How to Visit The Gap of Dunloe + Tips to Avoid Crowds

With breathtaking natural beauty and historic sites, the Gap of Dunloe is one of the top destinations in Ireland for good reason, but its popularity can make visiting tricky. This guide will explain exactly how to visit the Gap of Dunloe so you can have the best experience.

The Gap of Dunloe is aU-shaped valley just outside of Killarneywith views that’ll make you swoon.I speak from experience.

With glacial lakes, mountain views, sheep, and historic bridges, the Gap of Dunloe is truly one of themost beautiful places in Ireland．

The thing is, it can be a little confusing trying to figure out how to visit this spot. There are many ways to visit and you might find yourself scratching your head…

Should I hike part of the way? Hike the whole thing?

What about renting a bike?

Should I join a guided tour? Or how about one of those horse cart things?

Can I just drive it?

There’s a lot you should know before you just show up. For one, the Gap of Dunloe is one of the most popularstops on the Ring of Kerryand one of thebest things to do in Killarney．And rightly so – it is drop-dead gorgeous, folks.

But its popularity meansit can get crowded.So crowded, sometimes, that you may have trouble finding a parking spot.

But don’t you worry. We’ve got all sorts of tips that’ll help you figure out the best way to visit the Gap of Dunloe, as well as how to avoid the crowds. We had such an amazing time here and we want you to have just as good of an experience!

Gap of Dunloe Travel Guide

• Gap of Dunloe overview
• Things to know about the Gap of Dunloe
• How to visit the Gap of Dunloe
• Tips for visiting the Gap of Dunloe
• Gap of Dunloe FAQs
• Where to eat nearby
• Where to stay nearby
• What to pack

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About the Gap of Dunloe

Carved by centuries of glacial erosion, the Gap isnestled between two mountain ranges– the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks to the west and the Purple Mountain Group to the east – and is home toglacial lakesconnected by the River Loe.

Things to know about the Gap of Dunloe

In short, the Gap of Dunloe is astretch of roadthrough a picturesque valley between two mountain ranges.

Here’s some more important information you should know:

• Google Maps location:Parking lot
• Cost:Parking is free
• Distance from Killarney:7.75 miles (12.5 km); it takes about 15 minutes to drive to the parking lot from the center of town
• Facilities:there is apublic toiletat the parking lot, but no other facilities along the way
• Starting point:Kate Kearney’s Cottage
• Ending point:Lord Brandon’s Cottage
• Total one-way distance:7 miles (11 km)

How to visit the Gap of Dunloe

有一个re many ways to visit the Gap of Dunloe, and the best for you depends on your fitness level and how much time you have.

Click on each to see more detailed information about how to do it yourself:

• Walkthe wholeGap of Dunloe:This is arguably the best way to see this area as you’ll get to see the entire Gap.
• Walkpart ofthe Gap of Dunloe:This is an excellent choice if you have limited time. This is what we personally did and we had such a wonderful experience.
• Take a guided tour:If you’d prefer to have all the logistics organized for you,this guided touris highly-rated and includes a boat ride as well as stops at other landmarks.
• Bike the Gap of Dunloe:A great way to see the whole Gapandwork up a sweat.
• Ride in a jaunting car (horse cart):Traditional horse carts bring guests up and down the Gap.
• Drive the Gap of Dunloe:It is possible to drive this road, but you will need to start (very!) early.

Our personal experience & recommendation

Whichever way you choose to see this area will be a great choice. However,we personally think it is best experienced on foot, where you have the chance to go at your own pace and really take in the beauty. Plus, walking makes this afree activity, which is good news for budget-conscious travelers.

If you have limited time and are doing this as a stop on the Ring of Kerry, we’d recommend doingthe short walk(give yourself 1 hour to do the walk and enjoy the lake view). This is what we personally did and we had such a wonderful experience.

If you aretraveling with a child(or are just looking for the easiest and fastest way to see the Gap of Dunloe), this is what we’d recommend.

However, if you have an extra day in the Killarney area, we would have loved towalk the entire road(allot 5+ hours for this, or keep reading to see how you can cut this time down a bit).

1. Hike the entire Gap of Dunloe

Okay, so you want to hike the entire Gap of Dunloe?Good for you! It will be an epic adventure, that’s for sure.

