today will see us take on some road walking with paths and unsurfaced tracks. We will encounter some open mountain with uneven, boggy, and rocky conditions underfoot which can be wet at times. Walking poles may be an asset on our hike today.

Dinner & time at leisure in Glengariff

Evening

We will have dinner included at our hotel this evening. After our meal together, the remainder of the evening is yours to spend as you wish. Unwind at your hotel or independently discover the entertainment options Glengarriff village has to offer. As always, our guide will be happy to make recommendations for your leisure time.

Discover Caherdaniel, the Kenmare River & Killarney

Full Day

Lets’ say goodbye to Cork as we head towards Kerry to continue our adventure. After breakfast, we will leave Glengariff and travel north west over to the Ring of Kerry and along the southern shores of the peninsula, to reach the lovely village of Caherdaniel in Co. Kerry. From here we will begin today’s hike over the hills overlooking the Kenmare River. We will also have views towards Eagles Hill and the Beara Peninsula before we descend back to the village from where we started via an old bog track. A packed lunch is included today.

We will have some time for refreshments in Caherdaniel before continuing our journey towards Killarney, which will be our base for the next 2 nights of our guided group holiday. (Approximate transfer time: 2 hours and 30 minutes).

(Difficulty: Moderate / Duration spent hiking: 4.5 hours approximately / Distance: 13kms / Height Gain: 507m / Height Loss: 509m / Max Height: 470m). 

During our hike we will venture along paths, unsurfaced tracks with rocky and uneven sections underfoot, as well as open mountain terrain that can be boggy, wet, and overgrown. We will also encounter some tracks and road walking as well. Walking poles are highly recommended for our hike today.

Dinner & time at leisure in Killarney

Evening

We will have dinner included on arrival at our hotel in Killarney. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to settle into your new surroundings. If you would like some tips on where to explore independently in Killarney town our expert guide will be happy to help.

Climb Mangerton Mountain & visit Killarney National Park

Full Day

Join us for a trek up Mangerton Mountain. After breakfast, a short drive takes us to the beautiful Mangerton Mountain in Killarney National Park. (Approximate transfer time: 20 minutes). We will take on the hills of Killarney National Park and climb to the top of Mangerton Mountain together in pursuit of tremendous views over south Kerry, towards the Beara Peninsula and across to the Dingle Peninsula. We will then hike around the Devil’s Punchbowl, re-joining the same track we ascended for our descent. A packed lunch is included today.

(Difficulty: Moderate / Duration spent hiking: 4.5 hours approximately / Distance: 11kms / Height Gain: 701m / Height Loss: 706m / Max Height: 835m)

We will come across some road walking, unsurfaced tracks with rocky and stony underfoot conditions, as well as open mountain that can be boggy and wet underfoot. Walking poles may prove beneficial today. We will return to Killarney together following today’s adventure in Killarney National Park.

Dinner & time at leisure in Killarney

After our hike today there will be free time in the late afternoon for you to independently discover what the town of Killarney has to offer. In the evening, we will have dinner together at our hotel. Afterwards the remainder of the evening is at leisure for you to continue to independently explore Killarney town as you wish.

Hike Dingle Peninsula & visit Annascaul

Full Day

Lets’ take on another hike! After breakfast at our hotel, we make the journey towards the Dingle Peninsula (Approximate transfer time: 1 hour). Today our hike begins by following an old droving path into the hills, crossing the Dingle Peninsula from the north side, to the south side and passing an old famine village on the way. The hiking route gives the chance for spectacular views along the “spine” of the Dingle Peninsula, across Dingle Bay and Tralee Bay. Descending along our route we will have wonderful views across to the Ring of Kerry, before reaching the village of Annascal. A packed lunch is included today. 

Our hike will finish where Ireland’s famous Antarctic explorer Tom Crean was born, in the village of Annascaual. And there is no better way to reward ourselves at the end of our hike than with a refreshing drink in Tom Crean’s pub, the South Pole Inn. After some time for refreshments and recuperation together at the South Pole Inn we will transfer to the town of Dingle for our overnight stay (Approximate transfer time: 30 minutes).

(Difficulty: Moderate / Duration spent hiking: 4 hours approximately / Distance: 12kms / Height Gain: 449m / Height Loss: 465m / Max Height: 365m).

During our hike we can expect to experience some paths and unsurfaced tracks as well as open mountain with boggy sections which can be very wet underfoot. There will also be some rough and uneven sections, along with some road walking. Walking poles would be a great benefit on this hike.

At leisure in Dingle

Dingle is a beautiful fishing town on the Dingle Peninsula on the Wild Atlantic Way. Home to the annual Dingle Food Festival and well-known for its cosy traditional Irish pubs, you will be spoiled for choice in this charming location. Your evening will be at your leisure in Dingle. Your expert guide will be happy to make suggestions of local restaurants where you can purchase dinner and places to grab a drink afterwards.

Uncover Dingle Peninsula, Mount Eagle & Dunquinn

Full Day

Join us for another day of adventure on the Dingle Peninsula. Our final hike will take us to the western tip of the Dingle Peninsula with a climb over Mount Eagle mountain. On the ascent will have the chance for amazing views across the Blasket Islands and Slea Head. As we descend, we will hike towards the village of Dunquinn with the opportunity to soak in the beautiful scenery on the way down. From Dunquinn we will transfer back to Dingle. A packed lunch is included today.

(Difficulty: Moderate / Duration spent hiking: 4 hours approximately / Distance: 11kms / Height Gain: 557m / Height Loss: 667m / Max Height: 520m)

On our hike we can expect to encounter some unsurfaced tracks and open mountain that can be boggy & stony underfoot and wet at times. We will also experience some road walking. Walking poles can be an asset for our hike today.

At leisure in Dingle

Evening

You will have another evening to explore Dingle independently. Your expert guide will be on hand to make suggestions for cafes, restaurants, and pubs to suit your taste.

Depart Kerry

Join us for one final breakfast together at our guesthouse in Dingle before our transfer at 09.30hrs to the end point of our tour, Killarney Train Station (approximate transfer time 1 hour 15 minutes). From Killarney Train Station, you are free to depart at your own leisure, by train or private arrangements. We hope you leave with many fond memories of our group adventure holiday together in Ireland’s stunning South West.