Gap of Dunloe Walk: Tour or DIY?

The Gap of Dunloe walk has been on my Ireland bucket list since my first trip to Killarney eight years ago. I skipped it back then because I couldn’t figure out the transportation logistics. When I started planning my 2026 Ring of Kerry road trip, walking the Gap of Dunloe went straight to the top of my must-do list. But I ran into the same problem: how to get there and back.

After planning an entire two-week road trip, I didn’t want to figure out one more set of travel logistics. Plus, with only two days in Killarney, I wanted to make the most of my time.

I decided to book a tour that handled the transportation, making it easy to check this experience off my bucket list. But there was a downside: I felt rushed trying to finish the walk in time for the boat.

Having experienced the walk myself, I have some tips to help you enjoy it without feeling rushed, plus advice on whether booking a tour or planning your own route is better for you.

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Woman standing on a paved road with mountain peaks in the distance in Ireland.

What is the Gap of Dunloe Walk

The Gap of Dunloe walk is an 11 km (7-mile) one-way walk along a paved road through a glacial valley between the MacGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range. Don’t worry, though, you won’t be summiting any mountains.

The highest elevation is approximately 840 ft at the Head of the Gap of Dunloe. Along the way, you’ll pass glacial lakes, rolling hills, and dramatic mountain scenery.

The walk runs between Kate Kearney’s Cottage at the northern end and Lord Brandon’s Cottage at the southern end. From Lord Brandon’s Cottage, small boats travel through the Killarney Lakes to Ross Castle in Killarney National Park, giving you another way to experience the area’s scenery.

You can walk the route one way and combine it with the boat journey, or walk part of the route out and back if you prefer more flexibility. I’ll explain the transportation options and what I’d recommend based on my own experience below.

Windy road leads to a mountain pass in Ireland.

The Gap of Dunloe Tour

One of the biggest challenges I faced when planning the Gap of Dunloe walk was figuring out the transportation. The walk is one-way between the two cottages, so you need a plan to get back to your starting point or accommodation.

I booked a tour to handle the logistics, but there’s something important to know: the tour company decides which direction you’ll travel on the day. I didn’t know where my walk would start until I was picked up from my accommodation.

If you start at Ross Castle, you’ll take a boat through the Killarney Lakes to Lord Brandon’s Cottage, then walk to Kate Kearney’s Cottage. A bus will take you back to your accommodation.

My tour ran in the opposite direction. The bus drove us to Kate Kearney’s Cottage, where I started the walk. I then had to reach Lord Brandon’s Cottage in time to board the 2:00 pm boat to Ross Castle.

I was happy with this direction because I preferred to walk first and enjoy the boat journey afterward. However, our bus was delayed by pickups at accommodations, leaving me less time than I’d hoped to complete the walk. I ended up rushing instead of stopping to enjoy the scenery.

My experience taught me to check the walking time a tour allows before booking. If you’re a slower walker or love stopping for photos, like me, make sure the schedule gives you enough time to enjoy the route without rushing to catch the boat.

Woman sits on a stone wall next to a paved road that runs between mountains towards a lake in the distance.

The Gap of Dunloe’s Key Locations

Kate Kearney’s Cottage

Located about 15 minutes outside Killarney Town on the Ring of Kerry, off the N72, Kate Kearney’s Cottage has a restaurant, toilets, and a large parking lot. Many people park here to walk a shorter section of the route out and back.

Lord Brandon’s Cottage

This former hunting lodge has food, water, and restroom facilities. I barely made it in time for my boat, so I only had time for a quick toilet stop rather than exploring the cottage. If you’re walking the full route, don’t assume you’ll have much time to stop here if you’re following a fixed tour schedule.

Ross Castle

Ross Castle is in Killarney National Park, about a 5–10-minute drive or a 45-minute walk from Killarney Town. There’s a parking lot, and the castle is a departure or arrival point for the boat journey to Lord Brandon’s Cottage.

Stone white castle overlooks a lake on a sunny day with mountains in the distance in Killarney National Park

Can You Drive the Gap of Dunloe?

You might be wondering: since I had a car, why didn’t I just drive the Gap of Dunloe? It’s a fair question, and it came up at my B&B the morning after my walk.

Long story short, driving the Gap of Dunloe as a tourist is strongly discouraged, particularly in the middle of the day when you’ll encounter walkers and jaunting cabs along the narrow road.

The road is incredibly narrow and winding, making it difficult for cars to pass other road users safely. It’s a route where walkers, cyclists, and jaunting cabs all share limited space.

Locals do drive the road to reach homes and farms in the area, but I’d recommend leaving your car behind and exploring on foot instead.

