The Dingle Way: Ireland Walking Trip

Explore one of the most stunning rural landscapes in Ireland even better by walking the Dingle Way. This fabulous Ireland walk winds its way through the Dingle mountains, Irish speaking villages, past impressive cliffs, ocean views and empty sandy beaches. This Ireland walk is not the country's longest but possibly the most beautiful and enjoyable.

The Dingle Way walking trail begins and finishes at the start of the Dingle Peninsula in the town of Tralee. This wonderful Ireland walk loops around the Dingle Peninsula covering 112 miles. The villages that walkers will encounter on their trip are Camp, Annascaul, Dingle Town, Ventry, Slea Head, Feoghanagh, Clohane and Castlegregory.

This enjoyable Ireland walk usually takes around ten days to complete. Besides passing through beautiful countryside the Dingle Way also passes a number of interesting Celtic monuments including Ogham stones. The Dingle Way is a self-guided walking tour where you can pick the sections you walk and go along the trail at your own pace. Along the way each stage of the Dingle Way Ireland walk offers a choice of accommodation mostly in bed and breakfasts.

The first leg of this Ireland walking trip leaves Tralee and ends in the village of Camp. It is 12 miles long moves through quiet country roads. Along the way highlights include an eighth century church and at views up to the Slieve Mish Mountains.

On the second leg of the Dingle Way, Camp to Annascaul you encounter the fabulous Inch Strand which is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland. This part of the trip finishes in the pretty hill top village of Annascaul.

The third section of the walk brings you to the main town of Dingle. Dingle is a friendly fishing town where Irish is still spoken and you will have no problem finding a traditional Irish pub to relax in. Dingle Town also contains a number of traditional crafts shops and good restaurants.

The fourth leg of the Dingle Way Ireland walk brings walkers to some of the most spectacular sites on the Dingle Peninsula, Slea Head and Ventry Beach. This area is also full of interesting historic sites including the well known beehive huts.

On the Tiduff to Cloghane section of the Dingle Way walk travellers will have the chance to experience the wild remoteness of the Dingle Peninsula with many of the areas that the trail enters being accessible only by foot. There are also a number of beehive huts and a 3,500 year old standing stone engraved with Ogham writing.

Other highlights of the Dingle Way walk include the coastal village of Feohanagh, Brandon Mountain and bay and a number of isolated beaches. The majority of the Dingle Way walk covers low lying land and is relatively easy to walk. There is one exception to this though and that is the section that takes walkers up Mt. Brandon. This can be a very difficult section to walk. It is advisable to walk the traditional way around the Dingle walk, heading towards the village of Camp first. This is the way most walkers will travel and it is a great way to meet other travellers.

Before embarking on this long distance walk in Ireland make sure to do your research. Long distance walking of any kind can be physically demanding make sure you are not over estimating your abilities. Research safety and supplies so that you are adequately equipped for the terrain and weather conditions along with being able to cope with an emergency. The Dingle Way walking in Ireland trail is a fantastic way to see some of Ireland's most beautiful countryside.