The Gap of Dunloe Walk, Drive + Jaunty Guide

In this guide, you’ll find a map of the Gap of Dunloe walks, info on the jauntys, why driving it is a bad idea and how it was formed.

Tucked away between the MacGillycuddy Reeks and Purple Mountain, the Gap of Dunloe was formed over 25,000 years ago during the last ice age of Ireland.

There are three main ways to see the Gap of Dunloe (I’ve done each in recent years – 1 is best if you have a car and 4 is best if you don’t):

• Option 1: The 10km there-and-back walk
• Option 2: Rent a bike in Killarney and cycle it
• Option 3: Drive it in the early morning before crowds arrive
• Option 4: The tour that drives you to the start and takes from the end via boat back to Killarney

Visiting the Gap of Dunloe

Although a visit to the Gap of Dunloe is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit smoother. Pay particular attention to the point about the Gap of Dunloe drive!

1. Location

You’ll find the most popular start-point for the Gap of Dunloe (Kate Kearney’s Cottage) 12km west of Killarney Town (roughly a 15-minute drive away). 

2. Parking

The main Gap of Dunloe parking area is located beside the brilliant Kate Kearney’s Cottage (here on Google Maps). There’s ample parking here but note that it gets busy during summer.

3. Getting there without a car

Unfortunately, there is no public transport that takes you from Killarney to the Gap of Dunloe. This tour is a good option – you get taken from Killarney to the Gap, climb aboard one of the jaunting cars and then get taken from the ‘end’ of the Gap via boat back to Killarney.

4. The walks

There are two versions of the Gap of Dunloe walks (both liner – maps below):

• The short walk: 2km /40 minutes
• The long walk: 10km / 4 – 5 hours

5. Gap of Dunloe drive (warning)

The Gap of Dunloe is a public road and therefore it is legal to drive on it. However, I’d strongly advise against driving it. The reason for this is that the narrow road through it will be packed with walkers and jaunting cars. At worst, you could spook the horses. At best, you’ll be stuck behind them for a long aul time.

About the Gap of Dunloe

Situated between two stunning mountain ranges (the MacGillycuddy Reeks and Purple Mountain), the Gap of Dunloe is a fine place to whittle away an afternoon.

Best explore by foot or on bike, the Gap of Dunloe is one of those places where you kind of feel like you’ve stepped back in time, and I mean that in the best possible sense.

How it was formed

The Gap of Dunloe was created 25,000 years ago during the last ice age of Ireland.

A glacier situated in the Black Valley, which was estimated to be over 500 metres deep and part of the Templenoe Icecap, broke off into the Head of the Gap, slowly pushing northward which eventually resulted in a carved out U-shaped valley.

Lakes and appearance

The stunning glacial lakes, which are all connected by the river Loe, were also created when this huge glacier broke off.

This glacial breach is also the reason why the mountains in the Gap are characterised with their distinct, jagged appearance.

The meaning of the name

The name Dunloe is thought to be the Anglicization of “Dún Lóich” which means fort or stronghold of Lóich.

Deala Mac Lóich was  the first leader of the powerful Fir Bolg (“men of bags”) clan and the father of five mighty chieftains that conquered Ireland and divided the country into five provinces, each ruled by one brother.

How to see the Gap of Dunloe

There are several ways to explore this place. Arguably the most popular amongst visiting tourists is via one of the Gap of Dunloe tours.

Personally, I prefer the shorter walk, but I’ll pop down the ‘main’ options you have below.

Option 1: The Gap of Dunloe walk (short and long version)

The Gap of Dunloe hike is one you need to dress well for as the wind whips through the valley. There are two versions (see map above).

The short Gap of Dunloe walk is 2km in length and takes around 40 minutes in total. It takes you from Kate Kearney’s to the Wishing Bridge and back again.

The long Gap of Dunloe walk is 10km and takes 5 hours in total to complete (roughly 2.5 hours each way).

Option 2: A boat, jaunting and bus combo

One of the more popular Gap of Dunloe tours is this one which has racked up rave reviews online.

It’s a 5 hour tour that meets in Killarney Town and then brings you to Kate Kearney’s Cottage by bus.

From there, you’ll climb into a Jaunting Car and trot up through the Gap of Dunloe, soaking up the views and plenty of stories along the way.

You’ll then get into a boat near Lord Brandon’s Cottage and take a 2-hour spin around the Lakes of Killarney where you’ll be given a unique perspective on one of the most scenic corners of Kerry.

Option 3: Cycling the Gap of Dunloe

If you have a bike, you can take a 56 km loop cycle where you can enjoy the Black Valley, Molls Gap and many other visual treats.

From Killarney town centre, start on the Ring of Kerry towards Killorglin until you see “the Gap Rd” and head down the country road leading to Kate’s Kearney’s.

From there, you can go down the Gap, descend into the Black Valley and after 30km, you will enter Moll’s Gap.

From Moll’s Gap, take the N71 Rd back to Killarney and you will come across Ladies View on the way, ideal for a refuel and enjoy amazing views.

Need a bike? There’s plenty of places to rent every kind of bike in Killarney Town!

Things to see nearby

One of the beauties of the Gap of Dunloe is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Killarney and beyond.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the Gap of Dunloe (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Killarney for food (15-minute drive): There’s plenty of restaurants in Killarney for a post-walk feed
2. Ross Castle (20-minute drive): A 15th century tower house located on the edge of the beautiful Lough Leane
3. Muckross House (22-minute drive): A Tudor-style mansion with extensive gardens
4. Muckross Abbey (26-minute drive): A beautiful abbey now in ruins formed around 1448
5. Torc Waterfall (25-minute drive): An impressive falls in the national park
6. Ladies View (40-minute drive): One of Kerry’s stand-out viewpoints

Frequently asked questions

I’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from whether or not you can drive the Gap of Dunloe to how long the walk takes.

In the section below, I’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that I haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.