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RING OF KERRY TOUR 2008 The Ring of Kerry route is located on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry and is an
area of outstanding natural beauty with mountains, bog and woodland interspersed with
lakes, rivers, fast running streams and waterfalls. This is a wild and remote region
sparsley populated inland but along the coast are picturesque little towns such as Sneem,
Caherdaniel and Waterville. Kenmare Bay to the South, Dingle Bay in the north and the
Atlantic Ocean to the west surround this peninsula which boasts 75 miles of beaches.
The magnificent scenery with unspoilt coasts and rugged mountains make the Ring of
Kerry a top tourist destination.  SATURDAY Our Private bus will pick us up from Kerry Airport and take us to our Luxury private houses in Caherdaniel. Transfer time approx an hour and a half. Evening Meal and drinks in our house,followed by drinks in the bar! The self catering appartments we stayed in were amazing. Please find the links bellow. Tel +353(0) 66 9475136 Manager Mary O'Connor SUNDAY Caherdaniel to Sneem
Distance: 18km / 11.25 miles
Time to Allow: 6 hours
Leaving from our hotel at Caherdaniel, the Kerry Way rises away from the road and rounds a small hill before revealing views across the inlet of Kenmare and over to the Beara Peninsula. The path goes through some quite marshy terrain as it heads north-east towards the right of Coad Mountain.
The Kerry Way crosses several streams before rejoining a boreen and passing the ruins of the 12th century Church of Kilcrohane. Bypassing Castle Cove to the south, the trail meets up with a small road that can get busy at times due to traffic heading up to see Staigue Fort. The Kerry Way follows this road for over 2km before breaking free and crossing the old bridge of the old Kenmare Road that leads up out of the valley and over the shoulder of Bohacogram at just under 200m.
Skirting the edge of a forest, the Kerry Way heads north-west along the lower flanks of Bohacogram and Esknaloughoge before finally swinging to a more easterly direction, giving views of the more impressive peaks around Coomcallee and its fantastic U-shaped valley. The trail eventually leads back to more consistent stretches of tarmac before finally leading into the colourful village of Sneem. Evening Meal in Sneem, before returning to Caherdaniel We will have a drink and a meal in Sneem, before being collected by our private coach to Caherdaniel
MONDAY
Waterville to Caherdaniel Our Coach will pick us up at 9:30 for the journey to Waterville Distance: 11km / 6.8 miles
Time to Allow: 3.5 hours plus lunch stop at the Scarriff Inn
Heading south from Waterville the Kerry Way follows a small back road that gently rises up above the bay and provides beautiful views out to sea. After meeting the first T-junction the trail starts to head more inland, uphill and back towards the main road.
After leaving the tarmac road, the Kerry Way then follows the old Kenmare Road and eventually crosses its more recent replacement. Rounding the base of Farraniaragh Mountain, the path comes across a megalithic tomb, which marks the highest point of the days climb at 248 metres above sea-level. From here we cross down to the main road where we will stop for a buffet lunch at the Scarriff Inn, before heading downhill across fields and boreens, gradually easing are way back into Caherdaniel.
This evening we will eat at one of the pubs in Caherdaniel
TUESDAY
Sneem to Templenoe We are being picked up from our Hotel at 9:30
Distance: 20km / 12.5 m
Time to Allow: 7 hours
The Kerry Way leaves Sneem via a boreen that gradually meanders its way to the south-west before entering the Derryquin Forest. After crossing the main Kenmare Road, the trail swings round to run in parallel to the road at a lower level. Emerging from the forest, the Kerry Way continues in through Tahilla and once again bisects the main road a little to the north of Coongar Harbour. The trail is quite level for this stage of the Kerry Way and only experiences minor rises and falls. A little above the main road now, the Kerry Way looks across the bay to the Beara Peninsula and the Caha Mountains to the south. Staying at a consistent distance from the sea, the trail quickly makes its way to Blackwater Bridge where once again the Kenmare Road is crossed and is followed by a further spell through a forested area at Dromore. The Kerry joins the main road for a while near Templenoe which gives the chance to finish off our walk at Spillane's Bar. We are being picked up at 7pm to return to Caherdaniel.
WEDNESDAY
Kenmare to Torc Waterfall
Distance: 17km
Time to Allow: 6.5 hours
Distance: 16.5 km / 10.3 miles
Time to Allow: 6.5 hours
We are picked up at 9:30 this morning for our trip to Kenmere. We get to look around this picturesque town before rejoining the Kerry Way.Rising up out of Kenmare on the old Killarney Road, the trail first passes between two minor peaks of Strickeen and Inchimore before the greater exertion of coming off-road and reaching the more respectable height of 330m whilst passing through the gap between Peakeen Mountain and Knockanaguish. The terrain can get quite mucky here, so it is advisable to be well-prepared.
Descending into a quiet valley, the panoramic views are littered with peaks in all directions. Crossing several rivers the Kerry Way eventually slumps to the valley floor and regains a firm gravel path.
We meet our coach in the car park near to Torc Waterfall for our journey back to Caherdaniel
Evening Meal in Caherdaniel
THURSDAY We leave today at 9:00 for the hours journey to Muckross House in the Killarney National Park. We will be guided by a Chris a Killarney National Park Ranger who will explain the history and Geology of the National Park. In the afternoon we will take a boat trip on Lough Leanne from Ross Castle. The cost of the boat trip is £10 and paid locally to the Boat Owner. Tonight we will eat in Killarney before returning to our Hotel FRIDAY
Skellig Island Trip
SATURDAY This morning we will have time to relex and use the hotels leisure facillities or take a stroll down to the fantastic beach , which is a five minute stroll. The bus will pick us up at 3:30 which gives us time for a half hour stop in Sneem on route to the Airport. 19:45 FLIGHT FR702 KERRY TO STANSTED ARRIVE 21:05 ACCOMODATION OUR TWO LUXURY HOLIDAY HOMES EACH HAVE 3 BEDROOM (1 DOUBLE PLUS 2 TWIN) Facilities available to Holiday Home residents include;
• 15m outdoor heated swimming pool
• Steam room,
• Sauna
• Fully equipped Gymnasium,
• Seaweed bath.
• Tennis court.
• Award winning hotel Restaurant |
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