Walking Trip in Ireland

There are a number of U.K. Companies that organized self-guided walking tours in Ireland as well. Try Mac's Adventures, Celtic Trails, or Contours.

https://www.macsadventure.com/holiday-finder?page=1&cat1=Ireland&cat2=Walking&grade=-1&month=-1&keyword=&search_tours=search_tours

I am sure someone can suggest an Irish company as well.

Caminoways is an Irish-based company that arranges the type of walking tour in which you are interested. Their main business is centered around the Camino de Santiago (Spain) but they also have Irish "camino" routes. Their website is www.caminoways.com.

We've walked both the Dingle Way and the Kerry Way, albeit some years back. We booked our own accommodation and carried all our gear, but I'm sure that there will now be plenty of luggage transfer services and if you wanted to turn the whole booking/organisational side of things over to a company, then I'm sure the much recommended Contour may be able to help.

In addition to the above there is the e remote Beara Way and my friends speak highly of the Wicklow Way. Whichever you choose you'll have a great time, drink lots of Guinness* and time will appear to start moving glacially slowly!

Hope you enjoy your Irish tour as much as we did!

Ian

*No matter what time we showed up our rooms were never quite ready but fortunately our hosts owned the bar next door and it was 'you'll have a drink while you're waiting?' Well, it would have been rude not to!

I highly recommend Wonderful Ireland -- www.walkingholiday.ie

They do The Kerry Way, The Beara Way and more.... they are professional and every person I've talked to loves them. I first discovered them when I was lost on a cycle ride, and asked a man at The Climbers Inn for direction. He laughed and said "you asked the right guy!" and had a bag-load of maps - he was from Wonderful Ireland! Since then, I've talked to many happy customers (as the Kerry Way passes through my village!). They have all been happy with the service and the B&B's they put you in.....

I recommend The Kerry Way for a few reasons - one is specifically because of a Pilgrim Path that is near here. In Cahersiveen, the Cnoc na dTobar path (which wouldn't be on the route, so you may consider two nights in Cahersiveen and do this as an extra walk. Ask them, as I could be wrong and there may be a way to loop it.....). In the 1880's a local priest put the stations of the cross in white marble up the hillside (about 6 feet tall) and at the top of the hill is a HUGE white marble cross about 20 feet tall. The pilgrimage is on the Irish Pilgrim Paths passport.....

This will be very different than walking in England - we get enough English walkers that comment on how crowded England walking trails are compared to Ireland, I know it's different! I've hillwalked in the Lake District and Yorkshire, and there are always other people around. Here, you can go the entire day and only see one or two people if you don't want to see them!

I love hill walking in Kerry! Or all over Ireland, actually!

Susan
Expat living in Waterville

Thank you all for the great suggestions.

I am also interested in this topic as my husband and I are planning a similar trek and have settled on the Kerry Way 10 day. I'd like advice on when to go to optimize the best chances for decent weather and fewer crowds. Mid May? Early June?

Jolo,

Other than Killarney I've never seen "crowds" on any trail or hillwalk - unless it was a group hike....!

And even Killarney isn't as crowded as most american trails I've hiked on!

Susan
Expat living in Waterville