Stage 9
Kenmare to Killarney
STAGE 9
Kenmare to Killarney
This stage of the Kerry Way follows the path of the Old Kenmare Road across open moorland, the Windy Gap mountain pass and through Killarney National Park. This was once deemed the most westerly road of the (then known) world. The route is said to have been closed and tenants evicted when landlords were turning their estates over to sporting such as hunting and fishing. This trail from Derrycunnihy to Killarney repeats stage one in reverse.
Length: 23.5km
Hours: 6-8 hours
Grade/Difficulty: Moderate
Ascent: 713m
OSI map: 78
Grid Ref (Start): V 90980 70980
Grid Ref (Finish): V 96701 89300
Terrain: Mix of path, old highway/coach road, stone steps, boardwalk and roadway.
See Transport page for sustainable travel options >>
The route in detail
Kenmare to Cores
From the square in Kenmare Town the Kerry Way Walking Route follows Railway Road north, passing the Holy Cross Church, and continues straight for 4.4km, gradually rising through Drom Naomháin / Dromneavane, Cill Mhuire / Kilmurry, Lios an Uisce / Lissaniska, Drom Ceachan Thiar / Dromcahan West and Cill Chorráin Thoir / Kilcurrane East to reach a cross roads junction at An Gabhlán / Gowlane. From here continue north along the unsurfaced Old Kenmare Road for 5km, passing through Cill Chorráin Thoir / Kilcurrane East, An Tuairín / Tooreenbreanla and Na hInsíní / Incheens to reach a narrow tarred road at Ullauns / Ullauns. Continue along this tarred road for 300m.
You now reach a junction in the Kerry Way Walking Route at Ullauns / Ullauns. Straight ahead the trail continues, via Galway’s Bridge and Lord Brandon’s Cottage to the Black Valley, while to the right the trail continues, via Torc Waterfall and Muckross House to reach the start/end of the trail in Killarney Town.
Turning right at Ullauns / Ullauns the trail rises gently through natural oak woodland, crossing the Galway’s River via footbridge, then levelling out to cross bogland, via boardwalks, at Poll an Ghabhair / Poulagower. The trail then graduates to the well-defined, and well-built Old Kenmare Road. As the name correctly implies this was the ‘old’ road to Kenmare from Killarney and was superseded by the present day N71 road which forms part of the famous Ring of Kerry route. The road drops north east throughEsknamucky Glen – sheltered by its gorge-like rock features and some oak trees, to reach the picturesque Cores Cascade in An Gort Rua / Gortroe – a pleasant location for a break on the grassy banks on a sunny day. The Kerry Way then crosses the Crinnagh River and traverses a boggy area via a footbridge and boardwalks, respectively, before rising out of the valley to reach the brow of the hill at Crannach / Crinnagh. The MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Corrán Tuathail (1039m) can be seen to the west. Continuing northeast the Friars’ Glen, between Fearta / Ferta and Cores / Cores, can be seen to the southeast, while a spur path to the left rises 300m to the summit of Torc Mountain (535m). This detour excursion takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. Mangerton Mountain (839m) can be seen in the east.
Cores to Muckross
After travelling a further 400m the trail enters the shade and beauty of a natural woodland area overlooking the Owengarriff River and loosing elevation as you go. Turn right to cross a timber bridge and continue north for 500m to reach the Upper Torc Carpark in An Cloichrín Uachtarach / Cloghereen Upper. From here begin the 80m descent of the trail beside Torc Waterfall via a selection of steps, some manmade with stone, some formed by the roots of the surrounding trees. There are numerous vantage points along this portion of the trail to view both the Lakes of Killarney and Torc Waterfall itself – both framed by the towering canopy of trees. From the base of Torc Waterfall follow the Owengarriff River downstream to the Lower Torc Carpark at Drom Uí Ruairc / Dromyrourk, before reaching a tunnel which takes you under the N71 (Killarney to Kenmare) Ring of
Kerry road, and from which you emerge in parkland at Ros na hAbha Gairbhe / Rossnahowgarry. Continue north on the tarmac road to reach the shade of the surrounding trees at Mucros / Muckross, with Dundag Boat House and Muckross Lake to the west, while Torc Mountain (535m) keeps a watchful eye on you from behind.
Soon Muckross House, Gardens and Arboretum are reached – the centre-piece of the Bourne Vincent Memorial Park. This 19th Century House hosted Queen Victoria on her visit to Killarney in 1861 – guided tours of the house are available for a small admission fee. The Gardens and Arboretum are open to the wandering hiker free of charge. The Garden Restaurant is open year round.
Muckross to Killarney
On leaving Muckross House behind the trail follows a tarmac avenue, firstly through open parkland, then through natural woodland with the shore of Lough Leane to the west and Muckross Abbey to the east.
The trail continues north through a mix of parkland and natural woodland through Carraig an Phréacháin / Carrigafreaghane before leaving the Bourne Vincent Memorial Park and continuing for 1.5km on a tarmac road, set back from the N71 Killarney to Kenmare Ring of Kerry road, through Caisleán an Locha / Castlelough and Cathair Fhionnáin / Cahernane to reach the River Flesk bridge.
Follow Muckross Road north, passing the junction to Woodlawn Road on the right, the junction to Ross Road and Ross Castle on the left, and ‘The Golden Gates’ main entrance to Killarney House & Gardens, opposite the junction to Countess Road. Then, using the high stone boundary wall of Killarney House & Gardens on the left as a guide, turn left at Kenmare Place and travel west along Mission Road before turning right onto Beech Road at the Monsignor O’Flaherty Statue to reach the Killarney Tourist Information Centre – The Kerry Way Walking Trail start/end point.
Congratulations on completing the Kerry Way Walking Trail!