Now, you have a decision to make:

You can either:

• Walk the entire out-and-back trail (14 miles), retracing your steps to return to where you started. (More info)
• Schedule a boat and a shuttle bus so you only have to walk the length of the Gap once (7 miles). (More info)

A) Out-and-Back Gap of Dunloe Route

• Distance:14 miles (22.5 km)
• Elevation gain:1,273 feet (388 meters)*
• Type:Out and back
• Difficulty:Moderate to hard
• Time:Allot 5-6.5 hours depending on your fitness level and how many stops you’d like to make
• AllTrails route

*I believe that the elevation gain listed on AllTrails (2,171 feet) is incorrect. I got the elevation gain listed above by using Google Maps.

By following this route, you will hike fromKate Kearney’s CottagetoLord Brandon’s Cottageand back again．

This is a long hike, so make sure you have ample time.Logistically, it’s pretty easybecause you can hike back to your car where you started the hike. Also, since you’re not relying on a tour or other mode of transportation, it is free.

If this sounds like a bit too long of a hike for you,there’s another way you can hike the entire Gap of Dunloe, but you simply will do it as a point-to-point hike. You will start on one end and finish at the other instead of retracing your steps. This will cut your total distance in half.

Here’s how:

B) Point-to-Point Gap of Dunloe Route

• Distance:7 miles (11 km)
• Elevation gain:590 feet (180 meters) – 682 feet (208 meters)*
• Type:Point to point
• Difficulty:Moderate
• Time:Allot 2.5-3 hours, as well as time for transportation (boat/shuttle)
  • Important: Make sure you’re watching the time if you have a boat or shuttle to catch at a specific time.

*If you start your hike at Kate Kearney’s Cottage (the north end), you will have slightly less elevation gain than if you start at the south end and hike north.

In addition to walking, you will also need to take a boat and a shuttle to avoid retracing your steps.

Boat ride

You can take a boat ride across the lake that connects Ross Castle to Lord Brandon’s Cottage (at the south end of the Gap of Dunloe).

Boat rides cost€25 per person(about $27 USD) and should be booked in advance.

You can go either direction:

• Hike from Kate Kearney’s Cottage to Lord Brandon’s, thentake the boat from Brandon’s to Ross Castleat 2 p.m.
• Take theboat from Ross Castle to Lord Brandon’s Cottageat 10:30 a.m., then hike to Kate Kearney’s Cottage.

Shuttle

有一个re also shuttle services which can help fill in the gaps of your transportation.

• Killarney Tourist Office to Ross Castle:departs at 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 4:20 p.m.; €3 per person
• Killarney Tourist Office to Gap Of Dunloe: departs at 9 a.m.; €5 per person
• Kate Kearney’s to Killarney town or Ross Castle:departs at 4 p.m.; €5 per person (If you arrive before or after this time, you can also call a taxi to collect you.)
• 罗斯城堡to Killarney town:departs 9:50 a.m., 11:50 a.m., 2:40 p.m., 4:30 p.m.; €2 per person

Check withKillarney Shuttle Busto ensure times are accurate before your trip.

2. Hike part of the Gap of Dunloe

This is by far theeasiest, cheapest, and fastest wayto see the Gap of Dunloe.

If you are on a time crunch, a tight budget, or just don’t want to walk very far, this is an excellent choice.

This is what we personally did, and it was definitely the best choice for us.

True, you won’t see theentireGap of Dunloe, but you’ll still see a pretty incredible section. And it won’t take too much time out of your day. In fact, you can do this on the same day youdrive the Ring of Kerry．

Part of the Gap of Dunloe (Kate Kearney’s Cottage to the Wishing Bridge)

• Route:Parking lottoWishing Bridgeand back
• Distance:1.6 miles (2.6 km)
• Elevation gain:140 feet (43 meters)
• Type:Out and back
• Difficulty:Easy
• Time:The walk should take around15 minutes each way, but you’ll definitely want some time to spend at Black Lake before you turn around. We’d recommend giving yourself 1 hour total to explore and take it all in.

