Gap of Dunloe -- Done Different
 

We have two nights in Kenmare. The day before the first night we will drive around the Beara Peninsula. The next day we plan to drive around the Dingle Peninsula. The day after we will head up further north to County Clare. My husband would like to see the Gap of Dunloe and the second day would be our only opportunity. We do not want to see it badly enough to trump Dingle and take the day tour of bus to the cottages, walking/carriage, boats to Ross Castle.

I've had family friends that mistakenly drove it and couldn't believe it was actually considered a drive-able road and I've read reports that it wasn't all that bad.

There are two options I was considering. One (husband's choice) is getting up at the crack of dawn and driving it before others and the carriages get out on it. If this is doable, could you do it from south to north or is it really considered one way from north to south?

The other is stopping by after Dingle in the late afternoon/ early evening, parking at the cottages and hiking a ways along and then turning around and heading back to car. Is there a midpoint of glorious scenery we should try to reach? Or should we just take in what we feel up to before turning around?

I know both options aren't ideal but is it really, really foolhardy to consider?

Thank you!

Your other (longshot) option is to rent bikes. It's been awhile since I did it but I certainly enjoyed the ride. You could go as far as you wanted and then turn around.

This gives you some good pictures of the route:

http://cycleireland.ie/cycle-gap-of-dunloe-loop/

By the way I was going to comment on your Eiffel tower thread and then did not. We walked up the stairs quite a long way. Then I started to feel like I was walking on the outside of the tower as it got narrower. Time to turn around. It took me a long time to get down. If you do climb it watch out for terrified people like me coming the other way.

If you were staying 1 hour north so cutting 2 hours driving in Killarney then you could do an evening drive of the Gap, its better driving before or after the Jarveys are out with their carts. Killarney adds 2 hours to Beara but saves 2 hours on Dingle. Now if you are confused don't ask a local for directions ;) but if you stay in Killarney you can drive the Dingle figure of eight from Killarney end the night in Adare which saves having to drive back to Killarney and gets a head start on the next day in Clare where the cliffs and burren "geo park" is the size of Beara and Dingle combined.

Thanks Cold, I hadn't even thought about bikes. I'll look into rentals somewhere to see if that is doable. Would be better than hiking in my opinion.

The pictures/ route are great to get a sense of the place, thanks!

As for the tower, ha!, I completely understand how it could freak you out. And going down has got to be worse than going up. Hiking, biking.. I always get more scared and freaked out going down than up. You should have seen me on some of our Sedona hikes, I was the one wimpering and sliding down on her butt in some places!

Tony, our accommodations in Kenmare are set. We are staying at the home of someone my mom's Irish friend knows. They use it as a vacation rental so we will have it to ourselves. We realize heading to Clare will be a long day.

Given that we can't change accommodations, is it doable to drive the Gap very early morning (sunrise is 5:30 so we are talking 6:30ish) and not have to worry about running into the Jarvey? And can we drive it from Molls Gap northward or is it better to do it from the north?

Lolfn I don't know if you are user of Google Earth but if you have it, search Gap of Dunloe, and then use the little Street View fella to bring you right down on the road. You can do the entire route without leaving home! It also gives you a very good idea of the quality of the road surface.

I use it everywhere we go, especially for biking and hiking. Have fun.

Yes, we use it all the time. I never thought they'd have it on such a small road so I'll definitely check it out. And if that google camera car can get down it, then we can too :) Thanks!

Ok. Early start on the day head from Kenmare to Molls gap. Take the R568, First right you see the sign for the Black Valley Hotel follow the lane to the T junction, Righr turn takes you through the Galla Valley to Hollywood and the Gap of Dunloe to Kates Cottage and Gap Road its about an hour from Molls Gap to the 72/72 cross.

excuse the typo's
Hostel not Hotel and N71/72 cross roads.

Awesome, thanks Tony!

If feeling really adventurous try the Priests Leap on Beara http://www.ireland-highlights.com/si...mountains.html

Challenge accepted! ;)