Walk Killarney & Kerry
KILLARNEY & KERRY - A WALKER'S PARADISE
With 26,000 Acres of "free to roam" Killarney National Park surrounded by Kerry's wonderful landscapes and wilderness, miles of nearby golden "blue flag" beaches and a choice of accommodation, dining and entertainment options second to none, there are few places elsewhere on this earth that can offer the outdoor enthusiast such wonderful choice within such an intimate and hospitable location.
It is said that "in Killarney, you will find a different walking route for every day in the year". This may be an exaggeration, but only just !!. At any time of year, with or without guides, walkers can choose from low level parkland walks around beautiful lakes and through some of Ireland's oldest Oakwoods, to higher level hill walks on old coach roads and bridle paths, or for the more adventurous, take on the 3000 feet + summits of the "iconic" MacGillicuddy Reeks. Long and short "linear" walks including some of the pioneering "waymarked" walks like the Kerry Way and the Dingle Way can be navigated in full or in part. Killarney has a plethora of "loop walks" where walkers return to the start point without recovering their steps - some can be completed in 30 minutes while others can take 4+ hours.
Many of Killarney's accommodation providers cater specifically for the outdoor enthusiast.
"Route Maps" and "Pocket Guides" are available for the recognised established routes, but Killarney offers the pleasure of numerous walking options that are still very much in their "undiscovered" state, presenting the walker with the opportunity to explore and discover at will !!.
For the "Longer Distance Walks", fully organised / guided options are available (See contact details furhter down this page).
Remember when visiting the countryside and nature - "Leave No Trace".
EXAMPLES OF MAIN WALKS
Short Walks/Strolls - Duration at Walkers discretion:
(Many of these walks can be comfortably commenced and completed from the Town)
Killarney Town Trail
Knockreer Gardens
Muckross Gardens commencing at Muckross House
Boathouse Nature Trail commencing at Muckross House
Demesne & River Walk
Mossy Woods Nature Trail commencing at Muckross House
Moderate Walks - 2 hrs. (+/-):
(Some of these walks can be commenced from the Town or from along the route)
Killarney to Ross Castle return via National Park.
Ross Island from Killarney.
Arthur Young Nature Trail commencing at Muckross House.
Blue Pool Nature Trail commencing near Muckross Park Hotel
Muckross House & return commencing at Jaunting Car entrance
The Fossa Way Start from Killarney
Medium Distance Walks & Mountain Hikes - c. half to full Day :
( Usually commenced from a 'Start Point' some distance from the town).
Mangerton Mountain Trail
Torc Waterfall & Mountain Trail
Old Kenmare/Killarney Road - Mountain Trail
Tomies/Shehy/Purple Mountain Trail
Tomies & O'Sullivan’s Cascade Forest Walk
Muckross & Dinis Island - commencing from Killarney Town.
Mangerton Forest Walks
Killarney - Gap of Dunloe - Derrycunnihy - return.
Carantouhill Mountain (trek/climb)
Long Distance Walks - 5 + Days :
The Dingle Way - 179 km - 5/6 days.
The Kerry Way - 215 km - 6/7 days.
The Beara Way - 197 km - 6/7 days.
The Blackwater Way - 188 km - 6/7 days.
GUIDED WALKS CONTACTS
*Irish Country Rambles - Mike O'Connor - killarneywalks@gmail.com
*Hidden Ireland Tours with Con Moriarty
Providing personalised activity and cultural adventures of distinction since 1986.
http://www.hiddenirelandtours.com
con@hiddenirelandtours.com
Irish Country Rambles Walk Killarney & Kerry Programme 2010:
CORRAN TUATHAIL IN SUMMER:
Saturday Aug 7th
The proposed route is to ascend via Brother O’Shea’s Gulley and descend via the Zig Zag. Corran Tuathail is Ireland’s highest mountain and is classified as a strenuous Category “A” mountain trek, requiring a high level of physical fitness and previous experience of trekking on high mountains.
Walk must be booked in advance on 1850 566 466 or through e-mail walk@killarney.ie Reservations and details will then be confirmed by the organisers by phone. The Meeting Point is Cronin’s Yard (at the foot of Corran Tuathail) at 09.30 and it is expected that the return time to Cronin’s Yard will be c. 16.00. - 16.30. Group numbers will be limited to a maximum of 16. The cost is €30 and all walks are fully guided and insured.
NB: See Important Notes re clothing, footwear and fitness etc.
