Hiking the Kerry Mountains

Ireland has some spectacular walking, and one of the best areas is in the Kerry Mountains. This guided hiking tour takes in the best walking in the Kerry region, including the remarkable Ring of Kerry.

Sweeping vistas and rugged highlands make up the wildest of Ireland’s backcountry. In this area alone, you’ll find nine out of the ten highest mountains in all of Ireland! So it’s the perfect place for a guided hiking adventure.

On this Kerry mountain hiking tour, you’ll summit Mount Brandon and the tallest peak in Ireland, Carrantuohill. Hike in Killarney National Park, the Dingle Peninsula, and along the Kerry Way, all while staying in top-notch deluxe accommodation. Learn about the history of both local Irish culture and the geology of the Kerry region as you’re guided through the spectacular countryside, spotting wildlife along the way.

Ring of Kerry & Killarney National Park

The Ring of Kerry stretches for 120 miles around the Inveragh Peninsula, passing through some of Ireland’s loveliest scenery. Expect stunning coastal views, golden beaches, romantic ruined castles and fairytale valleys and glens. The route that passes along the entire 120-mile route is one of Ireland’s most iconic road trips, but it’s also a popular spot for walking, cycling and horse riding.

Situated off the coast of Kerry, the beautiful, lonely Skellig Islands are one of the region’s highlights. Made famous by the recent Star Wars films, the islands are a haven for bird life, and are best known for the ancient monastic houses that sit precariously on the windswept summit of Skellig Michael. Other historic highlights include Ross Castle, perched on its beautiful lake, and Sneem, where the mountains meet the water and if you stay alert, you may even catch a glimpse of a local fairy.

The crown jewel of Kerry, Killarney National Park is famous for its spectacular, diverse scenery. Home to many of Ireland’s tallest mountains, most beautiful valleys and highest waterfalls, a trip here is a hiker’s paradise. This is an excellent place to spot red deer and other rare wildlife. The friendly town of Killarney is a wonderful place for a stopover, marking the beginning of the Kerry Way, an eight-day walking route that takes in some truly remarkable scenery.

The Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle Peninsula marks the westernmost point of Ireland, and indeed, many of its inhabitants frequently joke that Boston is the neighboring parish! Known for its dramatic cliffs, rocky ridges, rich local history and culture, and famous ’40 shades of green’, the Dingle Peninsula is one of the most popular destinations in Kerry. Its mild climate (a product of the Gulf Stream) means that you’ll see a much greater diversity of flora in this part of Ireland, with brightly-colored fuchsias decorating many of the fields and roadsides.

Dotted with early-medieval monasteries, Neolithic remains and proud manor houses, the Dingle Peninsula has a rich and distinctive cultural heritage. A driving or walking tour here is like stepping back in time, and it’s a great opportunity to learn about the events that have shaped Irish history over the centuries. The locals are justifiably proud of their beautiful region, and welcome visitors with characteristic warmth and Irish charm.

Mount Brandon

At the heart of the Dingle Peninsula stands Mount Brandon, a proud peak with a distinctive sloping face. Named after the Irish Saint Brendan, this is a famous local shrine, and any hike in the Brandon range means walking in the footsteps of countless medieval pilgrims. Saint Brendan famously spent 3 days fasting on the mountain, after which an angel revealed to him a vision of a great land to the west, the legendary Isle of the Blessed.

Mount Brandon offers plenty of variety for keen hill walkers. The five-mile route to the summit is the most direct way to ascend the mountain, but most visitors take the slightly longer Pilgrim’s Path, which offers incredible views of the dramatic corries and lakes on the glaciated east face. For real adventurers, the full ridge walk of the entire Mount Brandon Range will take you from Conor Pass to Masatiompan, and is arguably one of the finest ridge walks in Ireland.