Our Dingle Way Walking Holidays

The northernmost of the five peninsulas in the South West, Dingle is the one most associated with the Irish language. As well as the beautiful scenery the language has encouraged many fine artists, painters, musicians and skilled crafts people to work on the peninsula. This cultural heritage gives Dingle a unique experience and today it has also become a haven for some of the best restaurants and culinary experiences in Ireland. Dingle has an extraordinary archaeological heritage and the area west around Slea Head is particularly rich in artefacts. 

The Dingle Way allows you to experience all of these as it follows the Atlantic coastline around the entire peninsula. Apart from Dingle town the villages are small and make for relaxing overnight stays where you are always guaranteed a wonderful traditional pub only minutes from your guesthouse. It is the sea that dominates the Dingle Way and you are never far from it. The wide Atlantic panoramas are breathtaking especially around Slea Head and the Brandon Mountains. The striking coastline is a major feature along the Dingle Way, while inland the Slieve Mish and Brandon mountains form a central spine. 

The trail is a mix of mountain tracks, coastal trails, beach and quiet country roads and there is a good variety of all. Some days can be almost all coast and beach while another can see you hike to over 630 metres (2,000 feet) as you cross the Brandon Mountain range towards Cloghane. In the westernmost parts of the Dingle Way, the Blasket Islands dominate, and they can be visited from Dingle, Ventry and Dunquin. The Islands were inhabited until as recently as 1953 and had an very rich literary tradition producing famous writers such as Peig Sayers and Tomas O Criomhthain. Many of the Islanders moved to Dunquin but a large group moved to America settling in Springfield in Massachusetts. 

In Ireland it is perhaps the pubs and the traditional music scene that Dingle has been most strongly associated with. It really has some of the nicest and most traditional pubs in Ireland and in recent years it has also become home to a number of new breweries and distilleries. On a quiet night in Dingle you can still expect up to seven or eight music sessions dotted around the town in the various pubs. 

The Dingle Way offers not only stunning coastal and mountain scenery but with some of the best pubs, best food and best music in Ireland it is difficult not to choose Dingle for your next walking holiday adventure. We look forward to seeing you soon

Note: For those wishing to take a rest day, we can recommend Dingle town in the west of the peninsula. It is an attractive traditional town with by far the best choice of pubs, restaurants and the liveliest traditional music scene in South West Ireland.  Just let us know and we can include an extra rest or two into your itinerary. Dingle is also a haven for many artists and there are some lovely craft stores in the town. The Irish language is very much alive in the town and integrated into the local arts and crafts. The town itself is a fishing port and some restaurants even have their own fishing boats. Dingle also allows you to take a boat trip to the Blasket Islands, boats leave daily from the pier (weather permitting) and you can choose to land on the Island or just take a tour around the Island. If you prefer a smaller more rural locations with just one or two pubs, then Annascual, Ventry, Dunquin, Ballydavid or Cloghane can be recommended.

Our Self Guided Walking Holidays 

Wonderful Ireland looks after all the aspects of your walking holiday so that you can relax and take in the beauty of the countryside around you. Our driver can meet you at Kerry Airport or Tralee train station and bring you to your first guesthouse.  Transfer from Cork Airport also available (175€ supplement). 

Through almost 20 years of experience we have selected the best places to stay along the Dingle Way. Each day we also transport your luggage between the guesthouses. Breakfast is provided each morning in addition to a packed lunch for each day’s hike. On your final day we will meet you at your guesthouse and bring you back to Kerry airport or Tralee Train Station. We also supply you with the latest waterproof walking notes, maps and guidebooks to make sure you get the most from your visit. Also supplied is a cell phone that has the best coverage on the Dingle peninsula and we are only a phone call away should you require backup or support during your trek. We can also supply you with use of complimentary hiking poles if required..