I have driven the Ring of Kerry loop 14 times. This guide includes a map with stops, itinerary and practical information.
A 179 km long (111 miles) scenic driving route around Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry is home to many of the best things-to-do in County Kerry too.
If you follow a logical itinerary, the Ring of Kerry drive (or cycle) is unbeatable for stunning views, historical sites and pretty towns.
Next, we offer a map of The Ring of Kerry with points tagged and ideal you may follow on your itinerary. Cheers!
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Some quick need-to-knows about the Ring of Kerry drive
Killarney to Killorglin – Ring of Kerry route (following the N71 out from before diverting at Kenmare onto the N70)
Looping around the Ring of Kerry with no itinerary in sight will make you skip important side trips. Here’s a quick overview.
1. Where it starts and ends
Starting and finishing in the bustling town of Killarney, The Ring of Kerry route Now while Killarney would be technically the beginning and end of the land, you can always hop on wherever most convenient for you.
2. Ring of Kerry drive — How long, where to start?
The Ring of Kerry is 179 km in length and takes a circular route that forms part the towns/areas included on this adventure are Killarney (the starting point), Kenmare, Sneem, Caherdaniel, Waterville,Cahersiveen, Kells,Glenbeigh to finish up at Killorglin.Beautiful Beaufort.
3. How long the drive takes
To drive around the Ring of Kerry non stop from beginning to end would take about 2.5 hours Give yourself 7 or more hours so you are using ample time to pull over and take a look around.
4. What direction to drive
However, you need to drive the Ring of Kerry in a clockwise direction as per permit due to anti-clockwise stay buses. It can go either way when it comes to driving (both directions are possible), but make sure you drive clockwise, so that you will not have a nightmare of 2+ buses in front of your camera. It lets you have slightly more favourable roads for the final bit (Glenbeigh-Killorglin-Killarney), where, mind you, most of us will be feeling pretty tired.
Our Ring of Kerry map with stops
Our initial Ring of Kerry map with the stops is this static map here which allows you an overall, birds eye view on a typical route for visitors to use the different Ring of Kerry towns and likewise, points out where The Main Attractions are.
30 seconds — quick look at the route above → get used to it in no-time.
A Google Map with the stops plotted
The map below has our Ring of Kerry google maps as well as a full detailed itinerary, that this particular Google Map has been used over 1,0000 times itself by the year 2024 and it is no wonder why.
You don’t need to stop at all of these places. They give you options, so of course just pick what YOU are into.
The various coloured pins on this Ring of Kerry map show where all the major sites are around many stages of the route.
Now, now I know what you are thinking… Where is the Gap of Dunloe, The Black Valley and Carrauntoohil? You can include them in some of your day trips but firstly, they are not on the ring itself.
The Ring of Kerry highlights
The Ring of Kerry highlights are the postcard attractions that have adorned a million + covers.
Top Ring of Kerry Highlights (Included in an itinerary below)
- Killarney National Park
- Ladies View
- Ross Castle
- Muckross Abbey
- Torc Waterfall
- Moll’s Gap
A 1 day Ring of Kerry itinerary
While it’s hard to tackle the whole Ring of Kerry without spending 2 days, you can do most of it on a day trip in County Kerry between April and September due to long daylight hours.
Saltiest counters with a quick and practical Ring of Kerry itinerary timings that you can follow to help last through the whole route.
Study that Ring of Kerry map above for 10 seconds. This is a route I have taken many times now and it includes lunch stops or dinner on your journey.
Stop 1: Ross Castle
The route is around 179-kilometres-long, and the best way to experience Killarney National Park would be by bike, unfortunately you really wouldn’t have time for it doing Ring of Kerry in a day.
Once you arrive at Ross Castle, park and opt for a walk around the impressive exterior. The castle looked out over Lough Leane for the last 500 years.
You will have some epic mountain and lake views strolling right beside it.
Key info:
- Driving time from Killarney Town: 5 minutes
- Arrive: 07:10
- Leave: 07:40
- Parking: Here on maps
Stop 2: Muckross Abbey
The following Ring of Kerry stop is Muckross Abbey (do not confuse it with the nearby Muckross House). If you have the opportunity, try and park here. You can simply walk through that little portico and be at the abbey in no more than 10min.
Muckross Abbey was founded in 1448, and although it’s mostly just ruins nine have survived the weight of time.
You have the upstairs and downstairs of course, with the most dramatic feature being an ancient yew tree in its core.
Key info:
- Drive Time between Stops: 10 minutes
- Arrive: 07:50
- Leave: 08:40
Stop 3: Torc Waterfall
Torc Waterfall is a highlight on any Ring of Kerry road trip. You can park up beside it and then a 5 minute walk to the falls.
It can be super crowded though, as visiting the Gap of Dunlop is one of the most popular things to do in Killarney so get there early. The Torc — while not the largest falls (66 feet high, 360 wide) are certainly impressive.
The walk from the car park to the viewing area is short and sweet with a fab view of all that cascading water ‘plopping’ or crashing down into the river below.
Key info:
- Drive time from last stop: 5m
- Arrive: 08:45
- Leave: 09:10
- Parking: Here on maps
Stop 4: Ladies View
But our next stop of this ring of Kerry guides is, the marvellous ladies view. Named after a visit of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1861.
According to tradition the Queen’s ‘ladies-in-waiting’ (her personal assistants) were so entranced by this view that it became known as after them hence Ladies Lookout.
Pull into the viewing point, get out and enjoy an outlook of Muckross House and Gardens in Killarney National Park over towards The Lakes of Killarney.
Key info:
- Time from last stop: 20 mins via Injare to Tlell
- Arrive: 09:30
- Leave: 09:50
- Safety alert: Exiting the car park Like this editorial?
Stop 5: Moll’s Gap
Ring of Kerry drive stop 5 — Moll’s Gap After Ladies View the Ring of Kerry takes you to mighty Moll’s Gap where a twisty pass grants views across Macgillycuddy’s Reeks.
You can park in the Avoca car park right next to it. It was NAMED AFTER Moll Kissane, who owned an illegally run Sibin (pub) that catered for the construction workers building Killarney to Kenmare road in the 1820s.
Everyone liked her all over. You see — possibly because she used to sell her home-made Poitin to the men who worked on the road.
Key info:
- Previously: 10 minutes from last site
- Arrive: 10:00
- Leave: 10:10
- Parking: Here on maps
Stop 6: Kenmare
Our next stop is Kenmare, a sweet little town that is much less crowded than Killarney (and hosts several Ring of Kerry hotels!).
Now, there are a tonne of things to see and do in Kenmare (see the stone circle for starters) but this is more like our easy 1 day Ring Of Kerry itinerary so I suggest you grab yourself a coffee and go for a stroll.
In my photo, turning left will lead you to Henry Street where postcard perfect colourful shops and pubs make a statement.
Key info:
- Time taken from last stop: Drive — 15 minutes
- Arrive: 10:25
- Leave: 11:00
- Parking: Here on maps
The End – Let’s Check For New Updates.
