● RECORDED ROUTE

Ballydavid
Head Loop.

A wild coastal circuit above the Atlantic, climbing from Ballydavid towards dramatic cliffs, sea stacks and wide views across western Dingle.

✓

Based on Rob’s GPX
615 recorded track points · coastal start and finish

ROB’S PHOTOGRAPHSSee 8 route photos↓

Loading topographic map…

INTERACTIVE TERRAIN · ACTUAL GPX TRACK

DISTANCE9.56km recorded

RECORDED TIME4:01hours

ASCENT547m recorded

GRADEModeratecoastal hillwalking

Recorded time is not planning time. Build your own estimate from pace, ascent, ground, breaks, weather and available daylight.

WEATHER AT A GLANCE

230 m coastal forecast

Reading the route forecast…

Current snapshot. Detailed planning guidance and route files are below. Mountain conditions can differ sharply from the forecast.

PLAN THE GROUND

Start well. Turn back early.

Recorded-track information for planning. This is not confirmation of parking, access or safe passage on the day.

RECORDED START

Recorded coastal start point

From the supplied track

Irish Transverse Mercator

Tap coordinates to copy

This coordinate is the beginning of the supplied recording, not a guarantee of formal parking. Confirm local access, respect homes and farmland, and never block gates or emergency access.

Use appropriate parking and never block gates, homes, narrow roads or emergency access.

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HAZARDS & OPTIONS

Know the commitment.

Unprotected cliff edges and steep coastal ground require care, especially in poor visibility.
Strong Atlantic winds can make exposed sections much more serious.
Wet grass, rock and boggy ground can be slippery underfoot.
The route crosses working countryside: close gates and keep dogs under control.

Conservative retreat guidance

On the exposed headland, worsening wind or visibility should prompt an early return along ground already travelled. Do not improvise a descent towards unknown cliff edges or coves.

No line shown here should be treated as a guaranteed emergency escape route.

RECORDED ELEVATION

Sea level to 234 m.

The supplied GeoJSON records a rolling coastal profile with repeated climbs rather than one continuous mountain ascent.

234 m1 m

0 km547 m ascent · 549 m descent9.56 km

FROM THE HEADLAND

Dingle meets the Atlantic.

Rob’s photographs from the loop: sea stacks, broken cliffs and the western headlands opening beyond Ballydavid.

Ballydavid Head and the Dingle coastline seen across blue Atlantic water — 01The headland opens

Rocky sea stacks and Sybil Head across the Atlantic — 02Across to Sybil Head

Atlantic cliffs along the Ballydavid Head route — 03Cliffs above the Atlantic

The grassy coastal ridge above Ballydavid — 04Along the high ground

A narrow walking line through the coastal landscape — 05The coastal path

Rock formations on the edge of the Dingle Peninsula — 06Atlantic geology

Soft light over the sea near Ballydavid Head — 07Light over the water

The Dingle headlands receding along the coast — 08Headlands west

Photography by @kerrymountains.rob ↗

THE LINE

A headland circuit.

The recorded track follows the exposed coastal ground west of Ballydavid, gaining height above the cliffs before looping across the headland. Its modest summit height disguises a rolling route with more than 500 metres of accumulated climbing.

01Coastal openingLow ground leads west from the recorded start.

02Headland climbThe route rises quickly above the Atlantic.

03High coastal groundWide views, wind exposure and nearby cliff edges.

04Eastern returnRolling terrain closes the recorded loop.

BEFORE YOU GO

Coastal does not mean consequence-free.

Check the wind, respect the edge and keep a safe line.

Ballydavid Head is lower than the mountain routes, but its exposed cliffs, Atlantic weather and rough ground still demand sound judgement.

Give cliffs spaceStay well back from edges, especially in strong wind or poor visibility.
Check the windCoastal gusts can be considerably stronger on exposed ground.
Respect the landClose gates, protect livestock and follow current access signs.
Share your planLeave your route and expected return time with someone.

Read Kerry Mountain Rescue guidance ↗

In an emergency Call 112 or 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.

A NOTE BEFORE YOU GO

Walk responsibly.

Your route. Your decisions.

This guide describes one recorded outing and may not reflect current access, path conditions or hazards. Weather and mapping are guidance only. You are responsible for your route choice, navigation, equipment and decisions. If in doubt, turn back.

Leave No Trace.

Plan ahead, respect landowners, livestock, wildlife and other walkers. Use durable ground where practical, take all waste home, leave what you find and do not light fires without permission.

Read the Leave No Trace Ireland Seven Principles ↗

Track geometry and activity time come from the GPX. Elevation, cumulative distance, ascent and descent come from the matching GeoJSON supplied by @kerrymountains.rob.