Kerry Walking Holiday

Killarney town

The town of Killarney will be your base for this 4-night Walking Holiday. You can make the journey to Killarney independently by train, bus or by car. On arrival in Killarney in the afternoon, check in to your hotel. We recommend arriving no later than 16.00hrs so you have time to settle in before meeting your guide.

Welcome meeting

At 17.00hrs, our guide will formally introduce themselves during a welcome meeting at our hotel. Our guide will prepare us for what we can expect in terms of distance, duration, and terrain during the hikes for the coming days of our holiday. After the welcome meeting join our guide and fellow group members for an evening meal at our hotel. The rest of the evening following dinner will be at your leisure in Killarney.

Overnight

3 star hotel in Killarney (4 nights)

Explore Killarney National Park

Lets’ explore the beauty of Kerry! After breakfast at your hotel, we depart by coach for Killarney National Park with our expert guide. A short drive out of Killarney town takes us to the beautiful Muckross House and Gardens, often referred to as the jewel in the crown of Killarney National Park. There will be time to enjoy the gardens, and views of the house, before we continue by foot from Muckross to reach the impressive Torc Waterfall. Continuing from Torc Waterfall onto the old Kenmare Road, we will then climb Torc Mountain to witness magnificent views over the Three Lakes of Killarney, the McGillycuddy Reeks and the Gap of Dunloe. Afterwards we will return by foot to Torc Waterfall for our transfer by coach back to Killarney town. A packed lunch is included today.

(Difficulty: Moderate / Duration spent hiking: 5 hours approximately / Distance: 12kms / Height Gain: 561m / Height Loss: 550m / Max Height: 535m).

We can expect to encounter tracks and paths with steps up and down as well as board walks and some uneven and rocky sections underfoot during today’s hike. Some parts of the route in Killarney National Park can be wet at times so appropriate hiking or walking boots are essential. 

Dinner & time at leisure in Killarney

You will have some free time to relax after our hike before dinner at our hotel. The remainder of the evening is at leisure for you to enjoy Killarney town as you please. Your guide will be happy to make some suggestions for local entertainment options.

Discover the Ring of Kerry, Knocknatobar Mountain & Caherciveen

Let’s climb a mountain! After breakfast at your hotel, we will depart early from Killarney for a scenic drive to the starting point of our hike on the northern shores of the Ring of Kerry (Approximate transfer time: 1 hour).  From here, lets embark on a wonderful hike up the pilgrim mountain of Knocknatobar with our expert guide. As we ascend, the views open around us giving stunning panoramas over Dingle Bay, the Ring of Kerry and south to the Beara Peninsula. A packed lunch is included today.

Afterwards, we will transfer by coach to Caherciveen, situated on the Ring of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way, Caherciveen is home to beautiful buildings like The Old Barracks, the Daniel O'Connell memorial church and ancient stone forts. Following some time at leisure in Caherciveen for you to explore independently, we will return to Killarney by coach (Approximate transfer time: 1 hour).

(Difficulty: Moderate / Duration spent hiking: 5 hours approximately / Distance: 9kms / Height Gain: 683m / Height Loss: 683m / Max Height: 690m). 

Walking poles or a walking stick can be a great benefit on today’s hike. We can expect to encounter some road walking, rough tracks and open mountain that can be boggy and wet underfoot, as well as some slippery and uneven sections. Hiking or walking boots are essential.

 

Dinner & time at leisure in Killarney

Dinner will be included this evening at our hotel. Afterwards you will be free to explore Killarney town as you wish. Your guide will be happy to make recommendations on the best traditional pubs to visit to soak up the local atmosphere, or alternative local activities to suit your taste.

Dingle Peninsula hiking tour & visit Annascaul

Join us to take on some more adventure! After breakfast at your hotel, we undertake the journey with our expert guide towards the Dingle Peninsula. (Approximate transfer time: 1 hour). Our hike today starts 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 route gives the opportunity for wonderful views along the “spine” of the Dingle Peninsula, across Dingle Bay and Tralee Bay. Descending along the route we will have magnificent views across to the Ring of Kerry, before reaching the village of Annascal. A packed lunch is included today. 

Our hike will end in the village of Annascaual, which is where Ireland’s famous Antarctic explorer Tom Crean was born. And at the end of a good hike, there is nothing as rewarding as a refreshing drink in his pub, the South Pole Inn. After some time for relaxation and refreshments together at the South Pole Inn we will return to Killarney by coach (Approximate transfer time: 1 hour).

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

We can expect to encounter some paths and unsurfaced tracks as well as open mountain with boggy sections which can be very wet underfoot during today’s hike. There will also be some rough and uneven sections along with some road walking. Walking poles or a walking stick would be a huge asset on this hike. Hiking or walking boots are essential.

 

Dinner & time at leisure in Killarney

This evening will be our final dinner at our hotel with our guide and fellow group members. You will have the remainder of the evening at leisure to spend as you wish for your last night in Killarney.

Depart Killarney

After breakfast, you are free to depart at your own leisure, by train or private arrangements. Your guide will be available at your hotel until 10.30am for any final queries you may have. We hope you leave Kerry with many fond memories of our group adventure holiday together in “The Kingdom” of Ireland.