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Gap of Dunloe questions

Have a few questions on how to see the Gap of Dunloe.

We really aren't interested in driving the whole thing because from what I read it makes it hard for the driver to enjoy the scenery.
I think we may be interested in a combination of hiking/jaunty carts. Not really up for a 7 mile hike maybe 2 or 3 miles roundtrip.

Are the jaunty carts an all day event?
Is Kate Kearney’s Cottage the best/only place to pick up the jaunty carts?
Do we need to make reservations for the jaunty cart or can we just walk up and hire one on the spot?
If we wanted to hike some of the Gap where would be a good location to start and capture some great scenery?

We will be traveling in September.

Thanks in Advance

Posted by
2791 posts

The jaunting cars begin staging at Kate Kearney's Cottage around 8:00 AM, with many of them coming from the vicinity of Lord Brandon's Cottage at the other end of the glen. They typically operate from around 8:30 until 4:00 PM or thereabouts, and it's first come, first served.
The carts drive thru the Gap to the head of the Glen - about 3.5 miles one-way - and then return to Kate Kearney's via the same route. It's one of the prettiest little Glens in Ireland, and a place we always return to on our own visits. If you want to stretch your legs a bit you could conceivably arrange for your driver to drop you at a point of your choosing and then walk back. Am sure the horse would appreciate it.
The road itself is quite narrow, necking down to a single lane in places and with a limited number of pullouts to allow approaching traffic to give way and allow each other to pass. That's why the road is reserved for local traffic only - there's signage to that effect prominently displayed at either end of the Glen.