Original Ireland – 8 stages on the Dingle Way

‘The scent of the wildflowers, the spray of the ocean. It's nature's own beauty, we're watching the world go around.’ The Irish band, Wolf Tones, raves about the beauty of Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula in their song, ‘Dingle Bay'. What makes the region so special? Waves roar against rugged, steep cliffs, green meadows with grazing sheep blanket the hilly landscape and high mountains tower in the distance. Cosy fishing villages welcome their guests and invite them to a convivial evening in the pub. Sounds dreamlike? It is! Experience the peninsula’s magic in the southwest of Ireland for yourself on the Dingle Way. The best way to explore this magnificent landscape is on foot.

The Dingle Way is a 180-kilometre (111 mi) long-distance hiking trail that circles the peninsula once. In this Collection, we’ve divided the route into eight stages, starting in the town of Tralee. The trail reveals the wild, romantic charm of the west coast of Ireland. You hike through marshy moorland, walk across gentle meadows, enjoy the view over the water from the steep cliffs and feel the salty sea air on your cheeks as you look across long sandy beaches. You can fully enjoy the peace and beauty of the landscape – sometimes sheep are your only companions. Again and again, the path leads you past archaeological sites, relics from the time of the Celts.

The best way to reach Tralee, the starting point, is by bus. The journey takes about six hours from Dublin. In Tralee, you can either book a B&B or pitch your tent at a campsite. We planned the hikes in this Collection to end in a place where you can find accommodation. If you camp, check in advance with the village residents where you can pitch your tent.

The entire route is well signposted. If it’s too long, you can also catch a bus in between. Check bus times and connections at the tourist information in Tralee as buses are often infrequent. By the way, Gaelic is still spoken on the Dingle Peninsula. But don’t worry, you can get by with English.

The weather in Ireland is special: The warm Gulf Stream provides a moderate climate all year round. Therefore, you can theoretically do the walk at any time. However, the best chances for good weather are from May to September. Be sure to pack clothes that will protect you from the wind, cold and rain. The weather can be rough on the Atlantic Coast. Even in the rain, Ireland is spectacularly beautiful. After a long day hiking, a Guinness at the pub tastes even better. In Dingle, you also have a good chance of experiencing Irish folk music live – a wonderful part of an Irish holiday.

Let yourself be enchanted by the beautiful landscape of the Dingle Peninsula and experience the originality of the Emerald Isle. After eight intense days of hiking, you will definitely share Wolf Tones' opinion about the region: ‘To a place where my heart has found greater fortune.’