South West of Ireland – 7 Day Tour
- Fitness Level : Moderate
- Group: Small Group Tour (Max of 16 people per tour.)
- Suitable for: All age groups
- Duration : 7 Days
Hilltoptreks’ 7-day walking and hiking tour through Ireland’s southwest invites travelers to immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes and rich heritage of this unique region. Starting in Dublin we travel on the first day to the welcoming town of Dingle. The tour follows a thoughtfully crafted itinerary featuring renowned routes like Mount Brandon, Killarney National Park and other locations in the South West. Each day’s hike offers new scenery—from serene green valleys to dramatic coastal cliffs—providing an ideal mix of gentle walks and more invigorating trails that capture the diversity of Ireland’s landscapes.
Throughout the week, local guides lead walkers to must-see destinations, including the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher and the scenic Aran Islands. A highlight of the itinerary is the ferry trip to the Aran Islands, where participants can explore ancient ruins and experience the timeless charm of Irish island life. Walkers also have the chance to discover historic gems like the Gap of Dunloe and the Slea Head Drive, rich in cultural heritage and folklore. Each location has been chosen to offer a balance of natural beauty and cultural significance.
Hilltoptreks’ guides enhance each walk with captivating storytelling, sharing tales from Ireland’s Celtic past, local legends, and insights into the traditions of the areas they traverse. Their expertise adds depth to each stop, helping participants connect with the land and its history. Whether it’s admiring the views from a cliff edge or wandering through a quaint village, these stories make each part of the journey feel meaningful and memorable.
Accommodations, transportation, and the guided walks are all arranged, allowing participants to relax and focus on the experience without worrying about logistics. With a blend of active exploration and downtime to unwind each evening, Hilltoptreks’ tour offers an enriching, stress-free way to discover southwest Ireland’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and local hospitality.
Kerry, Dingle, Mount Brandon, The Wild Atlantic Way, Killarney Lakes and National Park, Gap of Dunloe, Carrauntoohil, Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, Doolin and The Burren.
- 7 Fully Guided Days Exploring Ireland’s Hidden Treasures.
- 6 Nights of Great Quality Accommodation with breakfast.
- Guided Walks with Great Guides to inform and assist you.
- Pickup and Transport for 7 Days.
- Boat across the Lakes of Killarney.
- Ferry to Aran Islands and bike hire.
- The Best of Irish Traditional Music.
- Lunches.
- Evening Meals.
- Optional Entry Fees & Extra Activity Options.
- Gratuities.
- We choose the accommodation very carefully, a mix of quality Guest Houses and Hotels.
- There is Free WiFi in all the accommodations we use.
- All the rooms are en-suite.
- The accommodation we use are well used to us bringing them guests after a day’s walk and know that they somewhere comfortable to relax and freshen up.
South West of Ireland Walking Tour – 7 Day Itinerary
Tour begins at 09:00am Pick up at the Molly Malone Statue on Suffolk St. (Dublin City Center)
Drive from Dublin to Kerry, Visit the South Pole Inn Pub, Coastal Walk and Stay in Dingle.
Dingle Coastal Walk:
Grade: easy, Length: 4km, Duration: 2hrs, Ascent: 120m, Terrain: Grass tracks.
Morning/Afternoon: After your pickup in Dublin, we travel south to Dingle in County Kerry. On the way we will be take a stop to visit the picturesque town of Adare in Limerick. This town has to be seen to be believed with its small thatched cottages and brightly coloured buildings.
It is home to Adare manor which was once home to Earl of Dunraven. We will stop here to explore this town and stretch the legs.
Continuing on our way to Dingle we will stop again to visit the town of Annascaul which is famed for being the home town of Tom Crean. The great Irish explorer who shared voyages with Scott and Shackleton to the great Antarctic. On his retirement from the British Navy, he returned home to Ireland and founded a Pub called “The South Pole Inn”. We will visit the pub for a drink or a coffee.
When we are close to Dingle the guide will bring you to Beenbane beach. From here you can enjoy a short cliff walk in towards the village of Dingle – which is a fantastic way to arrive!
Evening: Dingle or “An Daingean” which is its Gaelic and original name is a fantastic small village known for its small quaint pubs, live Irish music and relaxed atmosphere. There is plenty to see and do in his small town with great restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, craft stores, etc.
