{"id":549,"date":"2020-04-22T16:49:13","date_gmt":"2020-04-22T15:49:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alaindwalkingsneem.ie\/?p=549"},"modified":"2023-08-15T15:47:50","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T14:47:50","slug":"the-kerry-way-walking-trail-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alaindwalkingireland.ie\/the-kerry-way-walking-trail-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The Kerry Way Walking Trail Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The Kerry Way is one of the best Multi-Day Walking Trails in Ireland or probably anywhere for that matter. This is because it offers spectacular and diverse scenery that will take your breath away. Furthermore, following quality signposting makes it easy to experience stunning lakes, mountains, valleys and epic coastline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another attraction is the sense of remoteness it offers, without ever really being too far from the nearest village. Hence at the end of your day\u2019s walking, you can enjoy a restaurant meal, satisfying pint and comfortable accommodation. For example the village of Sneem links the Catherdaniel and Kenmare sections and offers a great choice of restaurants<\/a>, lively pubs<\/a> and highly rated accommodation<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Kerry Way lies on the Iveragh Peninsula in Kerry in the southwest corner of Ireland. You’ll find that we use ‘Ring of Kerry’ and ‘Iveragh’ interchangeably to refer to the one pensinsula. Putting it into geographical context, it lies between the Dingle and Beara Peninsulas and Killarney is its main town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, the Kerry Way is a pedestrian-only route made up of hillside trails, coastal paths and narrow lanes, while the Ring of Kerry Driving Route<\/a><\/strong> is the N70 national primary road. Both are distinct and separate entities, although they shadow one another for much of their length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Kerry Way is the name of the walking trail, which is one of Ireland\u2019s longest. Its official opening in 1989 followed a community-wide program to link up a spider’s web network of lanes, tracks and paths. In completing the loop, they also installed hundreds of stiles, way-markers and numerous footbridges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For much of its 214 km the trail shadows the above N70 driving route around the peninsula. That said, it mostly sits hidden from view either above it or below it. Consequently, you can walk the Kerry Way and be oblivious to the nearby traffic and hustle and bustle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, they also diverge when the Kerry Way trail cuts across the mountainous spine of the peninsula, taking you to hidden scenic gems unreachable by road. At these points, you\u2019ll walk through the foothills of the Macgillycuddy Reeks, Ireland\u2019s tallest mountains and the Dunkerron Mountains<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ll always remember the day I first set foot on the Kerry way, to walk from Torc Waterfall outside Killarney to Derrycunnihy church. The route including stops would take me about three hours to complete the 10km. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting from the top of the stunning waterfall, I set out onto a track known as the \u2018Butter Road\u2019 or \u2018Old Kenmare Road\u2019. It wasn\u2019t long before I caught my first glimpse of the broad Valley and tall mountains on either side. I simply had to stop to enjoy the silence and take in the magnificence of this majestic trail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Continuing further I reached a primeval woodland, where the path narrowed into a rocky stepped one. This rocky path cut its way tunnel-like through the surrounding gnarled oak trees. With each step, my excitement increased and the walking just got better and better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I felt so exhilarated by this woodland experience and I understand why for many people \u2018bathing in trees\u2019 has become a thing these days. Under their extensive canopy, I immediately felt at ease. At the same time, time appeared to slow and my senses heightened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The trail’s stillness belied its proximity to a busy driving route. The traffic on the N70 driving route<\/a> might as well have been kilometres away, for I heard no mechanical sounds for the next eight kilometres. <\/p>\n\n\n\n My overriding emotions of my first Kerry Way experience were excitement coupled with amazement. Amazement because this phenomenal walking trail had opened 20-years previously and this was my first experience of it and on it. However, I have made up for this since and have explored the entire Kerry way \u2018half section by half section\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You will note above that I wrote ‘half section by half section’ and it\u2019s for good reason. The Kerry way is over 200 KM, which guidebooks typically breaks into 9 daily sections. Although you have some choices, the average daily distance remains circa 20KM, which for most represents quite an endurance test. Instead I prefer to walk half sections and to focus my attention on the best walking sections. In fact my Best of the Kerry Way <\/a>Walking Holiday does just this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Walking between 10 and 14 km while taking time to soak in the views is perfect in my view. True, it requires additional logistical planning and local knowledge but it truly rewards your planning. With a pleasurable amount of walking each day, you\u2019ll have magical experiences across woodland, upland, moorland and coastal sections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Over time, I’ve learned that \u00c1laind Walking guests on our Kerry Way holidays<\/a> prefer focusing on the best sections too. In so doing, they get the maximum Kerry Way experience from a manageable & enjoyable amount of effort. To a person, they are excited about the next day’s walk, while also enjoying very relaxing evenings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In reality there’s too many to describe them all and it\u2019s not my intent to do that here. However, here is a taste of some of my favourite half sections of the Kerry Way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a longer day\u2019s walk \u00c1laind Walking sometimes combines two of these sections depending on our guests desires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As I mentioned above Torc to Derrycunnihy was a wonderful first taste of the Kerry Way. In fact it was the spark of my walking passion which I pursued to ultimately qualify as a Mountain Leader<\/a> and professional guide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting at the step of Torc Waterfall, it follows the Old Kenmare Road, also known as the Butter Road. Even though it’s a fantastic walk, you may be surprised to hear that you might not meet another walker along the route. Congestion is definitively not a problem here! <\/p>\n\n\n\n This section has it all, including a wide valley between the towering mountains of Mangerton and Torc, wonderful native woodland and the idyllic Cores Cascade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ll never\nforget the first time I did the Black Valley to Bridia Valley section of the\nKerry Way. Even before we reached our Dromluska starting point, the walk\nprovided me a hugely memorable experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rounding a bend on the south banks of Cummeenduff Lough, what I saw ahead caused me to stop the car. There sitting on a rock on the side of the road was a huge bird. Never had I seen the likes of this before!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I thought it must be a Golden Eagle and as I approached I saw there were two of them. How privileged I felt to see two wild eagles up so close. However, they didn’t hand around and quickly took to the air on their massive wings, landing in pine trees on the opposite side of the lake. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAre the Kerry Way and Ring of Kerry Driving Route different<\/strong>?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Kerry Way Walking Trail<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Unforgettable First Experiences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
At ease in the Primeval Woodland<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How Far Do you Walk Each Day?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Favourite Half Sections<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Torc to Derrycunnihy <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Black Valley to Bridia Valley<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Meet The Kerry Sea Eagles<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n