three day circle walk (15km per day)

brownian

Hi

thinking of bringing mrs B and the little Bs (12,14, plenty of walking experience) for three days of walking over the June BH weekend.

Any good suggestions that fit the following criteria

- good scenery (Kerry or Donegal, as we do a lot in Wicklow and Galway already)
- waymarked way (Kerry Way, Beara Way?) preferred, for some/all of the walk
- starts and ends in the same place (car left there for three days)
- B&B and food available at end of each stage (no camping allowed !)

A few years ago we did Annascaul - Brandon Pier - Dingle - Annascaul, but that was without the kids, so something more waymarked and less challenging would be good.

Are there, for example, long nice loops of the Beara or Kerry ways that can be joined by going off-trail for a few hours, to make a circle ?

Many thanks

Brownian

Hmmmmm. Because both walks involve two large loops, hard to think too easily of 3 x 15km stretches that would take in 1 loop with bnbs at each stage. Maybe take out maps and think of the following...

Kate Kearneys in Gap of Dunloe to hostel in Black Valley
Black Valley to Kenmare
Kenmare back to Killarney.

You'll need a taxi to cover Killarney to Kate Kearneys stretch. Leave car there. But maybe tell someone in case they think ye've gone missing!

Waterville to Caherdaniel.
Caherdaniel to Castlecove (would be a short trek)
Castlecove to Waterville

Can't think of anything suitable in Beara. Tempted to say Castletownbere-Allihies-Eyeries-Castletownbere but think last leg could be on a road that might not be great for 4 walking along. It's no motorway, but just not ideal. Maybe, instead of sticking to a loop, you could leave the car at Castletownbere and get a taxi to Ardgroom, it's only 15 mins on main road so shouldn't cost too much but then you could do Ardgroom-Eyeries-Allihies-Castletownbere.

Hope that helps.

brownian

Thanks Conor.

Thinking perhaps of Sheeps Head Way as an alternative? Anyone done that?

Hoof_Hearted

I did a couple of Sheep's head loops recently, just day hikes - it's magical! We're planning a two or three day hike soon and I can't wait. I would highly recommend it, it's not too arduous so should be grand for the younger ones. The Seefin loop has everything in my opinion, wide open parts, a little bit hilly, a grassy valley, three peaks - there's even a couple of prehistoric tombs (though we missed those - too busy looking at the amazing views). It's really well marked too, they've done a great job on it.

brownian

So, did the Sheeps Head way over the long weekend with the wife and daughters (11,14). Started in Rosmore, just W of Durrus, over to Caher, just W of Kilcrohane. Looped out to the lighthouse next day, then back along the N coast and over the Poet's Way back to our B&B (LowerCaherHouse.com - highly recommended!). Third day back to Kilcrohane, N to the N Coast, along the Way as far as Glanlough (v. pretty, but much hillier than rest of walk), then a bit of a trudge back over the roads from Glanlough to Rosmore.

60Km or so all in. Ate like a king at the Gateway in Durrus and the Good Things Cafe (also in Durrus, much slicker and much dearer, food not any better). Stayed in Caher as above, and at SeaviewLodge (IIRC - yellow B&B right on road side, who let us leave car for three days) in Rosmore (heavy on the air fresheners and fabric conditioners, but otherwise a very competent and friendly B&B).

Route VERY well signposted throughout. People very friendly throughout. Countryside pretty without being fabulous, though the area around the lighthouse is quite spectacular. On a clear day, views N and S across the bays are v good.

Less relevant - rained without a break all day Saturday. Drowned Rats. Dry but foggy some of Sunday. Dry but overcast Monday. Rain Monday evening, but in car so who cares. Pretty whacked today.