Iveragh: Walks with your Dog 

LOCATION: Across Iveragh

Enjoy the great outdoors with your dog by your side


For many of us, dogs are part of the family. They offer companionship, cuddles, and will always make you smile when times are tough. One of the best things about having a dog in your life is that they encourage you to get outdoors. Even on the days where it's more suited to ducks, you'll find yourself donning a raincoat and getting some fresh air because your dog is giving you 'that look'. 

It's great to know in advance if a destination has dog friendly walks. Some trails do not permit dogs, however, there is usually a very good reason for this, such as the trail crossing through land with farm animals.

Many of Iveragh's beaches and shorelines are important feeding and resting places for birds. Walking at low tide and sticking to the higher shore means that these birds aren't disturbed and there is more space for everyone; some dogs can be nervous of other dogs and not everyone appreciates dog-attention either.

All sections of the Kerry Way have signs that say no dogs allowed, however, you will find a map below of some routes around the Iveragh Peninsula that are suitable for you and your dog. As with anywhere, the advice is to keep your buddy under control and on a lead, have a few poop bags in your pocket and bring their waste to a bin. On warmer days or longer walks, it's good to carry water and snacks for them... and something for yourself too!

Many trails follow rural roads and are marked in red on the map. Please be careful of vehicles and cyclists, walk in the direction of oncoming traffic where safe, and consider a hi-vis for you and your dog. Beaches, big and small, are marked in purple, while woods, forestry and other off-road trails are marked in white. We hope you enjoy your walkies around Iveragh and please leave no trace. Go raibh maith agat! 

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE MAPS:

The map locations can be seen on your mobile device. Clicking on the square icon in the top right hand corner of the respective map to open the map in a web browser or Google maps app. Or you can click on the square in the top left of the map to follow it on this page.

TRAIL GUIDE:

Below the maps is the guide for the map and the selected points.

There is also an alternative Storymap:

Iveragh: Walks with your Dog 

  • 1. Glenbeigh and Rossbeigh

    The village of Glenbeigh has a number of trails that are suitable for dog walkers. A loop walk circling the Reennanallagane (red loop) area takes in rural roads and a beach section. Faha Wood (white) is an approximately 3km return journey through forestry, while the Behy River walk (red line) is a 2km out and back following the river to Castlemaine Harbour. There is a longer 10km loop (purple) around Rossbeigh sandspit. At low tide, it is possible to walk along the back strand, around the northern tip and back along the main beach (or vice-versa). The back strand is very important for wetland birds so please avoid disturbing them. Find out more about the area in our section on the Rossbeigh Area Walks (not all walks through this link are dog friendly).

  • 2. Kells Harbour

    Options for dogs around the picturesque Kells Harbour are limited. The sheltered beach is short and best visited at low tide. It might suit smaller or less mobile senior pups who like to enjoy the sea air rather than those that need plenty of exercise.

  • 3. Cahersiveen

    Cahersiveen translates to ‘Cathair Saidhbhín’ in Irish, meaning 'little Saidhbh's fort' and there is a lovely replica fort in the dog friendly Town Park on the banks of the Ferta River. Side streets and residential roads link the riverside Town Park to the Fair Green and to the small Daniel O'Connell park just outside town (various routes marked in red). It's also a great town to stroll around with your dog and admire the colourful murals that bring life to the lanes and gables of Iveragh's biggest town.

  • 4. ‘Over the Water’

    Crossing the bridge over the River Ferta in Cahersiveen will bring you to an area known locally as 'Over the Water'. Low tide on Whitestrand (purple) is a great time for a beach stroll (please avoid disturbing any resting or feeding birds). There are also two ring forts in the area: Cahergall and Leacanabuaile. Walking the road north from here (red) will bring you to Cuas Crom pier with views over Dingle Bay and the Dingle Peninsula beyond. The white loop walk up the hill from Cuas Crom is a 3.5km forestry walk called Kimego. This higher ground trail will give you excellent panoramic views of Iveragh.

  • 5. Valentia Island

    Valentia Island can be accessed via the bridge at Portmagee or a seasonal ferry from Reenard near Cahersiveen. Paradise for geologists and historians alike. Please note that, due to the presence of farm animals, dogs are not allowed on some trails (such as Bray Head). However, a great option is to walk the rural road between the tetrapod trackway and the lighthouse (red line). The tetrapod trackway preserves some of the oldest fossilised footprints in the world, dated at 385 million years old, while the lighthouse at Cromwell Point has guided countless vessels to safety over generations. You can find out much more about the geology of the region in our Valentia Island Geotrail and Valentia Island and Over the Water Geosites. Knightstown offers short paths and trails around the village and nearby Altazamuth Park is wheelchair and buggy accessible. You can learn much more about the history of Valentia Island, Knightstown and the legacy of Maude Delap here.