On this route, you’ll start at the parking lot near Kate Kearney’s cottage (seeGoogle Maps location) and you will walk to one of the most iconic sites in the Gap: theWishing Bridge, which sits between Coosaun Lough and Black Lake.

The walk should take about15 minutes to get to the Wishing Bridge, but you’ll want to give yourself some time to enjoy the views here before you turn around and return to your starting point.

Traveling with a baby or toddler?This is the option we’d recommend. We did this walk with our 1.5-year-old daughter and it was great. I think the longer hike may have been a little much unless we had prepared a lot more.

3. Guided Tour of the Gap of Dunloe

Want to experience the entire Gap of Dunloe, but not big on hiking? Are the logistics of it all making your head spin?

One way to simplify things is to take a guided tour.

This touris very highly-rated and includes a boat ride across the lake as well as a jaunting cart and transportation back to town.

Here’s what guests are saying:

“This was one of the best tours we’ve been on in Ireland. Was like an adventure rather than one more bus tour. Rode a boat through the lakes and river around the gap of Dunloe followed by a pony and trap trip through the gap. Great guides having the usual Irish sense of humor. The pony and trap portion was pretty exciting.”

– Roy M., June 2023

Insider Tip:Before you book it, be sure to readour notes on jaunting cartsso you know what to expect.

4. Bike the Gap of Dunloe

If you fancy yourself a regular Lance Armstrong, biking the Gap of Dunloe will be right up your alley.

Cycling this mountain road with 360º views will surely be one of yourfavorite experiences in Ireland．

But before you hop on two wheels, a word of caution: this route is forexperienced cyclists only．有一个re steep climbs, along with narrow and curving downhill sections that can be dangerous if you’re not a confident cyclist.

Nearby Killarney National Park is a very popular place to cycle, meaning there areseveral companies in town that rent bicycles．

Here is what we’d personally recommend doing if you choose to bike the Gap of Dunloe:

Electric bike + boat tour combo (€75 / $80 USD)

Killarney Bike Rentaloffers the perfect package for those who want to experience the Gap of Dunloe on two wheels.

1. You will pick up your e-bike from the shop in the morning and will cycle to Ross Castle.
2. From here, you will take a boat across the lake where you’ll be dropped off atLord Brandon’s Cottage．
3. You will then be able to cycle the Gap of Dunloe (one way) and back to the bike shop, where you’ll need to return the bicycle by 6 p.m.

You canbook your e-bike and boat here．Alternatively, you can do this bike and boat combo with a27-speed bike(instead of electric) for €60 (~$65 USD).

If you’d prefer to cycle the Gap both ways (without a boat), Killarney Bike Rental also offers the following:

• Regular bikesstarting at €20 per day
• Electric bicyclesstarting at €45 per day

Our advice:We’d recommend reserving your bike in advance to avoid disappointment.

5. Gap of Dunloe in a Jaunting Car

Ajaunting carorpony trapis a traditional horse-drawn cart that offers another mode of transportation on this stretch of road.

Dating back to the 19th century, these carts were a popular mode of transportation for up to 4 people. Today, you’ll see them at places around the Killarney area aimed at tourists – the Gap of Dunloe being one popular spot.

Interesting fact:The namejaunting cartcomes from the phrase “I’m off on a jaunt”, referring to a pleasurable journey.

We’re not big on horse-drawn carriages in general becausethe animals are often overworked．I didn’t see enough to know whether the horses here are treated well, so I’m not sure I can recommend this method of exploring.

However, you’ll see them around, so here’s some important information:

• Jaunting cars are lined up at both ends of the Gap of Dunloe(near Kate Kearney’s Cottage in the north and Lord Brandon’s on the south end). We were there too early in the day to see many of them, but we’ve read accounts from others who say the drivers pressure them to take a ride, kind of like gondolas in Venice.
• Drivers of the jaunting carts are calledjarvies.
• Prices are per cart.Carts can hold 4 people, so if you’re traveling as a couple, you’ll need to share with another pair or pay for the entire cart.
• The one-way ride takes roughly1.5 to 2 hoursto complete the 7 mile (11 km) stretch in a jaunting car.
• You can take the jaunting cars one way and hike back, or do a round-trip ride. You could also do a jaunting car plus a boat ride that gets you close to town on a tour likethis one．
• 大多数(好)驱动程序passengers hop out of the cart on steep inclines, as it is too hard on the horses to pull passengers uphill. Be prepared for this.
• We’ve read that the ridescan be very bumpyand hard on people who have bad backs.

