If you only have a small window of opportunity, this five day walking break on the Dingle Peninsula in southwest Ireland will enscapsulate the very best of the Dingle Way walking route from Dingle Town to Cloghane. Experience spectacular scenery, fine walking and local hospitality. History and culture are an integral part of this most westerly corner of Europe.
Tour Highlights
- Quick stop immersion in the western best.
- Pre-Christian sites abound here. Watch the local cows scratch the itch on megalithic stones!
- Fresh fresh, fresh seafood!
Itinerary
Arrival to Dingle town. There is a bus service from Tralee, or seasonal summer service from Killarney. Overnight accommodation in Dingle town.
Limber up with a local circuit walk on Ballysitteragh Hill. This is a strenuous but very rewarding walk, with fabulous views of Dingle town and harbour; on a good day you can see most of the peninsula. It is not compulsory to complete the full round trip, you can walk as far as you feel comfortable with and return the same way.
Distance 19km. Ascents 630m. Approximate walking time 6.5 hours. Short return 10km, 4 hours
Dingle harbour walk, a low level easy walk by the shoreline on the eastern side of the harbour.
Distance 6km. No ascents. Approximate walking time 2 hours.
Day 2 – Dingle to Dunquin
Minor roads take you from Dingle to Ventry; beyond is some of the most spectacular scenery you could hope to find. Cross the magnificent Ventry harbour, weave through fuchsia hedges and climb an old track on the foothill of Mount Eagle past the early Christian beehive huts at Fahan. Behind are views south to the Ring of Kerry and Valentia Island. Ahead the route opens up to Slea Head and the Blasket Islands. This is the most westerly point in Europe, beyond is North America!
Distance 25km. Ascents 650m. Approximate walking time 7 hours.
Optional route over Mount Eagle add 5km and 2 hours
We include notes for this climb, only advisable in good weather conditions.
Overnight accommodation in Dunquin village.
Day 3 – Dunquin to Ballydavid
We recommend a visit to the Blasket Island Interpretative Centre before departing Dunquin. The centre illustrates the harshness of life on the Blasket Islands, until the last inhabitants resettled to the mainland in 1953. Other than fishing, and sheep farming on the wind blown hills, there is little else to maintain the local communities. The walking 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. Ascents 180m. Approximate walking time 5 hours.
Optional route over Cruach Mharthain add 1 hour.
Overnight accommodation in Boherboy or Feoghanagh village. (+3-5km from Ballydavid)
Day 4 – Free day Ballydavid
You are in the cradle of early Christian civilization here, with as many as sixty notable sites of cultural and religious development from the 5th to 9th centuries. An optional hike takes you up; up to the saddle of Mas an Tiompain (the Pass of the Drum) below Mount Brandon, Ireland’s second highest mountain at 950m. The scenery is superb – Tralee Bay, the Magharees against the hues of the Slieve Mish mountains. There are several local hikes including Ballydavid Head taking in the spectacular 9th century stone fort of Cathair Fionnurach.
Distance 14km. Ascents 750m. Approximate walking time 5 hours.
Overnight accommodation in Ballydavid.
Day 5 – Departure from Dingle
Transfer from your guesthouse back to Dingle town (10 minutes). Year round bus services are available from Dingle to Tralee or a seasonal service (June, July) to Killarney.
Prices & Booking
€140 single supplement.
What’s Included
* Four nights Bed & Breakfast guesthouse accommodation;
* Luggage transfers each day;
* Detailed route descriptions;
* Relevant 1:50000 maps.
What’s not included:
* Other meals.
* Entries or excursions.
* Transfers to/from Dingle.
Guest Reviews
August 2021 – Guido & Alicia, Switzerland
We just went back from ireland yesterday and let me tell: We really enjoyed our hiking tour around the dingle peninsula! Everything was perfect and well organized. Thank you so much.
July 2021 – Marie & Hans, Holland
Thank you for making our stay in Ireland so well. The last day we had to take the bad weather tour from Bally David. Everything we was wearing was wet. We got a lift to the pub with the owner and the dinner was super. We took a sticky tofee pudding , we were really worth it. The B&Bs were all very good. The food at Donquin was excellent.
June 2019 – Joan & Angelika, NY
Thanks for your note and even more so for arranging the trip. We had an absolutely amazing time. As you know the weather was perfect, as we we heard from everyone we met along the way very unusual and special for Ireland. This made for easy walking and brilliant scenery. It was not hard to imagine really needing “gaitors” along the way from Tralee to Camp! I think the only day that we had even the slightest bit of overcast was as we climbed Mt Brandon. This in fact, was much appreciated as the trails in the US generally have switchbacks, so the breeze and overcast skies made walking straight up just a little easier. (BTW we had full sun by the time we reached the top!) It did not keep us from dawdling a bit along the way, and we had time enough to take over 250 pics along the way to prove it! I can’t imagine deleting anything that we saw!
June 2019 – Anna & Dirk, Belgium
Just wanted to let you know that we had wonderful holidays in Ireland.
Walking “the Dingle Way” was an amazing experience- we truly enjoyed it.
This is really a gorgeous part of Ireland and the weather couldn’t be better.
May 2019 – Debbie & Peter, Auckland NZ
We did have a great trip!!!
We enjoyed hearing spoken Irish which is one of the things we felt made The Dingle peninsula particularly special. The weather was fantastic and we very much enjoyed all our hosts.
August 2018 – Tamburro Family, Colorado USA
The trip was great. Really lovely country, great weather, the people at the B&Bs were very nice and welcoming. Thanks much for your help on the trip. It was reassuring knowing we could contact you if there were problems.
August 2018 – Inge, Brussels, Belgium
It ‘s being perfect! The end of today ‘s walk was a surprise gift : The Cliff walk Path just before going to An Doreen in Balleydavid!
When I am home I will let you know more. Hope I can get up that mountain tomorrow!
June 2018 – Karin & 3 friends, Koblenz, Germany
Thank you a lot for the wonderful days in Ireland. It was great! Good descriptioin, helpful guide. Nice B&B´s and pubs. Very friendly people! The weather was breezy first, but then very warm. Only 6 hours raining in 8 days!!! We even went into the sea last day- wonderful fresh!
Location & Grade