  • 6. Portmagee

    Back on the mainland, via the bridge, is postcard-pretty Portmagee. There is plenty of outdoor seating along the waterfront, so if you fancy a bite to eat just ask the staff if the seats you choose are dog friendly. The red loop on the map is a 4km ‘Slí na Sláinte’ route. Walking clockwise, the route follows part of the main Skellig Ring road, so please be very careful of traffic. With the Portmagee Channel, an important ‘Special Area of Conservation’ (SAC), on your left, keep an eye out for seals on the rocks or listen for curlew calling from the shore. In spring, you might see female Irish hares boxing away the attention of amorous males in adjacent farmland.

  • 7. St Finian’s Bay

    Sometimes spelled St Finan's Bay and also known as ‘the Glen’, this beautiful corner of Iveragh in the heart of the Gaeltacht is a gem. The small beach is popular with families so please remember that not everyone is a dog person. There are breath-taking views of the Skellig Islands from the beach, especially during a glowing sunset. Located within the Kerry Dark Sky Reserve, it's also an ideal spot to look for the dog constellation, Canis major.

  • 8. Ballinskelligs

    There are a few options for you and your dog around Ballinskelligs. First, you have the beach (purple) which sits in a beautiful, sheltered corner of Ballinskelligs Bay ‘Special Area of Conservation’ (SAC). Walking south along the beach via McCarthy's Castle and the Abbey, you can follow signs for the Skellig Monks Trail which will take you via the pier back along the road to Ballinskelligs beach carpark. The red line on the map is a big one! This route is for those of us with dogs that need a long walk every now and then. You can follow the rural road south that leads up hill to Bolus Head, with dramatic views across Ballinskelligs Bay to Hog's Head and beyond. You can walk for about 6km on this road, before turning back to follow the same route home.

  • 9. Reenroe

    There is limited parking at the end of the road off the Skellig Ring, where there is a wheelchair/buggy ramp leading onto the beach. Again, this beach is great for birds and non-dog walkers, so low tide is when there is more space for everyone along its 1km stretch (purple line). Please stick to the beach, a couple of adjacent walks, over the cliffs and through the peatlands, cross through farmland so no dogs are permitted on those routes.

  • 10. Waterville

    Waterville has several options for dogs including a café with a dog menu and a dog friendly beer garden (double check with staff). The heritage trail is a great way to explore Waterville itself or stroll along the promenade (white) to the beach (purple) just north of town. More adventurous doggos can follow the promenade south and follow the road to Hog's Head. You will need to walk the busy N70 main road for a few hundred meters so please be very cautious and consider wearing hi-vis clothing. How far you walk is up to you as you'll come back the same road into Waterville. Follow the tarmac road uphill over the crest for about 6.5km to arrive at a look out point over Derrynane Bay. There are several places to stop and catch your breath with sea views for miles (keep an eye out for whales & dolphins!). The loop option on the way back will bring you by the impressive Loher Stone Fort.

  • 11. Derrynane

    The woods, beaches, dunes and wetlands around Derrynane are a haven for wildlife, so please keep this in mind when walking your dog. You can stroll for hours and hours so take your time and really enjoy the fresh air, history, and landscapes of the area. The tea rooms in Derrynane House, the pubs in Caherdaniel village and Derrynane Harbour all have outdoor seating where you can refuel after exploring the beaches or woodland trails.

  • 12. Sneem

    Sneem is split in two by the Sneem River (‘An tSnaidhm’ is Irish for 'the knot') and the south square leads to some beautiful gardens along the banks of the river. The village has pollinator friendly spaces, murals, sculptures and more, so be sure to spend time exploring with your dog. If you want a longer walk to exercise those paws, then head north from the north square towards Lomanagh and Fermoyle, where you can walk along the hedgerow lined rural roads that are filled with birds and flowers in spring or glow with golden hues in autumn. The further you walk the better the views get, with the Dunkerron Mountains ahead and the Kenmare Bay (often referred to as the Kenmare River) behind. It's an out and back walk, so distance is up to you - remember to pack food and water for you and your best friend.

On the map, we have marked some of the parking spots close to the walking routes we have suggested. Most are without charge, but please check locally. We also ask that you park responsibly to avoid blocking the narrow roads which crisscross the peninsula. Residents live here year-round and emergency vehicles need clear routes at all times.

A number of veterinary centres around South Kerry are also marked on the map - with a green medical cross. The closest are Cahersiveen, Killarney and Kenmare. We hope you don't need them, but it's good to know they are there.