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Kw oberhalb dingle bay

Treks / Ireland

Kerry Way

Ireland · Nearest city: Cork (also Killarney)

TypeMulti-day trek
Days9
Distance≈ 200 km
Climbingvaries
Highest point385 m

A long loop around the Iveragh Peninsula from Killarney, on old roads and green hills above the Atlantic.

Fitness Demanding
Best seasonApril to October

Watch out: Long stages and changeable weather. Waterproofs are essential.

Why people choose it

It's the walking version of the Ring of Kerry: Atlantic views, green hills and Irish pubs without the tour buses.

What makes it different

  • Loops around the Iveragh Peninsula
  • Old roads and green hills above the Atlantic
  • Traditional Irish pubs in the villages

Route options

There is rarely just one way to walk Kerry Way. These are the main choices people make.

  • Length: most people take 9 days, 9 is typical. You can shorten it by skipping a stage with a bus or lift, or lengthen it with rest days.
  • Where to start: it's a loop, so you can start at any stop, for example Killarney, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen. Start where transport or free beds suit you.
  • Access path near Cahersiveen (9.4 km): a path that joins the trail from a road or village.
  • Variants are shown as dotted purple lines on the map above, as mapped in OpenStreetMap. Some are harder or more exposed than the main route: check conditions locally before you pick one.

Similar treks to consider

Menalon Trail Greece · 5–8 days · 75 km A certified trail through the mountains of Arcadia in the Peloponnese, linking stone villages, monasteries... GR 221 Dry Stone Route Spain (Mallorca) · 7–8 days · 140 km A walk through Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana on old mule tracks built with dry stone walls, between... Coast to Coast Walk United Kingdom (England) · 12–14 days · 300 km Alfred Wainwright's walk across northern England from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay, through three national parks.

Before you go

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.

Phone and data

Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.

Europe eSIM on Airalo

Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.

Insurance that covers this trek

Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.

Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.

World NomadsHeymondoSafetyWingTrue Traveller

True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.

Camping and where to sleep

There is no general right to wild camp in Ireland. Ask the landowner or use campsites and hostels.

Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.

Route map

Download GPX

Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.

Trail from OpenStreetMap (211.8 km) Route variant Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city

Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.

Stops: Killarney → Glenbeigh → Cahersiveen → Waterville → Caherdaniel → Sneem → Kenmare → back to Killarney

Simple overview map
KillarneyGlenbeighCahersiveenWatervilleCaherdanielSneemKenmare20 kmN

Step by step

  1. Months before

    Plan and book

    • Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
    • Best time to go: April to October.
  2. 6–12 weeks before

    Train and test your gear

    • Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
    • Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
    • Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.

    Readiness quiz · Packing list

  3. Getting there

    Travel to the start

    • Most people start from Cork.
  4. On the trail

    Walk it

    • Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
  5. The finish

    Get home

    • The route is a loop, so you finish where you started.

How the season changes things

Best time: April to October

April to May

Spring

Often the driest time of year, with long days and fresh green hills. Can still be cold and windy on the tops.

Bring

  • Warm layer and hat
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Gloves for high ground

June to August

Summer

Longest days and warmest weather, but also rain showers, busier trails and, in Scotland, midges.

Bring

  • Midge head net and repellent in Scotland
  • Waterproofs, always
  • Book accommodation early

September to October

Autumn

Fewer people and beautiful colours, but wetter, windier weather and shorter days.

Bring

  • Full waterproofs, jacket and trousers
  • Headlamp
  • Waterproof boots

Be ready for

Rain

Plan for rain on most days. A proper waterproof jacket, a pack liner and quick-dry clothes keep you comfortable.

Rain jackets →

Strong wind

Exposed ridges and summits can be very windy and cold. A windproof layer and hat are worth carrying even on warm days.

Rain jackets →

Long days

Expect 7–10 hour days. Start early, eat little and often, and know your turnaround time.

Headlamps →

What you'll see

7 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.

Kw oberhalb dingle bay
Ladies view
Saint Mary's Cathedral, Killarney - geograph.org.uk
Near CaherdanielRing of Kerry, Ireland
Near KenmarePont sur la BlackWater Kerry
Near KenmareMacGillycuddy's Reeks, Ring of Kerry
Near GlenbeighThe Kerry Way at Gowlane above Glenbeigh - geograph.org.uk

Gear for the Kerry Way

Hiking boots Top pick: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Backpacks Top pick: Osprey Exos 58 Rain jackets Top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Photo credits: Kw oberhalb dingle bay by Dirtsc, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Ladies view by Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Saint Mary's Cathedral, Killarney - geograph.org.uk by Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Ring of Kerry, Ireland by dconvertini, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Pont sur la BlackWater Kerry by Cqui, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Ring of Kerry by Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; The Kerry Way at Gowlane above Glenbeigh - geograph.org.uk by Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.