Hiking Ireland's West Coast

International flights are not included on this tour, and you are therefore responsible for getting to and from Ireland on your own.On arrival on the green island we are met by our Irish friends, and once the whole group has arrived we are driven to the charming village of Cloghane, a little gem rarely visited by tourists. The small village is located on the Dingle peninsula where we will spend our first night in a pleasant inn. The drive takes approx. 4 hours later, we have dinner in the pleasant pub on site and go over the program for the coming week.

Prepare to awaken to a new day, invigorated and eager to embark on an extraordinary adventure! We set off on the trip's first leg, which is perhaps the toughest of the trip, and today we have a brilliant opportunity to see the Dingle Peninsula at its very best - with its hills, lakes and rugged coastline. We start the walk at Brandon Creek and learn a bit about the fascinating history associated with this site which was the starting point for St Brendan's epic journey to the 'Promised Land' in the 6th century. We will walk on grass and stone paths today, and from our route we can see the distant cliffs before we start uphill to the saddle of the mountain Mas en Tiompain. We then continue to the summit of Brandon Mountain, named after St Brendan. The views across the Dingle Peninsula are breathtaking and are a perfect introduction to Ireland's fairy tale landscape. We will eat today's dinner at one of the city's local restaurants, and spend the night at our pleasant inn.

Today we get a great view over the coastline and the cliffs of Dingle. The walk goes around spectacular Slea Head which is Ireland's most westerly point and one of the richest archaeological sites in this region. Along the way we pass an old fort and huts that look like anthills. We follow the mountain path all the way to the top of Mount Eagle at 516 m above sea level, and here the view is magnificent! After the tour we will be driven back to the village of Cloghane. Here we can enjoy dinner in peace or we can go into the town of Dingle where there are many exciting restaurants. Here is also one of the world's most famous pubs - where traditional folk music is played all evening. We will overnight at the inn in Cloghane.

After breakfast, we fill up our daypacks with the snacks, fruit and drinks we need for today's walk, which takes around 6 hours. Today we cross the Dingle Peninsula from north to south. We follow an old nomadic path over a spectacular mountain plateau and visit the ruins of an old village along the way. We finish in the lovely little village of Annascaul, known as the home of Ireland's famous polar father, Tom Crean. He became known for his three expeditions to the South Pole in the early 20th century. After taking time for a bite to eat in the local pub, naturally named after the polar explorer, we are transferred to the vibrant town of Killarney, where we will be staying for the next three nights. We will enjoy a delightful dinner at one of the excellent local eateries in Killarney.

Today, we rise with a fervor for fresh horizons, ready to tread upon mountain paths and meander along open green roads. It can get wet, and we will have to wear good boots. From Killarney we walk from the sea through captivating cultural landscapes, leading us into the heart of lush oak forests within the majestic region of Killarney National Park.The lakes here are Ireland's most visited tourist attraction. We follow the old Kenmare Road through Esknamucky Glen to the town of Kenmare. This is a fantastic trip and we may see Irish red deer that live in the lush national park. Weather permitting, we can hike to the top of the mountain Torc, as a nice prelude for tomorrow's great mountain tour. The reward is fabulous views of the national park. After today's session we will be driven back to Killarney for a filling dinner and a good night's sleep in our guest house.

For a powerful finish to our experiences in Kerry, we will be tackling Ireland's tallest peak today. Mighty Carrauntoohill soars 1040m above of sea level. With water bottles and snacks in tow we set off on today's adventure. The guide determines the best way to climb the pyramid-shaped mountain, depending on the weather conditions. Today's journey is a full-day affair, an approximately 8-hour trek that involves ascending 1000 meters. Expect a challenging climb with a few rocky sections and steep faces, sure to instill a sense of accomplishment, especially for those wary of heights.The summit offers (in clear weather) fantastic views over Killarney National Park and the many lakes in the valley below. During the trip, the guide will share stories about legends and myths in this fantastic mountain range. It is well worth celebrating the day's achievement with a 'pint' in the local pub and a well-deserved dinner in the evening.

We will have an early breakfast and are driven to the capital Dublin. The drive takes approximately 4 hours. In Dublin we take a guided walking tour (approx. 2 hours) to see the most interesting historical places. Among other things, the famous university Trinity College with its beautiful library, and the Dublin Castle, which was built at the beginning of the 13th century. There will also be time to explore the city on your own, if you want to do some shopping before the journey home or perhaps take a trip to the Guinness storehouse or the Jameson distillery. We spend the night in a pleasant hotel in the city and in the evening we gather for a farewell dinner in one of the countless pleasant restaurants and celebrate the nice days we have had together on this green island.

After a quiet morning in Dublin, we say goodbye at the hotel. There is no organized transport to the airport on this day, and you are free to extend your journey afterwards, or travel home on your own. The adventure is over, for this time. Hopefully the magical folklore, beautiful landscapes and rich culture of Ireland has left you with the memories that will last a lifetime.