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Killarney National Park without a car!

Hi, my friend and I are wanting to go to Killarney National Park, staying in Killarney town in May, but we will not have a car. Getting there isn't a problem, but I'm just wondering how to travel through the park. Is it possible to hike/walk and still see a lot?

Posted by
1852 posts

We always use a rental car when we travel outside the major cities, but when we visited Killarney (2002) we booked an enjoyable one-day tour. We boarded a bus in Killarney for a short drive to the Gap of Dunloe. There we took a jogging cart which travelled slowly through the park. Part of the way we walked beside the cart to give the horse a break. At the end of the horse part, we boarded large open boats through the Lakes, ending at a castle. Then we took another bus back to Killarney. I suppose this trip is still available. We bought the tickets in Killarney; I don't think we had to reserve ahead.

Posted by
45 posts

I didn't have a car and I rented a bike to go through the park (there are lots of places to rent one). I hadn't biked it quite along time, so I found it pretty tiring, but it was my best option! I was going to take that Gap of Dunloe tour, but I didn't end up having enough time.

Posted by
175 posts

Hi Amber, Cynthia's funny. I'm pretty cetain that it's called a Jaunting car not a Jogging car. If you are referring to the Gap of Dunloe, yes you can walk the 7 miles if you like. You will see "Ramblers" everywhere. Beautiful scenery. You can get all the booking details on the net under "Gap of Dunloe." Cynthia's correct, it' a beautiful day out. Remember to think Irish and take along a lightweight rain jacket.

Posted by
1852 posts

Hello Susan, You are probably correct- we did that daytrip eight years ago. Maybe it's a jogging cart because we had to walk to make things easier for the horse.

Posted by
337 posts

We were there last week! There are several really nice walking trails from the parking lot of Muckross House. If you can get there, you will be set for the day. The hike around Muckross Lake is 7 miles, mostly level terrain, and very beautiful. Halfway around is a cottage that serves tea and lunches: perfect! You can do shorter hikes, too. The waterfall is about 2 kms from the house. There are also pony carts that leave from the house. They may be able to drop you at other starting points.

Posted by
12313 posts

We took a nice walk starting across the street from the Cathedral, through parkland and ending at Ross Castle - then back. It was a long walk but easy and pretty.

Posted by
5 posts

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I'll probably take the Deros tour of the Gap of Dunloe, walking instead of renting the jaunting cars, and then bike to Muckross House another day. Has anyone ever taken the deros tour? it had ok ratings on tripadvisor, but I'm not entirely sure how to see the Gap without it.