6. Drive the Gap of Dunloe

If you have a small car, it is possible to drive the Gap of Dunloe, with a few words of warning…

You will want to get averyearly starton this drive and beginbeforepeople start walking. Once there are pedestrians and horse carts, it will be very difficult (and dangerous) to drive this road.

It takes roughly 25-30 minutes to drive one-waywithout stopping (and encountering no other cars). This means you’d probably want to begin this drive at or before 6:30 a.m. so you have ample time and can complete the drive by 8 a.m. when people start showing up.

If you are visiting at the peak oftourist season(July and August), we’d recommend starting your drive even earlier (around 5:30 a.m.). The nice thing about starting that early is you’ll be able to watch the sunrise on your drive.

Warnings:

• Don’t attempt this drive in a large vehicle
• Don’t start your drive after 7 a.m.

Tips for visiting the Gap of Dunloe

Now that you (hopefully!) know how you will be visiting this area, here are some tips to ensure you have a great stay!

1. Get there early

我知道我听起来像一个坏了的唱片了,但truly, I think our experience was so good because we were there before all the crowds. We literally stood at Black Lake for 20 minutes and only saw one other person.

The other reason it’s important to get here as early as possible is thatthe parking lotcan fill up．有一个re lots of spaces (even large enough for a motorhome, if you’rerenting a campervanlike we did!). However, during the busy season, it can be difficult to get a spot if you arrive later in the day.

If at all possible, make this the very first stop of your day.

Alternatively, late evening hours (around sunset) may also be less crowded. But then you’re really in a time crunch to get back before dark.

2. Come with a plan

Before just showing up here, be sure you knowhowyou plan to visit this area.

You should have all the info you need to choose one of these6 ways to see the Gap of Dunloe．

If you plan to rent a bike, take a boat, or book a tour, you will need tomake reservations in advance．And if you’re walking, you will need to plan your day according to how far you plan to hike.

3. Cell service can be spotty

This is a mountain pass, so expect cell signal to be spotty. This is yet another reason why you should come with a plan.

Also, it’s always a good idea todownload the offline version of Google Mapsso you have GPS access.

4. Pack water and snacks

If you’re planning to do the entire hike, be sure you’re prepared with enough water and snacks. It is a long walk, after all!

Psst!Here areour favorite hiking snacks．

5. Bring sun protection and rain gear

Yes, both!

There’s not much shade along the way, so be sure you bring sun protection –a hat, sunglasses, layers, and sunscreen．

Additionally, pack rain gear – yes, even if it’s not in the forecast. Ireland can surprise you with a downpour when you least expect it! In addition to a raincoat, you may also want tobring adry bagto keep your valuables from getting soaked．

Psst!We know it can be overwhelming packing for a trip to a new destination – especially one with unpredictable weather like Ireland. That’s why we spent hours creating thisfree Ireland packing list PDF downloadjust for you!

6. Give yourself more time than you’d think

Unless you are going on aguided tourwhere they have the timing down to a science, be sure toadd some buffer timeto however long you expect things to take.

When it comes to hiking, the estimated times don’t include stops, and you will definitely want to stop for photos or to take in the view.

This is especially important if you need to catch a boat or a shuttle at a specific time.

Gap of Dunloe FAQs

仍然有问题吗?我们有答案!

How hard is the Gap of Dunloe walk?

这都是简单的和困难的版本的徒步旅行．

If you hike from theparking lot to the Wishing Bridge and back, this is an easy hike. In total, your walking time is roughly 30 minutes, and there’s little elevation gain (less than 200 feet).

However, if youhike the entire Gap of Dunloe, this would be considered a moderate to difficult hike. You will encounter much more elevation gain; plus, it’s a pretty long hike, so your stamina will be tested.

It’s also worth noting thatthis walk is on pavement, so some people report that their knees feel more sore than they’re used to when hiking on trails.

Can I do this with a child?

Absolutely!

