Hiking the Dingle Way - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Tralee

Welcome to Ireland! You will start your hike on the Dingle Way in the busy town of Tralee, which is famous for its annual Rose of Tralee International Festival, which is a yearly competition celebrated that celebrates Irish women and the cultural importance of the region.

Tralee is the starting point of the Kerry Camino, a walk modeled on the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain that was historically popular with Catholic pilgrims. This coastal path joins the towns of Tralee and Dingle along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Day 2: Hike to Camp

Today, you'll head out of Tralee on an 11-mile (19 km) hike to the town of Camp. The trail passes the entrances to several impressive glacial valleys where a number of streams make their way towards the sea. These streams are easily crossed by footbridges or by stepping stones.

Keep an eye out an old Victorian-era reservoir that used to supply water to Tralee along this mountain section. Towards the end of this section, the trail descends onto a hedge-lined stone path which used to be the old Tralee-Dingle road. The preserved ruins of Killelton Oratory can be found to the left of the path. This part is best to walk on a clear day as it is often used as a cattle road, so it can get quite muddy on rainy days. Several stiles have to be crossed before you reach a paved road.

Day 3: Hike to Annascaul

The 10-mile (17 km) walk from Camp to Annascaul is very gentle, and it's predominately along quiet boreens (small country lanes) which wind through the countryside, offering views of the mountains and the North Atlantic coast.

When you reach Annascaul, you can take a walk on Inch Beach. This is one of the longest beaches on the Wild Atlantic Way and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 4: Hike to Dingle

Today, you'll walk 13 miles (22 km) along rural roads and coastal tracks until you turn inland, gradually gaining altitude as you climb to the picturesque fishing village of Dingle, which is the end of the Kerry Camino. This is one of the top villages to visit along the Wild Atlantic Way. There are plenty of cafes, pubs, restaurants and other places of interest to explore.

Here are a few activities you can book in Dingle:

• Arrange an extra night's stay to take a daylong boat tour to the Great Blasket Island 
• Swim with a dolphin
• Go horseback riding on mountain trails or sandy beaches
• Take a boat tour of Dingle Harbour
• Visit the Dingle wildlife and seal sanctuary
• Head to Ireland's largest indoor climbing wall

Day 5: Hike to Dunquin

Today, your 12-mile (20 km) hike will take you through a mixture of boreens and coastal paths on the Dingle Way today. Over the course of about five hours, you will have some of the best views of the Great Blasket Islands and the dramatic coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way no matter what the weather conditions are.

If you'd like to add an extra day to your itinerary, you can take a day off of your trek and take a boat tour to the Great Blasket Island (weather dependent).

Day 6: Brandon Point - Feohanagh

Today, you will reach Brandon Point, the highest point of altitude on your trip before you descend and enter the Brandon Head Nature Reserve, which is best known for its blanket bogs and heather. Your hike will take you 15 miles (25 km) along your route, and it will take about five and a half hours.

You can follow the trail to the viewing point at Brandon Point. From there, you will be moving back on boreens, where you can look down onto Lady's Island and Llandaff.

Day 7: Hike to Castlegregory

Today's hike will take about 7 hours as you hike 17 miles (28 km) on this section of the Wild Atlantic Way, but the very mild ascent and the descent will help it feel shorter. You will spend a larger part of the day walking along beaches and coastal trails. This section of the Dingle Way, like some of the others, is dotted with great picnic spots, so consider packing a lunch. There are also a few cafes and restaurants in the villages of Faramore and Kilshannig.

You'll spend the evening in Castlegregory, a small town in the Dingle Peninsula.

Day 8: Hike to Tralee

Your last day walking on the Dingle Way is long, and it will take you about seven and a half hours to complete the 16-mile (27 km) stretch, but the way is relatively flat with stunning coastal views of the Bay of Tralee. You will be walking along rural roads and coastal trails before taking on a low-level mountain trail on your walk back into Tralee.

Alternatively, if you want to have a more relaxed day, you can catch a bus or taxi to Tralee from the village of Camp.

Day 9: Departure Day

It's time to say goodbye to Ireland! After your last breakfast, a private driver will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to the airport where you'll catch your flight home.