Our @Ease programmes are designed to give walkers an opportunity to unwind, relax and recover with less unpacking and longer stays. This gives you more time to experience each location, helps ease the pressure on our accommodation providers, and offers a more fuel-efficient option.
The Dingle Way is a circular route of 179km (112mi) circumnavigating the Dingle Peninsula west of Tralee in County Kerry. It follows minor roads, traditional access routes to turf cutting areas and forest paths. The only high ascent is 600m, crossing the shoulder of Brandon Mountain between Ballydavid and Cloghane. This route is well marked and achievable by all walkers.
The Dingle Way walking route skirts the mountains of the Slieve Mish range, which form the spine of this long peninsula, jutting into the Atlantic Ocean. The mountains are rounded, not as high as their nearest neighbours on the Iveragh Peninsula, and formed from a beautiful old red sandstone that is always visible. Glaciation in the last Ice Age left coums and valleys, the natural harbours of Dingle and Ventry and a gentleness that never fails to impress. The western end is breathtaking – the Blasket Islands rear from the Atlantic calling to the sheltered haven of Dunquin (Dun Chaoin) before the mountains rise to the impressive bulk of Brandon, St. Brendan’s Mountain.
The peninsula is littered with remains from the early Christian period, oratories, beehive huts, megalithic tombstones, monastic enclosures, high crosses, to name a few. It is a spiritual awakening. Beautiful white sandy beaches, a temperate Gulf Stream climate and the profusion of strong colours in the flora – montbretia, fuchsia, purple loosestrife to name a few – make the Dingle Peninsula a wonderful location.
The town of Dingle retains its essential character attributed to a working fishing harbour. The steep streets have been reinvented with colourful tourist shops, craft outlets and a host of restaurants and pubs. There are still many local niches to enjoy the town behind the scenes. It is also the centre of one of Ireland’s most popular Gaeltacht regions, where 43% of households are predominantly Gaelic speakers, which adds a wonderful flavour to the local supermarkets!
Overnight stops (apart from Dingle) are in villages, allowing an opportunity to experience life with the locals and a chance to try Guinness and Gaelic.
Price Includes
Optional Extras
Pricing
The 13-day tour is a relaxed version of our Dingle Way tours, incorporating more free days so you can choose how often and how much you walk. This walking tour begins in Annascaul and roams along the Dingle Peninsula to end in Castlegregory.
This tour is rated STRENUOUS for one day and RELAXED for all other days.
See how we determine levels of difficulty for each of our hiking tours by visiting our FAQ page.
Travel to Annascaul village by public transport.
Overnight accommodation in Annascaul.
Free day to explore Annascaul’s lovely Lake Loop Walk or Mweelin Ridge.
Distance 13km (8mi). Approximate walking time 4 hours.
Overnight accommodation in Annascaul.
Walk to Dingle, passing the 12th century Minard Castle through sheep farming country before climbing An Cnoc Maol Mor and descending the old green droving road into Dingle town.
Distance 23km (14mi). Ascents 460m. Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Overnight accommodation in Dingle.
Free Day in Dingle with numerous options, including the Dingle Harbour Path. Save time in the evening to experience Dingle’s live music scene!
Distance 12km (7mi). Approximate walking time 4 hours.
Overnight accommodation in Dingle.
It is mostly minor roads and beaches today, but beyond the village of Ventry is some of the most spectacular scenery you could hope to find. The Way weaves through fuchsia hedges and climbs an old track on the foothill of Mount Eagle past the early Christian beehive huts at Fahan. Behind are views of Ventry Harbour and south to the Ring of Kerry and Valentia Island. Ahead the Way opens up to Slea Head and the Blasket Islands. Beyond this is America!
We included an alternative route over Mount Eagle, which is a gorgeous walk but is demanding and requires navigation skills. It is not advisable in poor weather conditions.
Distance 25km. Ascents 650m. Approximate walking time 7 hours.
Optional extra hike over Mount Eagle: 5km (3mi) and 2 hours.
Overnight accommodation in Dunquin.
Free day in Dunquin. Relax, there is nowhere more beautiful to spend a day. Make sure to visit the Blasket Heritage Centre.
Overnight accommodation in Dunquin.
