The Dingle peninsula is
a narrow mountainous finger of land reaching to Europe's
most westerly point. At the western end stands one of Ireland’s
finest mountains, Mount Brandon. This forms the focus for
several days’ walking as you follow old roads and
effusive fuchsia lined lanes around the peninsula before
climbing over the shoulder of this noble peak.
Day 1 – Travel to Camp for the
start of the holiday
Taxi transfers available on request from Killarney, Kerry
Airport or Cork Airport.
Accommodation – B&B in Camp
Day 2 –
Camp to Anascaul
Leave Camp on a minor road and across the slopes of Corrin
Mountain. Walk above the village of Inch with its wonderful
sandspit reaching 7 km out into Dingle Bay. Climb up through
the Maum Gap and past a large standing stone then down to
the village of Anascaul. (18 km, 450 m ascent)
Accommodation - Pub B&B in Anascaul
Day 3 –
Anascaul to Dingle
Minor roads are followed from Anascaul down to the bouldery
Kilmurry Bay with the remains of Minard Castle standing
above. Old tracks and lanes are followed to Lispole before
the route picks a way through farms under the mountains
before descending the old Conor Pass route into Dingle town.
(21 km, 430 m ascent)
Accommodation – B&B in Dingle
Day 4 -
Dingle to Dunquin
Walk along tracks and minor roads to Ventry then across
the Ventry strand to follow tracks up to the lower slopes
of Mount Eagle. A fine walk above the small farms and ancient
old stone clochans leads around Slea Head with fine views
out to the evocative Blasket Islands. (21 km, 320 m ascent)
Accommodation – B&B outside Dunquin
Day 5 –
Dunquin to Ballydavid
Follow tracks and lanes past Clogher Head and beneath the
Three Sisters cliffs. A detour to the tops of the cliffs
is very rewarding. The route then walks around the strand
of Smerwick Harbour to Ballydavid. A short detour inland
would allow a visit to Gallarus Oratory, one of Ireland's
most famous early churches. (22 km, 140 m ascent)
Accommodation – B&B and restaurant in Ballydavid
Day 6 –
Ballydavid to Cloghane
The walk leads below Ballydavid, then climbs to the highest
point of the walk at 650 m on the old military pass between
Masatiompan and Brandon Mountains with great views over
the peninsula. The route then leads to Brandon village and
finally Cloghane. On a fine day there is an option over
Mount Brandon which affords some of the finest views to
be found in Kerry. (26 km, 790 m ascent)
Accommodation - A Pub/Guesthouse in Cloghane
Day 7 –
Cloghane to Anascaul
The route follows quiet lanes around Brandon Bay then follows
an old drove route up through the delightful Maghanaboe
glen and over the pass and down the zig-zag track to Lough
Anascaul before following tracks and lanes down to Anascaul
village. (17 km, 370 m ascent)
Accommodation - Pub B&B in Anascaul
Day 8 – Journey home
Tour price :
€650.00 per person sharing
Tour price includes:
Seven nights accommodation: A mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses
and country homes. All except the farmhouse have WC and
shower ensuite.
One dinner in Ballydavid
Five packed lunches
Luggage transfer between your accommodation stops
Full route details with a map of the tour
Moderate to
Strenuous