Stage 01
Killarney → Black Valley
Out of Killarney, through Muckross and up the Old Kenmare Road to the Black Valley — a proper start to the Kingdom's long trail.
Ireland's longest waymarked trail
The Kerry Way
214 km · 9 stages · a complete loop from Killarney around the Iveragh peninsula and home again. The Ring of Kerry the way it was meant to be seen — on foot.
About the route
Ireland's longest waymarked trail
The Kerry Way was opened in 1989 and runs for 214 kilometres — the longest waymarked long-distance trail in Ireland. Unlike the Wicklow Way's north-south line, the Kerry Way is a complete loop, starting and ending in Killarney and circling the Iveragh peninsula.
Most walkers take 9 days for the full circuit. Others split it in half (the "southern loop" Killarney-Kenmare over the mountains, or the longer "coast loop" Kenmare-Glenbeigh-Killarney via the Ring of Kerry coast). Plenty just do one or two stages on their own and return for more.
Every stage below includes distance, walking time, elevation, difficulty, route summary, GPX, audio-tour link and accommodation near the endpoints.
"There's no better way to see Kerry than the Kerry Way. You earn every view — and they are very, very good views."
Route map
Komoot embed of the full 214 km loop with stage endpoints, accommodation and elevation profile.
Free download
Full-route GPX file
The complete 214 km Kerry Way as one GPX file. Works with Komoot, OS Maps, Garmin, Strava, AllTrails. Drop your email and we'll send it straight over, plus a printable stage map pack.
Stage by stage
The 9 stages of the Kerry Way
Walk them in order as a loop, cherry-pick the stages that catch your eye, or split into the northern/southern half. Each stage is a day's walk.
Stage 02
Black Valley → Glencar
Under the wall of the Reeks via Bridia Valley and the Lack Road. Remote, spectacular, weather-dependent.
Stage 03
Glencar → Glenbeigh
Over Windy Gap to the coast — first sight of the Atlantic, finishing at Rossbeigh strand.
Stage 04
Glenbeigh → Cahersiveen
The long day. Mountain tracks and quiet lanes around Drung Hill to finish in Cahersiveen.
Stage 05
Cahersiveen → Waterville
Coast and hill, ending in Waterville — Charlie Chaplin's favourite Kerry village.
Stage 06
Waterville → Caherdaniel
A shorter day crossing the southern tip of the peninsula, past ancient ogham stones.
Stage 07
Caherdaniel → Sneem
Coastal green roads and rolling hills — ending in the handsome village of Sneem.
Stage 08
Sneem → Kenmare
The longest stage on the south side. Tidal crossings, oak woods, and Kenmare waiting with chowder and Guinness.
Stage 09
Kenmare → Killarney
Back over the Old Kenmare Road into Killarney — completing Ireland's longest waymarked loop.
Full set · save €11
Get all 9 audio tours — €24.99
Every stage of the Kerry Way, with a local voice in your ear. Lifetime access. Transcripts included.
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