The Kerry Way is heaven for trail runners. This 200 km signposted walking trail looping counter-clockwise around the Iveragh Peninsula features spectacular countryside scenery. It’s a glorious mix of clifftop trail with views to the Atlantic, with some interior sections passing through attractive farmland. You will see sheep! The Kerry Way starts in Killarney, where we have other running options.
Example of wayfinding on the Kerry Way
This is a long-distance walking/hiking trail that’s also terrific for trail running. Many people do this as an 8-10 day ‘walk’. The trail includes easy, moderate, and difficult sections, with some mountainous terrain. But the footing is never overly technical, and the signage is good.
This trail description page breaks the route into 20+ sections, with detailed descriptions and information on distance, elevation, and difficulty.
There are sections of the Kerry Way incorporated into our routes in Killarney, Kenmare, and Waterville, with good add-on options.
The Kerry Way is heaven for trail runners. This 200 km signposted walking trail looping counter-clockwise around the Iveragh Peninsula features spectacular countryside scenery. It’s a glorious mix of clifftop trail with views to the Atlantic, with some interior sections passing through attractive farmland. You will see sheep! The Kerry Way starts in Killarney, where we have other running options.
Example of wayfinding on the Kerry Way
This is a long-distance walking/hiking trail that’s also terrific for trail running. Many people do this as an 8-10 day ‘walk’. The trail includes easy, moderate, and difficult sections, with some mountainous terrain. But the footing is never overly technical, and the signage is good.
This trail description page breaks the route into 20+ sections, with detailed descriptions and information on distance, elevation, and difficulty.
There are sections of the Kerry Way incorporated into our routes in Killarney, Kenmare, and Waterville, with good add-on options.
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Essentials
Full trail is 200 km - but is broken up into 20+ sections
Some sections easier, others very hilly. Overall trail is 4,000m ascent
Depends on section chosen. The official start is in Killarney.
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.
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, good beach running at Carthoo Beach, and a gorgeous clifftop trail run at Slay Head.
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.
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Essentials
Full trail is 200 km - but is broken up into 20+ sections
Some sections easier, others very hilly. Overall trail is 4,000m ascent
Depends on section chosen. The official start is in Killarney.
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!