Starting the Kerry Way

I left Killarney Friday morning (May 3rd) and hiked the seven miles to the start of the Gap of Dunloe. It was a pretty easy hike other than there being more car traffic than I expected, but it got me to the Gap in time for lunch. Then, it was up and over a very pretty pass. This isn't part of the Kerry Way but joins up with it. The first two and the last two segments of the Way are the same. Doing the Gap is a popular thing to do as a result.



After going over the top of the pass the trail goes down into the Black Valley - named for the dark rocks - and joins up with the Kerry Way after about four miles. I continued on and had a good first day before finding a campsite in a wooded area. 

The next day was tough and covered the most difficult part of the Way. After hiking up the Black Valley I had to climb a pass and then descend the other side into Bridia Valley. Then do it again. It was a slog but I was rewarded with beautiful views and the weather was nice. Both valleys were beautiful, but harsh. And isolated. There were few homes and the only people I saw were fellow hikers. Amazingly, in this age, I went a full day with no cell service. Talking about dropping off the face of the Earth!





I stayed at a B&B the second night after hiking down from the pass. I was pampered with a shower, dinner, wine, and breakfast. Still no cell service, though.

Sunday I did the trek to Gkenbeigh, a resort town on Dingle Bay. I was able to look across to the Dingle Peninsula,  my destination in a couple weeks. 

I found a nice caravan park where I was able to camp for just 20 euros and even got dinner next door. Things were going well.


Unfortunately, I had enormous fatigue this morning. I felt it coming on yesterday but thought it was just from the hiking. But, I'm afraid I recognize this stuff. I either picked up Covid (again!) or the long haul is hitting me (again!). I'm really tired of this disease. I decided to stay here another night and spent the day napping. Hopefully, I'll be okay tomorrow because I'm hiking out in the morning. I didn't come here to lounge around.






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