Walking in Killarney
Shorter walks
There are a number of easy short walks in the local area. The Fossa Way is a newly surfaced walk running from Killarney town to Fossa village outside the town. Take advantage of Sika Lodge’s location and start this walk, within Killarney National Park, only five minutes from our front door!
Knockreer, with its entrance adjacent to St Mary’s Cathedral in the town gives access to the Fossa Way, Ross Castle and the former Copper Mine’s on Ross Island. Explore the trail with information along the way, charting the history if the mines back to 2,000BC.
Muckross House & Gardens is also another great starting point for many walks around the immediate vicinity including nature trails such as the Arthur Young and Mossy woods trails. Longer walks will talk you around Muckross Lake on the Muckross/Dinis loop.
Knockreer, overlooking Loch Léin, Killarney’s Lower Lake.
Shorter walks
There are a number of easy short walks in the local area. The Fossa Way is a newly surfaced walk running from Killarney town to Fossa village outside the town. Take advantage of Sika Lodge’s location and start this walk, within Killarney National Park, only five minutes from our front door!
Knockreer, with its entrance adjacent to St Mary’s Cathedral in the town gives access to the Fossa Way, Ross Castle and the former Copper Mine’s on Ross Island. Explore the trail with information along the way, charting the history if the mines back to 2,000BC.
Muckross House & Gardens is also another great starting point for many walks around the immediate vicinity including nature trails such as the Arthur Young and Mossy woods trails. Longer walks will talk you around Muckross Lake on the Muckross/Dinis loop.
Knockreer, overlooking Loch Léin, Killarney’s Lower Lake
Walking on Torc Mountain, Killarney National Park.
Medium walks
For the more adventurous, Torc mountain in Killarney National Park is an ideal morning or afternoon walk. Passing the entrance to Muckross House, take the next left which leads to the Upper Torc car park. From here you have direct access to the Old Kenmare Road. This rough track will take you all the way to Kenmare if you’re so inclined! But a short way along the track, you can take a right turn up a path of rock and old railway sleepers to the summit of Torc mountain, and some of the best views in the area. Allow a few hours for this walk. For more detailed infomation, click here >>
Another great short hill walk is Strickeen mountain in the Gap of Dunloe. Travel in past the famous Kate Kearney’s Cottage for about 500 metres where you can see the trail on your right. This route will take you on an easy zig-zag route towards the summit and the excellent views west, including Mount Brandon, Inch and Rossbeigh beaches, and the closer MacGillycuddy Reeks. Again, allow 2-3 hours. For more information on this walk, click here >>
Medium walks
for the more adventurous, Torc mountain in Killarney National Park is an ideal morning or afternoon walk. Passing the entrance to Muckross House, take the next left which leads to the Upper Torc car park. From here you have direct access to the Old Kenmare Road. This rough track will take you all the way to Kenmare if you’re so inclined! But a short way along the track, you can take a right turn up a path of rock and old railway sleepers to the summit of Torc mountain, and some of the best views in the area. Allow a few hours for this walk. For more detailed infomation, click here >>
Another great short hill walk is Strickeen mountain in the Gap of Dunloe. Travel in past the famous Kate Kearney’s Cottage for about 500 metres where you can see the trail on your right. This route will take you on an easy zig-zag route towards the summit and the excellent views west, including Mount Brandon, Inch and Rossbeigh beaches, and the closer MacGillycuddy Reeks. Again, allow 2-3 hours. For more information on this walk, click here >>
Walking on Torc Mountain, Killarney National Park.
Longer walks
For the more enhusiastic, and indeed, fitter hillwalker, the MacGillycuddy Reeks, outside of Killarney town include Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest peak at 1040 metres. Even though low by international standards, ‘the Reeks’ are steep and rocky mountains, with many precipitous ridges and faces, so a guide is advised if you plan a day out. There are a number of reputable local guides including www.hiddenirelandtours.com, www.kerryclimbing.ie and www.lodgeandreeksguiding.com who will be glad to assist you in your plans.
For multi-day outings, the Kerry Way is Ireland’s longest waymarked walk at over 200km long. Taking a route around the Iveragh Peninsula, this trail gives the walker a different perspective of the county.
Carrauntoohil, viewed from the Hag’s Glen.
Longer walks
For the more enhusiastic, and indeed, fitter hillwalker, the MacGillycuddy Reeks, outside of Killarney town include Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest peak at 1040 metres. Even though low by international standards, ‘the Reeks’ are steep and rocky mountains, with many precipitous ridges and faces, so a guide is advised if you plan a day out. There are a number of reputable local guides including www.hiddenirelandtours.com, www.kerryclimbing.ie and www.lodgeandreeksguiding.com who will be glad to assist you in your plans.
For multi-day outings, the Kerry Way is Ireland’s longest waymarked walk at over 200km long. Taking a route around the Iveragh Peninsula, this trail gives the walker a different perspective of the county.
Carrauntoohil, viewed from the Hag’s Glen.
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Sika Lodge was an amazing little B&B. Serena was a lovely host and an amazing cook! The house was clean and cozy. We were close to Killarney National Park so we could run through the park (it was great to see without anyone else). We were also about a 20 minute walk from town. I highly recommend the Sika Lodge for anyone who is staying in Killarney.
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