Home / Hidden Ireland South (9 Day Tour)

Hidden Ireland South (9 Day Tour)

Everything you imagined Ireland to be is combined in this wonderful 9 day hiking tour of the Burren in County Clare, the Dingle Peninsula, and Killarney National Park

Prices:US$ 5999
US$ 800 Single Supp
Duration: 9 days

2018 Certificate of Excellence

This trip can be taken as:

  • Hidden Ireland – 15 days (days 1-15) [click here]
  • Hidden Ireland North – 6 nights (days 1-7) [click here]
  • Hidden Ireland South – 8 nights (days 8-15) [see below]

Itinerary Information

Hidden Ireland South Tour Details for 2024
Tues 25 June to Wed 3 July 2024
12 Places Available
Pick up 12 noon Galway City

Return 12 - 1 pm Killarney Rail / Bus Station

Duration: 9 days
$5999
$800 Single Supp
Thur 26 Sept to Fri 4 Oct 2024
8 Places Available

Tour Map: Hidden Ireland South

Map: Hidden Ireland South

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Tour Highlights

  • 2 nights in the Burren, County Clare
  • 3 nights on the Dingle Peninsula
  • 2 nights in Kenmare, Ring of Kerry
  • 1 night in Ballycotton, County Cork
  • The Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare
  • Wild flowers of the Burren
  • Unusual geology of the Burren
  • Guided hike of the Burren
  • Hike the Cliffs of Moher
  • Walk part of the Dingle Way
  • Browse in the shops in Dingle Town
  • Magnificent Kerry scenery
  • A walk on magnificent Ventry Beach
  • Lovely coastal views
  • Spectacular Mountain Views
  • Traditional music in Kenmare

Included In Tour

  • Galway City pick-up and Killarney drop-off
  • 8 nights 3-4 star accommodation (en suite)
  • All land transport
  • 8 guided walks
  • Escort of full-time guide
  • Escort of local guides
  • Evening transportation to pubs / music
  • Entrance to the Cliffs of Moher
  • Boat Ride across Killarney Lakes
  • 8 breakfasts
  • 7 packed lunches
  • 5 evening meals

Galway Bay - South of Ireland Hiking TourDAY 1: MEET AT GALWAY CITY, TRAVEL ON TO COUNTY CLARE, HIKE SLIEVE ELVA IN THE BURREN

Terrain: forest tracks, green road, stoney trails | Elev 300 ft. | Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)

We will meet you at Galway City where your journey begins. We will head south to the Burren Region of County Clare – a huge plateau of limestone and shale aptly summed up with the words, “savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a man, nor a tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury him”. The Burren, also described as a strange lunar-like region of bare carboniferous limestone which occupies around one hundred square miles of County Clare. Our walk today is at the highest point in the Burren: Slieve Elva. We will be rewarded with great views across Galway Bay to the Aran Islands.

Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 6 miles long, there is an alternative option of just 2-3 miles available.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan or Lisdoonvarna in the Burren. Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 2: MORNING HIKE OVERLOOKING COASTAL BURREN AREA, AFTERNOON HIKE ON THE BEACH

Terrain: grassy and stoney track | Elev 700ft | Walking Distance 7 miles (11.2 km).

Today we will be accompanied by our local expert guide. He will take us to sites of botanical, geological and archaeological interest. This will include walking in two separate parts of the Burren with a break for lunch. The Burren region is famous for its flora: you will never see anything like the carpets of primroses, coastal displays of sea pinks, or the white flower of the blackthorn cascading over all the hedgerows. Rare and spectacular plants occur in abundance. Orchids grow everywhere in the Burren and 23 out of the 27 Irish species are to be found here.

Alternative Walk Options: there are two walks today: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  The first is approx 5 miles, and the second is 2-3 miles

Overnight: Ballyvaughan, or Lisdoonvarna, County Clare. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

The Cliffs of Moher with sea pinksDAY 3: VISIT CLIFFS OF MOHER, TRAVEL SOUTH VIA ADARE TO  NEWCASTLE WEST

Terrain: stone track and grassy paths. Elev gain: 400 ft. Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)

The Cliffs of Moher: one of Ireland’s most notable sights. Towering 660 feet above the wild Atlantic, these cliffs are noted for abundant birdlife including puffins. We will begin our walk in the village of Doolin and hike six miles along the cliff path to the actual Cliffs of Moher. Leaving County Clare, we will drive south to Newcastle West inCounty Limerick stopping for a visit to the lovely village of Adare en route.

Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 6 miles long, there is an alternative option of just 2-3 miles available.