Today’s route follows the Norse named Smerwick Harbour and a detour takes you to Dun an Oir, the Fort of Gold where Italian and Spaniard soldiers were besieged by troops of Elizabeth 1 in 1580. Ballydavid is a thriving fishing harbour and a Gaelic speaking community.
Distance 16km (10mi). Ascents 180m. Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Overnight accommodation in Ballydavid.
Free day in Ballydavid, home to 80 pre-Christian sites such as Gallarus Oratory and Castle, Reask Settlement and Kilmalkeadar. Explore at will! Local Link bus services are available for getting around.
Overnight accommodation in Ballydavid.
Walk to Cloghane, climbing up to the saddle of Mas an Tiompain (the Pass of the Drum) below Mount Brandon. Take in the superb scenery of Tralee Bay and the Magharees against the hues of the Slieve Mish Mountains.
Distance 22km (14mi). Ascents 30m. Approximate walking time 7 hours.
Overnight accommodation in Cloghane.
Free day in Cloghane, a quiet corner under the brooding peak of Brandon. A nice scenic route along Cappagh mudflats is the perfect antidote to yesterday’s exertions.
Overnight accommodation in Cloghane.
Walk the edge of Brandon Bay to Castlegregory, a traditional village serving this region of the Dingle Peninsula.
Distance 12km (7mi). Approximate walking time 4 hours.
Overnight accommodation in Castlegregory.
Free day in Castlegregory. Follow the coast of the Castlegregory promontory to Scraggane Bay and the limestone Isles of Magharee. A cross slab bearing the Greek Chi-Rho symbol of Christ is in the 15th century Kilshannig Church.
Distance 15km (9mi). Approximate walking time 5 hours.
Overnight accommodation in Castlegregory.
Depart by transfer to Camp for public bus service to Tralee.
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May 2024 – John
I walked the Dingle Way in May 2024 with Tailor-Made, the 10 day walk with a couple of added stops. This is my second walk with Tailor-Made — last year I walked the Kerry Way with them. The Dingle walk itself was a pleasure and it has its share of spectacular views and history. The Way is easy to follow even without the Notes. There is only one big climb, which is both a nice incline (so not steep) and rewards with a true panorama. The B&Bs I stayed at were all very nice. The hosts were friendly, helpful, and served great breakfasts. I particularly liked the places in Dingle, Dun Quin, and An Doneen, but all were comfortable and welcoming (and nicely warned when the pub would stop serving food so you don’t go to bed hungry). I added a couple of extra days so I was able to make a trip from Dingle to Great Blasket Island, which I recommend if you can fit it in. There is a well-preserved circle fort at Dun Quin. I had a few questions for Tailor-Made, which were answered promptly and completely, and they checked in with me along the walk to ensure all was well.
August 2023 – Sonja, Germany
We hiked the Dingle way in August 2023 supported by Tailor-made tours. They selected the “filet pieces” from the 8 day hike because we wanted a shorter duration and a rest day without missing out on the highlights. Tailor-Made Tours booked and organized all our accommodation and luggage transfers for us, so we only carried our daypacks. The B&Bs were all different and all of a good standard. The team at TMT was also able to swiftly deal with a question we had and solved this to our satisfaction. Everything was seamless, easy and friendly – can highly recommend!
May 2023 – Bernie, Australia
A most memorable and enjoyable walk around Dingle Peninsula. Great communications and logistics. The B&Bs were well located, and the owners are lovely, chatty and helpful in everyway. Loved hearing about life for the locals on the Peninsula. And the breakfasts were tasty and very plentiful, to help prepare for a day of walking. Well lucked out so well with the weather, two days absolutely perfect. Highly recommend Deirdre and Sean at Tailor Made Tours Ireland!
September 2023 – Elizabeth
Tailor-Made Tours set up a hiking holiday for my friends and me for September 2023. We hiked in two locations – the Dingle Peninsula and the Wicklow National Park. TMT arranged transportation across country for us, found us nice B&Bs and hotels to stay in and provided us with excellent maps and hiking instructions. Over the course of several months, while arranging our hikes, they were attentive to our needs, answered our myriad questions, and provided us with pertinent information.
It was a pleasure to work with Tailor-Made Tours and I certainly recommend this company for any hiking needs you may have in the beautiful country of Ireland.
+353 86 814 3156
info@tailor-madetours.com
