A cultural connection of walkers to landscapes and local life.
Fully-Guided Tour
Choose from a selection of departure dates
7 Days - 6 Nights
Connect with culture, history, community and yourself.
Priced from:
$2298USD
Questions?
Call Us. +1 623.561.0846
$750 USD Deposit Due With Registration
Subject to exchange rate at time of booking
per person, double occupancy
WALKING
Join us on a unique hiking tour to the spectacular southwest of Ireland. On foot and by boat we will discover Ireland hiking trails in Kerry and Cork that explore the wildest corners of this striking landscape. Make the unforgettable journey starting from the historical town of Baltimore, with its tales of pirate invasions, to the most westerly inhabited island in Europe, rich in literary history.
By day experience scenic coastal hikes, ancient historical sites and stunningly beautiful mountain passes of Ireland’s breathtaking southwest. In the evenings relax and enjoy some of the best restaurants and music-filled pubs in Ireland!
CONNECTION
Your knowledgeable guide will provide a fascinating insight into the rich cultural and geological history. Spot marine life as you travel to the islands – such as gannets, puffins, basking sharks, whales and dolphins. And don’t forget the colorful characters of rural Ireland you are bound to be introduced to along the way!
Cork & Kerry Highlights
CREATE CONNECTIONS
We offer a unique opportunity to explore the islands of South Ireland. This gives you an up close look at life there and the chance to interact with the locals more genuinely.
MAGICAL BACKDROPS
Straight from the Starwars, the rugged coastline of the Ring Of Kerry and Skellig Islands will inspire your sense of magic and wonder.
BETTER WALKS, BETTER LIFE
Combine walking and traveling in a rich historical and cultural landscape. Active exploration makes the adventure uniquely yours.
Your Experience
Level of Activity
This is a walking holiday with moderately strenuous hikes over several consecutive days. Daily distances range from 5-8km (~3-5 miles).
Each day usually consists of 3-5 hours of activities, most centered around walking over various terrains. City streets, village cobblestone walkways, well-worn countryside paths with uphill and downhill components. Achieving a specific destination (point A to B) is not usually the goal and alternative transportation or participation level is generally available.
Your day pack will include a liter of water, snacks, rain jacket, sunscreen, personal items, and a camera.
Level of Comfort
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As you hop from island to island, relax in a cozy, home-away-from-home each night, hand-picked for their excellent location, service and comfort.
Curl up in cozy libraries in front of a warm peat fire after an exciting day out hiking the islands. All accommodations provide breakfast.
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Accommodations are priced and booked for double occupancy. We do not charge single person supplements to people booking on their own.
Day-By-Day
Please note that the details of this itinerary are subject to change. Many of the planned activities are organized according to availability, events or seasonal dates, appropriate weather conditions or the discretion of our guides. We make every effort to provide the experience described in the itinerary with the understanding that some things may change.
DAY 1
Hiking and Island Hopping Cork & Kerry
Meet in Cork and set right off on your adventure!
Distance: 3 miles/5km, 2hrs.
āMeals Included: Lunch, Dinner
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We travel to the historic fishing town of Baltimore in remote West Cork. We'll take a guided walk through this vibrantly colorful heritage town while hearing tales of conquests, abductions and pirates from the town’s exotic visitors over the centuries. This evening, a short walk will bring us to the view of the Carbery’s 100 Isles scattered across Roaring Water Bay.
DAY 2
Hiking on Cape Clear Island
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We'll hike across Cape Clear Island, explore its ancient sites, admire the spectacular bird life, drink in spectacular ocean panoramas.
Distance: 4.5 miles/7km, 3hrs.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Off the coast of Baltimore lies Ireland’s southernmost inhabited island, Cape Clear. This is a narrow, Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) island overlooked by the iconic silhouette of the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse.
DAY 3
Hiking the Sheep's Head Way
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Heading north, we’ll discover an unspoiled, rolling landscape that is also part of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Distance: 5 miles/8km, 3 – 3.5hrs.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Some of Ireland’s best dairy products come from Sheep’s Head and sampling is a must! On our hike, which takes in sections of the Sheep’s Head Way, we will experience some breathtaking views of the ocean horizon before continuing to the vibrant town of Kenmare.
