Killarney National Park or Wicklow Mountains?

Posted by nathan.wayne.hayes on 04/08/22 09:41 PM

Hi all! I’m taking a solo trip in late May and will have a rental car. During my time there I had planned on 2 days at Killarney National Park and then 2 days in the Wicklow Mountains. I’m a casual hiker and wanderer so I don’t need extreme hikes or mountain climbing, I just think Ireland is beautiful!

I’ve been thinking lately if I should make 4 days out of one of them and skip the other? Or would 2 days in each be better? I’ve not spent time in either location before! Just looking for any advice on what would be better! Thanks for any help :)

-N. Hayes

Posted by Claudia

Land of La

04/09/22 03:11 AM

8714 posts

Hike the Gap of Dunloe.

Posted by Robert

Colorado Springs

04/09/22 12:04 PM

2845 posts

There are some very nice hikes in the vicinity of Glendalough, but we were frankly disappointed with the trails elsewhere in the Wicklow mountains- we found ourselves constantly emerging into areas being clear-cut by local loggers, which was not exactly what we had in mind.
OTOH the trails along the Kerry Way , the Beara Way and the Dingle peninsula are all world class - lots of long and short tramps suitable for all fitness levels, with most of them featuring a pleasant mix of forests and seascapes. Even for a casual hiker that would be my suggested focus.
Do invest in some waterproof boots however - you'll encounter a lot of boggy areas once you stray off the beaten track.
.

Posted by fcraymond76

Rocky Mount, VA

04/09/22 06:09 PM

271 posts

I enjoyed walking around Glendalough, but only spent part of the day there driving from Dublin to Kilkenny. The stop was more for the ruins and round tower than for hiking.

I spent several days in the Killarney National Park area. Hiking the Gap of Dunloe offers some spectacular views and is worth a day.

There are other shorter and easier hikes in the area as well, such as Dinis Cottage and Old Weir Bridge, Torc Waterfall, the Muckross Lake Loop, and Ross Castle.

https://www.theoutbound.com/ireland/hiking/walk-to-the-meeting-of-the-waters-and-old-weir-bridge-in-killarney-national-park

https://www.theoutbound.com/ireland/hiking/hike-the-muckross-lake-loop-walk

Walking through the Traditional Farms at Muckross House isn’t exactly a hike, but there it’s a good walk with lots of exhibits about farm and village life.

It depends on your interests, but I’d rather have more time in Killarney to explore and hike than Wicklow.

All the best,

Raymond