My husband and I will be driving to KNP on June 17th from Kinsale on our way to Kenmare for the night. I want to visit Muckross farms (only. Not interested in house tour),see Muckross abbey, do some hiking and possibly a boat tour of some sort. We plan to leave Kinsale right after breakfast. Two questions:
Although I have heard Gap of Dunloe is gorgeous, it sounds very crowded with tourists and we prefer more solitary walks. Any suggestions for a comparable 2-3 hour hike in the area (preferably loop)?
If we do 2-3 hour hike, see Muckross farms/abbey is it doable to also take some sort of boat ride to see the lakes? I feel like I am overreaching on this itinerary but there is just so much to see!
Thanks for any thoughts and ideas!
Posted by
Connecticut
337 posts
You could park at Muckross farm, then walk to the Abbey (which is just a ruin, but beautiful), then walk across the grounds to the boat launch on the other side of Muckross House (about a 1.5 mile walk), take the (small) boat across the lake to the “meeting of the waters” and Dinis Cottage. Have a snack at the cottage, and then walk back to your car via Torc Waterfall (about 3.5 miles). It’s all within the national park, and some parts will be busy, but much of it you’ll have to yourselves, because most visitors stay near the house and gardens. Easy but beautiful, and very doable. Enjoy!