Dingle Way (Ireland) stage 5: Dunquin - Feohanagh

The fifth stage of the Dingle Way is a rather easy one with only a minor climb at the start of the route and mainly flat roads for the remainder of the stage. Generally speaking this is an interesting stage, but a bit boring between kilometers five and ten as one walks over tarmac for more then one hour. Luckily, beaches and cliffs increase the diversity a lot in the second half of this route.

I consider the beginning and the ending of this stage as the best parts, because there's a lot to enjoy here. In the first two kilometers there's a (rather easy) climb to a top of 120 meters where you have a wonderful view over the environment, including the cliffs, sea and the Three Sisters (three peaks you see in the distance). The atmosphere was so calm I spontaneously stopped for five minutes and enjoyed the calmness of the scenery. The descent is as spectacular as it will lead you to a very scenic waterfall around kilometer four and again magnificent vistas of the cliffs.

The part between kilometers five and ten is a transition part that is a bit boring without any exciting things on your way, or it should be that one orange cat that decided to walk together with me for a bit. The tarmac roads are sometimes endless and the burning sun made me a bit lazy. The next five kilometers consist of two beach parts interrupted by a small passage on a field. It's not the most exciting part of the Dingle Way, but as always the sound of the splashing waves is very soothing. Ideally there would be a pub in the neighbourhood to refuel the energy, but unfortunately this was not the case.

The last five kilometers start incredibly well as the hike turns into a cliff walk next to the spectacular cliffs of the Dingle peninsula. It's a joy to walk here and it's probably no coincidence that there were a lot of more hikers here than anywhere else on this stage today. Moreover, the dark clouds create a loomy atmosphere that fit the dramatic landscape perfectly. As so many times on this trail I'm taking a lot of time to photograph these magnificent views. The very last kilometers are again on tarmac that take me to my next B&B.

The fifth stage is an enjoyable route, but is a bit of a letdown between kilometers five and ten due to the exclusive tarmac roads here. The start and ending are however a highlight with beautiful landscapes and spectacular cliffs. Add some beaches to this stage and you have one of the most diverse routes of the entire Dingle Way.