The Kerry Way Ultra takes place over some of Ireland’s most rugged and remote landscape but these areas are also fragile, sensitive and owned by somebody! The committee of The Kerry Way Ultra events has taken on a responsibility to protect this landscape and the environment.
Some of the practices that have been adopted will help to respect and conserve nature and its flora and fauna, integrate sustainability into the KWU events by keeping the route litter-free, reducing waste, recycling and raising awareness of the participants, support crews, volunteers and sponsors about the importance of an environmentally friendly approach.
The Kerry Way Ultra events are No Trace Races with the ultimate goal being to ‘Leave No Trace’!
WHAT IS THE KERRY WAY?
We speak to Concubhair Lyne, Recreation Officer with the SKDP.
The Kerry Way, at 230km the longest of the Irish Waymarked Trails, is a circular route that circumnavigates the Iveragh peninsula, starting and finishing in Killarney, and also passing through fine Kerry towns such as Glenbeigh, Caherciveen, Waterville, Sneem and Kenmare.
The Iveragh Peninsula is the largest of Kerry's Atlantic peninsulas, extending 60 kilometres into the ocean from the mainland, and it is 32 kilometres across. The Iveragh contains the Killarney Lakes with their mountainous backgrounds, the most famously picturesque landscapes in Ireland since tourism began in the late eighteen hundreds. The main mountain group on the peninsula, called the Macgillicuddy Reeks, contains the two highest summits in Ireland, Carrauntoohil at 1038m and Caher at 1001m.
The landscape the route passes through is very varied, from the lakes of Killarney to high and remote mountain moorland: Carrauntoohil and Caher tower over the route west of Black Valley and the return leg passes along the startlingly contrasting semi-tropical, palm-treed south coast. Terrain consists mainly of quiet tarmac roads, open moorland, woodland and field paths and boreens. Some sections of the open moorland can be very isolated, and off-road sections can often be very wet and muddy.
Aggregate ascent over the whole route is about 5400m, and there are some sustained and quite steep climbs. The highest point on the Way is 385m above sea-level, at Windy Gap between Glenmore and Caherdaniel There are some long stretches between overnight accommodation possibilities, and walkers should plan their days carefully to take these into consideration: public transport options are very good.
Supported by SKDP, @sportireland & @kerrycountycouncil
Video by Niall Foley @niallfoley4988
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