Choose the Wicklow Way if you want a shorter, more accessible first long-distance walk — 131 km over seven days starting on Dublin's edge. Choose the Kerry Way if you want Ireland's longest waymarked trail, a 214 km nine-day loop through the wilder MacGillycuddy's Reeks and Iveragh coast. Both are moderate and walk best from May to September 2026; Wicklow climbs slightly higher, Kerry is longer and remoter.
These are two of Ireland's signature waymarked trails, but they serve different walkers. The Wicklow Way is the country's original long-distance path and the easiest to reach; the Kerry Way is its longest and most scenically dramatic. This comparison sets them side by side on the metrics that decide a trip — length, difficulty, scenery, access and cost — so you can choose with confidence.
Kerry Way vs Wicklow Way: the key numbers
| Feature | Kerry Way | Wicklow Way |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 214 km | 131 km |
| Duration | 9 days | 7 days |
| Highest point | ~380 m (Windy Gap) | ~630 m (White Hill) |
| Shape | Loop from Killarney | Linear, Dublin–Clonegal |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate |
| Access | Train to Killarney | Dublin city edge |
Which trail is more scenic?
Both are beautiful, but the character differs. The Kerry Way delivers grander, wilder scenery — the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Atlantic coastal views and the lakes of Killarney National Park — across its 214 km loop, detailed on our Kerry Way route guide. The Wicklow Way offers a gentler mix of forest, glacial valleys like Glendalough, and open mountain bog, with the iconic view over Lough Tay. If you want dramatic mountains and coast, Kerry wins; if you prefer varied forest-and-valley walking close to a capital city, Wicklow appeals.
Which is harder?
Both are moderate, but they are hard in different ways. The Kerry Way is longer and remoter, demanding more endurance over nine days, while the Wicklow Way climbs higher in places and packs steeper short ascents into its 131 km. Our standalone Kerry Way difficulty guide rates the longer loop a bigger overall commitment, mainly because of total distance and the exposed Iveragh passes. Neither requires technical skills; both punish walkers who skimp on rain gear.
Which is easier to reach and organise?
The Wicklow Way wins on access. Its northern trailhead at Marlay Park sits on the edge of Dublin, reachable by city bus, making it the simplest Irish long-distance walk to start. The Kerry Way begins in Killarney, reached by direct train from Dublin and Cork. Both have good B&B and hostel networks and luggage-transfer services, and both can be walked self-guided. Budget similarly for each — roughly EUR 70–110 a night for accommodation plus meals — with Kerry costing more overall simply because it takes two extra days.
Does your gear differ between them?
The kit is essentially identical: full waterproofs, waterproof boots and a 35–50 L pack, since both are B&B-based walks with no camping required. The rugged Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 suits luggage-transfer walkers on either trail, while the Osprey Atmos AG 50 and Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 carry a full self-supported load. Our Kerry Way packing list applies to both.
Which should you choose?
Pick the Wicklow Way for your first multi-day walk, a tighter schedule or car-free convenience from Dublin. Pick the Kerry Way when you want a longer, wilder, more committing route through Ireland's grandest mountain and coastal scenery. Many walkers do Wicklow first and graduate to Kerry. Check current status for both on Sport Ireland's trails site, and for the Kerry route review Killarney National Park access via the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
How do the costs compare?
Both trails are mid-range in cost, with accommodation the main expense since neither requires camping. Budget roughly EUR 70-110 per night for B&Bs and guesthouses on either route in 2026, plus EUR 20-35 a day for meals and packed lunches. The Kerry Way costs more overall simply because it takes about nine days versus the Wicklow Way's seven.
For a self-guided Wicklow Way over seven days, expect a total of roughly EUR 700-1,000 including accommodation, food and optional luggage transfer, while the longer Kerry Way typically runs EUR 900-1,300 on the same basis. Luggage-transfer services, which let you walk with only a light daypack, add around EUR 10-20 per stage on both trails and are popular with walkers who want to move faster. Transport costs differ slightly: the Wicklow Way starts on the edge of Dublin and needs no extra travel to reach, while the Kerry Way requires a train to Killarney (around EUR 30-60 from Dublin). Hostels and shared rooms can cut nightly costs on both routes for budget walkers, and self-catering from village shops trims the food bill. Guided tours with all logistics handled cost considerably more, often EUR 1,200-2,000 depending on duration and group size. Overall, the Wicklow Way is the cheaper introduction, and the Kerry Way the bigger investment in both time and money, reflecting its extra length and wilder, more remote setting.
Your ideal choice may also come down to the kind of trip atmosphere you want. The Kerry Way's loop through small Iveragh villages has a strong sociable, traditional-pub character, with walkers often crossing paths each evening at the same handful of B&Bs and bars. The Wicklow Way feels more like an escape from the city into forest and mountain solitude, especially on its quieter southern half beyond Glendalough, where services thin out and the landscape opens up. Neither is better, but they suit different moods: Kerry for company, coast and grand mountains; Wicklow for accessible, varied walking close to Dublin. If you are travelling from abroad with limited time, the Wicklow Way's easy start makes it the efficient pick, while a longer holiday justifies the extra journey and days the Kerry Way demands in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kerry Way or Wicklow Way better for beginners?
The Wicklow Way is the better beginner choice because it is shorter (131 km vs 214 km), starts on the edge of Dublin and takes about seven days. The Kerry Way is also moderate but longer and remoter, making it a stronger second trail once you have some multi-day experience.
Which Irish trail has better scenery?
The Kerry Way offers grander mountain and Atlantic coastal scenery through the MacGillycuddy's Reeks and Killarney National Park, while the Wicklow Way features forests, glacial valleys like Glendalough and the famous Lough Tay viewpoint. Kerry is wilder; Wicklow is more varied and accessible.
How many days do you need for each trail?
The Wicklow Way takes about seven days for its 131 km, while the Kerry Way needs roughly nine days for 214 km. Both can be shortened by walking only the most scenic sections — Glendalough on the Wicklow Way or the Killarney-to-Caherdaniel stretch on the Kerry Way.
Which trail is easier to get to without a car?
The Wicklow Way is easier to reach car-free, since its northern trailhead at Marlay Park is on the edge of Dublin and served by city buses. The Kerry Way starts in Killarney, which has direct trains from Dublin and Cork, so both are realistic without a car.
Can you walk both trails in one trip?
Yes, energetic walkers sometimes combine them, but together they total 345 km and around 16 walking days plus travel between Wicklow and Kerry. Most people choose one per trip; doing the Wicklow Way first and the Kerry Way on a later visit is a common progression.