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 after breakfast our driver will bring you the 5km to Muckross House and the start of your Kerry Way adventure. Initially passing the beautiful eighteenth century façade of Muckross House you 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.

The first section of today’s hike is relatively challenging (steep & narrow), so we offer the choice of transport to the Climber’s Inn, Glencar thus shortening the hike to 14km (instead of 25km)

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. At the final section of the walk, it begins to level off as you turn towards Kells. Our driver will meet you at the local cafe to bring you back to your guesthouse (15-minute transfer).

After breakfast our driver will bring you back to Kells . Within a few minutes on the hiking trail 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 and 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.

Today’s walk (15km, ascent 440m) is all about ridges and as the mountains you are crossing stand alone, you are rewarded with views over half the western Iveragh peninsula and beyond. As today is a walk along a wide ridge you enjoy 360° views of the surrounding countryside. On arrival in Mastergeehy (as there is no suitable local accommodation) our driver will meet you and bring you back to your accommodation at Cahersiveen (20 minute transfer, included).

After breakfast our driver will return you to Mastergeehy. As beautiful as yesterday was, it is this second section between Mastergeehy and Waterville with its breathtaking views over Lough Currane that may cause the heart to skip a beat. Just when you were thinking the Kerry Way couldn’t get any better, today’s proves us wrong. A marvellous day that sees you arriving at famous Waterville, well known to golfers and Irish holiday home of Charlie Chaplin. Situated on the huge Ballinskelligs Bay, you can see the Skellig Islands in the distance. You have now covered the entire north and west of the peninsula so relax tonight and enjoy the fine food and cosy pubs this coastal village has to offer.

This morning you can relax and explore Waterville or if you prefer you can enjoy the hike up to the Coomakista Pass (215m, 700ft) & the Scarriff Inn along the Kerry Way. The hike is 7km and takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. The Smuggler’s Inn Pub claims to have the best view in Ireland. On a clear day it is certainly one of the finest with incredible views over Derrynane Bay and south towards the Beara Peninsula. After the hike our driver can meet you at the Scarriff Inn Pub and bring you back to Waterville and then onto your connection at Kerry Airport or Killarney train station. If you prefer an easier morning you can roam around the village and take a stroll along the coast out to the famous Waterville Golf Links.