In short
- Walking the 12 km (7.5 miles) round trip is completely free.
- Driving is heavily discouraged by local authorities.
- Combo tours provide transport but require cash for carriages.
In this article
Visiting the Gap of Dunloe requires some planning. You can explore the 11-kilometre (7-mile) mountain pass on foot for free. Alternatively, you can book a package that includes a boat ride across the Lakes of Killarney and a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride.
How to visit without a tour?
You can park at Kate Kearney's Cottage and walk up the paved road.
Walking is free. Most visitors walk to the Head of the Gap and return the way they came. The round trip covers about 12 km (7.5 miles) and takes 2.5 to 3 hours. You share the single-lane road with horses and cyclists.
Is it safe to drive the Gap of Dunloe?
Driving the Gap during the day is strongly discouraged.
Local authorities advise against driving motorised vehicles on this route. The road is a narrow single lane with blind corners. You will face heavy pedestrian, cyclist, and equine traffic. If you want to see the valley without walking, book a jaunting car instead.
How do jaunting car tours work?
You hire a horse-drawn carriage to ride up the pass.
Jaunting cars leave from Kate Kearney's Cottage. The ride takes about 1.5 hours. A shared carriage costs €35 per person. A private carriage costs €140. You pay the driver (jarvey) directly in cash.
How does the boat trip to Ross Castle work?
You travel one way through the pass, then take a boat back.
Many tours drop you at Kate Kearney's Cottage. You walk or ride a carriage to Lord Brandon's Cottage. From there, a traditional open boat takes you across the 3 lakes and 2 rivers of Killarney National Park to Ross Castle. This boat ride takes 1 to 1.5 hours.
Can I do a cycling tour?
You can book transport for yourself and your bike on the boats.
Cyclists often take the morning boat from Ross Castle to Lord Brandon's Cottage, then cycle the 25 km back to Killarney. The mountain pass has steep descents and tight corners. Cyclists must exercise extreme caution on the road.
Can you walk the Gap and take the boat?
Yes, you can book a boat-only ticket and walk the pass.
This option requires you to arrange your own transport back to your car. You hike the 11-kilometre (7-mile) route from Kate Kearney's Cottage to Lord Brandon's Cottage. Then, you catch the boat across the lakes to Ross Castle.
Questions travellers ask
Can you drive through the Gap of Dunloe?
Driving motorised vehicles is strongly discouraged during the day. The road is a single lane with blind corners, shared with heavy pedestrian and horse traffic.
How long does it take to walk the Gap of Dunloe?
A walking round trip to the Head of the Gap and back covers about 12 km (7.5 miles). This takes most people 2.5 to 3 hours.
Where does the Gap of Dunloe start and finish?
The mountain pass stretches approximately 11 kilometres (7 miles) from north to south. It traditionally starts at Kate Kearney's Cottage and finishes near Lord Brandon's Cottage.