We walked part of the Gap of Dunloe (to the Wishing Bridge) with our 1.5-year-old daughter. If you’re traveling with a baby or small child, this is how we’d recommend visiting.

Can I walk the Gap of Dunloe and drive the Ring of Kerry in 1 day?

Yes, if you do theshort walk(not theentireGap), you can pair it with the Ring of Kerry, but it will be anabsolutely packed day!

We (sort of) did this. We started our day at the Gap of Dunloe and did the walk to the Wishing Bridge. Then we drovehalfof the Ring of Kerry.

We expected to complete the whole thing, but ended up camping near the Kerry Cliffs because we had made lots of spontaneous stops that took longer than we thought (like building sandcastles at a beach and taking a luxurious seaweed bath!).

Had we not stopped so many places, we could have completed the entire thing; so yes, it is possible.

Things to do nearby

While you’re in the area, there are plenty of things to do.

You’re very close to the vibrant town of Killarney, just a stone’s throw from Killarney National Park, and at the start (or end, depending on how you do it!) of the Ring of Kerry.

• Drive the Ring of Kerry
• Drive Moll’s Gap
• Explore Killarney National Park
• See Torc Waterfall
• Visit Muckross House & Gardens

This region is truly mesmerizing and full of adventure.

Where to eat near the Gap of Dunloe

If you find your tummy rumbling or you’re in need of grub to fuel up before or after the hike, here are your options:

Kate Kearney’s Cottage

Kate Kearney’s Cottage is an iconic family-run restaurant that has been operating for more than 150 years. Come for traditional Irish fare and a great atmosphere.

This is also just beside the parking lot and is often referred to as the start of this walk, so you’ll see this restaurant mentioned many times in this article.

Good to know:They open at 10:30 a.m., and since we started our day here early, they weren’t yet open when we visited. If you are visiting the Gap of Dunloe early (which we recommend), see the next spot for our recommendation.

The Coffee Pot Cafe

With lots of baked goods and breakfast items, this is a good choice if you’re visiting the Gap early (in order to beat the crowds!).

This is where we personally grabbed coffee and scones, as Kate Kearney’s was not yet open. The scones were some of the best we had in Ireland!

Coffee truck

When we visited in June 2023, there was a coffee truck parked at Black Lake. They served a variety of drinks, making it a good spot to grab a pick-me-up with a view.

I can’t find information about this truck online, but I imagine it may only be open seasonally (in the summer).

Lord Brandon’s Cottage

Located at the southern end of the Gap of Dunloe, this can be a nice place to stop for a little bite at the start or end of your walk (or midway point if you’re doing the full 14 miles out and back).

Reviewers say the menu and food are quite basic, but it’s the only option in the area and the views are lovely. Be sure to have cash on hand, as reviews claim this is the only way to pay here.

Where to stay near the Gap of Dunloe

One option is to stay in the town of Killarney, which is just a 15-minute drive from the Gap of Dunloe parking lot.

However, if you’d prefer a和平的呆在nearby countryside, the following options would be our top picks:

What to pack for the Gap of Dunloe

有一个re a couple things you may want to be sure to bring with you to visit the Gap of Dunloe.

• Hiking daypack
• Hydration pack and/or water bottles
  • We take our insulatedHydroflask water bottleswith us everywhere, but for hiking, we especially love theGrayl water purifying bottles
• Snacks
• Sun protection: sunglasses, hat
• Comfortable walking shoes or hiking sandals (likeChacos)
• Cameraand tripod (this is our favoritefor hiking)

Be sure to download ourcomplete packing list for Ireland!It’s packed with good suggestions andinsider tipsto help plan your Ireland trip. And it’s completelyFREE, so why not!?

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Planning a trip to Ireland?

We’re creating lots of resources for travel in Ireland and destinations throughout the country. Check out ourIreland Travel Homepagefor everything you need to know, or read some of our favorite articles below.

• Ultimate 2-week Ireland Road Trip Itinerary
• Best Time to Visit Ireland: When to Go & When to Avoid
• 最好的爱尔兰郎普租赁(+专家建议!)
• Places to Visit in Ireland You Can’t Miss!

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Have you ever visited the Gap of Dunloe? Are you planning a trip and still have questions? Leave your comments below and we’ll try our best to bet back to you!