We enjoyed a really great family holiday in Dingle last May. We stayed in Dingle town and used this lively location as our base for exploring the wider Dingle Peninsula. Dingle is a fantastic part of Ireland for anyone who enjoys getting outdoors. We were also lucky with the weather, which really helped us enjoy some of the best walks in Dingle in all their glory!
While this was a family holiday, I was also keen to make progress on my challenge to climb the 40 highest mountains in Ireland before turning 40. Over the course of the week, I completed four challenging mountain walks, taking in some of the highest peaks on the peninsula. These proved fantastic for getting to see some incredible views of the surrounding coastline and Atlantic Ocean.
I was hugely impressed by the mountain scenery in Dingle. There’s something special about climbing a mountain and looking down towards the sea, with beaches, cliffs and headlands stretching away into the distance.
A Great Location for all Types of Holidays
However, you certainly don’t need to be an experienced mountain hiker to enjoy walking around Dingle. While I was out hiking, my wife and son were taking in some of the more family-friendly attractions around the peninsula. Dingle is also home to some beautiful beaches and coastal locations, where you can enjoy spectacular scenery without having to tackle a steep mountain climb.
This guide to the best walks in Dingle tries to cover all angles. I’ll provide details of some shorter and more accessible walking options, along with inspiration for other things to see and do in this part of Kerry. I’ll also share some details of those amazing mountain hikes I completed during my visit.
So whether you’re planning a family holiday, a weekend exploring the coast or a few days hiking in the mountains, there’s plenty to keep you busy on the Dingle Peninsula. Hopefully, this guide will help you make the most of your visit!
Best Shorter Walks in Dingle
Let’s start with some shorter walks that are considerably more manageable than the mountain hikes covered later in this guide, but still give you the opportunity to see the extraordinary scenery on offer across the Dingle Peninsula.
Sauce Creek Walk (9km or 13.6km)
Sauce Creek was one of the highlights of my week hiking in Dingle. This spectacular coastal walk offers incredible views of enormous cliffs dropping down towards the Atlantic Ocean. I visited Sauce Creek as part of my longer Masatiompan hike, but it’s possible to explore the area without completing the full mountain climb.
You have a couple of options. The official route is 13.6km. See link to map here. You also have another 9km option which is shorter but takes in more of the cliffs. See link to map here. Both require good hiking boots, a strong level of fitness and a good head for heights.
Dingle Lighthouse Trail (8.2km)
One of the most convenient walks in Dingle, particularly if you’re staying in the town itself. The route follows the coastline of Dingle Harbour towards the lighthouse, passing Hussey’s Folly along the way. There are some lovely views across the harbour, with the surrounding mountains providing an impressive backdrop. Check out map details here!
Eask Tower Walk (3.4km)
A short but relatively steep walk up Carhoo Hill towards the historic Eask Tower, which overlooks Dingle Harbour. The climb requires a little bit of effort, but you’re rewarded with fantastic views of Dingle Bay, the surrounding mountains and the Iveragh Peninsula in the distance. See map details here.
Dunquin Cliff Walk (4.7km)
This beautiful coastal loop starts near the Blasket Centre in Dunquin – about a 30 minute drive from Dingle town. The route follows a mixture of quiet roads, sandy paths and clifftop trails, with spectacular views towards the Blasket Islands. It’s a great option for anyone looking to experience the wild Atlantic coastline without tackling a mountain. See the alltrails map here and see what makes this one of the best walks in Dingle.
Ballydavid Cliff Walk (5.3km)
This relatively easy coastal loop starts near Ballydavid Beach (20 minutes drive from Dingle) and follows the clifftops overlooking Smerwick Harbour. Along the way, you’ll enjoy fantastic views towards the Three Sisters peaks and the surrounding coastline, with Mount Brandon dominating the landscape further inland. There’s a good map here.
Dunmore Head Loop (2.6km)
Despite being one of the shorter walks on this list, Dunmore Head offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery on the Dingle Peninsula. The trail takes you towards the westernmost point of mainland Ireland, with incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Blasket Islands. It’s also an interesting location for Star Wars fans, as filming took place in the area. Check out map details here.
Best Beach Walks in Dingle
I’d really recommend the six shorter walks listed above if you’re looking to experience some of the best walks in Dingle.
Those are all established walking trails, but another great thing about the Dingle Peninsula is the amazing beaches it has to offer. Some of these are enormous, and you can easily spend hours walking along the shoreline while taking in the beautiful coastal scenery.
Three of my favourite beach walk recommendations are:
Inch Beach
Inch Beach is probably one of the most recognisable beaches in County Kerry, and it’s easy to understand why.
