Trekking & Holidays

Trekking - Holidays - Hunting

Trekking

Explore the beaches, mountains and country lanes all on offer on the West Kerry peninsula. You will be taken by an experienced guide through landscapes ranging from hidden coves and wild beaches, to mountain top forests with picturesque lakes and bog land, to cool valleys with rolling green pasture. Enjoy the watering holes of the west where anything is possible. You will be taken off the beaten tourist track where you will see, feel and hear the true Ireland.

Our rides last hourly, from half day to full day, with two and six day riding holidays also on offer.

Our day treks share fantastic riding. Follow “the old bog trail” where tuft is still cut and harvested in the traditional manner to this day. Cross through the purple and yellow clad heather that is unique to such soils. We ride along country lanes traversing the bottom of the Slieve Mish before climbing through the legendary burial place of Queen Scotia. At the top enjoy panoramic views of Tralee Bay to the north, Killorglin (the home of Puck Fair) to the south as well as the tallest mountain range in Ireland, the Magillicuddy Reeks complete with “Molls Gap”. Ride across the hill overlooking the valley that is Tralee, looking up the coastline to North Kerry and all the way out to the sandbar of the Maharees

You may find yourself riding alongside the steam train into the old village of Blennerville with its picturesque windmill and waterfront.

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Holidays

At Tralee Equestrian Centre we offer 2 packages, a 2 day and a 6 day holiday. Our riding and accommodation options are very flexible and we can advise on activities for the non-rider. You can organise your holiday around an event in Kerry. Horse-Racing takes place in Tralee, Dingle, Killarney and Listowel tracks. Visit the internationally famous “Rose of Tralee” or the equally popular “Puck Fair” in August. A talent competition of sorts and a horse fair respectively! You can watch a Gaelic football or hurling match in the country’s most successful county or enjoy world class windsurfing and golfing.

Have a look at our sample itinenaries.

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2 Day Holiday

Day 1

After you haven settled in why not take the chance to have a look around the old market town of Tralee. Visit the excellent family-owned shops, restaurants, bars and visit the Kerry museum in the town hall. Take a walk in the mountains or on the beach preparing you for the sights and smells of the forthcoming days. Alternatively take a riding lesson if you are keen to get a head start.

Day 2

Derrymore to Clahane.

Leaving Derrymore Strand we ride west along the shore to the village of Castlegregory. Along this section you will get plenty of opportunities for faster riding if you wish, alternatively enjoy the local houses, farms, and mountains sweeping down towards you. We ride along Fermoyle beach in Brandon Bay to Hillville, Crutches Hotel. Here we finish for the day with well-earned refreshments for both horse and rider!

Day 3

Clahane to Inch

Fantastic riding through the ribbon lakes above Annascaul, zigzagging up to the top and descending southwards to Inch, along quiet lanes and tracks, a truly peaceful and reflective ride. We then burst onto the sandbar that is Inch beach for a little bit of faster riding if desired.

The following are the ACCOMADATION OPTIONS. All prices include three nights’ accommodation and two days horse riding. Also included are your breakfast and a light lunch on the days we ride.

• THE STATION HOUSE.
  Stay closest to the stables and next to the canal and sea. €500 per person sharing. (A single supplement of €200 applies)
  
• MOUNT BRANDON HOTEL (www.brandonhotel.ie)
  Stay in a three star hotel close to the centre of town. €600 per person sharing. (A single supplement of €200 applies)
  
• CRUTCHES HOTEL (www.dinglehotel.ie)
  A delightful family-owned country hotel. €650 per person sharing. (A single supplement of €200 applies)
  
• BALLYSEEDY CASTLE (www.cabracastle.com)
  The ultimate in history and luxury, a 4 star hotel. €700 per person sharing. (A single supplement of €200 applies)

Alternatively stay in Tralee on Day 1, Hillville Crutches Hotel on Day 2 and back to Tralee for your final night. Your luggage will be transported to your accommodation every night. Please contact us regarding your accommodation choices to avail of the best rates.

