Distance: 20km
Time to Allow: 7 hours

Traveling west from Dingle along the seafront, the Dingle Way accompanies the main road for two kilometers as far as Milltown where it then breaks off for a side road that leads through some low-lying farmland.

Important to note is a change to the trail that differs from ordnance survey maps. Follow the signage that is seen from the road and heads directly to Ventry, entering the village from the east.

A pleasant change of scenery takes shape as the Dingle Way now takes to the beach, drawing a long arc across the sands of Ventry Harbour. Here is an excellent opportunity to give some relief to sore feet by taking a dip in the beautiful clean waters that are renowned for being a safe swimming area. Several small rivers feed into the sea along the strand and are crossed by bridge. This sandy section lasts for around 2.5km before coming back to firmer land.

After following some intertwining minor roads and tracks for two kilometers the Dingle Way then meets the main Slea Head road. Again, the markings that are on the Ordnance Survey maps here are to be ignored as there are currently access problems to Cill Mhic an Domhnaigh. Walkers must take the detour along the road for a little over a kilometer.

Extreme caution must be taken when walking along this section of the road as it is quite a popular scenic drive and there are no banks on either side to climb and allow room for passing traffic. It is vitally important to walk in single-file to allow the most amount of space for oncoming cars. Always walk on the outer side of a bend in the road to allow drivers greater time to see you. After this long bend in the road, a lane to the right will lead back up to the Dingle Way as it is shown on the map.

The next seven kilometers passes spectacular scenery on all sides as the Dingle Way circles the base of Mount Eagle. At 160 meters above sea-level the view over the Atlantic gradually includes the Blasket Islands as the Way rounds Slea Head. A curious feature that distracts from the view to the sea is the remnants of clochains - more commonly known as beehive huts. The mountainside is littered with them in various stages of ruin.

The last part of this stage of the Dingle Way finds the trail back on the main road for several kilometers before descending down past the picturesque pier and on to the visitor centre where the full poignant story of the Blasket Islands can be heard. If you have a day to spare and are lucky with the weather it is possible to catch a ferry out to the Blaskets and spend several hours getting a feel for the hardships of island life.