The Dingle peninsula is a popular visitor destination in County Kerry, known for its rugged scenery, trails, and sandy beaches. There’s a nice waterfront run in Dingle, some great beach running nearby, and a gorgeous clifftop trail run at Slay Head.
Waterfront Run. A nice 5k is to run from the center of Dingle along the water on Strand St., including a loop of the Marina breakwater, as far as the golf course. Path/sidewalk and water views the whole way.
Slea Head Drive/Dingle Peninsula. This is a gorgeous waterfront road that winds around the Dingle peninsula, with spectacular water views. Unfortunately, there’s no sidewalk or shoulder, so we can’t recommend it as a safe run. But it’s a popular drive! And perhaps you can sneak on it early….
Slea Head. Google Street View
Slea Head Trail Run. A gorgeous and popular hike/trail run on clifftop trails that’s part of the long-distance Dingle Way hiking trail. From the car park, take follow the trail around the tip of the peninsula. It’s a grassy, rolling hill surface, with some rocks, and narrow in spots.
Ceann Trá/Carhoo Beach. Nice, wide beach along Ventry Harbour that’s great for running. It’s ~2.5 km long. Located 10 km west of DIngle.
The Dingle peninsula is a popular visitor destination in County Kerry, known for its rugged scenery, trails, and sandy beaches. There’s a nice waterfront run in Dingle, some great beach running nearby, and a gorgeous clifftop trail run at Slay Head.
Waterfront Run. A nice 5k is to run from the center of Dingle along the water on Strand St., including a loop of the Marina breakwater, as far as the golf course. Path/sidewalk and water views the whole way.
Slea Head Drive/Dingle Peninsula. This is a gorgeous waterfront road that winds around the Dingle peninsula, with spectacular water views. Unfortunately, there’s no sidewalk or shoulder, so we can’t recommend it as a safe run. But it’s a popular drive! And perhaps you can sneak on it early….
Slea Head. Google Street View
Slea Head Trail Run. A gorgeous and popular hike/trail run on clifftop trails that’s part of the long-distance Dingle Way hiking trail. From the car park, take follow the trail around the tip of the peninsula. It’s a grassy, rolling hill surface, with some rocks, and narrow in spots.
Ceann Trá/Carhoo Beach. Nice, wide beach along Ventry Harbour that’s great for running. It’s ~2.5 km long. Located 10 km west of DIngle.
For a nice off-road run in Killarney, there's a series of footpaths heading southwest to Ross Castle and then out to Library Point. Mainly paved, with a landscape alternating between open fields, some views of the River Deenagh, and wooded sections.
There's something for every runner in this 26,000-acre park known for its combination of mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls under ever changing skies. Easier running includes routes exploring Killarney House, Ross Castle/Ross Island, Muckross House.
This running tour of Kenmare's highlights has a nice variety. Historic Cromwell's Bridge, Kenmare Stone Circle, nice water views along the Kenmare Pier and over the Kenmare Bridge, and the famous rhododendron tunnel trail in Reenagross Woodland.
Just off the Ring of Kerry in Waterville, a nice run on quieter roads that mixes a waterfront section along Ballinskelligs Bay, then a 5.6 km interior loop featuring the Loher Stone Fort. The full route is a 10-miler, but there are shorter/longer options.
Gorgeous clifftop trail run of moderate challenge on Valentia Island, set location for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Decent surface on the steady climb to the Bray Head Watchtower, with great views out to the Skellig Islands.
Heaven for trail runners! Choose a section of this 200 km walking trail around the Iveragh Peninsula. There are easy, moderate, and difficult sections. Much of the trail is on clifftop heads above the water, with some interior farmland sections.
Another great option for trail runners! Choose a section of this 179 km walking trail around the Dingle Peninsula. Trail running with various degrees of difficulty, & somewhat easier than the Kerry Way. Much of the trail is along or above the coast.
There are some wonderful beaches for running in County Kerry -- wide, with firm sand. Inch Beach, Ceann Trá, and Stradbelly Beach are on the Dingle Peninsula, while Rossbeigh Strand is just off the Ring of Kerry.
There are some nice running options in County Kerry's largest town, including a flat off-road path along the Tralee Canal, paths around the beautiful Park of Tralee, and the recently completed 15 km Trailee-Fenit Greenway.
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!