OUR TWO DAY RIDES RUN FROM THURSDAY TO SATURDAY

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5 DAY HOLIDAY

Day 1

To start your holiday we will ride in the mountains overlooking the Equestrian Centre, getting a sample of what will be on offer over the forthcoming days. Plenty of fresh air with sea and mountain views. We will follow the old bog trail and maybe see (in summer time!) some of the locals harvesting the turf in the traditional manner.

Day 2

Derrymore to Clahane.

Leaving Derrymore Strand we ride west along the shore to the village of Castlegregory. Along this section there is plenty of opportunities for fast riding if you wish, alternatively enjoy the local houses and farms, with the mountain sweeping down towards you. Passing Lough Gill outside Castlegregory we enter Brandon Bay, riding along Kilcummin and Fermoyle beaches. We reach the beautiful Crutches Hotel, where we enjoy some lunch and put the horses to bed!

Day 3

Clahane to Inch.

We will cross over Stradbally Mountain into Annascaul village, zigzagging to the top, enjoying the south facing views stretching all the way over Dingle Bay and into south Kerry. We ride past some beautiful ribbon lakes and down to the birthplace of legendary artic explorer Tom Crean in Annascaul. At his pub we stop for lunch, after which we hit the road again and down to Inch beach. Here we can have a good gallop before turning the horses into a field for the night.

Day 4

Inch to Camp.

Ahead of you stand the twin peaks of Tullig and Breckna around whose flanks we will circumnavigate. We ride to the top of Cathair Conn Ri, taking in some fantastic moorland with strong uphill canters. This area is steeped in history with megalithic tombs, old forts and standing stones. Pass alongside Pine and Silver Birch woodland and through the Elegy River Ride through Slieve. We then have lunch in Ashes pub before putting the horses away and returning to your accommodation for the night.

Day 5

Camp, Gleann Na Gealt, Derrymore.

We meet at Fitzs pub in lower Camp village and ride into the mountains. Enjoy river crossings, gentle uphill canters and meandering lanes to the top. You will pass through hidden valleys, most amazing views. This area is steeped in ancient history, as will be noticeable by the number of forts we will pass. Riding to about 500ft enjoy some of the most spectacular sea views in the country.

We descend through upper Camp village where we stop for lunch in Ashes pub – a quaint country pub serving great food and drink with traditional music. After lunch we continue onto Aughacasla beach and have a good blow out after lunch along the beach back to our starting point. We then return to Tralee.

Alternatively stay in Tralee on Day 1, Crutches on Day 2, Inch on Day 3, Camp on Day 4 and return to Tralee for your final night. Your luggage will be transported to your accommodation every night. Please contact us regarding your accommodation choices to avail of the best rates.

The following are the ACCOMADATION OPTIONS. All prices include five nights’ accommodation and four and a half days horse riding. Also included are your breakfast and a light lunch on the days we ride.

• THE STATION HOUSE
  Stay closest to the stables and next to the canal and sea. €1,000 per person sharing. (A single supplement of €200 applies)
  
• MOUNT BRANDON HOTEL (www.brandonhotel.ie)
  Stay in a three star hotel close to the centre of town. €1,200 per person sharing. (A single supplement of €200 applies)
  
• CRUTCHES HOTEL (www.dinglehotel.ie)
  A delightful family-owned country hotel. €1,300 per person sharing. (A single supplement of €200 applies)
  
• BALLYSEEDY CASTLE (www.cabracastle.com)
  The ultimate in history and luxury, soon a 4 star hotel. €1,400 per person sharing. (A single supplement of €200 applies)

OUR 5 DAY RIDES RUN FROM SUNDAY TO THURSDAY.

TAKE NOTE;

• Accommodation choices are subject to availability

• Transfers are available from Kerry, Shannon and Cork airports at an additional fee.

• Evening meals are not included. All packages include lunch.

• The trails detailed above are subject to change.

• All our trails are for experienced riders only. You should be comfortable riding in a strong canter in open countryside.

• Prepare for all weather, and wear sensible riding wear.

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Hunting

Go hunting in the providence of Munster. Enjoy all that you have heard about Hunting in Ireland and having a good time doing it. Tralee Equestrian Centre organise hunting weekends and mid-week stays.

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