Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the Dingle Peninsula Walk, a self-guided adventure through Northern Ireland's breathtaking coastal landscapes. Immerse yourself in the rich history, mythology, and traditional Irish culture as you trek from Tralee to Annascaul. Marvel at the stunning views of Tralee Bay from the Slieve Mish Mountains, explore the magnificent Inch Beach, and visit the historic Minard Castle. Wander through the charming village of Lispole, and discover the ancient "beehive huts" around Slea Head. Enjoy comfortable accommodations in family-run B&Bs, complete with hearty Irish breakfasts, and benefit from convenient luggage transfers. This tour offers a perfect blend of scenic beauty, cultural exploration, and historical intrigue, making it an ideal choice for walking enthusiasts. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Tralee
Location: Tralee
Accommodation Name: B&B
Make your own way to Tralee and your accommodation. Your host can suggest some of the many local restaurants or pubs for food and possibly music. Take the time to enjoy some of the many interesting and historic sights in the area, such as the National Folk Theatre or a tour of the medieval castle.
Day 2 : Begin walking on the Dingle Way to the village of Camp (17km/10.6mi, 5.5-7hrs)
Location: Camp
Accommodation Name: B&B
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, start your walk along country backroads to join the Dingle Way. You follow this route under the Slieve Mish Mountains before joining what was once an old road to Dingle. Rising above 762m in parts, the mountain range was the scene of prehistoric battles, recorded in legend as having been part of the "Milesian invasion". The Milesians, meaning "soldiers of Spain", are said in the legends to have been Gaels who came originally from Egypt, settled in Spain, and invaded Ireland in 1700 BC. As you enter the peninsula from Tralee towards Camp, the bright expanse of Tralee Bay comes into full view.
Walking details: Rocky and muddy mountain and grass tracks. Can be wet underfoot - boots essential. Height Gain: 216m, Height loss 196m, Max height: 160m/525ft.
Day 3 : Continue to lively Annascaul (17km/10.5mi, 5hrs)
Location: Annascaul
Accommodation Name: B&B
Meals Included: Breakfast
The walk today takes you through a fascinating area of bog where many locals still come to cut their winter fuel. Crossing to the south side of the peninsula, you arrive at the magnificent Inch Beach before continuing inland to Annascaul, where you stay overnight. At the southern foothills of the Slieve Mish Mountains, the combination of mountains and beaches makes for spectacular scenery. Walking details: Road walking on quiet back country roads, then onto grassy tracks and finishing on road. Boots recommended. Height gain - 420m, height loss - 415m, Maximum height of 240m/787ft.Note: Add an extra night if you would like to do some of the mountain walks in the area. Request at the time of booking.
Day 4 : On to Dingle via Minard Castle (22km/13.8mi, 6.5hrs)
Location: Minard Castle
Accommodation Name: B&B
Meals Included: Breakfast
Heading to the town of Dingle, the route passes through Minard, with its 16th century castle, and the village of Lispole. It then takes old, narrow country lanes through Lisdargan and Ballingarraun before joining the old military road below the Connor Pass and on to Dingle. With a population of approximately 1200, Dingle is a lively market town and fishing port. There are many restaurants, craft shops, art galleries and pubs to enjoy. Most of the pubs in summer will have live music. Walking details: Grass Country lanes, grass tracks and some road walking. Boots essential. Height gain - 492m, height loss - 506m, Max. height: 150m/492ft. Note: Book an extra night to walk part of the Dingle Way around the beautiful bay of Smerwick Harbour or take a day trip to the Great Blasket Island. This must be requested at the time of booking.
Day 5 : Historic walk around Slea Head to Dunquin (18km/11.3mi, 5.5hrs)
Location: Dunquin
Accommodation Name: B&B
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will start just outside Dingle, passing the Early Christian site of Kilcolman and continuing to the glorious sweep of Ventry Beach. Ventry is a small village four miles west of Dingle. The whole Ventry area is linked by the arc of Ventry Harbour, with one of the most attractive beaches on the west coast of Ireland. From here the track takes you on a beautiful and historic walk around Slea Head. This walk offers an opportunity to see the “beehive huts”. At one stage there were over 400 of these drystone huts, which are generally believed to have been homes. It is believed that the huts at Slea Head date to the 12th century, when the incoming Normans forced the Irish off the land and out to the periphery of the peninsula. There is also a full view of the Blasket Islands. Return to Dingle via Dunquin.
Walking details: Rocky and grass tracks, beach walking and some road walking. Boots essential. Height gain - 501m, height loss - 525m, Max. height: 180m/590ft.
Day 6 : Remote walk to the northern side of the Peninsula to Cloghane (22km/13.5mi, 6.5hrs)
Location: Cloghane
Accommodation Name: B&B
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to Cuas from where the walk takes you along an old military road to the eastern side of the Brandon Massif, finishing in the village of Cloghane. This is a remote but spectacular walk, full of history and through country only accessible by foot.
