I was chatting to a former colleague on Instagram recently about the best walks in Killarney (you can find me on Instagram here). Jan was heading to Killarney for a week with his family. Flights, car and hotel were all booked — the easy part done.
Jan is a fairly no-nonsense guy, usually the one in charge of budgets and asking the question “Why?” — as in, “Why do we need this?” So it made a nice change when he asked something different:
“What are the best walks in Killarney and the surrounding area?”
Essentially, he was looking for a mix of walks in or close to Killarney — some shorter options and a few bigger day hikes — all reachable within about 1 to 1.5 hours by car.
This article is essentially my reply, expanded, refined, and organised properly.
Best Walks in Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park has long been one of the jewels in the crown of Irish tourism. The park encompasses over 26,000 acres of woodland, mountains and waterways. It lies to the south and west of Killarney town and includes parts of the McGillycuddy’s Reeks as well as the famous Lakes of Killarney.
While the park’s woodland faces well-documented challenges — including invasive rhododendron and overgrazing by goats and sika deer — it still attracts an estimated 2 million visitors each year. And it’s easy to understand why given the scenery on offer.
Here are some of the best walks to fully appreciate it.
Muckross House and Torc Waterfall Loop (6.3km)
For most people, their gateway to Killarney National Park starts at Muckross House. The 19th-century mansion, its gardens, traditional farms and craft centre draw large crowds — but my favourite attraction here has always been Torc Waterfall.
I’ve visited the waterfall every time I’ve been to Killarney and it never fails to impress.
There are several ways to reach Torc Waterfall from the Muckross House car park, but I’d recommend the longer c. 6km option, which takes in more woodland and feels like a proper walk rather than a quick out-and-back. You can see map details here.
Optional Extensions from Torc Waterfall
If you have the legs for it, there are some excellent extensions:
- Cardiac Hill Loop (9km total)
The clue is in the name. Cardiac Hill gets its name from the steep stone steps climbing Torc Mountain. And they are steep — very steep. As always though, the views make the effort worthwhile. - Torc Mountain Summit (14km total)
The Cardiac Hill route doesn’t actually bring you to the summit of Torc Mountain. To reach the top, continue climbing beyond Torc Waterfall on a different line. There’s a good map here. - Muckross Lake Loop (17km)
A long walk, but a very rewarding one. This route takes you around the full perimeter of Muckross Lake and includes a number of highlights along the way:- Dinis Cottage – Tea rooms dating back to the 1700s, a great place to stop for refreshments.
- Meeting of the Waters – A beautiful location where the three Lakes of Killarney meet.
- Old Weir Bridge – A stone bridge dating back to the 16th century.
- Muckross Abbey – Founded in 1448, the roofless Franciscan friary is well worth a stop.
Tomies Wood and Lough Leane (7km)
A lovely looped walk through woodland beside Lough Leane, the largest of the three Killarney lakes. The highlight here is undoubtedly O’Sullivan’s Cascade.
If you’re short on time, prioritise the first 2 kilometres to the waterfall. The next kilometre offers excellent views of the lake. While I enjoyed completing the full loop, it doesn’t quite compare to the first half of the trail.
Keep an eye out for white-tailed eagles, which are sometimes spotted along this route.
Mangerton Mountain & the Devil’s Punchbowl (14km)
I first heard of the Devil’s Punchbowl as an example of a glacial lake while studying Junior Cert geography. My school days are well behind me now, but the name always stuck with me.
Legend has it that the Punchbowl was formed during an argument between the Devil and a local chieftain. The Devil hurled a chunk of the mountain at his opponent — missing him, but creating Devil’s Island in Muckross Lake. The hole left behind became the Devil’s Punchbowl.
It felt great to finally see the lake in real life while climbing Mangerton Mountain.
Mangerton is the 10th highest mountain in Ireland, and the climb is no pushover. Reaching the summit requires good fitness, a small amount of scrambling in places and sections navigating where no obvious trail exists.
My recommended route starts from this relatively isolated roadside parking spot. The loop takes in Mangerton, Mangerton North Top, and circles four mountain lakes — Lough Garagarry, Managh, Erhogh, and the Devil’s Punchbowl itself.
