Walk of the Month: The Dingle Way
The Dingle Way is a stunning walking trail around the famous Dingle Peninsula in south-west Ireland. Throughout the course of the walk, you will discover much of what makes Ireland one of the world’s most popular destinations – wild landscapes, dramatic coastline, friendly locals, and a rich history which has influenced the country’s folklore for centuries.
Traditionally, the first language of this area is Irish Gaelic and you will encounter a great deal of the famously warm Irish character and hospitality. The main towns on the route are Tralee and Dingle, and you’ll pass through many interesting and colourful villages such as Camp, Inch, Anascaul, Ventry, Dunquin, Ballyferriter, Brandon, and Castlegregory.
The Dingle Peninsula is the most westerly peninsula in Europe and you will be surrounded by the wild Atlantic Ocean, where the next stop is Canada.
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How long does it take to walk the Dingle Way?
The entire route is 111 miles (179 km). Our most popular itinerary is DINW2 which completes the route over 8 days, with an average walking distance of 13.4 miles (21.6 km) each day.
We also offer a shorter, 5 day itinerary (DINW1) which skips the first section between Tralee and Camp, and the final section between Cloghane back to Tralee which – from Camp onwards – is on the same path as the first day.
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How difficult is the Dingle Way?
We have graded the Dingle Way as being of moderate difficulty.
The route follows a mixture of waymarked paths along mountain trails, old tracks, and paths. There is a long ascent over a pass beneath Mount Brandon, the second tallest mountain in Ireland. Aside from this, it is a generally low-level walk.
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Where should I add a rest day?
We recommend adding an extra day in the thriving town of Dingle, which will allow you to take a boat trip to the unspoiled Blasket Islands off the western edge of the Peninsula.
Great Blasket Island has over 1,100 acres of stunning, mountainous terrain and provides the opportunity for many scenic walks.
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3 reasons to walk the Dingle Way
1. Explore a breathtaking corner of Ireland once called the ‘most beautiful place on Earth’ by National Geographic
2. Spot marine life along the coast, including dolphins, otters and seals
3. Experience Irish culture first hand in vibrant towns and villages
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In our clients’ words
“It was a wonderful trip. It was hard to determine whether it was because of the scenery or the people. I would say both get a high rating.” – Margaret McGinley, Germany
“The Dingle Peninsula is a beautiful area of the country, with some most wonderful beaches, which I had to myself in some cases and it is lovely to also get into the mountains a bit, which the Dingle Way does! Fairly remote with wide-open spaces, which I loved.” – Wendy Reed, England
“We had a wonderful time hiking on the Dingle Peninsula. The scenery was stunning and the walks energizing, and in some places challenging due to the rain and mist. And we met some hikers who have now become friends. I think our most favourite hike was from Dunquin to Ballydavid – but all had their beauty and charm.” – Mark Rosenfeld & Leora Rissen, Canada
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Walking the Dingle Way
If you’re inspired to walk the Dingle Way, Absolute Escapes offer self-guided walking holidays in the UK & Ireland which include accommodation, daily baggage transfers, guidebook/map, and full information pack.
Send us an enquiry today – we’d love to help you plan an unforgettable walking holiday.