The beach stretches for approximately 5km along the southern side of the Dingle Peninsula, with a huge expanse of sand backed by dunes and mountains.
Someone in your group will definitely come up with a variation of the joke that the beach is much bigger than an inch. You can walk for kilometres along the shoreline, enjoying lovely views across Dingle Bay towards the mountains of the Iveragh Peninsula. It’s a fantastic option for anyone looking for a longer beach walk without having to tackle any challenging terrain.
Ventry Beach
Ventry Beach is another lovely beach on the Dingle Peninsula. Located just a short drive west of Dingle town, the beach curves around the sheltered waters of Ventry Harbour, with hills rising around the bay.
It’s a beautiful setting and a great location for a leisurely stroll along the shoreline.
Ventry is, of course, also the homeplace of GAA legend Páidí Ó Sé. Páidí won eight All-Ireland Football titles as a player with Kerry and two more as manager. However, it was his achievement in leading my own Westmeath to their first-ever Leinster Senior Football Championship in 2004 that made stopping for a photograph with his statue an absolute must for me! The fab beach right beside the statue proved a lovely bonus.
Castlegregory Beach
Castlegregory is another area I’d recommend visiting when exploring the Dingle Peninsula. Located on the northern side of the peninsula, the village provides access to some fantastic stretches of sandy coastline, with views across Tralee Bay and towards the surrounding mountains.
We particularly liked the location of the beach, just a short distance from the shops and food options in Castlegregory village. We found it a great option for a family beach day, with plenty of space for walking along the sand and the convenience of having the village nearby.
Best Mountain Walks in Dingle
Now on to the tougher stuff. And the part of the Dingle Peninsula that I enjoyed the most… the mountains!
During my week in Dingle, I completed four mountain hikes, covering different parts of the peninsula. Each offered something slightly different. There were enormous cliffs, beautiful mountain lakes, long ridgelines, challenging climbs and incredible coastal views. So no autopsy these are on my best walks in Dingle list.
I’d recommend all four to experienced hikers, although some are considerably tougher than others.
Mount Brandon Loop from Cloghane (21.1km)
Mount Brandon was probably the standout hike of my week in Dingle. At 952 metres, Mount Brandon is Ireland’s third highest mountain, and its position on the Dingle Peninsula makes it a fantastic destination for anyone who enjoys mountain walking.
There are several ways to reach the summit. For our hike, my uncle Denis and I tackled the Mount Brandon Loop from Cloghane, approaching the mountain via the Faha Route. The first part of the route was absolutely spectacular. We walked beneath the enormous cliffs on the eastern side of Mount Brandon, passing several beautiful mountain lakes before reaching the steep climb through the Éisc towards the main ridge.
This was a challenging section, requiring a little scrambling in places, but the scenery more than made up for the effort. Once we reached the ridge, the views opened up dramatically. The Atlantic Ocean was visible on both sides of the peninsula, with Brandon Bay stretching away to the east and the western coastline visible in the opposite direction.
Not happy with just climbing one mountain, after reaching the summit of Mount Brandon, we continued across to the summits of Brandon Peak (840m) and Gearhane (803m). The final descent wasn’t quite as enjoyable, particularly the long stretch of road walking back towards Cloghane, but I wouldn’t let that put anyone off.
This is a long, difficult hike, with the full loop covering 21.1km and requiring approximately 8–9 hours to complete. If you’re looking for a big mountain adventure on the Dingle Peninsula, Mount Brandon would be near the top of my list. Read my full Mount Brandon Loop from Cloghane guide for all the details of this amazing hike.
Masatiompan and Sauce Creek (15.4km)
I’ve mentioned Sauce Creek above. On its own, it’s a stunning coastal walk. Combining it with Masatiompan Mountain brings this hike to the next level.
After a quick detour to the cliffs of Sauce Creek, we returned towards the main route and continued climbing towards Masatiompan Mountain.
Along the way, we passed the Arraglen Ogham Stone and a memorial to a Second World War aircraft crash. The steep final climb to the summit was tough, but we were rewarded with some amazing views. In particular, I loved looking out towards the Three Sisters peaks and the Blasket Islands beyond them.
The full walk covers 15.4km with approximately 840 metres of ascent, so it’s a demanding mountain hike rather than a casual walk. However, it’s one I’d definitely recommend. You can read my full Masatiompan and Sauce Creek walk guide here.
Beenoskee Hike (14km)
Beenoskee was another mountain hike that I really enjoyed during my week in Dingle. At 826 metres, it’s one of the highest peaks on the peninsula, and the views from the upper slopes are fantastic.
I started from a forestry road off the R560 near Stradbally and spent the first 45 minutes or so making my way uphill through the trees. After leaving the forestry roads behind, the route crossed open mountainside before climbing towards the main ridge.
