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Kerry
The highest mountains in Ireland, lakes with ancient oak woods and cliffs on the Atlantic Ocean. In the south-west of Ireland you walk through a green land with plenty of water.
Red deer, ancient woods and Ireland's highest mountain
Killarney National Park became Ireland's first national park in 1932. It is home to the country's last wild herd of red deer and has ancient woods of oak and yew. Since 1982 the park has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
West of Killarney lie the MacGillycuddy's Reeks with Carrauntoohil: at a good 1,038 metres the highest mountain in Ireland. Through the Gap of Dunloe you walk between those mountains past five lakes. Off the coast lies the rocky island of Skellig Michael with a monastery from the early Middle Ages. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996.
Two long-distance trails loop around the peninsulas: the Kerry Way of about 230 kilometres from Killarney and the Beara Way of about 240 kilometres from Glengarriff.
May is the sunniest month
It is nicest in May and June and in September. May is the sunniest month and from April through July the least rain falls. July and August are the warmest but also the busiest: that is when the tour buses drive the Ring of Kerry. From October through January it rains a lot and it can blow hard. You can only land on Skellig Michael from mid-May to late September. In 2026 the season closed as early as 21 September.
Beautiful walks
Torc Waterfall and Torc Mountain
about 9 km there and back · 3 hours · about 500 m of climbing · starts at the Torc Waterfall car park
Past the waterfall of about 20 metres and up the steps beside it. Then you follow the Old Kenmare Road: part of the Kerry Way. A path of old railway sleepers takes you to the summit at 535 metres with views over the lakes and the Reeks.
Gap of Dunloe
12 km there and back · about 220 m of climbing · starts at Kate Kearney's Cottage
Through the narrow mountain pass past five lakes and over the Wishing Bridge to the top of the pass. You walk along a narrow road also used by horse-drawn carriages and the occasional car. If you want to walk further, carry on to Lord Brandon's Cottage and in season take the boat back to Ross Castle. Fossa Caravan & Camping Park is almost 5 kilometres from the start.
Glengarriff Woods and Lady Bantry's Lookout
about 4 km · 1.5 to 2 hours · circular walk · starts at the nature reserve car park
Through the ancient oak woods of the Glengarriff nature reserve along the Esknamucky Walk. A steep path with steps leads to Lady Bantry's Lookout with views over Garinish Island and Bantry Bay. The reserve is free and open all year. Glengarriff Caravan and Camping Park is about 2 kilometres away.
Bray Head on Valentia
4 km there and back · 1.5 hours · about 115 m of climbing · starts at the Bray Head car park
Along an old road to the signal tower and the cliffs of Bray Head with the Skelligs on the horizon. Marked in purple. Dogs are not allowed. Valentia Island Caravan & Camping is on the island itself.
Mount Brandon via the Saints' Road
7 to 8 km there and back · about 4 hours · about 750 m of climbing · starts at the Ballybrack car park
Past white poles and the fourteen stations of an old pilgrims' route to the summit of Brandon at 952 metres. Higher up the path is rocky. This is a real mountain: only go in clear weather and take a map and a compass. Campail Teach an Aragail lies on the same pilgrims' route a good 6 kilometres away.
Our campsites nearby
For each campsite the map shows the circular walks that start close by.
- Fossa Caravan & Camping Park in Fossa near Killarney
- Glenross Caravan & Camping Park in Glenbeigh
- Valentia Island Caravan & Camping on Valentia
- Inch Beach Campsite on the Dingle Peninsula
- Campail Teach an Aragail on the Dingle Peninsula
- Glengarriff Caravan and Camping Park in Glengarriff
- Berehaven Golf Club Camping near Castletownbere
- Goat's Path Farm and Pod Park on the Sheep's Head peninsula