Hiking a part of the Dingle-Way

The whole way is about 180km.  of the Dingle Way. We did the half way (90km) in four days.

There are all the way round places where you can stay overnight and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner (Pubs, Guesthouses, Youth Hostel etc.). While we wanted to try out our new tents, we sleeped outdoors and took our stove and food with us. 

It's possible to go both directions, most people start in Tralee and hikes in the clockwise direction. We had a nice lift by an old man from Tralee to Castlegregory and startet our hike in that little town (the other way round). 

You walk along the sea and through some small villages. Later you arrive on the longest beach Irelands which you have to hike. It's long but it's a nice walk. The sun shined for us the whole day and we even saw some irish people taking a rest on the beach, with of course, it's car aside of them.... ;-) Slowly you arrive in Cloghane, where you have to walk a part on the street. In Cloghane we setup our tent (In the garden of the O'Connors Guesthouse and Pub for 7 Euros, incl. shower). Day 1: 22km.

Second day has been the hardest; we had to cross the Mount Brandon (highest peak of the Dingle Way: 952m). Luckily, with our direction, we could climb the hard track and did'nt had to descent it. There are a few more signs than usually, but the trail isn't good prepared. You have to find your "own way" on stones, grass and rocks (between some friendly ;-) sheeps). Be sure to put boots on and walk slowely and concentrated. The whole hill is a spring, so the whole ground is wet! If there's not much mist, you can see the beach in the valley. Just for information: On the top of the mountain there has been a very, very strong wind and it started to rain, exaclty when we reached the peak. People told us, it's not always like that, so mabye you got more chance... The night we spent in the garden of the An Bóthar B&B (10 Euros incl. shower). Very friendly people with a big heart. They even dryed our shoes and clothes, and tendered us warm tea. Day 2: 24km.

On the third day you first have to walk between some cattle fields. Sometimes you find kind of ladders to cross over, quite adventurous while the track is not always very well prepared. We stayed rather long on a very nice river with its colourful coppertips and also at the ocean which appears suddenly near Feohanagh, that we came a little bit in hustle with the time. The spot is just too awesome, you feel like in a kitschy Cornwall-Romance. The only sad thing is, the nearer you are at the cliffs the stronger gets the wind... (But like already written, it seems not being always like that). In Murreagh is a little postoffice where you can find food. Good for the subsequent part: After some small beaches you have to follow for a looong time the road. Our feets have been tired after all this tar, that we decided to take a small abbreveation in Clogher, also because of this horrible wind and rain. A very friendly lady working in the Louis Mulcahy Pottery gave us a lift for the last 2km till the Youth Hostel called Dùn Chaoin in Dunquin. We have been so glad for a dried and warm place to stay our third night, that we payed these 18 Euros with pleasure. Day 3: 22km.

Our fourth and last day on the Dingle Way started very early. The sun came again through the clouds, what made us unbelievably happy. First, the trail follows again the road but with the great view over the North Attlantic Ocean with the waves shattering on the cliffs and the famous Blasket Islands it's not worse. You cross the well-known coastal highway Ring of Kerry, and you can see some Clochàns (old stone huts) while going around the Mount Eagle on fields. It has been very nice and funny to cross the "coloured" sheeps. Such cute animals. It's a very nice walk and you feel very strong and free. Again you follow some beaches and in the end, of course, the road. But soon you arrive in Dingle. We spent our last night in the garden of the Rainbow Hostel (10 Euros incl. Shower) Day 4: 23km.

The fifth, sixth and seventh day we hanged out in some Pubs in Dublin and discovered the "other part" of Ireland. Which has his charme too ;-) With the bus you reach Dublin in about 6 hours drom Dingle for ~25 Euros. Dingle by the way is also a very beautiful, cute and colourful little town. We saw the dolphin named Fungie from the boat - what an unforgettable experience! 

Our journey to Ireland and especially to the Dingle Peninsula has been more than just a trip for me. It has been an adventure to reach borders, a time to catch incredibly moments in a nonpareil wilderness and wildlife and a chance to take an insight in a culture of people with an affability, which really touched my heart.