The Dingle Peninsula

Book excerpt: The spectacular Dingle Peninsula in southwest Ireland extends westward into the Atlantic from Tralee to Slea Head. Voted among the Top 100 destinations in the world by TripAdvisor and referred to as 'the most beautiful place on earth' by National Geographic, its landscape includes soaring mountaintops, gentle hillsides, secluded lakes and valleys, ancient ruins, dramatic sea cliffs and long, sandy beaches. This guide takes you off the beaten track to explore this stunning landscape in a variety of walking routes ranging from short hikes to full-day treks. From the wild extremities of the Great Blasket Island to the majestic heights of Mount Brandon and the comfort of the Dingle Way, there's something for all tastes. Each route is prefaced with a reference summary and illustrated with maps and photographs. Route descriptions include GPS coordinates, navigation guidance, access notes and short variations. There is also material on the fauna, flora, folklore, history, geology and place names of each area. * For a complete list of walking guides available from The Collins Press, see www.collinspress.ie