Stage 5
Cahersiveen to Waterville
STAGE 5
Cahersiveen to Waterville
This stage of the Kerry Way follows the hogs back, the raised hilly ridges a feature of the Iveragh Peninsula. The route passes several archaeological sites along the way including standing stones, holy wells, religious sites, Srugreana Abbey, Mastergeehy Church and the monastic Church Island on Lough Currane. The way affords walkers panoramic views to the east of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and to the west of Valentia Island, Skellig Michael and the wide Atlantic ocean.
Length: 30.6km (Optional Spur to Dromid 34.5km)
Hours: 8-10 hours
Grade/Difficulty: Moderate to demanding (weather dependent)
Ascent: 980m
OSI map: 83
Grid Ref (Start): V 47366 79503
Grid Ref (Finish): V 50239 66065
Terrain: Mix of paths, rough mountain track and roadway.
See Transport page for sustainable travel options >>
The route in detail
Cahersiveen to Teeraha
From the centre of Cahersiveeen Town follow the signposts, taking you past the Garda Barracks then turning left on continuing east for 500m. The route circumnavigates a reservoir before travelling through a wooded area in Cárthann Íochtarach / Carhan Lower, then turning south along a narrow grassy road through Garrán an Chnoic / Hillgrove, crossing another narrow tarred road and continuing through farm land and a farm yard to reach another narrow tarred road at Cárthann Uachtarach / Carhan Upper. As you continue along this road Bentee (376m) rises directly behind you . At the T-junction at the end of this tarred road continue straight ahead through farm land then along a forestry plantation before turning left on reaching a tarred road at Inse Chloch / Inchiclogh. Travel on this road for 420m then turn right at the next T-junction and continue through Inse Mhac Thaidhg / Inchimacteige, the tarred road fading to a track. At Tor na Muice / Turnamucka turn left onto a trail that follows the bank of the Carhan River, then crosses the
river via footbridge, passes through farm land to reach a tarred road at An Cheapaigh / Cappagh. Turning left continue along this quite country lane for approximately 420m, then turn right at Na Beathacha / Bahaghs and continue east along a meandering stream before veering north onto a grassy track which graduates to an unsurfaced road and straddles the boundary between Na Beathacha / Bahaghs and Srúbh Gréine / Srugreana. On reaching the next road junction, carefully cross the road and continue north along a narrow tarred road then turn right onto farm land at An Com Dubh / Coomduff and finally turn left on reaching another narrow tarred road and continue north.
You now reach a junction in the Kerry Way Walking Route at Tír Átha / Teeraha. The route turns right onto an uphill grassy track to take you through Mastergeehy and on towards Waterville, while continuing straight ahead takes you towards Glenbeigh.
Teeraha to Mastergeehy
Turn right onto an uphill grassy track and travel for approximately 3.3km along the undulating ridge. This ridge forms the boundary between the townlands that sweep away to left and to right – Lios Uachtarach / Liss Upper, Cill Ó gCnáimhín Thuaidh / Killognaveen North, An Com Dubh / Coomduff, Cill Ó gCnáimhín Theas / Killognaveen South, Srúbh Gréine / Srugreana, Na Corra / Coars, An Ghléib / Glebe and An Cheapach / Cappagh. Cross the tarred road at a T junction and continue for approximately 5.3km along another ridge which again forms the boundary between An Com Díomhaoin / Coomdeeween, Coill na gCaor / Keelnagore and Doire Mór / Derrymore. After passing a forestry plantation on the left the trail veers south east at Knockavahaun (371m) through Ceannúigh / Canuig to reach a tarred road.
You now reach a junction in the Kerry Way Walking Route at Ceannúigh / Canuig – both options leading to Mastergeehy. The short route of 3.3km≠ on tarred road is to the right, while the longer 7.5km≠≠ route to the left through An Chillín Liath / Killeenleagh comprises a mixture of tarred road, bogland paths and grassy roads.
*Turning right continue for 550m and turn left at the next cross roads. Follow this tarred road for 1.7km through An Fhaill Dronnach / Foildrenagh then shortly after crossing the Foildrenagh Bridge over the River Inny turn right at the next junction. Continue for a further 750m then turn left to reach Mastergeehy.
**Turning left continue 820m then turn right onto a bogland path through Caol an Phréacháin Thiar / Kealafreaghane West, then turning left on reaching a narrow tarred road. Continue 700m to the next cross roads junction then turn right. Follow this road for 1km, passing the Killeenleagh Bridge over the River Inny, then turn left at the next cross roads junction to reach the school at Killeenleagh. Turn right onto a farm road and continue gradually uphill, turning right shortly after entering a forestry plantation. The trail follows a bog road then through farm land before turning left on reaching a narrow tarred road at Bun an Doirín / Bunaderreen. Continue south on this tarred road for 250m then veer right onto a farm track. Continue through bogland for 1.9km, straddling the boundary between Inse na Toinne / Inchinatinny and Doire an Éadain / Derrineden, then turn right on reaching a tarred road and continue for 1km to reach Mastergeehy.
Mastergeehy to Waterville
From the junction just south of the former church at Mastergeehy, continue south west along the narrow tarred road for 300m then turn left onto a steep uphill road at Dúire / Doory. Follow this track uphill, with a forestry plantation on the left, for 1.3km to reach the summit of the ridge at An Dromaid / Dromod. Continue downhill for 100m to reach your destination at Dromaid / Dromod.
You now reach a junction in the Kerry Way Walking Route at An Dromaid / Dromod with the route to the right going to Waterville Village, while the route to the left passes through the Windy Gap. Both options meet once more at Camomile Corner in An Comhad / Coad, east of Caherdaniel.
Turning right, continue travelling along the ridge, which forms the boundary between Dúire / Doory and An Dromaid / Dromod, while enjoying the views south over Lough Currane and south west over Ballinskelligs Bay. Following a dip in the ridge the trail follows the boundary between Saileachaigh / Sallahig, Cuar an Mhainchín / Cooryvanaheen, Bréachmhaigh / Breahig, An Chathair Bhearnach / Caherbarnagh, Garrán na Fola / Garrannafulla and An Sponcán / Spunkane before dropping down to reach a tarred road at Na Tearmainn / Termons. Turn right and continue for 1.8km through An Bhinn Bháin / Beenbane to reach Waterville Village.