My B&B host also told me that jaunting cab drivers can become frustrated when tourists drive along the route. After walking it myself, I could understand the concern. I struggled to imagine where I could pull over to let a cab pass, especially along the stretch between Augher Lake and the Head of the Gap of Dunloe.

Horse and buggy carries passengers down a narrow road with a lake in the distance surrounded by mountains in the Gap of Dunloe.

The Gap of Dunloe Route: Best Stops

My 7-mile journey through the Gap of Dunloe started at Kate Kearney’s Cottage. The bus was running late picking people up in town, so we didn’t arrive until 11:15 am, leaving me less than three hours to walk to Lord Brandon’s Cottage.

I’d never hiked 7 miles in that amount of time. I’m a slow hiker, and I love taking photos, especially in areas with dramatic landscapes, which the Gap of Dunloe promised. I was nervous about making it to the boat by 2:00 pm.

I quickly used the restrooms at Kate Kearney’s Cottage, then started the trek, passing jaunting cabs the other tourists were using, which, according to the bus driver, would take them 1.5 hours to reach the cottage.

Rocky river leads to an arched stone bridge in the valley of tall mountains on a stormy day.

Stop 1: The Wishing Bridge and Black Lake

After 15 minutes of speed-walking rolling hills, I reached the first Wishing Bridge, where legend says if you make a wish as you cross, it will come true. My only wish was that I’d be at the boat on time.

This was one of the first views that made me want to stop and take dozens of photos, even though I was already worrying about the boat departure. If you’re walking independently, give yourself time to enjoy this view instead of rushing past.

Side note: many people park at Kate Kearney’s Cottage, walk to this stop, and turn back.

Lake reflects the mountain peaks on a stormy day.

Stop 2: Cushvally and Augher Lake

After the bridge, the road is mostly flat, so I walked quickly to Cushvally Lake and Augher Lake. With no fence, I stepped off the road to the edge of Augher Lake and took in the great vantage point of the narrow, winding road leading up between the steep mountains.

Green fields lead to a small lake beneath two mountain ranges and a narrow road winds between the path.

Stop 3: The Second Wishing Bridge and Coosaun Lough

I walked as fast as I could up that winding road, which was difficult because it was the steepest incline. I stopped at a small bridge to catch my breath and enjoy the view of jaunting cabs making their way down into the valley.

After the climb, the paved road thankfully flattens out a bit, and another Wishing Bridge appears ahead. You’ve probably seen this wishing bridge when you Google the Gap of Dunloe. The stone wall that separates the paved road from Coosaun Lough winds its way to the bridge in an incredibly picturesque way.

Gap of Dunloe walk in Killarney, Ireland.

Stop 4: Head of the Gap of Dunloe

Beyond the bridge, switchbacks lead to the Head of the Gap of Dunloe, the trail’s highest point and roughly the halfway mark for the hike. Here, I put my head down and walked as steadily as I could.

At the top of the switchbacks, I had been walking for 1 hour and 45 minutes. The mileage on my watch couldn’t be trusted because I had been running between my tripod and the photo I wanted. According to Google Maps, it should take 1 hour and 26 minutes to walk that distance.

That meant I had 45 minutes to get to Lord Brandon’s Cottage. And that I needed to hustle.

I stopped to take a photo for a cyclist celebrating his climb. It’s little moments like these that I enjoy while traveling, but I didn’t have time to chat. I needed to continue toward the final stretch.

Switchbacks in a green mountainous valley in Ireland.

Stop 5: Black Valley and Lord Brandon’s Cottage

Thankfully, the back half of this hike is all downhill into an area called the Black Valley. However, if you start in the opposite direction, you’ll face a steady incline. I was glad to be going down at this point.

At times, I ran to make up for lost time taking photos, and I don’t like to run.

After about 30 minutes, I reached the only fork in the road; I could go left or right. I wasted about 5 minutes trying to work out which way to go!

The signs pointed toward the Kerry Way and a farm, but none mentioned Lord Brandon’s Cottage. There is a sign for a boat tour, and I figured that had to be it, so I went left.

Thankfully, the boat-tour sign pointed me in the correct direction.

From this juncture I had a mile to go, and I could have wept when I finally entered Killarney National Park.

It was 1:55 as I rounded the corner to a mostly empty Lord Brandon’s Cottage. Only three people were at the picnic tables, all with Irish accents. Oh no.

This can’t be good. I thought.

One of them asked if I was the walker.

“That’s me!” I said.

“You’re cutting it fine,” he said, smiling.

“Does that mean I didn’t miss the boat?” I laughed.

“No, you’re grand. You even have time to use the restroom and get a drink.”

