Local Attractions
Camp Village
Camp is a quaint little village situated on the North Shore of the Dingle Peninsula and is a place of utmost natural beauty. The village boasts spectacular views to the west towards Mount Brandon, the expanse of Tralee Bay and Kerry Head to the North.
The village branches two levels, Upper Camp which leads to Dingle along the mountain road through Annascaul and Lower Camp which keeps you along the coastline passing through Castlegregory and over the Connor Pass with breathtaking and rugged views of both Dingle Bay and Brandon Bay.
The village boasts 3 superb pubs, each offering their own unique character and heritage all year round. Discover the story of Tobar na nGealt (the Well of the Mad) which is known for its medicinal qualities. Date for your diary? The annual Camp sheep fair held in September.
Glen Na Galt well is a local landmark which is steeped in history. This is walking distance from the Farmhouse.
Maharees
Stretching 5kms northwards into the Atlantic on the lee shore of the Dingle Peninsula, is a unique and special peninsula known as The Maharees - Na Machairí. Separating Brandon Bay from Tralee Bay, The Maharees tombola or sandy spit consists of sand dunes and wild beautiful beaches for much of its length and has a world-renowned reputation for its superb coastline, blue flag beaches, and large Atlantic swells.
Three villages or settlements, Fahamore, Kilshannig, and Candiha cluster on the earth and rocky ground around Scraggane Bay at the north end. At the tip lies Rough Point and out to sea across the Maharees Sound lie a cluster of uninhabited islands known as the Seven Hogs. The whole area of The Maharees lies low on the horizon with most of the peninsula close to sea level creating a special light and atmosphere.
A place of exceptional beauty, with its long uninterrupted beaches and dune system, The Maharees offers a wide variety of water activities such as surfing, windsurfing, waterskiing, kiteboarding, scuba diving, angling and canoeing. Equipment and instruction are available locally with all levels of experience catered for, a perfect day out for families wanting a fun or adventurous experience. For land based activities, try pony trekking along the beach or enjoy glorious walks on mile upon mile of white sandy beaches.
Dingle
The pretty fishing port of Dingle - Daingin Uí Chúis nestles on the edge of a large natural estuary on the southwestern coast of Dingle Peninsula. A gentle resting place between mountain and sea the ancient settlement of Dingle grew along the protected waters and sheltered calm of this natural harbour.
On the southern edge of a mountain ridge that separates the east from the western end of the Peninsula, all roads lead through Dingle town. With a population of 2,000 and a large hinterland this is the hub and commercial centre for the Dingle Peninsula. From the harbour front colourful buildings and ancient street patterns clamber up the green hilly lowlands of the Brandon mountain range that protectively guards the town from the north.
A Creative and imaginative place, Dingle is a town of many charms, known for quality food and restaurants, interesting shops and galleries, a friendly dolphin and vibrant streetlife.
A popular destination Dingle town copes inventively and competently with busy crowds of summer visitors and indulges in interesting relaxed winters. With a long history of visitors this is a cosmopolitan and welcoming small town with a bustling nightlife and a good attitude to life.
The Dingle Way
The Dingle Way is one of over 30 Irish long-distance walking trails. Situated in the south-west of the Ireland, the walk completes a circuit of the Dingle Peninsula, starting and finishing in Tralee, the capital of Kerry. The trail is 179km long and takes an adult who is reasonably fit an average of 8-9 days to walk.
The diversity of different landscapes is the reason why the Dingle Way is such a popular trail. It never takes long before a turn in the path reveals a dramatic change of scenery. From walking in the foothills of Slieve Mish to crossing the shoulder of Mount Brandon, from the crashing waves of the Atlantic at Slea Head to the tranquil setting of pastoral farmland and on to lonesome strands of golden beaches on the Maharess. The Dingle Way invigorates the senses.
Some of the finest archeological sites in Ireland can be encountered on the Dingle Way. Standing stones, ogham stones and a multitude of beehive huts are the most obvious structures to be spotted en-route. The iconic oratory of Gallarus is highly-recommended detour for those with enough energy. Another favourite stop-off point is the South Pole Inn in Annascaul, which is a shrine to local Antarctic explorer Tom Crean.
The Dingle Way is a well-serviced trail, as it passes through the centre of many picturesque villages and towns. Tralee and Dingle are the two largest town centres, where more specialist items needed for the journey should be bought. There is never more than a few hours walk between villages so food and drink can be bought along the way.
The level of difficulty is easy to moderate for most of the Dingle Way except for when the path reaches the foot of Mount Brandon where the going becomes hard. If weather conditions are poor and visibility is bad then serious consideration should be given to finding an alternative method of transport to get around the mountain.
Anyone setting out to walk a long distance trail such as The Dingle Way is embarking on a serious test of physical endurance. Our Advice Pages contains some useful safety tips and pointers and we strongly recommend that everyone considering embarking on this walk should spend a few moments to read them and incorporate them in their pre-hike planning.