This was the section where navigation became more challenging, with no obvious trail to follow in places. However, once I reached the ridge, the hike really came into its own.
The views down towards Glanteenassig Forest Park on the far side of the ridge were excellent. Towards the top of Beenoskee, you then get a great vantage point to take in Lough Acummeen sitting beneath the surrounding mountain peaks. Further out, over the lake, I could see across Brandon Bay towards the Maharees and the Atlantic coastline. It’s a fantastic combination of mountain and coastal scenery.
The full hike covers approximately 14km. It took me around 4.5 hours to complete.
You’ll need a good level of fitness and the ability to navigate across open mountain terrain, but the views are well worth the effort. Read my full Beenoskee hiking guide here.
Caherconree and Baurtregaum Loop (11.5km)
The Caherconree and Baurtregaum Loop was the final mountain hike of my week in Dingle. Unfortunately, after enjoying excellent weather on my previous three hikes, my luck finally ran out.
From the beginning, the mountains were covered in low cloud, and it became obvious early on that this was going to be a very different experience.
Our route initially followed a valley towards Derrymore Lake before climbing steeply onto the main mountain ridge. Under normal circumstances, the surrounding scenery would have been fantastic. Unfortunately, visibility was extremely limited for much of our walk.
We continued upwards towards Caherconree before following the ridge towards Baurtregaum, which stands at 851 metres.
The weather made navigation particularly challenging, and the strong winds on the exposed ridge didn’t help matters. We also needed to tackle some difficult terrain on the descent, including rocky ground and thick gorse.
Thankfully, as we dropped below the clouds, the views began to return, and we were finally able to appreciate more of the surrounding valley. Despite the poor weather, I was glad to have completed the hike.
The route covers approximately 11.5km, with over 900 metres of ascent. As such, there’s plenty of climbing packed into a relatively short distance. You can read more about our experience in my Caherconree and Baurtregaum Loop guide.
What Else to Do in Dingle
While the walking opportunities on the Dingle Peninsula are fantastic, there’s much more to the area than hiking. If you’re travelling with family, or simply fancy a day away from the mountains, there are plenty of attractions worth adding to your itinerary.
Here are some of the places I visited while exploring the peninsula.
Dunquin Pier
Dunquin Pier is one of the most photographed locations on the Dingle Peninsula.
The narrow, winding access road drops steeply towards the sea, with the Blasket Islands forming an impressive backdrop. It’s a spectacular location and one I’d definitely recommend visiting.
There’s a little coffee truck right at the top of the path down to the pier. I’d really recommend sitting out with a coffee and just taking in the views. The surrounding coastal scenery is some of the best on the peninsula. I particularly loved the view out to ‘An Fear Marbh’ or Sleeping Giant. The Blasket Island shaped like a sleeping man really captured my imagination.
The Blasket Centre
The whole history of the Blasket Islands is fascinating. The Blasket Centre is located a couple of minutes drive away from Dunquin Pier. While situated on the mainland, the centre makes use of oversized windows to maximise the views out to the islands. Having seen the Blaskets from several mountain summits during my week in Dingle, it was interesting to experience them from a completely different perspective.
It’s a fascinating place to learn about the people who lived on Great Blasket Island before the island community was evacuated in 1953. The exhibitions explore the history, culture, language and everyday lives of the islanders.
This is definitely somewhere worth visiting, particularly if the weather isn’t suitable for a long day outdoors.
Coumeenoole Beach
On the drive back to Dingle from Dunquin, we stopped at Coumeenoole Beach. This is one of the most picturesque locations on the Dingle Peninsula. Situated along the famous Slea Head Drive, the beach sits beneath steep cliffs, with the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the shoreline.
Unlike Inch or Ventry, Coumeenoole isn’t somewhere you go for a long beach walk. Coumeenoole is a small, sheltered cove. The attraction here is really the scenery rather than the opportunity to cover any significant distance.
The views from above the beach are fantastic, and it’s well worth stopping to take a few photographs. While we were there, a bride and groom came to get their wedding pictures done. We were very impressed that the bride ventured into the water with her wedding dress. She seemed fully committed to getting the perfect picture.
Be aware that the currents and waves can be dangerous here, so this is a place to admire the Atlantic rather than go swimming.
Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium
Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium is another good option, particularly for families with younger children. Located close to the harbour in Dingle town, the aquarium is home to a wide range of marine life, including fish, penguins and other fascinating creatures.
My wife and son visited the aquarium while I was hiking the Caherconree and Baurtregaum Loop. It’s the kind of attraction that works particularly well when the weather isn’t cooperating, which, as anyone familiar with the west of Ireland will know, can happen from time to time! So while I braved the poor weather outdoors, they were able to do this fun indoor activity.
