Dingle - the name rings a bell and the area is a popular holiday destination. The Dingle Way makes
a complete circuit around the mountainous Dingle Peninsula from Tralee. The route is mostly along fairly easy paths, tracks and minor roads, but there is one high-level stretch crossing a gap on the shoulder of Brandon Mountain. Accommodation is widely available, but there are some places where the choice is quite limited.
Suggested Walking Schedule
Day 1 Tralee - Camp Miles: 15
Day 2 Camp - Annascual Miles: 16
Day 3 Annuscaul - Dingle Miles: 13
Day 4 Dingle - Dunquin Miles: 13
Day 5 Dunquin - Baile na nGall Miles: 13
Day 6 Baile na nGall - Cloghane Miles: 13
Day 7 Castlegregory - Tralee Miles: 13
Day 8 Castlegregory - Tralee Miles: 13
Day 1
Tralee
is the county town of Kerry, and a place of history and culture. Find time to
explore the museum and other exhibits in the Ashe Memorial Hall. The Dingle Way
leaves town and follows an old ship canal towards a fine arched bridge at
Blennerville. There is a windmill and visitor centre at Blennerville, with
exhibits focusing on emigration from the area. The route follows a road uphill,
then traces a path along the lower slopes of the Slieve Mish Mountains. The
ruined village of Killelton is passed and a short detour brings the village of
Camp within reach.
Day 2
Leaving Camp, a minor road is followed uphill
across the slopes of Corrin. There is a long and gradual descent through a broad
and boggy valley, with one section under forest cover. The route runs above the
lovely village of Inch, with its famous sandy strand stretching into Dingle Bay.
Old roads and tracks lead uphill and across the gap of Maum. To the right is a
prominent standing stone and a fine view towards Beenoskee.The little village of
Annascaul lies at the end of the road and offers a good range of
services.
Day 3
Roads are followed from Annascaul to Kilmurry
Bay where Minard Castle stands above an exceptionally bouldery beach. Roads and
tracks zigzag inland to the village of Lispole, then the Dingle Way heads
towards the lower slopes of the mountains. After passing a series of small farms
huddled against the mountains, the route uses the former line of the, famous
Connor Pass to reach the busy town of Dingle. A full range of facilities, music,
dance and distractions galore are available. Dolphin mania struck the town after
Fungi, "The Dingle Dolphin", took up residence offshore some years ago.
 Day 4
The Dingle Way passes
the "Gates of Glory" and other ancient remains on the way to the little village
of Ventry. A walk along Ventry Strand is followed by a fine path contouring
around the slopes of Eagle Mountain, turning around Slea Head and enjoying fine
coastal views. Little stone clochans, or beehive shaped huts, can be seen below
the path. After turning Slea Head there is a view of the celebrated Blasket
Islands, where a day might be spent exploring if the ferries are running.
Dunquin makes a fine base in this area and the scattered village has a small
range of facilities.
Day 5
Beyond Dunquin an old road passes behind Clogher Head
and the cliffs known as the Three Sisters. A walk around the beaches of Smerwick
Harbour can include a detour inland to see Gailarus Oratory - an ancient stone
church which is very popular with visitors. The Dingle Way forges deep in the
heart of the "Gaeltacht" or Irish speaking area, evidenced by the large number
of signs in Irish and the transmitter mast of Radio na Gaeltachta near Baile na
nGall.
Day 6
The Dingle Way passes behind Ballydavid Head and
proceeds along a road to Brandon Creek, where St. Brendan the Navigator is said
to have set sail, and may even have discovered America. The route uses the
course of the Military Road, now no more than a vague track, to reach a high gap
between Masatiompan and Brandon Mountain. Clear weather is most helpful on this
arduous crossing, which is followed by a long descent via Arraglen and Sauce
Creek to reach the villages of Brandon and Cloghane.
Day 7
A series of short waymarked trails are available
around Brandon and Cloghane, but the Dingle Way leaves the area and takes to the
beach at Formoyle. There is a long, sandy beach walk around Brandon Bay to the
old church and village at Fahamore at the end of the Magharcees Peninsula. The
Dingle Way comes ashore, then heads to the beach on the far side of the
peninsula. The walk around Tralee Bay to the village of Castlegregory can be
rather more pebbly in places.
Day 8
Roads are used to leave Castlegregory and the beach is regained at Aughacasla. The route can be rocky. The Dingle Way heads around Carrigagharoe Point and passes below the village of Camp, before climbing uphill to reach the ruined village of Killelton. The walk along the Dingle Way could be terminated at Kiliciton, or nearby Camp, or steps could be retraced along the foot of the Slieve Mish Mountains to return to Blennerville and Tralee.
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