Discover the Gap of Dunloe

The mountain pass begins at 150-year-old family-run restaurant and craft shop, Kate Kearney’s Cottage. Once you’re fuelled up and are ready to explore, the incredible scenery awaits. Silver rock stands tall on either side of the pass. Sheep roam free, grazing along the roadside, and the waters of the five lakes in this area (Coosaun Lough, Black Lake, Cushnavally Lake, Auger Lake and Black Lough) glisten. A popular attraction is the stone Wishing Bridge between Coosaun Lough and Black Lake. The locals say that wishes made here really do come true.

There are a few ways to experience the Gap of Dunloe. Cars and tour buses can squeeze along the narrow road but it’s best to take your time here to appreciate this spectacular landscape. Hikers can explore the full 11km following the narrow mountain pass, and the route is also popular with cyclists who are up for a challenge. For something truly unique, hire a horsedrawn wagon – known as a jaunting car – and allow a guide to let you in on stories about the area while taking you to the Upper Lake. Here, the adventure continues as you hop aboard a boat to Ross Castle in Killarney.