Sunday 27th September 2026
Tralee to Camp
Two bleary eyed souls awoke after a late night soirée down stairs followed by an equally loud clean up made sleeping difficult. Think we managed about 3 hours sleep as a preparation for our first day on the Dingle Way.
Partygoers were all going for the hangover cure fry up whilst we had a mini version of the Irish breakfast – using a bread and butter plate works well.
A pretty mixed forecast, so we threw in the wet weather gear. First part of the day wound through the local park with a crew preparing for a Sunday Park Run- with orange bibs they were difficult not to notice.
The next three kilometres was along a canal path with the canal fed from Tralee Bay on one side and a swan littered marsh on the other. The path was busy with cyclists, dog walkers and joggers.
After 3 kilometers we reached the canal crossing that passed on of Europes largest working windmills. Popped through back blocks where kids were playing Gaelic footy- even the under 10’s had some good skills. Nit so the under 6 where coaches were herding cats.
In now heavy showers we started a steep uphill climb to the start of the walk through the moors and bogs which would be for the greater part of the day. The tour notes said stepping stones had been placed through the bogs- they lied. It was a loose rock pathway where you needed to be vigilant to dodge an ankle twister or waterway.
When you took the time to lift your head the scenery was sensational with huge mountains folding down into pasture lands sparsely inhabited by sheep.
Pretty lonely walk and only ran across about 6 other walkers. There was some very tricky down hill patches where rope guides were needed. Most stream crossings had narrow bridges or metal rails, though some were good old fashioned stepping stones.
A couple of chairs on high viewing points provided an opportunity to take in the scenery and fuel up. The walk is very different to Italy with less physical exsertion but much more concentration needed on foot placement.
We thought we were making good progress on the 18 kilometre journey, but reference to the map proved different. It was a long last 4 kilometres albeit with great views across Tralee Bay. A final steep downhill had us at Camp.
Welcomed by the B and B dog and what can only be described as the most unusual mine host. His Chicago upbringing was pretty obvious , dressed in Bears gear, a profanity laden welcome and a handshake with a hand that went up to my elbow.
We were given an apartment due to our experience at the previous place because he knew they always f..ked up accommodation for walkers and favoured partygoers with the good rooms.
Cleaned up and then headed off to the local pub for dinner where we were greeted by a young guy from Adelaide. Didn’t have enough petrol left to mosey down the road to another pub for a bit of music, we will save that for Dingle.
It was home to a big bed with a few extra blankets to ward off the cold and hopefully catch up with some shut eye.
