The Kerry Way - All Done

I marched (marched!) into Killarney Sunday evening - ten days and 128 miles after I left it. The Kerry Way was behind me. This was a great trail. And, through some kind of miracle, I did the whole thing without being rained on. It was close though. The last day was hiking in clouds and mist and it poured down Sunday night. I've now finished the first two trails I planned on during this Ireland trip. 208 total hiking miles so far.

It was mostly pretty pleasant but there were a couple of tough days. The day after hiking through the Gap of Dunloe was tiring. I hiked the length of the Black Valley before climbing up and over a big pass into the next valley - Bridia Valley - just to do it again with an even higher pass. I told someone later that I did it in one day and they were surprised. I was told most people take two days to do that stretch. It was very beautiful, but harsh. You may think I'm making this up, but I went the whole section without any cell service. Weird, but true. (I can sense the skeptics out there.)

Once over the passes I had a pretty easy couple of days, including a trail zero at a really nice caravan park in the resort town of Glenbeigh until I hit this ridge line consisting of a series of ups and downs. I would climb up to a peak just to see there was another, even taller peak ahead. 

The next day I came to a split in the trail. One way said it would take me to Waterville via 4 more miles of ridgeline. That was half as much as I did the entire previous day. The other way said it would take me directly to Caherdaniel (the next town after Waterville). Easy decision. The trail took me down into the valley and it was lovely. Then, it took me across the valley to a ridge and to a cleft in the rocks that would require me to climb hand over hand. I stopped to look at the topographic map and realized it would take me two days to transit that range. Instead, I turned around and went back to the road running through the valley. Eventually, it took me to Waterville. Another cool resort town. 

Then onwards along the coast and magnificent views, including two days of beautiful, clear, blue skies.

The last day I hiked out of the resort town of Kenmare on a constant climb up into the mountains and clouds. Almost the the entire hike that day was in Killarney National Park which has the tallest mountains in Ireland. I gave some thought before coming to maybe climbing them. How cool! Climb the highest mountain in Ireland. I'd pretty much given up on the idea before coming (you can do only so much) but any lingering thoughts disappeared when I saw those mountains. I decided I'm not that motivated.

Instead, I finished the hike into Killarney and searched for the trailhead without any luck. I finally went to the hostel and returned on Monday to find it. Turns out I walked right by without realizing it. It just an old, faded map on the wall. I got my picture in front of it anyway. 

It was a great trail. I met many wonderful people and saw spectacular views. It was a true taste of Ireland. 

Next up - The Dingle Way. Stay tuned.