Dingle Way – Dun Quin to Tralee

Left Dun Quin at 10am Tuesday and walked 22 km to Feohanagh in about five hours. Walked along boreens and across grasslands, then across a long beach and on high cliffs.

Wednesday I departed at 9:30 and it took me almost eight hours to walk the 21 km to Cloghane. Descending Mt. Brandon was time consuming as it is a steep, muddy, slippery mess with a 2000 ft. cliff on one side.

The photo above shows the cutting of peat for fuel. The plastic bags are full of peat blocks ready for delivery.

Wednesday night I stayed at O’Connor’s pub which reminded me of PG Wodehouse’s Angler’s Rest. There was even a character telling outlandish stories like Mr. Mulliner.

Thursday I left at 9:30 and walked about 35 km to Camp in 8 hrs. It was mostly an easy walk on beaches.

I made it just in time to catch the bus to Tralee, where I stayed last night. This morning I took the bus to Killarney where I will spend two days hiking in the national park.

Dingle Way – Annascaul to Dun Quin

Left Annascaul at about 9am after having my traditional Irish breakfast – 2 sausages, 2 “rashers” (strips of bacon), an egg, tomato, mushrooms, 3 slices of toast, and tea – and walked the 22 km to Dingle in about 6 hours. It was a beautiful day and the muck never went into my boots – you can’t ask for more than that.

This dog appeared out on the moor. He would run up ahead of me, drop a stick on the ground, back up and lay down until I threw the stick, then he would fetch it and repeat. He continued this for about a mile, then disappeared. I think he was supposed to be working herding sheep but decided to take a break and play.

I walked through 3 miles of this.

But with scenery like this it wasn’t so bad.

Dingle is a lively little fishing village known for its pubs with “trad sessions” (traditional Irish music). I stayed two nights as it rained heavily on Sunday.

Today (Monday) I left at 9:30am and walked 20km to Dun Quin in about six hours.

The trail was very mucky after yesterday’s rain, and overgrown with briars (blackberries) which shredded my clothes.

But walking over Slea Head the view is magnificent, one of the finest I’ve ever seen.

Everything out here is closed or closing for the season. Tonight I’m one of two people at the youth hostel, the only accommodation still open (it’s closing on Wednesday). I had a cup of noodles for dinner because all of the restaurants are closed.

Here is a description of tomorrow’s walk to Feohanagh.

Dingle Way – Tralee to Annascaul

Spent two days in Dublin, then decided to take the train to the Dingle Peninsula before things shut down for the winter. Yesterday hiked 18 km from Tralee to Camp. Rough going over boggy, mucky, and rocky moors – took almost six hour. Beautiful day and scenery, though.

Today walked 17 km from Camp to Annascaul. Much easier walking mostly on “boreens” (back roads). Took less than four hours.

Tomorrow I continue on 22 km to Dingle. Five km of it is described as mucky so I bought a roll of Saran Wrap to wrap my shoes.