You may also be surprised when you enter some pubs in Dingle that you can also buy a pair of shoes or get yourself a new measuring tape.
Walk on Mount Brandon:
Grade: moderate- strenuous, Length: 8km, Duration: Approx. 4hrs, Ascent: 750m, Terrain: Open Mountain Tracks.
Morning / Afternoon: After a hearty breakfast we will get ourselves ready for one of my favourite walks in this area, Mt Brandon. Which is named after Saint Brendan the voyager; some think he even got as far as North America.
Is it right or left for Gibraltar
What track do I take for Mizen Head?
I’d love to settle down near Ventry Harbour,
(St Brendan’s Voyage)
Mount Brandon is a sacred mountain and there is a pilgrim to its summit each year, which many of the locals do. It is less than 1000m but even though it is a pilgrim walk it is quite a challenge. The walk will take about 4hrs and the views from its summit are breath-taking. From the summit you can see the Wild Atlantic all around you. You can also see the Blasket Islands, the Skellig Island’s (Star Wars fame) and Ireland’s highest Mountain range on the Iveragh Peninsula.
Evening: After our walk on Mt Brandon, we will make our back to Dingle you could visit some of the craft shops, enjoy some of the local seafood or just relax.
Gap of Dunloe Walk:
Grade: moderate, Length: 13km, Duration: Approx. 4hrs, Ascent:250m, Terrain: Small roads and hill trails.
Morning / Afternoon: This morning we leave Dingle early and make our way to Killarney and its beautiful lakes at the National Park. We will take a boat from the 15th century Ross Castle across the lakes to Lord Brandon’s Cottage.
From here we will start our walk through the Gap of Dunloe. This is a wonderful walk and one of the finest in Kerry with Purple Mountain sitting above us to the left as we make our way through this wonderful valley. Finally, at the top of the valley and on completion of our walk, there is Kate Kearney’s cottage. Here you can enjoy a well-earned break, before we make our way back to Killarney by bus.
Evening: We will arrive back to our accommodation for an early night to recharge the batteries for tomorrow’s big adventure.
Walk on Carrauntoohil:
Grade: Strenuous, Length: 12km, Duration: Approx. 6hrs, Ascent: 850m, Terrain: Old Mountain roads, rocks and loose stone.
Morning/Afternoon: Today is the big walk of the tour so it’s an early start to get over to Killarney. The walk on Carrauntoohil is weather permitting as your safety is paramount to the guide and us. An alternative suitable walk will be chosen by your guide in the Killarney National Park depending on the weather and the groups abilities.
Now, all going well and the weather is good then we will do the walk as planned. Carrauntoohil is 1039m in height so all due care must be taken. Thousands of locals and visitors climb this every year and you feel a great sense of achievement on getting to the top.
Evening: After we get back down and catch our breath, we will make our back towards Killarney.
The town of Killarney is the most visited town in Ireland. There are many places to visit here such as Muckross House, the lakes of Killarney, Ross castle, Torc Waterfall and more. As well as all its scenic beauty there are numerous restaurants, cafes, shops and pubs with live Irish music.
Cliffs of Moher – Cliff Walk:
Grade: easy / moderate, Length: 8km, Duration: 2.5hrs, Ascent:100m, Terrain: Grass tracks.
Morning: This morning we travel up along the west coast of Ireland known as the “Wild Atlantic Way”, crossing the River Shannon at Terbert. The River Shannon is named after an ancient Celtic Goddess and is Ireland’s longest and most impressive river. As we cross the mouth of the Shannon on the ferry keep an eye out for the schools of Dolphins to be seen everywhere. When we dock on the far side you will be in County Clare.
Afternoon: Once we are in County Clare, we will follow the coast road up towards the town Lahinch. This coastal town is a surfer’s paradise and has become more popular due to the great waves here. It’s also a great holiday destination for Irish families with many other activities on offer as well. Making our way northwards we will visit Brigid’s well before we start our cliff walk towards the Cliffs of Moher. The walk is fantastic and the cliffs themselves are a true treat for all the senses.
Evening: We will be staying in Doolin tonight, the capital of Irish traditional music in the west. This is a tiny little fishing port made popular due to its importance in Irish music and dance. Doolin is also in another “Gaeltacht area” (Irish speaking region) so you can try your new learnt language skills on the locals, I’m sure they’ll be impressed.
Here we can relax and enjoy a bite to eat, while listening to some of the best Irish musicians in the world.
