Wicklow Way vs Kerry Way: Ireland's Two Greatest Trails Compared
If you're planning your first long-distance walk in Ireland, the choice often comes down to two trails: the Wicklow Way and the Kerry Way. They are the country's two most-walked waymarked routes, and for good reason — both are beautiful, both are well-served by accommodation, and both make a wonderful self-guided holiday. But they are not the same walk, and the Wicklow Way vs Kerry Way question is one we're asked almost every week. We've walked both, many times, so here's an honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
Part of our complete guide to Ireland's National Waymarked Ways — a trail-by-trail rundown of every long-distance walk in the country.
The Short Answer
If you want dramatic mountain-and-coast scenery and don't mind a longer, slightly tougher walk, choose the Kerry Way. If you'd rather have highland beauty within easy reach of Dublin and a route that's a little gentler underfoot, choose the Wicklow Way. Both are walkable by anyone with reasonable fitness — neither requires technical skill. Now for the detail.
At a Glance
| Wicklow Way | Kerry Way | |
|---|---|---|
| Full length | 131 km / 81 miles | 214 km / 133 miles |
| Region | Wicklow Mountains, east coast | Iveragh Peninsula, south-west |
| Character | Forests, granite uplands, glacial valleys | Mountains, lakes, wild Atlantic coast |
| Typical self-guided trip | 5–10 days | 5–8 days |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate to challenging |
| Nearest airport | Dublin (under 1 hour) | Kerry / Cork (1–1.5 hours) |
| Best for | First-timers, short on time | Big scenery, a proper journey |
The Wicklow Way: Highland Beauty Near the Capital
The Wicklow Way was Ireland's very first waymarked trail, opened in 1980, and it still sets the standard. It runs from the southern suburbs of Dublin at Marlay Park down through the Wicklow Mountains to the village of Clonegal on the Carlow border. Within an hour of leaving the city you're climbing into open granite uplands, with the whole of Dublin Bay spread out behind you.
What we love about the Wicklow Way is how quickly it delivers. You walk through dark forestry and out onto heathery mountainsides, past the glacial lakes of Glendalough with its ancient monastic ruins, and through quiet valleys where the only sound is the wind and the odd sheep. It's a trail of forest tracks, boardwalk over the boggy stretches, and mountain paths, with comfortable villages — Roundwood, Glendalough, Aughrim — strung along the way for your overnight stops.
Because it sits so close to Dublin, the Wicklow Way is the easiest of Ireland's great trails to reach. Fly into Dublin in the morning and you can be walking the same afternoon. That convenience, plus its forgiving terrain, is why we so often recommend it as a first long-distance walk.
The Kerry Way: Ireland's Grand Coastal Circuit
The Kerry Way is Ireland's longest waymarked trail, a great horseshoe that loops around the Iveragh Peninsula in the far south-west. It starts and finishes in Killarney, and over its full length it carries you past the country's highest mountains — the Macgillycuddy's Reeks — out to the open Atlantic and back through a string of small Kerry towns: Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Sneem, Kenmare.
This is the bigger, wilder walk. The Kerry Way follows old droving roads and "green roads" — the routes herders used long before tarmac — high along the flanks of the mountains, with the sea glittering below. One day you're walking through the oak woods of Killarney National Park beneath waterfalls; the next you're high on a mountain pass with nothing but bog, rock and ocean in every direction. The scenery is, simply, some of the finest in Ireland.
That grandeur comes with a little more effort. The Kerry Way has longer days and more ascent than the Wicklow Way, and the weather rolling in off the Atlantic can be changeable. But the trail itself is well-graded — you're walking, not scrambling — and we build each self-guided trip so that the daily distances suit your pace.
Scenery: Forests and Glens vs Mountains and Sea
Both trails are beautiful, but they offer different kinds of beauty. The Wicklow Way is intimate and green — forest, fern, mountain lake and hidden valley, all in soft focus. It feels like walking through a landscape painting. The Kerry Way is epic and elemental — high passes, vast skies, and the constant presence of the Atlantic. If your heart lifts at the sight of the open ocean and big mountains, Kerry wins. If you love woodland, quiet glens and a sense of seclusion an hour from a capital city, Wicklow is hard to beat.
