Stage 8
Sneem to Kenmare
STAGE 8
Sneem to Kenmare
This stage of the Kerry Way follows the sheltered coastline of Kenmare Bay and this is evident in the lush sub-tropical vegetation in places. The Gulf Stream creates the conditions here and in other sheltered locations on the Iveragh Peninsula. The Way passes several castles including Derryquin, Dromore, Cappanacush and Dunkerron, the latter the seat of O’Sullivan Mór Clan
Length: 34km
Hours: 8-10 hours
Grade/Difficulty: Moderate to Demanding (weather dependent)
Ascent: 763m
OSI map: 78
Grid Ref (Start): V 68973 66849
Grid Ref (Finish): V 90980 70980
Terrain: Mix of paths, forest road, old highway/coach road and roadway.
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The route in detail
Sneem to Blackwater Bridge
From the eastern corner of the South Square in Sneem Village the Kerry Way Walking Trail follows a narrow tarred road for 1km, through An Droimne Beag / Drimna Beg, then turns left at a T junction at An Droimne Mór / Drimna More. After 200m continue straight at the next T junction onto an unsurfaced road. Remain on this road for 2.3km, passing firstly through farmland, then bogland followed by a substantial forestry plantation, before reaching the N70 Ring of Kerry Sneem to Kenmare road at Doire Coinche / Derryquin. Carefully cross the N70 and follow a path through Clashnacree, then turn right on reaching a tarred road followed shortly by a left turn onto a narrower tarred road. Continue straight through this line of surfaced and unsurfaced roads and tracks for 2.3km then turn left on reaching a narrow tarred road and continue to St. Patricks’s Church and the N70 Ring of Kerry Sneem to Kenmare road at Tathuile / Tahilla.
Follow the tarred road opposite the church for 60m then turn right onto a path that quickly leads to a grassy road. Continue on this old road for 3.2km through Doirín na Muclach / Derreennamucklagh, passing Lough Fadda on the right, then a forestry plantation to reach a narrow tarred road at An Dún / Doon. Remain on this tarred road for 620m then turn left at Doirín an Phoill / Derreenafoyle onto an unsurfaced road for 400m then turn right onto a track. Remain on this track for 1.7km through bogland and rocky outcrops, then farmland, to reach and turn right onto a tarred road. After 370m turn left on reaching the N70 Ring of Kerry Sneem to Kenmare road that leads to and over Blackwater Bridge.
Blackwater Bridge to Kenmare
Having crossed Blackwater Bridge continue, carefully, along the N70 road towards Kenmare for 200m then veer right onto a forest road. Continue on a network of forest roads, estate roads and tracks for 5.4km through An Drom Mór / Dromore, passing Dromore Castle en route, to eventually reach and turn right onto the N70 Ring of KerrySneem to Kenmare road. Travel carefully along the N70 for 450m then turn left onto a tarred road at Ceapaigh na Coise Thoir / Cappanacush East. Follow this road for 400m then turn right at the next T junction. Remain on this road for 3.2km, passing through Grianán / Greenane, to reach a T junction at Ros an Chuasáin / Rossacoosane. Turn right and remain on this tarred road for a further 2.4km then turn left onto an unsurfaced road.
Continue for 3.4km, the unsurfaced road slowly fading to a track through bogland and then through a forestry plantation at An Leaca / Lacka, to reach a narrow tarred road at An Rinn / Reen. Turn left onto this road and continue for 200m then turn right onto a path at Dún Ciaráin / Dunkerron. Follow this path for 1.3km to reach the summit of Gortamullin (205m) hill in Cladán an Iúir Thiar / Claddanure West. Having taken the views over Kenmare Town and Kenmare River, continue downhill on the path, through Cladán an Iúir Thoir / Claddanure East and Gort an Mhuilinn / Gortamullin to reach a narrow surfaced road. Follow this road for 750m then turn left on reaching the N70 Ring of Kerry Sneem to Kenmare road. Travel, carefully, for 350m along the N70 then veer right onto a surfaced path that leads to your destination – the square in Kenmare Town.