SUMMER SCHEDULE SUMMARY:
oSat Aug 7th - CORRAN TUATHAILL
oOct Weekend - KERRY WAY 2010-2011 COMMENCES
KERRY WAY 2010-2011 PROGRAMME
The following Routes and Dates Programme was announced for the next round of Kerry Way Walks. The Kerry Way Stages are generally Category “B” walks requiring good hill walking fitness. The stages average c. 11 to 12 miles in length, include some climbs and are completed at a reasonable pace of c. 2 miles per hour allowing for lunch stops etc. (Actual walking pace is c. 2.4 miles per hour).
OCTOBER 23 2010 Derrycunnihy to Bride Valley
OCTOBER 24 2010 Bride Valley to Glenbeigh
MARCH 19 2011 Glenbeigh to Foilmore
MARCH 20 2011 Foilmore to Mastergeehy
APRIL 23 2011 Mastergeehy to Waterville
APRIL 24 2011 Waterville to Caherdaniel
JUNE 4 2011 Caherdaniel to Sneem
JUNE 5 2011 Sneem to Blackwater Bridge
JULY 30 2011 Blackwater Bridge to Kenmare
JULY 31 2011 Kenmare to Killarney
OTHER WALKING & OUTDOOR PROGRAMME DETAILS ON WWW.KILLARNEY.IE/WALKKILLARNEY
All other Walking Programmes and Routes will be published on the website www.killarney.ie/walkkillarney - including walks planned for the Christmas – new Year period, May weekend etc., as well as any other special events that are organised from time to time.
IMPORTANT NOTES
All Walks must be booked at least 24 hours in advance on the Walk Killarney Booking Line 1850 566 466. Walkers must be properly attired in terms of proper walking boots and rainwear. Walkers are asked to bring a back-pack with food, refreshments, sunscreen and perhaps a change of clothing. In deference to Wildlife and Landowners, the organisers regret that dogs or other pets are not allowed on the walks. Finally, the organisers regret that the Full Day Walks are not considered suitable for children under 12 years. All intending walkers should make sure they are appropriately physically fit for the category of walk being undertaken. Walkers are asked to adhere to the “Country Code” and “Leave No Trace” of their visit.
NB: ORGANISERS MAY CHANGE WALKS OR ROUTES IN THE EVENT OF WEATHER OR ROUTE DIFFICULTIES
Booking Line: 1850 566 466
E-mail: walk@killarney.ie
Web: www.killarney.ie/walkkillarney
Don’t forget your Camera!
Hidden Ireland Tours Programme
- Multi-day Walking Tours
Hidden Ireland Tours operate small personally guided walking tours throughout Ireland, concentrating of course on our home territory of the Killarney Valley and wider southwest. Detail of these trips, run at any time of year for private groups can be found on; http://www.hiddenirelandtours.com
- Day Walks
Sister company, Hidden Ireland Adventures provide the visitor to the Killarney Valley with a series of diverse walking and multi-activity adventures taking place each day. Detail of these excursions can be found on: http://www.hiddenirelandadventures.com
- Corrán Tuathail
On Wednesday and Saturdays throughout the year, on Full Moons and notable Dawns and privately at any time, Con Moriarty guides small groups to the summit of Ireland’s highest mountain. Offering a wide variety of routes suitable to the walker, scrambler or climber, these intimate outings offer a unique insight in to the natural and cultural history of the mountains and region.
EXPERIENCE THE SUMMER SOLSTICE WITH GUIDE CON MORIARTY
- June 20/21 (Sun/Mon) 2010 -
A rare chance t o experience the Summer Solstice from a 4000 year old stone row aligned with sunrise on the longest day of the year – set amidst the powerful landscapes of the McGillycuddy Reeks. The Braighde Valley is one of the remotest glens in Ireland. Located in the district known as Glencar in County Kerry, this great U-shaped valley penetrates the western ramparts of our highest mountains, the McGillycuddy Reeks with Corrán Tuathail and its satellite peaks, particularly spectacular from the area.
The valley is immensely rich in Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeology and among the many field an tiquities of the area is a stone row aligned with sunrise on the longest day of the year and how it appears, surrounded by our highest peaks.
An oppor tunity to experience this and to walk and scramble over the most spectacular ridge in Ireland ...
Con Moriarty, well known Kerry moun taineer, local guide and authority on the McGillycuddy Reeks will lead a small group to this sacred site for mid-summer s dawn.
The group will depart Killarney at 3.30 am and return in time for breakfast after explora tion of key sites in the valley where access to the site is straight forward for any one with a basic level of fitness and mobility .
Afterwards, Con will then lead a strenuous, day-long hike on to the Ridge of the McGillycuddy Reeks, traversing Irelands three highest peaks; Corrán Tua thail, (1040m) Binn Chaorach (1010m) and Cathair na Féinne (1001m) in to Com Cailí or Hags Glen.
Further details at: http://www.hiddenirelandadventures.com
Tel: 087 2214002
