Waterville to Caherdaniel Inland
Distance: 27.5km | Ascent: 800m | Time: 11hrs 30mins
Sheep on the Glanbeg Ridge
Start: Waterville (V 9655 8475)
Finish: Caherdaniel (V 9145 8025)
OS Map: No. 83 or 84
Grade: Hard
This is the alternative to walking from Waterville to Caherdaniel via the coast. The inland section three separate parts joined together for the purpose of this website as it is so isolated. The smaller sections have been grouped together to give a full stage with accommodation options at either end.
Waterville to Dromod
Distance: 8.5km | Ascent: 300m | Time: 3hrs 45mins
Having already completed most of this section from the previous day from Mastergeehy to Waterville, most walkers tackling this section will prefer to get a lift to Dromod and rejoin the trail there.
Otherwise, the Kerry Way retraces its steps back out from Waterville to follow 2km of road to Termons. It climbs 260m over the next 5km crossing both Knag and Coomduff. The boggy terrain makes progress extremely slow. The final 1½km of trail leads past the juntion from Mastergeehy and down to Dromod.
Dromod to Capall River
Distance: 7.5km | Ascent: 100m | Time: 3hrs
Leaving Dromod, the first 2½km of the Kerry Way crosses some fields and over the Cummeragh River before rejoining a quiet road at Cahersavane. The trail then follows a boreen and turns off before reaching a solitary farmhouse. With a 90m ascent over the following 1½km, the trail climbs a spur of An Bheann Mhór.
Views at this point extend to the west, looking over both Lough Currane and Waterville out towards Ballinskelligs Bay and beyond to the Atlantic Ocean. To the south, the prominent mountain peaks are Mullaghbeg and Eagles Hill.
The trail descends 90m over the next 1km into Glanbeg and then joins a boreen. The final 2½km follows the quiet lane through forestry at Cloghvoola. A small inlet of Lough Currane is within touching distance of the trail at Reennaskinna. Several fishing boats can be seen moored here. A short distance following this is a bridge going over the Capall River.
Capall River to Caherdaniel
Distance: 11.5km | Ascent: 400m | Time: 4hrs 45mins
From Capall River the Kerry Way continues along the boreen for ½km and turns left at a T-Juntion. The next 3km follows a road along the side of Isknagahiny Lough with views of An Bheann Mhór across the valley and Coomcallee to the north-east. The trail passes Glenmore National School which is marked as a heritage centre on the map. After skirting some forestry, the path turns to the right to start the ascent to Windy Gap.
A tough 2½km ascent follows as the Kerry Way slowly rises 360m to reach a mountain pass between Eagles Hill and Staigue. Conditions underfoot are usually wet and very slippery. Reaching Windy Gap, there are views across the entire Beara Peninsula.
A gradual 270m descent over 3½km along an old green road leads to a T-Juntion at Coad. Staigue and Sneem are to the left. The right turn brings the final 2km of this section through a boulder field before dropping down into Caherdaniel.
Connecting Stages...
Prev : Mastergeehy to Waterville
Next : Caherdaniel to Staigue
Other : Waterville to Caherdaniel via the Coast
