Distance: 21km
Time to Allow: 8 hours

WARNING! The following stage of the Dingle Way sees it reaching its highest point. If weather conditions are poor and visibility is bad then serious consideration should be given to finding an alternative method of transport to reach Cloghane. To the west of the trail on the way up Brandon, there is a 450-metre drop into the sea!

Leaving Ballycurrane the Dingle Way soon comes off surfaced road and takes to an old green road that leads the trail in a north-easterly direction aiming for Cnoc na mBristi. The long stiff climb to the shoulder of Brandon Mountain sees the trail round the saddle between Masatiompan and Piaras Mór. The ancient marker ogham stone with an inscribed cross can be found here.

The descent from this mountain can be extremely dangerous after heavy rain as the slope is quite steep and the terrain boggy underfoot. The use of walking sticks is well-advised for this section. A stretch of around 2km sees a gravel path greet the trail. This continues downward on a more gradual gradient as it weaves its way down into the valley for a further 4km before meeting up with a wider road section.

After the physical challenge of Brandon Mountain one is enticed to take a short cut on the Dingle Way by cutting out an additional 4km loop that takes in Brandon Village. To do this would be missing out on one of the most tranquil settings in Ireland. The community enjoys its status at the end of the road that runs across the north of the peninsula. With two beautifully sited pubs overlooking Braondon Bay, this makes a great stop-off point.

The final stage of this section sees the Dingle Way leaving the pier at Brandon and heading south-west across lanes for just over 6km before finally making it to Cloghane village. Accommodation in Mount Brandon Hostel can be found in the centre of Cloghane.