Compare Dingle Peninsula 8-Day Self-Guided HIKE by South West Walks Ireland
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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Duration | 8 days |
Price From | $ 727 |
Price Per Day | $ 91 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Self-guided tour |
Lodging Level | Basic |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | |
Cities and Attractions | N/A |
Flights & Transport | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included | N/A |
Description |
The Dingle Peninsula is one of the most spectacular regions on Ireland’s West Coast. Moreover it is steeped in history, mythology and traditional Irish culture. There is no other landscape in Western Europe with the same density and variety of archaeological monuments. This mountainous finger of land, jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, has supported various tribes and populations for at least 6,000 years. Because of its remote location – and lack of specialised agriculture – there is a remarkable preservation of over 2000 monuments. It is impossible to visit the Dingle Peninsula and not be impressed by its archaeological heritage, which ranges from prehistoric times through the Early Christian period to the Middle Ages. |
Day 1
Arrive in Tralee – the administrative capital of County Kerry. On arrival at your first guesthouse, your hostess will give you your full detailed information pack. She will also be able to suggest some of the many local restaurants or pubs for food and possibly music.
Access for this holiday can be from Kerry, Dublin, Cork or Shannon Airports with bus and/or train connections available to Tralee all year round.
Day 2
Leave your guesthouse, and walk from there along back country roads to join the Dingle Way. You follow this route under the Slieve Mish Mountains before joining what was once an old road to Dingle. Passing a fascinating 12th century oratory, you then continue to the village of Camp.
Walk Details: Distance: 16kms. Duration: 5 hours. Max. Height: 250m. Rocky and muddy mountain and grass tracks. Can be wet underfoot – boots essential.
Day 3
Walk from Camp to the lively little village of Annascaul. This walk takes you through a fascinating area of bog where many people still come to cut their winter fuel. Crossing to the south side of the peninsula, you arrive at the magnificent Inch Beach, before continuing inland to Annascaul village for your overnight stop.
Walk Details: Distance: 17kms. Duration: 5 hours. Max. Height: 200m. Road walking on quiet back country roads, then onto grassy tracks and finishing on road. Boots recommended.
Day 4
Leaving the village of Annascaul, you head for the town of Dingle. The route passes through Minard, with its 16th century castle, and the village of Lispole.
It then takes old, narrow country lanes through Lisdargan and Ballingarraun before joining the old military road below the Connor Pass, and on into Dingle..
Walk Details: Distance: 21kms. Duration: 6 hours. Max. Height: 300m. Country lanes, grass tracks and some road walking. Boots essential.
Day 5
Your route today starts just outside Dingle, passing the Early Christian site of Kilcolman and continuing to the glorious sweep of Ventry beach. From here it takes you on a beautiful and very historic walk around Slea Head, finishing Dunquin. This walk offers an opportunity to see ‘beehive huts’ at close quarters, and also a full view of the Blasket Islands.
Walk Details: Distance: 19kms. Duration: 5.5 hours. Max. Height: 350m. Rocky and grass tracks, beach walking and some road walking. Boots essential.
Day 6
Transfer to the tiny hamlet of Tiduff. Walk from here along an old military road to the eastern side of the Brandon massif, finishing in the village of Cloghane.
This is a remote but spectacular walk – full of history and through country only accessible on foot.
Walk Details: Distance: 22kms. Duration: 6.5 hours. Max. Height: 650m. Grass mountain tracks with e rocky sections. Gravel tracks and some road walking. Boots essential.
Day 7
A wonderful walk along the Dingle Peninsula from North to South, following a spectacular old farmer’s track. You walk over the plateau, passing a deserted famine village and Annascaul Lake on the way. You descend into the village of Annascaul. Overnight in Annascaul.
Walk Details: Distance: 14kms. Duration: 5 hours. Max. Height: 375m. Grass mountain tracks with some rocky sections; can be damp. Boots recommended.
Day 8
Departure from Annascaul to Tralee town by public or private transport. From Tralee, connections by bus and train are frequent to Cork, Limerick, Shannon or Dublin.