Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Phoenix Projects working in Latin America.
Saturday 15-22nd May 2027
NB. Please note the following information is still a work in progress. Further updates will be made once confirmation of the challenge and the itinerary has been made. Last edited: 11/06/25
This challenge involves a total trekking distance of around 100 miles (160 km) during the week along the majority of the Kerry Way in Southwest Ireland and taking on the highest mountain Carrauntoohil at 3,414 feet (1,038m). You will have to carry personal equipment each day. It may be possible to transport equipment between villages where we will stay each night for an extra fee.
The itinerary is designed to make it easy for challengers to either do the whole trek or meet us along the way and do a couple of days or more as part of a longer visit to Ireland. For those who can only do a long weekend you can arrive in Killarney (via Cork airport) on Thursday evening in time for the Carrauntoohil summit hike on Friday and celebration meal and then spend the weekend exploring the Killarney National Park before heading home on Sunday.
In May, the temperatures range from 9 to 15 degrees Celsius (48 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit). While it can be a pleasant time to hike with longer daylight hours, Irish weather can be unpredictable, and it’s important to be prepared for rain and cool temperatures.
We will plant trees to help cover your carbon footprint for the challenge, including inbound and outbound flights.
If you are interested in joining us or need more information please do email us on info@thephoenixprojects.org
Saturday
Meet in Killarney in southwest Ireland and a welcome dinner. There are trains and busses from Cork and Dublin.
Sunday
Early transport (1hr) to Glenbeigh to start the challenge with a 17 mile/27km (7-10 hrs) trek along the Atlantic coast to Cahersiveen. B&B or camping.
Monday
Early start as we head inland on a 19 mile/30km (8-10 hrs) hike over rugged terrain to Waterville. B&B or camping.
Tuesday
More rugged terrain today as we hike 17 miles/27km (8-10 hrs) to Caherdaniel. B&B or camping. (Coastal route is shorter)
Wednesday
A shorter hike today at 12 miles/19km (4-6 hrs) as we make our way through the most historic part of Southwest Ireland to Sneem. B&B or camping.
Thursday
After yesterday’s shorter hike we’re back to the long, albeit flatter trek at 19 miles/30km (8-10 hrs) to Kenmare and then bus back to Killarney (45 mins). B&B or camping.
Friday
Early start as we take on Ireland’s highest mountain Carrauntoohil at 3,414 feet/1,038m and another 8 miles/12km (6-8 hrs) under our belts before heading back to Killarney for a celebration dinner.
Saturday
Transport back home or continue exploring…
A very rough budget for everything, including B&Bs, food and drink is around £800 ($1050). If you decide to camp it will be less. Equipment can be transported for a fee between villages so you won’t have to carry too much gear during the day.
Due to the nature of this challenge the payment structure will be different. As we will be using multiple accommodations, pubs and restaurants, payments will be made individually by you on the ground (rather than a fixed price at the start like for our challenges in Latin America).
The names of the villages where we aim to stay each night are listed above so you can book B&Bs or campsites in advance. Whilst there are quite a few B&Bs in each village we advise to book early.
As there is so much to see in each of the daily legs there will be an opportunity to spend more time exploring a certain area and if necessary getting to a bus stop to catch a bus to the village we will be staying in if time is running out late in the afternoon and we’re still miles from home!
Each person will pay for their own food. The majority of the B&Bs offer packed lunches and dinner if you order it with plenty of warning although there are places for dinner each evening in local pubs or restaurants. We can also buy supplies and stop in pubs along the way.
This way you have more choice on where you stay and what you eat and drink!
