The Kerry Way & South Kerry Trails

While Kerry is renowned for having the highest mountains in Ireland, the Kerry Way avoids the higher peaks and opts for the lower reaches of mountain ridges. The trail is intended to quickly progress through a variety of different landscapes and experiences, giving the walker a wider appreciation for the County. These trails are accessible with the kind permission of landowners throughout Kerry.

Approximately 215km long (135 miles) and one of the most enjoyable ways to see the region, the Kerry Way is a loop walk of the Iveragh Peninsula, with 9 main stages, allowing you to break up the route into multiple days and rest areas. Starting from Coomnakista near Waterville, the route goes anti-clockwise, passing through some of the most isolated and dramatic countryside in the country, through the International Dark Sky Reserve, the Reeks District, Skellig Coast, the South Kerry Gaeltacht, Kenmare, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Killarney National Park. As a loop walk, it can be joined at any point. 

Each year, the Kerry Way Ultra takes 500 competitors on an epic race along this route. With the most incredible community feel, sustainability ethos and international reputation, this annual elite sporting event welcomes a vibrant and diverse group of visitors to South Kerry.