DAY 4
The Ring of Kerry and the Incredible Skellig Michael
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Calling all Star Wars fans! Today, we’ll follow in the footsteps of 7th century Irish monks to their dramatic island retreat, Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Star Wars filming location.
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Two rock pinnacles jutting out of the wild Atlantic Ocean, mark this dramatic landscape. You'll visit the iconic stone beehive huts once used by the monks on Skellig Michael. The small Skellig is equally renowned as the home of some 27,000 pairs of gannets, the second largest colony in the world.
The hike on Skellig Michael is short but involves climbing 618 ancient stone steps. It’s so worth the effort!
DAY 5
The Old Kenmare Road
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Leaving the coast behind, we spend a day enjoying part of one of Ireland’s best long distance trails, (127 miles), the Kerry Way.
Distance: 4 miles/6.5 km, 3hrs.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Following part of a 17th century military road built to move soldiers from Kenmare around the majestic mountain range, it is also known as the Butter Road. Old Kenmare Road is one of Kerry’s most spectacular places to walk. After enjoying views across Kenmare Bay and a splendid horseshoe of mountain peaks, we’ll descend towards the lush green oak woods on the outskirts of Killarney National Park.
DAY 6
Dingle and the Blasket Islands
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A visit to the Blasket Islands is like a visit back in time.
Distance: 4 miles/6.5km, 3hrs.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Evacuated in the 1950s due to harsh conditions, the Blaskets once sustained a remote island population of about 100 people. Our final hike weaves across the Great Blasket as we learn about this long-lost community. We'll keep an eye out for the nesting seabirds, the whales, dolphins, seals who often cruise by just off the coast. Back on the Dingle Peninsula, we’ll spend our evening in the quaint Dingle town, one of the strongest bastions of traditional Irish music. We’ll join the locals in one of the pubs to experience some real ‘craic agus ceoil’ to mark our last night together.
DAY 7
Depart for Home
OR
Points Beyond
Meals Included: Breakfast
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This morning after a relaxing breakfast, we’ll get one last chance to explore the vibrant and colorful Dingle. It is home to many interesting craft shops and cafes. We then will bid farewell to our fellow travelers at Limerick Railway Station, where there are regular train connections to Dublin.
People Love Traveling
with Walking Connection
"I now know I can do anything!" - Connie G.
"Its the places you go and the people I meet, that's why I have traveled with you for the last 30 years."
- Larry D., Arizona
"“This truly was the trip of a lifetime as we were educated about the history of these fabulous mountains, their flora, fauna, people, and treasurers. Thank you so for creating the smooth sailing of this experience!" - Denise and Frank D.
Questions?
Great! We love talking about Ireland! Give our FAQs below a quick look. You might find answers there. Or email us: info@WalkingConnection.com or call us at +1 (623) 561.0846 to speak with a team member. Either way, we are at your service, so please don't hesitate to reach out!
WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?
•Unique itinerary selected by Walking Connection co-founder, Jo Ann Taylor in partnership with our local team in Ireland •Expert local hiking guide •6 nights lodging at carefully selected hotels and lodges •Daily meals, as indicated in itinerary •Ground transfers throughout •Transportation of luggage each day •All activities detailed in itinerary •Detailed Know Before You Go information, including recommended website, reading lists, packing list, and weather forecast
WHAT DOES THE PRICE NOT INCLUDE?
•Local guide gratuities •All international and domestic airfares with tax (not listed in the above inclusions) •Airport transfers at beginning and end of trip •All items of a personal nature, including beverages and shopping •All passport and visa application fees, vaccination and medical consulting fees •All international departure taxes collected at airport of departure •Additional hotel stay pre- or post- scheduled itinerary •Early check-in or late check-out of rooms •Optional tours •Photographs or phone calls •Discounts/Refunds on any unused portion of the tour •Travel Insurance •Anything that is not expressly stated in the itinerary or on the inclusion list above
WHAT IS THE CANCELATION POLICY?
Should you have to cancel your tour the following terms will apply: •Due to the exclusive and small group nature of this adventure, all cancellations requests will forfeit the initial trip deposit. After that: •For cancellations 31-60 days prior to the trip, 70% penalty of the total trip cost. •For cancellations and no shows 30 days or less prior to the trip, no refunds. •No refunds will be made for any unused portion of the tour.
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Call us at (623) 561-0846 to speak with a Walking Connection Team Member.