Difficulty and Terrain
Neither trail is technical, and you don't need to be a mountaineer for either. The difference is in the day length and the climbing. The Wicklow Way has steady climbs but plenty of forest track and boardwalk, and the daily distances on a typical trip are comfortable. The Kerry Way's days tend to be a little longer, with more ascent and rougher ground on the higher sections, plus exposure to coastal weather.
If you walk regularly and enjoy a full day on the hill, either will suit you. If you're newer to multi-day walking, or you want a gentler introduction, the Wicklow Way is the kinder choice — and you can always graduate to Kerry next year.
How Many Days, and How Far
You don't have to walk every metre of either trail. On our self-guided holidays we offer both in a range of lengths so you can match the walk to your time and fitness. The Wicklow Way starts at 5 days and runs up to the full 10-day end-to-end route, taking in the best of the mountains. The Kerry Way also starts at 5 days, with 6, 7 and 8-day versions that carry you progressively further around the peninsula. Whichever you choose, we move your luggage between accommodations each day, so you walk with just a daypack.
Best Time to Walk Each Trail
The Irish walking season runs from April to October, and that holds true for both trails. May, June and September are our favourite months on either — long days, lighter crowds, and the best chance of settled weather. The Wicklow Way is glorious in autumn when the forests turn, while the Kerry Way is at its most spectacular in early summer when the gorse is in bloom and the days are long enough for the bigger stages. Both can be wet at any time of year — this is Ireland — so pack for rain and you'll never be caught out.
Getting There
The Wicklow Way wins easily on access. It begins on the edge of Dublin, so it's a short bus or taxi ride from the airport or city centre to the trailhead. The Kerry Way is more of a journey in itself — you'll travel down to Killarney by train or road (around three to four hours from Dublin, or fly into Kerry or Cork airport), but Killarney is a lovely, lively base town and well worth a night either side of your walk.
So, Which Should You Walk?
Choose the Wicklow Way if you're short on time, flying into Dublin, walking your first long-distance trail, or you simply love forests and mountain glens. Choose the Kerry Way if you want Ireland's grandest coastal-and-mountain scenery, you're happy with slightly longer days, and you'd like the trail to feel like a proper expedition. There's no wrong answer here — these really are Ireland's two greatest trails, and plenty of our walkers come back to do the other one the following year.
Wicklow Way vs Kerry Way: Common Questions
Which is harder, the Wicklow Way or the Kerry Way?
The Kerry Way is the more demanding of the two — it's longer overall, with bigger daily ascents and more exposure to Atlantic weather. The Wicklow Way is moderate, with gentler terrain and a good amount of forest track, which makes it the easier first long-distance walk.
Which has better scenery?
It depends on what moves you. The Kerry Way offers dramatic mountain and ocean views around the Iveragh Peninsula; the Wicklow Way offers forests, granite uplands and the famous glacial valley of Glendalough. Both are outstanding — they're simply different in character.
Can a beginner walk either trail?
Yes. Neither trail requires technical skill, and on a self-guided trip the daily distances can be kept comfortable. If you can walk 15–20 km in a day and enjoy being outdoors, you can walk either. Beginners often start with a shorter Wicklow Way itinerary.
How long does each one take?
On a self-guided holiday, both are usually walked over 5 to 8 days, with a full end-to-end Wicklow Way taking up to 10. You can choose a length that suits your time and fitness rather than committing to the entire trail.
Which is easier to get to?
The Wicklow Way, comfortably. It starts on the edge of Dublin, under an hour from the airport. The Kerry Way begins in Killarney in the south-west, around three to four hours from Dublin or a short hop from Kerry or Cork airport.
Ready to Choose Your Trail?
Whether your heart is set on the highland glens of Wicklow or the wild Atlantic sweep of Kerry, we'd love to help you plan it. Browse our Wicklow Way walking holidays and our Kerry Way walking holidays, and see a typical day for each. Between us we've walked nearly every waymarked mile in Ireland — so if you're still torn, drop us a message and we'll help you find the trail that's right for you.
