Half-day Tours
5 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 92% of travellers
92% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
€58
per adult
Gap of Dunloe Tours
Gap of Dunloe Tours
4.5
08:00 - 20:00
Monday
08:00 - 20:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 20:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 20:00
Thursday
08:00 - 20:00
Friday
08:00 - 20:00
Saturday
08:00 - 20:00
Sunday
08:00 - 20:00
Full view
About
Gap of Dunloe & Lakes of Killarney (Full Day Tour) This is not just a tour it is an adventure. Your day starts at 10am at our office at O'Connor's Traditional Pub, 7 High Streeet, Killarney. Vintage Bus to Kate Kearney's Cottage, then a journey ahead of 12 km (7mls) of wonderful scenery for walking enthusiasts. Admire unforgettable views of the McGillycuddy Reeks and the Purple Mountains as you hike or avail of the optional extra excursion of Jaunting Carts (available at extra cost from Kate Kearney's to Lord Brandon's). Bike hire can be arranged morning of tour with option to take Bike on the Boat. This tour can also be done in reverse, where your adventure starts with a boat trip from Ross Castle (Reen Pier, red boats). This direction is recommended for walking enthusiasts through the Gap of Dunloe, as it allows additional time to connect with our bus at Kate Kearney's Cottage at 4pm. This tour can include collection & return from your Killarney area accommodation.
Tours and Tickets by Gap of Dunloe Tours
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Private and Luxury
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 95% of travellers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
€32
per adult
Half-day Tours
6 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
€58
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
256 reviews
Excellent
191
Very good
31
Average
12
Poor
9
Terrible
13
Damian C
Cork, Ireland21 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
The whole package from start to finish from booking online to the bus ride home could only be described as a great day out. The weather was brilliant the day we did it so that helps too. We were picked up at our hotel by a vintage themed bus on time deposited at ross Castle with time to spare for a walk around use of the facilities then a couple of hundred yards to reen pier to board the boat. The boatman made sure everyone was comfortable and in life jackets before we pulled out. After about 90 minutes cruising the lakes we arrived at lord Brandon's cottage (ill put up pictures hard to descibe the beauty of the lakes in words) we took a few minutes to have a lovely cup of coffee and plan our walk of the gap. Food is also available here. The next leg of our journey was 12 km by foot up to the head of the gap and down to our pick up point at Kate Kearney's cottage spectacular views of the mountains and wildlife to be had allow a little bit of extra time for the photo stops.we arrived to kate Kearney's Cottage with ample time to enjoy a pint for our exertions before a leisurely return to our hotel in killarney. The trip was great value and we enjoyed it immensely the bus driver and boat man was great crack and you would almost believe some of the stories they were told with such conviction 😉😁😂. All in all a very worthwhile trip well organised.
Written 16 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind review! We are so delighted you enjoyed your day!
Written 5 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Donald M
25 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
After hiking portions of the Wild Atlantic Way, we decided not to hike the Gap of Dunloe, and instead take the “carriage ride”. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made as a tourist. The “carriage” was actually a “trap” with one horse, just like you’ve seen in any older movie set in Ireland. Our guide/ driver was superb. Friendly and knowledgeable and right out of central casting.
The scenery was stupendous and beautiful. Hard to imagine anything better in the world.
At the end of the ride there is a cafe: Lord Brandon’s Cottage in the National park. The food was good and reasonably priced, especially considering the remote location and no other services were available.
The one hour boat ride back was in a skiff. It could have used some cushions to make it more comfortable. The skipper was hard to understand because he did not speak loud enough to be heard over the motor and the lake water lapping against the boat. Regardless, it was well worth it since the scenery was magnificent.
At the end of the boat ride we were rushed into a small bus to be driven back to where we started and where our car was parked. It would have been nicer, if possible, to have had some time to see Ross Castle where we landed.
All in all, this was a great touring experience, reasonably priced, and we highly recommended it to anyone.
The scenery was stupendous and beautiful. Hard to imagine anything better in the world.
At the end of the ride there is a cafe: Lord Brandon’s Cottage in the National park. The food was good and reasonably priced, especially considering the remote location and no other services were available.
The one hour boat ride back was in a skiff. It could have used some cushions to make it more comfortable. The skipper was hard to understand because he did not speak loud enough to be heard over the motor and the lake water lapping against the boat. Regardless, it was well worth it since the scenery was magnificent.
At the end of the boat ride we were rushed into a small bus to be driven back to where we started and where our car was parked. It would have been nicer, if possible, to have had some time to see Ross Castle where we landed.
All in all, this was a great touring experience, reasonably priced, and we highly recommended it to anyone.
