Walking Events in Kerry: Calendar & Guide

Looking for a walking festival in Kerry or a guided group walk? This page lists walking events in County Kerry that we have been able to verify, with a direct link to each official organiser. We only show dates when the organiser has published them, and we update the page as new dates are announced.

Please note: Killarney Walking Guide is an independent website. We do not organise any of these events and we cannot take bookings or registrations. Always book, and check the latest details, directly with the organiser.

About the former Killarney Walking Festival

This web address once belonged to the Killarney Walking Festival. We have no connection with that festival or its organisers. The most recent edition we could find reported in the press took place in June 2018, and we have found no announcement of later editions. If you came here looking to register for it, the events below are good current alternatives in and around Killarney.

Kerry walking events calendar

Calendar at a glance (last checked: October 2026)

April	Wander Wild Festival, Killarney (2027 dates published by the organiser: 9–11 April 2027)
April	Step into Spring weekend, Killarney National Park (2027 dates not yet announced)
May bank holiday	Kerry Camino guided walk, Tralee to Dingle (2027 dates not yet announced)
September / January	Let’s Get Kerry Walking community walks (check organiser)
October	Local walking weekends, e.g. Sneem and Waterville (check organiser for current year)

Wander Wild Festival (Killarney, April)

Wander Wild is an outdoor and wellness festival based in Killarney, with Killarney National Park and Fáilte Ireland among its listed partners. The programme usually includes guided hikes ranging from gentle nature and folklore walks to strenuous mountain days in the hills around Killarney. Its 2026 edition ran from 17 to 19 April, and the official website currently shows 9–11 April 2027 for the next festival.

Official website: wanderwildfestival.com

Step into Spring (Killarney National Park, April)

Step into Spring (Céim Isteach san Earrach) is a weekend of free events in Killarney National Park, organised by the park’s Education Centre, with some walks led by park staff. The 2026 weekend took place from 10 to 12 April. We have not found a dedicated event website, so check with the park for future dates.

Official park website: nationalparks.ie/killarney

Kerry Camino guided walk (Tralee to Dingle, May bank holiday)

The Kerry Camino follows the old pilgrim route from Tralee to Dingle, about 57 km, over three days. Each May bank holiday weekend, volunteers run a guided three-day walk, with buses back to Tralee each day and bag transfers for walkers staying on the route. The 2026 walk took place on 1–3 May. Dates for 2027 have not been announced yet.

The route is also one of the Irish walks that can count towards a Celtic Camino Compostela. Read more in our Kerry Way and Kerry walking guide.

Official website: kerrycamino.com

Let’s Get Kerry Walking (community walks)

Kerry County Council and the Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership have run free community walks under the “Let’s Get Kerry Walking” banner, including a walking week in late September and a walk on National Operation Transformation Walk Day in January. Check the council’s website for the current programme.

Official information: Kerry County Council – Let’s Get Kerry Walking

Local walking weekends (autumn)

Several Kerry towns have hosted walking weekends in October, with guided walks for different abilities:

• Sneem Walking Weekend, run by Sneem Walking Club, was listed by Mountaineering Ireland for October 2024. Check with the club for current dates. Mountaineering Ireland listing
• Waterville Walking Weekend has offered easy heritage walks through to strenuous mountain routes in mid-October. The official page currently shows a past edition, so check with the organisers before planning a trip. Visit Waterville

How to find a walking group in Kerry

If you’d rather walk regularly with others, joining a local club is often better than waiting for a festival:

• Get Ireland Walking keeps a national list of walking groups: find a walking group.
• Mountaineering Ireland lists club events and walking weekends across the country, including Kerry: Mountaineering Ireland events.
• Discover Kerry lists festivals and community events around the county: Discover Kerry festivals.

Tips for joining a guided walk or walking festival

• Check the grade. Festival walks are usually graded from easy to strenuous. Mountain days in Kerry can mean six hours or more on rough, steep ground.
• Book early. Popular walks have limited places, and accommodation in Killarney and Dingle fills up on bank holiday weekends.
• Bring proper kit. A waterproof jacket and trousers, boots, warm layers, food and water are standard requirements. See what to wear walking in Ireland.
• Know the cancellation policy. Organisers can change or cancel mountain walks in bad weather for safety reasons.

Not going to an event? Our complete guide to Killarney walks covers the best self-guided routes in the national park, from easy lakeside loops to mountain days.

Frequently asked questions