Vanuit het hart van de County of Kerry volgt u bij “The Kerry Way” de oevers van de Kenmare River. Dagelijks geniet u van vergezichten over het Beara Peninsula, The Isles of Bull &Cow en de Caha Mountains. Wandelend over een oude boterroute, die in vroeger tijden door de boeren werd gebruikt om zuivelproducten naar de markt te brengen, bereikt u Caherdaniel, eens de woonplaats van de beroemde Ierse dichter Daniel O’Connell. Een karrenspoor leidt u verder. Als het schiereiland Dingle langzaam in zicht komt, eindigt de 8-daagse reis; heeft u twaalf dagen de tijd dan sluit u de reis af in de heuvels van de Macgillycuddy’s Reeks. Day 1 – Arrival to Killarney From Cork or Shannon airports, travel by bus to Killarney. The town is world renowned for the unsurpassed beauty of its setting on the shores of Lough Leane. It is an interesting place to stay, with plenty to see and do. Overnight accommodation in Killarney town centre. Day 2 – Killarney to Black Valley Follow the lake shore through Killarney National Park, passing Muckross House & Gardens, Torc Waterfall, and through native oak forests. The Way is well marked and a pleasant start to the tour. Lunch at Lord Brandon’s Cottage at the head of the Upper Lake before entering the remote Black valley – the last place in Ireland to be electrified in 1967. Distance 22km. Ascent 400m. Approximate walking time 7 hours. Overnight in Black Valley farm guesthouse. Dinner will be in your guesthouse. Day 3 – Black Valley to Glencar Old green roads and mountain sheep country, under the magnificent Magillicuddy Reeks and Carrauntohill, Ireland’s highest mountain. The Black Valley passes into the Bridia Valley and mountain farming communities are all that are to be found here. Old roads from settlements go by the magnificent Lough Acoose under the Reeks to Glencar on the Caragh River. Distance 23km. Ascent 300m. Approximate walking time 6 or 7 hours. Overnight accommodation in Glencar townland. Day 4 – Glencar to Glenbeigh Start through the old woodlands of Glencar and lovely Blackstones Bridge. The route climbs above Caragh Lake then crosses Seefin Mountain via the Windy Gap with views of Dingle Bay. Descend through the Cummergorm Glen to the seaside village of Glenbeigh. Distance 13km. Ascent 200m. Approximate walking time 4 hours. Overnight accommodation in Glenbeigh village. Day 5 – Glenbeigh to Derrymore Pass under Seefin mountain with stunning views to the north over the magnificent Rosbeigh Beach and Dingle Bay. The route turns inland at Drung Hill before walking through the Foilmore valley overlooked by the majestic Knocknadobar. Distance 19km or 23 km. Ascents 300m. Approximate walking time 7 hours. Overnight in Derrymore valley. Dinner will be in your guesthouse. Day 6 – Free Day Free day in Derrymore with a number of options. Transfer to Cahirciveen to take a ferry to Valentia Island and walk on the island (11km). Take a boat trip from Portmagee to the Unesco heritage site at the Skellig Islands (45 minutes, fare not included); spectacular scenery with 5th century monastic remains perched on the Atlantic edge. Overnight accommodation in Derrymore valley. Day 7 – Derrymore to Waterville Walk through the hinterland of Cahirciveen. The route passes through turf bogs and pine forest. Some short climbs give views over Valentia Island and the western end of the peninsula. Overnight in Waterville, a colourful coastal village. Distance 25km. Ascents 350m. Approximate walking time 7 hours. Overnight accommodation in Waterville village. Day 8 – Waterville to Caherdaniel A wonderfully scenic route as the Way rounds the southern side of the peninsula into a different climate. The distance is short and there is time to take a detour at Derrynane and visit Derrynane House and Gardens, home of Daniel O’Connell known as ‘The Liberator’ and was the father of Catholic Emancipation during the 19th century. Distance 15km. Ascents 200m. Approximate walking time 5 hours. Overnight accommodation in Caherdaniel village. Day 9 – Caherdaniel to Sneem Walk on the “old Butter road” – from where butter was transported to Cork in the 19th century. The Way climbs again on the foothills of Eagle Hill and a short detour takes you to the 3rd century, stone built Staigue Fort. Your route stays above the main Ring of Kerry road, following rocky paths through sheep country to Sneem. Distance 19km. Ascents 280m. Approximate walking time 6 hours. Overnight accommodation in Sneem village. Day 10 – Sneem to Kenmare This walk takes you along the rocky shoreline of Kenmare Bay, easy walking through forest and the estate of Dromore Castle. The delightful Blackwater Bridge spans the Blackwater River coming from high in the Macgillycuddy Reeks. Kenmare is an interesting and colourful market town, on the banks of the Roughty River where it opens up into Kenmare Bay. Distance 14 or 26km. Ascents 320m. Approximate walking time 6 or 8 hours. Overnight accommodation in Kenmare town. Day 11 – Kenmare to Killarney Walk on the “Old Kenmare Road” a delightful pass at 500m between Peakeen & Knockanaguish mountains. Descend through Killarney National Park, old oak forests, lichens, red deer, views over the Lakes of Killarney. The end of the Way passes 18th century Muckross House and Gardens and into the tourist town of Killarney. Distance 25km. Ascents 550m. Approximate walking time 7 hours. Overnight accommodation in Killarney town centre. Day 12 – Departure from Killarney Departure by bus or train to Killarney.