Walking and climbing in Kerry

Tomies Wood

The largest oak natural oak forest in Europe is only a few minutes away. A circular route of about 6 miles easy walking along the otherwise inaccessible southern shore of Lough Leane, crossing O’Sullivan’s Cascade, a legendary waterfall.

The Gap of Dunloe

Also only minutes away, the Gap of Dunloe is a spectacular glacial breach valley. You can walk through the Gap to the Black Valley and take a boat through the Lakes and back to Killarney.
‘The Gap’ is also a well known traditional rock climbing area which has garnered quite a reputation over the years. Hire a local guide for a day or half day and test your abilities!

Muckross House

The former home of the Herbert and Bourne Vincent families, this Victorian Mansion is now the centre of the Bourne Vincent Memorial Park and has many intriguing walks including the Arthur Young Walk (through which you can retrace the steps of an 18th century botanist and see many of the same sights he observed) and the Dinis Walk around the Lakes.

Knockreer

For more relaxed walking, the Demesne in Killarney National Park has a beautiful circular walk, only 5 minutes drive from the House. Call into the newly opened Killarney House and browse its impressive exhibition on the Park.

Hillwalking

McGillycuddy’s Reeks offers a fine array of hillwalking from Strickeen Mountain (440 metres high) at the mouth of the Gap of Dunloe which can be scaled in less than 2 hours to Carrauntooohil (1038 metres), Ireland’s highest mountain which is a 4-7 hour climb depending on your chosen route. 20 minutes away on the other side of Killarney Torc and Mangerton offer excellent walking routes.

Further afield Mount Brandon in Dingle, the most westerly mountain in Europe offers spectacular views of the Blasket and Skellig Islands.

If you want a professional guide for the mountains we recommend:

Kerry Climbing
www.kerryclimbing.ie

Con Moriarty
www.hiddenirelandtours.com

John O’Sullivan
www.lodgeandreeksguiding.com