There are two versions of the Tomies Wood Walk – a long forest loop with lake and mountain views, and a shorter out-and-back trail that takes you straight to the stunning O’Sullivan’s Cascade.
Located on the southwest side of Lough Leane, and sweeping down towards Muckross Lake and the incredible Killarney National Park, Tomies Wood is a hidden gem, of sorts.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s quiet – the car park here, although relatively new, packs out very quickly.
Below, you’ll find info on the Tomies Wood Walk, from a map of the trail to info on the stunning O’Sullivan’s Cascade.
The Tomies Wood walk
Although a visit to Tomies Wood in Killarney is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
Located within the greater Killarney National Park, Tomies Wood is about a 25-minute drive from Killarney or a 15-minute drive from the Gap of Dunloe.
2. Parking
There’s a car park at the head of the trail (here on Google Maps). On-site, there is enough parking for approximately 28-30 cars. However, it’s extremely popular on weekends and fine days and thus fills up fast.
3. Length and difficulty
There are a couple of variations of the Tomies Wood Walk:
- The looped walk: 6.5km (2-2.5 hours)
- The linear walk: 3.8km (1-hour)
4. Home to O’Sullivan’s Cascade
O’Sullivan’s Cascade is a bustling waterfall at the heart of Tomies Wood in Killarney. According to legend, O’Sullivan’s Cascade once flowed with whiskey – not water. The story goes that Fionn Mac Cumhaill, leader of the Fianna, lived around Tomies Mountain and O’Sullivan’s Cascade was his private supply
About Tomies Wood
You’d be forgiven for wondering who Tomie was and how he came by this woodland. ‘Tomie’ refers to a 735m high mountain on the shore of Lough Leane, the largest of the Killarney Lakes.
The mountain itself is steeped in Irish mythology and is believed to have been the summer hunting grounds of Fionn MacCumhaill and the Fianna.
The scenic Tomies Wood walks take full advantage of this legendary story, as the trails weave their way through ancient woodland, crossing over and following along waterways that once flowed with the Chieftain’s whiskey.
An overview of the Tomies Wood trail
Photo left: Shutterstock. Right: Phil Armitage
Park in the car park here on Google Maps. You’ll see the start of the trail once you’ve hopped out of the car.
Enter the trailhead and you’ll come to a split in the road soon enough – it’s here that you need to make a decision.
The short walk to O’Sullivan’s Cascade
The shorter trail is a good shout if you’d rather skip the huff-and-puff section on the upper road.
When you hit the fork near the start, take the left-hand path and keep tipping along. After about 1.2km, you’ll spot a sign for O’Sullivan’s Cascade on your left.
This is your cue to head down a forest trail and descend around 130 steps (although they’ve been redone in recent years they still get slippy after rainfall).
Once you’ve had your fill of the falls, simply retrace your steps back to the car park.
The looped trail
The looped version of the Tomies Wood trail follows the upper road – just swing a right at the fork after the car park.
You’ll deal with the steepest bit straight off. It’s short, sharp, and over quickly, and you’re rewarded almost immediately with sweeping views over Lough Leane and the surrounding peaks (keep an eye out for Ross Castle, too).
From there, the trail opens up into hillside before dipping back into thick woodland. You’ll cross two wooden footbridges – the second one is your marker for the waterfall detour.
The trail then loops back toward the car park with a few gentle climbs and dips to keep it interesting.
Places to visit nearby
One of the beauties of Tomies Wood is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Killarney.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Tomies, many of which are part of the Ring of Kerry Drive.
- Torc Waterfall: The most famous waterfall in Kerry. Expect crowds, but it’s worth it
- The Gap of Dunloe: A jaw-dropper of a pass that whips its way through rugged mountains
- Carrauntoohil: Ireland’s highest peak. A tough hike, but the views at the top are something else
- Post walk food: There are endless restaurants in Killarney for a post-walk feed
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.