Distance: 22km
Time to Allow: 7.5 hours

The Kerry Way officially starts around one kilometre to the south of Killarney, where the main road crosses the River Flesk. A gravel path that is shared with the horse-drawn jaunting cars follows alongside the main Killarney to Kenmare road for 1.5km. The trail then heads into Killarney National Park and winds its way through forested area and passes the popular tourist stop-off point of Muckross House. The Kerry Way continues on through deciduous forest and soon emerges back on the main road to Kenmare where it crosses it directly at the foot of the beautiful Torc Waterfall.

A short steep climb brings the Kerry Way up around the top of Torc Waterfall and around to the east of Torc Mountain. The trail levels out at just over 200m above sea-level and joins what was the old Kenmare Road, which is now closed to traffic. The road threads its way between Torc and Mangerton mountains and continues in a south-westerly direction for over 7km before descending the valley and crossing Galway's River and swinging to the North.

Crossing the main Killarney-Kenmare road again, the Kerry Way passes a beautiful church abandoned and now bricked up. Continuing on the descent, the trail passes through a wooded area before emerging on the Upper Lake. Boats can be spotted making their way to and from Killarney on the lake. The path eventually leads to where they dock at Lord Brandon's Cottage which is open for tea and refreshments during summer months.

Crossing the Gearhameen River the Kerry Way rejoins a tarmac surface which leads for another 2km before reaching the Black Valley Youth Hostel and Shamrock Farmhouse a little further down the road.