We will meet you at Kerry Airport or Killarney train station and take you to your first guesthouse in Killarney. Your guesthouse is located beside Killarney National Park and you have the option of an easy looped walk to Ross Castle and Killarney Lakes this afternoon. Your guesthouse is walking distance from the vibrant main streets of Killarney with their many fine pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops. Live traditional music can be enjoyed every evening in the town before setting off in the mountains tomorrow. 

This morning you depart Killarney along the Muckross Road and once across the River Flesk you enter the national park. After 5.5km you arrive at the beautiful eighteenth century façade of Muckross House. You continue to follow the shores of Muckross Lake before ascending towards the stunning Torc Waterfall and onto the old Kenmare coaching trail. A wonderful sense of peaceful isolation can be felt as you make your way west towards Galway’s Bridge and along the shores of the most southerly section of the Killarney Lakes. After passing Lord Brandon’s Cottage you enter the Black Valley and your guesthouse for the night is shortly ahead. There are no restaurants or pubs in the Black Valley so dinner is in your guesthouse tonight.

Today’s walk is shorter than yesterday but offers an unbeatable route through the heart of the Black Valley. After passing the local church and small shop the Kerry Way passes by some stunning lakes, rivers and waterfalls before reaching the end of the valley. Here the trail climbs over the pass and on a clear day the views over the Bridia Valley could bring a tear to your eye. Descending slowly you reach the valley floor and shortly afterwards you come to your guesthouse for the night, a magical place we think you’ll agree. There are no pubs or restaurants locally so dinner tonight is at your guesthouse.

A day of two halves, first the steep climb up the pass that bring you out of the Bridia Valley. Wonderful views over Lough Acoose and on a clear the Dingle Peninsula beyond. Next follows an initial slow descent into the Glencar valley and then onto the Climber’s Inn Pub and shop where you can stop for a drink or a snack. From the Climber’s Inn you soon join the Caragh River and walk along its pretty banks into the forest. After Drumbane Lough you turn left and ascend into Lickeen Woods with its almost rainforest density. Your efforts are rewarded at the top with stunning views over Caragh Laker. Out of the forest you have some nice river side locations to stop for a picnic before ascending to the Windy Gap. Once through the gap you enjoy some of our favourite views on the Kerry Way looking down to Glenbeigh and the Dingle Peninsula beyond. Descending you soon arrive at the coastal village of Glenbeigh with its lively pubs and nearby beaches.

Today’s walk is a mix of forests, country roads and mountains tracks. The start of the walk offers wide views over Glenbeigh and across the bay to the Dingle Peninsula. 7km into the walk you reach Mountain Stage and the most dramatic views of the day with wide panoramic Atlantic scenes. The old Dingle railway track can be seen below as you make your west towards Kells. From Kells, the far west of the Iveragh Peninsula opens up in front of you. Turning inland you cross the Feerta River in the shadow of Knocknadobar Mountain. A delightful day of farm tracks, trails, river crossings and meadows. Cahersiveen Harbour and the Fertha River herald your arrival in this lively market town. Celebrate your progress tonight with the best choice of pubs and restaurants since Killarney. Note: Cahersiveen is the gateway for visits to nearby Skellig Michael and Valencia Island. We would be delighted to arrange an additional night here to allow you visit the World Heritage Site or Valenica Island.

After breakfast this morning you have the option of a morning ascent of Beentee Mountain (height 376 metres, 1234 feet). The views are incredible for the relatively low height. Allow 3 hours for the walk not including stops. You can also explore Cahersiveen town visiting Daniel O’Connell Church and his birth place as well as the Old Barracks Heritage Centre. If Irish Spirits are of interest you can also visit the Skellig Six18 Distillery for a tour. When you are ready to move on, our driver will collect you and bring you to your onward connection at Killarney or Kerry Airport (75 minute transfer).