The festival will feature six guided walks over the two days with hard, moderate and easy / family walks each day. On Saturday 3rd June, the hard walk is over 16km stretch of the Ox Mountains from Drunsheen, near Bonniconlon, to Boyhollagh, near Attymass. A good level of fitness is required for this walk and water proof boots and rain gear are essential. Saturday’s moderate walk is from Foxford, through scenic Tavnaghmore, to Loch Conn and back to Foxford. An easy, family friendly walk will take participants along the River Moy towards Rinnany village and back to Foxford.
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Sunday’s hard walk is a climb of Nephin starting from Lahardaun and following a steep route over some rocky terrain to the summit and returning via a completely different route to the townland of Pruglish on the opposite side of the mountain. This climb should only be attempted by those with a high level of fitness and experience of hill walking. Suitable boots and gear are essential. The moderate walk on Sunday is an ascent of scenic Laraganmore Mountain near Foxford while the easy walk is a pleasant stroll through Drummin Wood, adjacent to Lough Cullin

​All walks start and finish at the Foxford Sports & Leisure Centre (opposite Foxford Woollen Mills). Registration opens at 08:30.​

Dates for your diary:

• 3rd & 4th June 2017

Event links:

• The official event website

Associated Gribbon location:

• Nephin 806m

This year’s Killarney Walking Festival takes place from Friday 9th June to Sunday 11th June 2017. The organisers have included some new signature treks - The ‘Peaks of the Reeks’ including the iconic Carrauntoohil and Coomloughra Horseshoe treks, and Ross Castle and Innisfallen Island Tour. The Festival is a chance to enjoy a weekend of long relaxing guided walks and boat trips.

This year’s signature walk is a Tour of Ross Castle and Innisfallen Island. Visit two of Killarney’s most famous landmarks, starting with a guided tour of Ross Castle which is maintained and furnished as it was in the 15th Century. Built by the O’Donoghue Ross Chieftains in the 15th Century, it remained their defensive stronghold for over 100 years until it was taken by the armies of Oliver Cromwell under General Ludlow in the year 1652.

Following on from your visit to Ross Castle, enjoy a boat trip to the early Christian monastic site and oratory on Innisfallen Island where St. Fionán Lobhar founded his 6th century monastery. It was here that the world renowned Annals Innisfallen were compiled. The visit to Innisfallen Island will include a one-hour guided walk of the island with panoramic views of the surrounding Lough Leane.

Other Signature walks include, The Coomloughra Horseshoe trek along the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Summit of Carrauntoohil, Mangerton and Torc Mountain Paths, Gap of Dunloe Boat Trip, Tomies and Purple and the Old Kenmare Road,
 
This year’s Charity Walk in aid of Kerry Parents and Friends, is a Sun ‘SET’ on Strickeen, on Friday evening, June 9th, departing Kate Kearney’s Cottage at 7.30pm. Strickeen is part of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range, at 440m; it follows a path to the top until an ancient cairn/ritual greets the walker. Here is where the ‘craic’ begins - Walkers will be asked to dance an entire Kerry Polka on the summit, just bring a tin whistle and a bodhrán! The Charity Kerry Parent and Friends plays an enormous role in the lives of families in Kerry living with intellectual disability.

John O’Sullivan, Reeks Lodge and Guiding said “This festival is for everyone - families, walking clubs and anyone who loves the great outdoors. The schedule of walks has something for all ages and abilities, from strenuous category three hikes to easy low level category one walks. From the challenging MacGillycuddy’s Reeks hike to the leisurely wood trails and Innisfallen Island by boat. There are 10 guided walks to choose from in all”. Also guiding are the experienced Killarney Guides Ray and Mary Walsh of ‘Walk with Me’.

Dates for your diary:

• 9th, 10th & 11th June 2017

Event links:

• The official event website
  

Associated Gribbon locations:

• Carrauntoohil (1,039m)
• Mangerton Mountain (838m)
• Purple Mountain (832m)

The event took place for the first time in 2014. It’s a three day, self-navigating, hill walking challenge to ‘cross’ the Comeragh, Galty and Knockmealdown mountain ranges on successive days. The cumulative distance and height gain/descent, over the three days, is in the region of 95km and 4,200m. 
 
To date, challenge hill walkers have travelled from all around the Country to participate and we’ve raised about €28,000 in funds.
 
There is also a perpetual cup on offer for any Hill Walking Club that is interested in taking on this challenge. Points are awarded for each day that a walker completes. It’s not about time or speed, it’s about finishing. Clubs will have walkers that can do one day, two days or the three - it’s up to the individual.

You are notified in advance of where the registration is each day and your car is left here. We then transport you to the walk start and you make your way back, across the mountains, to your car and sign-out.

Dates for your diary:

• 18th, 19th & 20th August 2017

Event links:

• The official event website
• The 2016 event report

Associated Gribbon locations:

• Galtymore Mountain (918m)
• Knockmealdown (793m)