From Kate Kearney’s Cottage, the Gap of Dunloe winds for 7 km through the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, a spectacular glacial pass dotted with lakes and rock walls, largely spared from car traffic.
A narrow road between lakes and mountains
The road climbs gradually to the top of the pass, the Head of the Gap, following a chain of small glacial lakes framed by the steep slopes of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range. Often reduced to a single lane, the route calls for particular care around the traditional horse-drawn carts that still use it.
A pass largely spared from cars
During the high season, private car access is restricted in the Gap of Dunloe, giving priority to cyclists, walkers and jaunting cars, the traditional Irish horse-drawn carriages. This quirk makes it one of the few major tourist routes in Ireland where cycling enjoys near-total peace and quiet.
Getting the ride right
A rain jacket remains essential given Kerry’s changeable climate, where showers can appear without warning even in midsummer, while front and rear lights improve visibility on the narrowest sections shared with horse-drawn carts.
When to go
April to October — the road is rideable year-round, but longer days and milder weather make this period far more pleasant for enjoying the scenery.
Good to know
Killarney, about fifteen minutes away, offers the widest choice of accommodation in the area and makes it easy to extend the ride toward the Upper Lake in the neighbouring national park, reachable on foot or by boat from the end of the Gap.
