Trip Outline

Day 1 Arrive in the lovely fishing village of Dingle on the western tip of the Dingle peninsula for the first night.  This is a “lively” village, with plenty of excellent restaurants and good pubs.
Irish music sessions are available most nights of the week throughout the year.
Access to Dingle is via a bus service from either Tralee or Killarney, with all details available on www.buseireann.ie or from SouthWestWalks Ireland.  Overnight in Dingle.

Day 2 This morning you will be taken by local taxi, we arrange, just outside Dingle for the start of the walk. Following past the historical Kilcolman, continues on to the glorious Ventry beach and from here takes you on a beautiful and very historic walk around Slea Head to finish at Dunquin.  This walk offers an opportunity to see “beehive” huts very clearly, and also to get a full view of the Blasket Islands. Return by taxi, we arrange, to overnight in Dingle.
Walk Details: Distance: 19kms.  Duration: 5.5 hours.  Max. Ascent: 350m. Rocky and grass tracks, beach walking and some road walking.  Boots essential.

Day 3 Again we have a local taxi transfer from Dingle, we arrange, to the tiny village of Tiduff, and walk from there across an old military road to the northern side of the peninsula - finishing in the village of Cloghane.  This is a remote but spectacular walk - full of history and inaccessible except by foot.  Overnight in Cloghane.
Walk Details: Distance: 22kms.  Duration: 6.5 hours.  Max. Ascent: 450m. Grass mountain tracks with some rocky sections.  Gravel tracks and some road walking.  Boots essential.

Day 4 A wonderful beach walk to give your legs an opportunity to rest as you enjoy the backdrop of mountains, but the sea all around you.  Passing the historic Illauntannig Island with its 10th century monastery now in ruins, you continue along the Maherees Peninsula to finish your walking in the village of Castlegregory.  Overnight in Castlegregory.
Walk Details: Distance: 21kms.  Duration: 5 hours.  Max. Ascent: 100m. Beach walking and some road walking.  Boots recommended.

Day 5 After Breakfast in Castlegregory you will have the opportunity to return to Tralee either by local transport which will have you at the Bus/Rail Station for about 0855 or Taxi service. On Sundays and Public Holidays you will have to use a taxi service as the local transfers do not work and is not in operation. Details of the transfer information can be provided to you at the time of booking.  From Tralee, connections by bus and train are frequent to Cork, Limerick, Shannon or Dublin.

Mini-Break is a 5-day programme, 4 nights B&B and 3 days walking.
SouthWestWalks Ireland have given the above Walk Details as a guideline - these may not be accurate on the day due to the prevailing weather or individual walkers. Please refer to the accompanying “General Holiday Information” document to assist in your holiday preparation.  Do note that Ireland can at times be a “damp” country both underfoot and overhead.

Irish weather is unpredictable, that’s one of the “joys” of walking in Ireland, but the nature of walks can alter quickly and dramatically because of this weather change.  SouthWestWalks Ireland reserve the right to alter/change/adjust this itinerary due to prevailing weather conditions on each day or the walking ability of group members.

OPTIONS:
Should you wish to extend your holiday we recommend the following extra days which are suitable for rest days or to add a little more walking to your holiday: -
Option 1 Remain in Tralee for an extra night and enjoy some of the many interesting and historic sights in this area - and take this opportunity to enjoy a visit to our National Folk Theatre “Siamsa Tire”.
Option 2 Remain an extra in Dingle, and do part of the Dingle Way along the coast from Sybil Head, to the Three Sisters and Ballydavid.  Alternatively, you can use an extra day to make a trip to the Great Blasket Island.
Option 3 Stay on in Cloghane an extra night and utilise the local guided walks (or self-guided) in this area, up the famous Mt. Brandon, or into the valley of Lough an Dun - a lake steeped in history and full of archaeology.
Make enquiries when booking and we can organise the extra reservations and transport necessary to do these options.

On our SGDW5 Self-guided programme we offer....
#. 4 night’s Bed and Breakfast. Full Irish Breakfast. Private bathrooms
#. 3 days walking. Varied and interesting each day.
#. Move your luggage each walking day.
#. Give you full walking details and maps of the area.
#. Full walking descriptions of each walking day.
#. Souvenir book, “Ireland—a Travellers Guide”.
#. Meet and greet telephone contact on arrival morning.
#. 24 hrs Emergency/Information contact number. If required.
#. Airport transfers arranged/booked if required.
#. Public transport details,  www.buseireann.ie  and  www.irishrail.ie.
#. Weather Details, www.met.ie
#. Full pre-departure information pack to allow you to fully plan for your holiday and so get the most from this Irish walking experience.
#. Extra days/nights booking with Travel/Tourism advice service.
#. A "mighty" holiday guaranteed.