Dingle Way

Walk Overview

The Dingle Peninsula is one of south-west Ireland’s most renowned peninsulas. In fact, National Geographic Traveller describes it as the most beautiful place on earth. The Peninsula extends for 50 kilometres into the Atlantic Ocean and incorporates Ireland’s western most point. The Dingle Way loops around the peninsula, generally following the coastline but occasionally venturing inland.

Scenically, the Dingle Way presents a varied but consistently impressive landscape including mountains, lakes, sea-cliffs, rugged headlands and sandy beaches. Layered over (and under) that landscape, is an extraordinary array of archaeological sites and historic buildings. Equally appealing, the Dingle Peninsula has long been a bastion of Irish language, music, art and culture.

The Dingle Way is a circular walk. The traditional starting and finishing point is the town of Tralee, the capital of County Kerry. Tralee is only 30 kilometres north-west of the vibrant tourist hub of Killarney. Most people follow a clockwise route though there doesn’t seem to be any particular reason for that.

The complete Dingle Way covers 184 kilometres (114 miles) and generally takes at least nine days of walking. Your total trip duration then depends on whether you incorporate rest days and, if so, how many.

Assistance and further information:

• For assistance in walking all or part of the Dingle Way, click the button below:

• For more information on walking in western Ireland, click the button below:

• A nine day itinerary for the Dingle Way is described below. This itinerary involves an average daily distance of 20 kilometres (12.5 miles). We can help you choose the best segment for the time of the year and the number of days you wish to allocate to the walk.

Itinerary

The walk takes about 8-9 days to complete. A typical 9 day itinerary completing the entire trail is shown below.

Day 1

Tralee to Camp

Distance: 20 km

Time: 6 hours

Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2

Camp to Annascaul

Distance: 17 km

Time: 6 hours

Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast

Day 3

Annascaul to Dingle

Distance: 23 km

Time: 6.5 hours

Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast

Walk Options

Guided

There are several tour operators offering part or all of the Dingle Way as a guided trip. You can choose to do the entire 184 kilometres (114 miles) walk or opt for shorter versions. The tour operators that offer the full walk generally follow the first eight days of the walking itinerary described above (and so not walking between Tralee and Camp twice).

Tour operators that offer guided trips generally operate on the basis of scheduled departure dates during the walking season.

Some guided tour operators offer accommodation at one central base (usually spacious and comfortable) and walkers are transferred to a section of the walk each day. Others utilise the available accommodation along the route, meaning the accommodation is more variable.

Typically, the package offered by the guided tour operators includes:

• 9 Day tour with professional guides, 8 days of walking

• 9 Nights accommodation

• All meals

• Transfers between the track and the accommodation (where applicable)

Assisted self-guided

A substantial number of tour operators offer the Dingle Way as a self-guided trip.

Typically, the service includes:

• Track notes, maps and information pack

• Accommodation, usually with ensuites (the range and quantity of accommodation available in some villages is limited; also, the basic package offered by some tour operators might not always extend to ensuites)

• Luggage transport between accommodation (and sometimes, where necessary, vehicle transfers between track and accommodation)

• Breakfasts and optional packed lunches

• 24/7 Support

The duration of the self-guided options varies depending upon how far you wish to walk each day. Accommodation options range from comfortable through to luxury, again depending upon the size of the village or town and the purchased package.

Independent

There are camping options along the route that make camping on all or most nights a possibility. It’s also quite feasible to book accommodation along the route yourself and, if you require luggage transfers, to arrange that independently.

For those considering this option, it’s worth noting that the self-guided tour operators often have preferred rates with accommodation providers and luggage transfer companies. They also often have reserved allocations at the best-located/most suitable accommodation for the particular walk, so sometimes when accommodation shows no availability to an independent inquiry there’s still availability through a self-guided operator.

Essential Information

Access

The start and finish of the Dingle Way is in Tralee, County Kerry.

Tralee is readily accessible from Dublin by train and bus.

Best time

The best time to do the walk is between March and October.

It is important to note that the summer months are the most popular time to do this walk and consequently there is a high demand for the various accommodation options during this period. Dingle Town, in particular, can get busy.

Difficulty

This walk is rated at a difficulty level of moderate. While the Dingle Peninsula is mountainous, the Dingle Way avoids ascending mountains, preferring to skirt mountain flanks. The route is well waymarked and easy to follow. It needs to be noted that there is a significant amount of road walking on this trail. The Irish Sports Council estimates that 47% of the Way follows local roads.

Accommodation

There are many accommodation options at the start and finish of the Dingle Way (Tralee) and, generally, plenty along the route. Accommodation options include camping, hostels, B&B’s, guesthouses, inns and hotels.

Many of the accommodation providers, particularly those near to the route, are attuned to walkers’ needs or offer amenities suited to walkers.

We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.

Dining

We can assist you in choosing some special dining options along the route.

Other activities

As a popular traveller destination (of both the local and overseas varieties), the Dingle Peninsula offers many attractions in addition to the Dingle Way.

Many walkers choose to add extra days to their trip so that they can explore these other attractions. Some will do that through rest days along the trail; others prefer ‘add-ons’ at the end of the walk. Some do both!

Dingle Town is a wonderful place to spend at least one extra night. Originally a fishing port, Dingle has become a home of art and craft, Irish music and great seafood. Wandering its hilly streets, soaking up its charming atmosphere is a pleasure in itself.

We can assist walkers to explore the many attractions of the Dingle Peninsula region.

Assistance

We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.