Not wanting to risk it, but needing to use the bathroom, I did just that, then boarded the boat back to Killarney.

Small houses amidst green farmland beneath rugged mountains in Killarney, Ireland.

The Killarney Lakes Boat Tour

Finally, I could relax and enjoy the scenery as our boatman navigated us through the Lakes of Killarney.

Along the way, our captain shared stories about the area’s history, including Queen Victoria’s 1861 visit. The nearby Ladies View, a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the lakes, is named after her ladies-in-waiting, who were captivated by the scenery.

The ride wasn’t entirely peaceful, though! As we passed under Old Weir Bridge and entered the Meeting of the Waters, where the three lakes meet, the boat picked up speed. It was an exciting moment during an otherwise relaxing journey.

An old stone arch bridge crosses a lake surrounded by green vegetation.

We also passed a quiet corner near Dinis Cottage, where I remembered resting during my cycle through Killarney National Park eight years earlier. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing a familiar place from a different perspective.

The boat approach to Ross Castle was another highlight. It was starting to get chilly on the water, so arriving at the castle was a welcome sight.

Our captain also shared a legend about the castle’s capture during Cromwell’s campaign in Ireland. According to the story, people believed the castle could only be taken by ship. When a Cromwellian general heard the legend, he launched an attack from the lake. Ross Castle surrendered without a fight.

After we disembarked at Ross Castle, the bus was waiting to take us back to our respective accommodations.

Stone castle seen from a lake with a cloudy sky and mountains in the distance.

Reflections of the Gap of Dunloe Tour

Walking the Gap of Dunloe has become one of my top 10 experiences in Ireland. Although I felt rushed, the scenery more than made up for it, and I found some peaceful moments at the stops mentioned above.

Looking back, I loved that the logistics were handled and I just had to show up and walk fast! It was so nice having the bus waiting at the end of a long walk to quickly take me back to my accommodation to rest.

I also really enjoyed the boat tour and learning more about the area’s history.

But I didn’t like how rushed the walk felt, and I worried about making the boat on time.

Knowing what I do now, there are two different ways to approach this that could make this more enjoyable.

Woman stands overlooking a lake beneath mountain peaks and a windy road leads between the pass in the distance.

Woman stands on a narrow paved road smiling at the camera with a lake and mountains in the distance.

Alternative Option: Combo DIY and Tour

If you have a car, drive to Kate Kearney’s Cottage in the morning at a time that will allow you to enjoy the walk, take all the photos you want, and still have plenty of time to make it to Lord Brandon’s cottage for the boat.

I think if the tour had gotten us to Kate Kearney’s cottage at 10:30 as I thought it would, the walk would’ve been fine. So if you choose this option, plan to start your walk by then.

Upon arrival at Ross Castle, use the FreeNow app (basically Uber) to get back to your car at the cottage. There were also several taxis in the parking lot that you could probably hire for the ride back.

The downside is that you’re relying on a taxi being available when you arrive. You may have to wait, which isn’t ideal after a long walk.

You can purchase just the boat tour here.

Woman turning towards camera on a paved road with green mountains in the distance on a rainy day.

Woman on a boat in a lake wearing an orange life vest and white hat smiles at the camera with a stone castle in the background.

Alternative Option: Out and Back Walk

While the first option is good, I like this one better because it doesn’t rely on anyone but you.

I would still drive to Kate Kearney’s cottage, but I would make the walk an out-and-back. I would walk to the Head of the Gap of Dunloe and then double back to Kate Kearney’s to pick up my car.

While the Black Valley portion of the hike was pretty, the real beauty is the area between the Head of the Gap of Dunloe and Kate Kearney’s Cottage.

The Head of the Gap is roughly four miles from Kate Kearney’s Cottage, making it a good turnaround point for an approximately eight-mile out-and-back walk.

Although you’ll walk about a mile farther than the one-way route, I think the extra distance is worth it if you want more flexibility and time for photos.

If you choose this option, bring lunch to eat before you turn around, plus plenty of water. You can’t buy snacks or refill water along the way.

Old cottage in ruins stands next to a paved road with mountains behind it.

The Best Gap of Dunloe Tour for You

Now that you know the benefits and drawbacks of each option, which one is right for you?

Here’s what I recommend:

Choose the tour if convenience matters most and you’re comfortable following a fixed schedule. It’s the easiest option for transportation, but check how much walking time you’ll have before booking. Book the Gap of Dunloe Tour here
Choose the boat-only option if you have a car, want more control over your walking time, and have confirmed your return transport. Book your boat transfer here.
Choose the out-and-back walk if flexibility and photo stops matter most to you, and you’re comfortable walking approximately eight miles round trip.