Being blissfully located in the heart of the Kingdom our guests have so many walks and trails to choose from, we have put together some of our recommended walks and trails, from moderate walks to some more exhilarating treks to savour some of the gorgeous scenery right on our doorstep. Pick up a copy of our Tralee & Bay Area map at Reception with directions to the locations to get you started:
Leave the car behind and discover what is right on our doorstep!
Rose Walk
This has to be first on our list! The beautiful Rose Walk links our Hotel to the town centre via Tralee Town Park. A lovely leisurely stroll allows you to explore Tralee Town Park famous for its beautiful roses and also has a children’s playground. Tralee Town Park or known locally as "The Green" is a public park, covering an area of 35 acres it is one of the largest urban public parks in Ireland.
Canal Walk to Cockleshell
A picturesque 5km walk from the hotel along the Riverwalk and onto the Canal Walk to Blennerville Village with the Slieve Mish Mountains as the backdrop. Crossing the Canal Swing Bridge and Blennerville Road Bridge with fine views of Tralee Bay and the restored Windmill, follow the path to Cockleshell Beach with a lovely picnic area to admire the stunning views.
Drive, park and explore!
Ballyseedy Wood
Ballyseedy Wood dates back at least to the 16th century when it is was first mapped for Sir Edward Denny. Further planting took place by Col. John Blennerhassett in the early 18th century who had his castle nearby. Today, Ballyseedy is a sustainable woodland recreational amenity for the people of Kerry and visitors alike. It is a unique and tranquil retreat which extends to nearly 80 acres. It has at least 22 varieties of native trees and they are marked with their Gaelic and English names in the woods. As you wander along the Old Coach Road which served the Blennerhassett estate and plantation, look out for the majestic Ash, Oak and Beech trees - they have been growing here for centuries. There are a number of ruins and follies within the wood, dating back to the 17th century, with the River Lee (from which Tralee takes its name) forming the woodlands northern boundary.
Glanteenassig Forest Park
Glanteenassig is an outdoor enthusiast’s dreamland with over 450 hectares of woodland, mountain, lake and peatland to explore, located 24 kilometres from Tralee. Nestled in a sheltered valley among the Slieve Mish Mountains, the landscape is imposing and awesome. To reach it the visitor must step off the beaten track, travel up the valley and feel the remoteness of the mountains. Behind the trees the area abounds with streams, lakes, waterfalls and dramatic cliffs which characterise this untamed landscape. At certain points, views of Brandon & Tralee Bay and the Maharees can be enjoyed. There are a selection of walks and picnic areas dotted around the site to be enjoyed.
Glanageenty Loop
Glanageenty wood covers either side of a steep glen that carries a river of the same name. In recent years through the efforts of the local community, a network of waymarked trails have been developed for the enjoyment of all. The mixture of tree species from broadleaf to conifer and age class makes for pleasant walking. There are seats and picnic tables dotted around the forest at opportune points to allow you to catch your breath and to take in the views. Historically, these woods would have been used for refuge both during the Desmond Rebellion and the Irish Civil War.
Beach walks anytime of the year!
Banna Strand
Banna Beach, locally also known as Banna Strand, is 7 miles north-west of Tralee. It's a beautiful Blue Flag beach that extends for miles. This is a walker's paradise with views of the mountains of the Dingle Peninsula on the southwest horizon, Kerry Head and the Maulin Mountain to the northwest and straight out to sea you can see Mucklaghmore Rock.
The sand dunes here are a designated conservation area with rare plants and animals. It's is a popular surfing spot with surfing lessons and summer camps.
Derrymore Strand
Derrymore Strand, also known locally as Derrymore Beach, is a stunning sandy beach that lies between the Slieve Mish Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s only a few miles from Tralee, and is very accessible to all. The beach is popular with locals and tourists alike, especially for walking and swimming. Derrymore Island, situated to the east of Derrymore Strand, is a nature reserve supporting many rare plant communities and is an important high-tide roosting area for shore birds. The name Derrymore is an anglicization of the Irish doire mór, meaning "great oak grove".
Ballyheigue Beach
Ballyheigue is part of a 10km stretch of sandy beach which is backed by sand dunes. It is located within the Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Harbour Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA), as well as the Tralee Bay Complex Special Protection Area (SPA).
It runs from the village of Ballyheigue for over 3km until it reaches the outlet from Lough Akeragh and is an ideal place for swimming, surfing, walking and other water sport activities.
The beach is lifeguard patrolled during the bathing season and more information can be found on the notice board located at the beach.
The beach has received the International Blue Flag award.
Inch Beach
Inch Beach is 6km of sandy beach, ideal for bathing, sea angling, surfing and many other water sports. It is located on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. Inch Beach was chosen by David Lean as the beach location for "Ryan's Daughter", while the film "Playboy of the Western World" was shot entirely at Inch. This beach is a safe environment for all types of water sports including surfing, kayaking, windsurfing and kite surfing. There is excellent bass fishing at Inch Strand, Bunaneer Strand and Minard Strand.
Walking Trails!
North Kerry Way
The North Kerry Way is a 48 kilometre linear walking route through the northern part of County Kerry in the south-west of Ireland, starting in the County town of Tralee and ending in the town of Ballyheigue.
While not as well-known as the Iveragh or Dingle Peninsula of the same county, North Kerry has much to offer, including spectacular seascapes, the finest beaches in Ireland and a multitude of ancient sites, churches and field monuments.
The route heads out of the white sands of Banna Strand to reach the village of Ballyheigue and the beginning of a scenic mountainous area on Kerry Head, which it loops around before finishing at Ballyheigue. The terrain consists of mainly firm beach sand (except at high tide) and calm country tracks.
The route is flat except for the last few kilometres where there are some short ascents, with an aggregate climb of 370 metres.
Kerry Camino
Situated in the south-west of Ireland, the Kerry Camino brings you around the beautiful Dingle Peninsula, starting in Tralee, the capital of Kerry and finishing in Dingle.
The Kerry Camino is a walk modelled on the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain. It follows a route from Tralee to Dingle along the spine of the Dingle Peninsula which has some of the most dramatic scenery and coastline in Ireland. The route purportedly follows a path taken by Saint Brendan, at present the route begins at the St. Johns Roman Catholic Church in Tralee and ends at St. James Church of Ireland in Dingle.
If you would like to walk the full camino, visit www.kerrycamino.com to get details of their annual walking weekends.
Dingle Way
Situated in the south-west of Ireland, the Dingle Way brings you around the beautiful Dingle Peninsula, starting and finishing in Tralee. The trail is 179km long and is recommended to take someone, reasonably fit, an average of 8 - 9 days to walk.
The diversity of different landscapes is the reason why the Dingle Way is such a popular trail. It never takes long before a turn in the path reveals a dramatic change of scenery and landscape. From walking in the foothills of Slieve Mish to crossing the shoulder of Mount Brandon, from the powerful Atlantic Ocean at Slea Head to the tranquil setting of pastoral farmland and on to strands of golden beaches on the Maharess.
Some of the finest archaeological sites in Ireland are based on the Dingle Way. Standing stones and much more structures can be spotted and explored enroute.
The Dingle Way is a well-serviced trail, as it passes through the centre of many picturesque villages and towns.
The final section of the Dingle Way sees a long stretch back to Tralee. With Castlegregory behind, the trail heads in a south-easterly direction through a flat area of bog land where remnants of turf cuttings can still be seen.
Would you like to explore more? Visit Tralee.ie, Xplore - Hikes and Trails in Tralee, for some more detailed walks, trails and mountain climbs! We would only be delighted to provide a packed lunch for your day out, just contact Reception to pre-order.