If you’re spending a few days in Dingle with children, it’s certainly worth considering.
Dingle Town
We found Dingle a good base for our family holiday. You have loads of accommodation options across the peninsula but staying in the town suited us. We enjoyed the variety of food options within walking distance of the holiday home. We didn’t stir out for drinks any nights but you have a large selection of bars to choose from.
Our evenings usually involved strolling down the town, picking somewhere to eat and maybe getting some ice cream afterwards. We usually stopped to give the Fungie statue a pet. Although Dingle’s famous dolphin hasn’t been seen since 2020, he remains an important part of Dingle’s identity.
It’s a nice little stop while exploring the harbour area, especially if you’re visiting with children.
Where to Stay in Dingle
We stayed in a Dingle Town Cottage called Tigh Peig. The self-catering set up suited us, especially with a couple of supermarket options within walking distance. The 2-bedroom house felt roomy and the long garden out the back proved a big hit with our 3 year old. I’d definitely recommend it.
There’s also a good selection of other accommodation options, ranging from hostels and guesthouses to comfortable hotels.
Here are a few options worth considering.
On a Budget
The Grapevine Hostel
Located in the heart of Dingle town, The Grapevine Hostel is a good budget option, with shared kitchen facilities and easy access to the town’s pubs and restaurants.
Check out availability on booking.com here!
Mid-Range Accommodation
Dingle Harbour Lodge
Situated near Dingle Marina, this guesthouse offers comfortable accommodation, free parking and a convenient location just a short walk from the town centre.
Check out availability on booking.com here!
Dingle Benners Hotel
A traditional hotel located right on Main Street in Dingle. An excellent option if you want to be in the heart of the town, within easy walking distance of its many pubs and restaurants.
Check out availability on booking.com here!
Luxury Accommodation
Dingle Skellig Hotel
Overlooking Dingle Bay, this hotel offers beautiful coastal views, a swimming pool and spa facilities. A particularly good option for families looking for a little extra comfort.
Check out availability on booking.com here!
Greenmount House
A family-run guesthouse with lovely views overlooking Dingle Bay. Located within walking distance of the town centre, it’s also well known for its excellent breakfasts.
Check out availability on booking.com here!
Closeness to Killarney
The other great thing about Dingle is that it’s not actually that far from Killarney. It’s just over an hour’s drive between the two towns, so you could easily use Dingle as a base for exploring some of the walks around Killarney.
I’ve previously written about the best walks in Killarney and the surrounding area, and many of these are doable as day trips from Dingle.
The drive between the two towns is lovely and scenic too. It takes you through the village of Annascaul, which is worth a quick stop to check out the South Pole Inn, the former pub of famed Antarctic explorer Tom Crean. The pub was closed during our visit, but there’s a small memorial garden just across the road that’s well worth a look.
Stay in Dingle or Killarney?
If you’re looking for guidance on where to stay, I have to admit my preference would be for Dingle.
Maybe it’s the proximity to the sea, but to me Dingle just has a more relaxed vibe. Killarney is an amazing place, but sometimes it can feel a bit hyper-touristy.
Killarney is the type of place where you’ll be asked if you’ve made a reservation when you walk into a restaurant. Dingle, at least during our visit, had more of a stroll-in-and-take-a-seat atmosphere. I just preferred the overall feel of the place.
And when it comes to the hiking, I’d give Dingle the edge there too. Killarney offers a good variety of walking options, particularly with the lakes, forests and trails around Killarney National Park. However, I found the mountain hikes around Dingle more spectacular.
There’s something special about climbing a mountain and being rewarded with incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean. Looking out across the surrounding coastline from the likes of Mount Brandon, Masatiompan and Beenoskee was one of the highlights of my week.
Both are fantastic destinations, and I’d happily return to either. However, for the atmosphere of the town and the quality of the mountain hikes, Dingle gets my vote.
Final Thoughts on the Best Walks in Dingle
Looking back on our week in Dingle, I think we struck a really good balance between exploring the peninsula as a family and fitting in some serious hiking.
For me, the mountain hikes were the standout. The coastal views from Mount Brandon, Masatiompan and Beenoskee were some of the best I’ve enjoyed on any hike in Ireland. But I also loved exploring the beautiful beaches, visiting the various attractions along Slea Head Drive and spending our evenings wandering around Dingle town.
What makes the Dingle Peninsula so special is that there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re an experienced mountain hiker or simply looking for somewhere scenic to spend a few days with the family, there’s plenty to see and do.
We really enjoyed our time in Dingle, and it’s definitely somewhere I’d love to return to in the future. There are still plenty of walks left to explore!