Overnight: Newcastle West, County Limerick. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

 The spectacular green valley of Magha na BoDAY 4: TRAVEL TO DINGLE PENINSULA HIKE AT INCH BEACH AND THE DINGLE COASTAL PATH

Terrain: coastal path of gravel and grass | Elev 300 ft. | Walking Distance 4 miles (6.4 km)

We will drive south from Newcastle West to Dingle Town. Stopping on the way we will hike for a couple of hours along the spectacular Inch Beach.  We will arrive in the late morning in Dingle.  Our first walk on the Dingle Peninsula will be along the coast past the old lighthouse, looking out across Dingle Harbour.  We make our walk past dramatic cliffs and coves to Beenbawn and return by the same route.

Alternative walk options: stroll in to Dingle town to visit the shops / galleries / restaurants. 

Overnight: Dingle, County Kerry. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

Dingle PeninsulaDAY 5: HIKE AT FAR END OF DINGLE PENINSULA AT BALLYDAVID HEAD

Terrain: country lanes, coast path, moorland | Elev gain: 500 ft. | Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)

We travel today to the western side of the Brandon Ridge to walk at Ballydavid Head, for one of the best walks on the Dingle Peninsula. We climb gently through moorland grass to reach a fine vantage point with expansive views of the surrounding hills, fields, mountains, sea and cliffs. This area could be described as a “photographer’s paradise”. We will take our time to take pictures, relax, and enjoy the views. We will then return to Dingle for some free time to browse the lovely shops and galleries.

Alternative Walk Options: stroll in to Dingle town to visit the shops / galleries / restaurants. 

Overnight: Dingle, County Kerry. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

The Cliffs of Moher with sea pinksDAY 6: WALK FROM NORTH SIDE TO SOUTH SIDE OF DINGLE PENINSULA

Terrain: mountain track, bog, country lanes | Elev 1100 ft. | Walking Distance 9 miles

We will drive across the highest road pass in Ireland, the Connor Pass to reach the spectacular green valley of Magha na Bo. Our path leads through a beautiful steep-sided valley towards the pass at Beenbo Mountain. We climb gently beside the river and on to open heathland where we can find the elusive sundew and butterwort (insectivorous plants of the bog) and the feathery white flags of the bog cotton. We cross over the pass and follow a track to Annascaul village. We can visit the South Pole Inn: once owned by Tom Crean, one of the heroes of the Shackleton expedition to the South Pole.

Alternative Walk Options: stroll in to Dingle town to visit the shops / galleries / restaurants. 

Overnight: Dingle, County Kerry. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

Gougane Barra Forest Park

DAY 7: BOAT JOURNEY ACROSS THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY, WALK SECTION OF THE KERRY WAY. TRAVEL TO KENMARE 

Terrain: heath and moorland, woodland, stony and boggy tracks | Elev 300ft. | Walking Distance 4 miles (6.4 km)

We leave Dingle this morning to travel down to Killarney where we will be taken on a boat ride out across the Lakes of Killarney National Park.  Disembarking at Lord Brandon’s Cottage we will stop for our picnic lunch before heading off to hike part of the Kerry Way in the heart of the mountains known as the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks.We will then travel further south to Kenmare, County Kerry. 

Alternative Walk Option: this is just a short 4 mile hike

Overnight: Kenmare, County Kerry.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Hore Abbey

DAY 8: TRAVEL THE RING OF KERRY AND WALK THE KERRY WAY

Terrain: beach, stone paths, boggy tracks | Elev Gain: 600ft | Walking Distance 6 miles (9.6 km)

Today we will walk part of the Kerry Way across from Derrynane House and Beach to Abbey Island, over the sand. The views of the coast and mountains are spectacular. We can take a rest at a quiet cove and have lunch.  The route then climbs gently above the bay with lovely sea views taking in Scarriff Island. We then return along the Kerry Way to Derrynane House where there will be time to explore the grounds.

Walk Options: the full walk is 6 miles long, there is an alternative option of just relaxing or strolling in the beautiful town of Kenmare.

Overnight: Kenmare, County Kerry.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Irish MusicDAY 9: DEPART FOR KILLARNEY AFTER BREAKFAST

We must say Goodbye to Ireland after our drive to Killarney Bus / Rail Station where it is straightforward to take a bus or train to Dublin Airport.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

Note: The above scheduled itinerary is subject to change for varying reasons. Any changes made by Joyce’s Ireland and / or the tour leaders will be in the interest and safety of all participants.

Note also: Many clients come on a Joyce’s Ireland tour who wish to do very little hiking. Every day there are alternative options such as sight-seeing, relaxing, reading, painting, listening to Irish traditional music, and generally just soaking up the Irish atmosphere. You can opt out of the hiking on any day! All our accommodations are based in scenic locations, so you are very welcome to just remain “home” for the day.

South of Ireland Hiking Tour

Hidden Ireland South – South of Ireland Hiking Tour

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