Walking details: Grass mountain tracks with some rocky sections. Gravel tracks and some road walking. Boots essential. Height gain - 774m, height loss - 796m, Max. height: 655m/2132ft.
Note: Stay one or two extra nights and make the most of the waymarked walks in this area. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims to climb the holy Mt Brandon, or explore the wealth of archaeological sites in the valley of Lough Adoon. Additional nights must be requested at the time of booking.
Day 7 : Plateau walk to Annascaul (14.5km/9mi, 5hrs)
Location: Annascaul
Accommodation Name: B&B
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a wonderful walk along the Dingle Peninsula from north to south following a spectacular old farmer’s track. You walk over the plateau, passing a deserted famine village and Annascaul Lake en route to the village of Annascaul.
Walk Details: Grass mountain tracks with some rocky sections; can be damp. Boots recommended. Height gain - 480m, height loss - 499m, Max. height: 365m/1197ft.
Day 8 : Trip concludes
Location: Tralee
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip concludes after breakfast. Make your own way to Tralee by either public or private transport. From Tralee, connections by bus and train are frequent to Cork, Limerick, Shannon or Dublin.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in B&Bs -
7 full Irish breakfasts - Irish breakfasts usually start with porridge or cereals followed by fried eggs, bacon / sausages, tomato, toast, coffee, tea and juices.
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7 nights accommodation in B&Bs on a twinshare basis with ensuite facilities
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Luggage Transfer, 2 pieces max, 15kg total for both bags, supplement applies for excess
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Digital information pack with route notes and maps & App access
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Emergency hotline
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Travel to Tralee and from Annascaul
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
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Travel insurance - mandatory
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Guide – this is a self-guided walking holiday
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A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
What's Not Included
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Meals not listed as included
Meals not listed as included, drinks are not provided.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory and not included.
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Guide
This is a self-guided walking holiday, so no guide is provided.
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Solo traveler supplement
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Entrance fees not listed included
Entrance fees not listed as included are excluded.
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Transfers not listed included
Transfers not listed as included are excluded.
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Excess luggage
A supplement applies for excess luggage beyond the one piece up to 15kg.
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Hotel taxes
Hotel taxes, if applicable, are payable directly to the hotel.
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Items of a personal nature
Items of a personal nature are not included.
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Dinner, lunch, and drinks
Dinner, lunch, and drinks are not included. During some walking days, there will not be an opportunity to purchase lunch, and it is recommended to pack a picnic lunch.
Grading
GRADE 3 - Average daily stages of 5.5 hours. The distances in km are listed for each stage. The paths although well defined and clearly marked, have some steep sections on sometimes loose and rocky ground and through muddy areas. There are lots of ups and downs. The first walk into Camp is a more difficult walk due to the stoniness of the terrain and boggy areas depending on the weather. A good level of fitness is required, and you should be able to read a map. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise – swimming, cycling, jogging, two to three times a week for three months prior to your departure. ...more ...less
What You Carry
As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, phone etc.
Mode of Transport
Travel to Tralee and from Annascaul is included, with internal transfers by local bus or taxi available if needed to skip a stage. Luggage transfer is provided for one piece up to 15kg.
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights of comfortable accommodation in family-run B&Bs, each offering twin-share rooms with ensuite facilities, providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere after a day of walking.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Dingle Peninsula Walk?
The tour includes 7 nights of comfortable accommodation in family-run B&Bs, each offering twin-share rooms with ensuite facilities.
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Is luggage transfer included in the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer is provided for one piece up to 15kg. A supplement applies for excess luggage.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 7 full Irish breakfasts. Other meals such as lunch and dinner are not included.
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Is this a guided tour?
No, this is a self-guided walking holiday. A digital information pack with route notes and maps, as well as app access, is provided.
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What should I carry during the walks?
As the walks are fully supported, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, and phone.
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What is the difficulty level of the Dingle Peninsula Walk?
The walk is graded as moderate (Grade 3). It involves average daily stages of 5.5 hours with some steep sections on sometimes loose and rocky ground and through muddy areas. A reasonable level of fitness is required.
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Are there any additional costs I should be aware of?
Yes, additional costs may include meals not listed as included, drinks, travel insurance, entrance fees not listed, transfers not listed, excess luggage, hotel taxes if applicable, and items of a personal nature.
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Can I skip a stage if needed?
Yes, internal transfers by local bus or taxi are available if you need to skip a stage.
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Is travel insurance mandatory for this tour?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for this tour.
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Can I extend my stay at any of the locations?
Yes, it is possible to arrange additional nights in certain locations such as Annascaul, Dingle, or Cloghane. This must be requested at the time of booking.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Dingle Peninsula Walk
8 Days Starting in Tralee, Northern Ireland and ending in Annascaul, Northern Ireland
Visiting: Tralee, Camp, Annascaul, Minard Castle, Dunquin, Cloghane
Tour operator:
Tour code:
IDP
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
