We want to spend a week or so hiking on the Dingle peninsula and surrounding area. We dont think we are up to doing 8 or 9 miles a day so are concerned hiking the Dingle Way might be more than we can do. We think maybe day hikes of 3 or 4 hours are more in our fitness range. So, which village on the Dingle peninsula would best serve as a base for a few daily hikes in the area? I am looking for a somewhat central location, available music/pubs, and B&B. Thanks
Dave, in Indiana!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2828 posts
Assuming you'll have a car, your best bet will probably be to stay in or very near Dingle town and just drive out to the various trail heads each day - enjoying the charms of the little town in the evenings when the tourist hordes have departed. The area is pretty compact and driving distances will not be too great. A 20 minute drive will take you to virtually all of the places out on Slea Head Drive...a bit longer if you cross over Connor Pass to the north side of the peninsula.
If you're there for a full week I'd also recommend driving down to the Gap of Dunloe on the Ring of Kerry...not that far from Dingle. We think the 3.5 mile (each way) walk up thru the glen is one of the prettiest walks in Ireland.
This website served us well last year, and might be a useful planning tool for you in planning your daily hikes along sections of the Dingle Way: http://www.irishtrails.ie/
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2261 posts
jarrardd-I was thinking about the same as Robert here. When we were there, we had a vacation rental near Castlemaine, which was lovely and fantastic. What I didn't like though was the remoteness to nightlife, not to mention the need to restrict consumption of those grain fermented beverages in the evening due to the twenty minute drive we had to make back to our lodging. Even without the GFB's, walking a few blocks after music & pub action is better, imo. Less car, more foot. We will stay in town the next time we go, and there will be a next time!
Posted by
OP
bedford, indiana
459 posts
aww, thanks guys this is exactly the type of information I was looking for. I want to enjoy the music and a beer or two so a reasonable walk to my bed is valued! thanks for your input, the website Robert suggested looks great. I visited the Isle of Skye a few years back and would have enjoyed my evenings more if our B&B had been in hiking range from the great pubs we visited! The roads were a challenge at night stone cold sober!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2828 posts
We stayed in Castlegregory last year and stumbled upon the nearby Glenteenassig ("Little Glen of Waterfalls" in Gaelic) forest park. Several nice little hikes there around a pretty mountain lake. Liked it so much we went back twice for the scenic hikes and a picnic lunch. It'll be a bit of a drive from Dingle...across Connor Pass (itself an adventure) but would make for a great day out if the weather cooperates.
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2261 posts
Wow, that's a thing. Thanks Robert!