Morning / Afternoon:
Today we will take a break from walking and visit one of the most spectacular places in all of Ireland the Aran Islands. We will take a Ferry from Doolin to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. This is a Gaeltacht area where Irish is still the main language.
The Island is full of wonder and absolutely beautiful, I’m sure you will not want to leave. We can hire some bicycles at the port as this is the best way to explore the island. We can visit the world heritage site of Dun Aonghasa Fort which stands over a dramatic 300ft cliff. There are also some wonderful beaches on the Island if you fancy a dip in the Atlantic.
Evening: After you visit to the Aran Islands, we will make our back to our accommodation and get freshened and enjoy a meal in one of the fine pubs or restaurants close by.
Burren Loop Walk:
Grade: easy / moderate, Length: 7.5km, Duration: 3hrs, Ascent:140m, Terrain: Limestone karst, smooth rocky surface.
Morning / Afternoon: This morning we will make our way to one of the strangest landscapes in Ireland, The Burren. This is a limestone karst and was sitting at the bottom of the sea many years ago, but you can still see that clearly today. The term “Burren” is derived from the Gaelic for “stony place”. The Burren is also famous for its many different and varied types of flora which are unique to this area. We will take a walk here in this unique landscape with its stone walls and stone floors.
If we have some time in the afternoon, we could visit Galway city “city of the tribes”. This is a great little city known for its relaxed and bohemian feel. You can spend hours just walking about the small streets while listening and watching street performers of all types
Today unfortunately we will be saying goodbye to the west of Ireland for a while as we make our way back to Dublin…
We should arrive back in Dublin for 6pm, depending on traffic.
Here’s a quick list of essentials to bring for a guided walk in Ireland:
- Waterproof jacket and trousers – Irish weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for rain.
- Comfortable, sturdy walk boots – Trails can be uneven and wet, so good grip and support are essential.
- Layers of clothing – Dress in layers to adjust to changing temperatures, with a warm layer like a fleece.
- Hat and gloves – Even in summer, it can get chilly on higher ground or in the wind.
- Backpack – A small, comfortable backpack for carrying essentials.
- Water bottle – Stay hydrated, especially on longer hikes.
- Sun protection – Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, as the sun can be strong even on cooler days.
- Camera or phone – Capture the stunning landscapes!
- Personal medication – If needed, bring any essential medications.
A deposit of 10% is required to secure your booking.
The balance of the cost of your tour / walk (including any applicable surcharge) is due not less than 6 weeks prior to scheduled departure. If we do not receive this balance in full and on time, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you in which case we shall retain your deposit.
- Loss of deposit applies for cancellations made 6 weeks or more in advance.
- Cancellation fee of 40% applies for cancellations made less than 41 days in advance.
- Cancellation fee of 80% applies for cancellations made less than 4 weeks in advance.
- Cancellation fee of 100% applies for cancellations made less than 2 weeks in advance, or in case of no-show.
Tour Cost and Dates 2025
Price: 7 Day Tour is €1199pps |
Dates: May 12th, June 9th, July 7th, Aug 11th, Sep 8th |
Single supplement of €240 (For your own room). Deposit of 10% required when booking. |
Got a Question?
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
17 Dodder Lawn, Dodder Valley Park, Firhouse Dublin 24, Ireland
Testimonials



FAQs for Hilltoptreks' 7-day walking and hiking tour of southwest Ireland:
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The walks on these tours are of a mixed level with the option on some days to shorten. All the walks are taken at a pace to suit the group. The groups can range from 6 to 16 people in size with a mixed level of fitness and age usually. If the weather is too bad on a certain day to do the suggested walk, then the guide will suggest an alternative one. The Guide will have the final say on the day about the walk for the safety of the group.
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We choose our accommodation very carefully, it’s a mix of quality Guest houses and hotels. There is Free WIFI in all the accommodations we use. All the rooms are en-suite. The accommodations we use are well used to us bringing them guests after a day’s walk and know that they somewhere comfortable to relax and freshen up.
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Breakfasts are included and there is a wide selection to choose from including a Full Irish, fruit, cereals etc. Lunches for the walks: We will visit some local shops to get supplies. Evening Meals: A known restaurant or Pub will be suggested for evening meals in the places and towns you visit. There are many places in Ireland that accommodate both Vegan and Vegetarian diets.