Hiking tours in Ireland

Kerry - One of the most famous counties in Ireland and deservedly so with spectacular mountains, lakes, charming towns and village, and archaeological sites that date to 5000BC.

This tour will take you from the lively town of Killarney around the full Ring of Kerry or circle of the Iveragh peninsula where you will stay in little villages and visit the Skellig Islands a world heritage site that was inhabited by monks in the 6th century. The Skellig Islands are two islands that are beside each other that are like pyramids sticking out of the sea. Little Skellig is home to over 40,000 gannets. Make sure you wear a good hat or you may get blessed while visiting this place!

Your tour is not about just hiking, it is about discovering the majestic, mystical island of Ireland. You will learn about the history of the emerald isle, the myths and legends, you will hear traditional Irish music everywhere you go and watch Gaelic sports being played.

Come along on this fantastic journey and let the emerald isle make it feel like your home. Let your guides take you on a journey you will never forget!

Day 1: 8:00 am
The first day will be spent in the town of Killarney area, the gateway to the peninsula. You will arrive by early afternoon and you will get to walk around the town and visit some of its beautiful parks. You will go for a walk around the part of the National park that is closest to town. No need for big boots this day as all flat and on trail. Overnight in Killarney for 2 nights.

Day 2:
Wake up to a great Irish breakfast for your first day of walking. Today you will be walking up a mountain called Mangerton, view the Devils Punch bowl and do a circular walk around the Horses Glen and if time permits, you will go over to Stoompa before making your way back via Loch Garagarry. Overnight in Killarney again.

Day 3:
You begin your day by driving to the village of Sneem via Kenmare and Molls Gap. You will get to walk along the Kerry Way from Galway's bridge to Kenmare village. It is only a couple of hours walk so you will have lunch in Kenmare before traveling to the village of Sneem where more adventures begin later that day. Sneem is a wonderful little village that was made famous when Charles De Gaulle picked it as one of his favorite holiday destinations and now there is a square named after him there. On arrival you can take a short stroll along the Sneem River and visit some pyramids made by Irish people!

Day 4:
This is a brilliant day of walking where you go up Knocknagantee, Knockmoyle and back via Eagles Lough and Louth Coomnacronra. Today you will really get to see what the Iveragh peninsula is about with beautiful lakes, views of the sea all around you and sheer drops down to bottomless lakes. The mountains of Kerry are some of the most mysterious in Ireland and not many people venture into this part of the peninsula so you will be guaranteed solitude today, just you and your group!

Day 5:
Leaving Sneem this morning you'll enjoy a wonderful morning walk around the historic Derrynane National Park and Abbey Island with great coastal vistas. This was once the home of Daniel O'Connell, The Liberator. You will learn all about this amazing man on the tour and what he did for Ireland, its people and the Catholic religion in Ireland. It is a nice relaxing days walking today before you head towards Waterville, a favorite holiday location of Charlie Chaplin! From there you travel to Caherciveen where you will be staying for 2 nights.

Day 6:
On your 6th day you will get to visit Skellig Michael, that world heritage site off the coast of the Iveragh peninsula. If weather permits you will take the boat from Portmagee and take a short trip to the islands where you will take a walk and learn about the people that lived there and why they decided to live on such a remote and inhospitable place! If you are unable to visit this location today, you will be visit Valentia Island instead; accessible by bridge! You will take short walks or cycle around this island from Knightstown, the main town of the island. Full of history, this is a lovely place to visit. Overnight again in Caherciveen.

Day 7:
On your pulmultimate day you will visit the Glenbeigh region of the peninsula and walk around Seefin Mountain looking down onto Lough Caragh. You will be on the Kerry way for some of the day but also you will be heading off the beaten track to get to the top of Seefin and down to the Caragh river. You will have a farewell dinner in the picturesque village of Glenbeigh. Your guide usually brings you down to the lovely beach the following morning before heading home.

Day 8:
Unfortunately you will have to depart the tour today and make your way back to Dublin or Shannon. Say farewell to everyone on the tour and exchange email addresses and lots of tears! You will make a couple of stops on the way back but you can expect to arrive back in Dublin by 5 at the latest on this day.

Accommodations
You will be mixing hostels with the finest guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and self catering apartments in Ireland for your walking holiday. The rooms you will use during your holiday will range from two to four bed accommodations, with the possibility of having a single room. If there are more than two with you, your guide can arrange three and four bed rooms in the guesthouses ensuite. The self catering apartments work quite well as people have a place to congregate in the evening time and have a laugh about the days activities and about each other!

All of the accommodations selected for you to enjoy during your adventure holiday is approved by the Irish Tourist Board. Your guide has chosen locations of outstanding natural beauty, so that you can enjoy the best of Irish rural life and scenery while on your hiking tour.

If doubles or family rooms are required, this must be specified at least two weeks prior to departure.

Meals
Each morning breakfast will be ready for you in the kitchens of the establishments you are staying. This is a continental breakfast i.e. Cereal, toast, cheese. You may even have the pleasure of having a cooked Irish breakfast on more than one occasion!

Your guide takes packed lunches with on your day's adventures. These will mostly be made by the guesthouses but sometimes you may have to make them in the kitchen with the group. Everything will be laid out for you. Vegetarians will be catered for.

Your evening meals will either be in your accommodation or in a local pub. This is the time for you to literally "chill out" and talk about the activities that you did that day. You will notice while you are walking the conversation doesn't necessarily flow as you are moving most of the time and your mind is focused on where you are walking, what you are doing and the beauty of the area you are in. In the evening you can really sit down and get to know your fellow adventurers.

Dinners in the evening at the only part of the tour that will not be covered in the cost of the tour. Most of the guesthouses will have the option of having dinner there, otherwise your guide will recommend you the best restaurants and pubs for pub grub that evening. Prices are reasonable in Ireland for dinner in the evening.

Tour does not include hotel pick up. Rates are per person in US dollars. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-217-2297.