Dingle Peninsula

 

Executive summary by darmansjah

The Dingle Peninsula  is the northernmost of the major peninsulae in County Kerry. It ends beyond the town of Dingle at Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of Ireland.

Once cited as 'the most beautiful place on earth' by the National Geographic; was voted among the top 100 destinations in the world by Trip Advisor; CNN recently recommended it as a very favourable winter destination; it is listed as one of the top 10 places to be on New Year's Eve - all of these accolades refer to County Kerry's stunningly beautiful Dingle Peninsula.

The Dingle Peninsula boasts some of the most spectacular mountain and coastal scenery in Ireland. It attracts climbers, walkers and trekkers from many parts of Ireland and overseas each year but still remains quiet and largely unspoilt. There is a variety of walks available in the area, from more strenuous ridge walking to more gentle slopes, cliff and beach walks and many waymarked routes.

Dingle Peninsula Tourism has compiled a collection of looped and linear walking routes.

This has been published as a printed booklet available from our members. Details are also available from the links below:

Clochar, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh-This is a cliff top walk of under two miles which begins and finishes at the car park above Clochar Beach about eight miles west of Dingle. It takes in spectacular sea views and the surrounding countryside and headlands. The walk is flat and has three or four stiles.

Blasket Centre car park-Spectacular way-marked coastal 5 kilometre walk in Dún Chaoin.

This is one of Ireland's National Looped Walks. 

Dingle Town-Location: Dingle Town-Slí na Sláinte means 'path to health'. Developed by the Irish Heart Foundation - the national heart and stroke charity - it's the outgoing way to make walking far more enjoyable. You'll find Slí na Sláinte walking routes all over Ireland.

Dingle's Slí na Sláinte is 3.3 kilometres long, starting at the roundabout on entering the town from Tralee.

Siúlóid Cholmáin-location Ventry-Looped walk on bothareens and beach.

Historical sites include Colman’s Oratory and Rathinane Castle. 

Glanteenasig Wood - River Trail-Location: Glanteenasig Wood, between Camp and Castlegregory - Glanteenasig is a 450 hectare state owned woodland abounding with streams, lakes, waterfalls and dramatic cliffs.

Sauce Creek Walking Trail-Start and Finish: Cé Bhréainainn/Brandon Village-A four to five hour walk in bogland and hills in the vicinity of Sauce Creek.

Coumduff Loop Walk, Annascaul-Start and Finish: The Old Bridge, Annascaul Village-A one and a half hour gentle stroll around the lanes of Annascaul visiting the birthplace of sculptor Jerome O'Connor and burial place of polar explorer, Tom Crean. The walk can be extended to visit Annacaul Lake. 

Baile an Fheirtéaraigh-Start and Finish: Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh An 8.5 kilometre heritage walk around the lanes and beaches near Ballyferriter.

Baile an Fheirtéaraigh-Start and Finish: Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh

An 8.5 kilometre heritage walk on minor roads circling the hills near Ballyferriter. A number of archaeolgical sites, including early Christian sites and a medieval tower house lie on the route.