For me, the real reward is the contrast in views: the Lakes of Killarney on one side, and the McGillycuddy’s Reeks on the other. Well worth the 6–7 hours needed to complete the walk.
Purple Mountain (6km)
Another high-level walk — this time Purple Mountain, the 12th highest peak in Ireland. The ascent can be tricky even for experienced hikers, but on a clear day the views are superb.
One of the reasons I often recommend this walk is the 20-minute drive from Killarney through the Gap of Dunloe to the trailhead. You could also walk this section of road, but whether walking or driving, I’d advise setting off early. The Gap gets extremely busy with tour buses and horse-drawn carriages later in the day.
Other Great Walks Near Killarney
Black Valley Loop (11km)
A little further beyond the Purple Mountain start point lies the trailhead for the Black Valley Loop. The approach again takes you through the Gap of Dunloe.
This stunning 11km walk follows a section of the Kerry Way and offers a quieter, more remote experience than many routes inside the National Park.
Carrauntoohil (12.5km)
Ireland’s highest mountain is less than 30 minutes’ drive from Killarney, starting from Cronin’s Yard.
There are several routes to the summit, but I recommend the Devil’s Ladder. Despite the name, I find it the most straightforward option in good conditions.
I’ve written an in-depth guide here covering everything you need to know before attempting Carrauntoohil.
Más an Tiompáin & Siúlóid an tSáis (15km)
The Dingle Peninsula offers some superb walking, and about 80 minutes’ drive from Killarney will bring you to the start point for Más an Tiompáin.
Expect steep climbs, significant elevation gain, dramatic cliffs and spectacular sea views. A good level of fitness is essential. Trail map available here.
Shorter Walks in Dingle
- Dingle Lighthouse Trail (8km)
A (mostly) flat coastal walk from Dingle town out to the lighthouse and back. - Eask Tower Walk (3km)
A short but enjoyable walk through picturesque countryside overlooking Dingle Harbour. Note the €2 per person charge to access this privately owned land.
Rossbeigh Hill and Strand Loop (10km)
Located between Killorglin and Cahersiveen, about 50 minutes from Killarney, this walk offers a lovely mix of sea, forest and mountain views.
The highlight is Rossbeigh Beach, a Blue Flag strand. Perfect for an ice cream on a summer’s day — or for watching the power of the Atlantic during winter. Mesmerising.
What Else to Do When You’re in Killarney
The great thing about the above walks is that they take in the most popular attractions (Muckross, Meeting of the Waters etc.). Some other great options if you’re looking for something to do are:
- Ross Castle Boat Tours
See Killarney from the water and enjoy some gentle lakeside walks afterwards. Details at rosscastleboattours.ie. - Glengarriff Bioluminescence Night Kayak
About an hour’s drive from Killarney. This has been on my bucket list for years. Tours typically run from mid-May to early October, offering a chance to see bioluminescent marine life glowing in the water at night.
Where to Stay in Killarney
Mid-Price Options
On a Budget
- Killarney Railway Hostel
Budget accommodation in Killarney is hard to come by. This hostel offers a central location, but as always with hostels, expect shared spaces and some noise.
On a Blowout
- The Killarney Park Hotel
Five-star service and a proper treat if your budget allows. - The Europe Hotel
All things considered, this is my favourite place to stay in Killarney (and maybe even the whole of Ireland). One of my favourite memories ever is swimming from the indoor pool to the outdoor hot tub. As the snow gently fell, we looked across the lake to the snow-capped mountains above us. I’ve been there in summer too – fab in every season!
Unsurprisingly, whatever your budget, Killarney offers plenty of accommodation options. Wild Irish Walks has an affiliate partnership with Booking.com — if you found this guide helpful, using our link to search for accommodation helps support the running costs of the site, at no extra cost to you.
Final Thoughts on the Best Walks in Killarney
That concludes my guide to the best walks in Killarney.
If you tackle any of these routes, I’d love to hear how you get on. Undeniably, Kerry is a very special place and rarely disappoints. Enjoy every step.
If you enjoyed this article and are planning a trip to Ireland, here are some other guides I’ve written about different locations in Ireland.