Written 14 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SukkoPera
Turin, Italy37 contributions
Aug 2021
We did the Bus+Walking+Boat tour. The tour itself is very enjoyable (if weather allows), the walk is not particularly strenuous but long (11+ km), but you get rewarded with a few absolutely gorgeous views that really pay the effort. The boat part is also pretty stunning, as you will be immersed in an almost unspoiled environment, with the boatman giving nice hints of where to look and of the history of the place.
My only complain is about the bus that brought us to Kate Kearney's college, as it was very late and left us there at 10:45. The boat would leave at 2 pm with or without us, so we basically had to rush for the whole walk, which made prevented us to stop anywhere just to gaze at the landscape for a while.
Another oddity is that Kate Kearney's cottage would only open at 11, which is too late if you want to walk. Luckily there's another café where you can buy food and drinks for the walk.
Finally, a word for those who want to do the tour by car: please don't! The road is narrow, you will have a hard time whenever you face another car, a jaunting cart or even just walkers! You won't either be able to stop at will to admire the panorama. If you don't want to walk - which I'd recommend unless you have difficulties - take the jaunting carts, you will enjoy this corner of Ireland much more, trust me!
My only complain is about the bus that brought us to Kate Kearney's college, as it was very late and left us there at 10:45. The boat would leave at 2 pm with or without us, so we basically had to rush for the whole walk, which made prevented us to stop anywhere just to gaze at the landscape for a while.
Another oddity is that Kate Kearney's cottage would only open at 11, which is too late if you want to walk. Luckily there's another café where you can buy food and drinks for the walk.
Finally, a word for those who want to do the tour by car: please don't! The road is narrow, you will have a hard time whenever you face another car, a jaunting cart or even just walkers! You won't either be able to stop at will to admire the panorama. If you don't want to walk - which I'd recommend unless you have difficulties - take the jaunting carts, you will enjoy this corner of Ireland much more, trust me!
Written 23 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review!!!!
Written 23 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kai Wah
Malaysia3,823 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
We booked Bicycle Boat Tour and wished to do a reverse tour taking boat from Lord Brandon Cottage at 2pm on 19 October 2022 which was indicated in the company website that reverse route tour is possible. There is no option for us to indicate the option of reverse route tour. Hence, we tried to contact the company to inform them our request. We tried to make several calls, left voicemails and sent 2 emails, but we did not get any responses at all. Please refer to the photo as proof that we called and sent emails to the company without getting any responses. Do note the we are from South East Asia country with 8 hours ahead of Ireland time. Hence, calling 8pm plus means it was 12pm plus in Ireland. We ended up forgoing the total cost we paid for since we did not receive any email or calls regarding our request for reverse route tour for Bicycle Boat Tour. We felt so frustrated! Totally disappointed! Totally unreliable! Avoid this company to prevent great disappointment like we experienced!
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter K
Whitefish, MT34 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
It would be difficult to give enough superlatives to these people. From the moment we walked into O’Connors Traditional Irish Pub to the antique bus to the jaunting car drivers to the boat captains, everyone was absolutely lovely, knowledgeable, caring, and entertaining. The Gap of Dunloe, and the lakes in the Killarney National Park are some of the most magical places I’ve been to. And these people have been conducting these tours through multiple generations of their families. Their love for the area and their professionalism shows, and I truly appreciated every one of them. Do yourself a favor and book your tour here!
Written 28 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jackie O
County Limerick, Ireland2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
A fabulous way to see Killarney national Park and the lakes, a full day out with great characters giving you all the information you need in a typically irish way. Our favourite part was the boat trip the scenery was amazing. We would thoroughly recommend this tour but be prepared for the weather its all outdoors so you may get beautiful sunshine like us or more typical irish weather. Very good value for money.
Written 19 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica M
Killarney, Ireland27 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
Fantastic trip with Gap of Dunloe Tours!
We left Ross Castle at 11 that morning and got a boat ride across the lakes to Lord Brandon’s Cottage. Our tour guide, Tony, gave us brilliant information and history of the area. He stopped along the way and told us greag facts that even us 6 locals didn’t know!
It was a gorgeous sunny day, which made it even better! When we arrived at Lord Brandon’s cottage, we had some sandwiches and got teas/coffees (cash only at the cottage!) We then walked the Gap of Dunloe back to Kate Kearney’s cottage. This took about 2 and a half hours with amazing scenery along the whole way. Great atmosphere and food/drink at Kate’s! You can get a horse and trap from Lord Brandon’s too.
Fantastic day out, would 100% recommend Gap of Dunloe tours. Thanks to Tadhgy and guides for a brilliant day out!
We left Ross Castle at 11 that morning and got a boat ride across the lakes to Lord Brandon’s Cottage. Our tour guide, Tony, gave us brilliant information and history of the area. He stopped along the way and told us greag facts that even us 6 locals didn’t know!
It was a gorgeous sunny day, which made it even better! When we arrived at Lord Brandon’s cottage, we had some sandwiches and got teas/coffees (cash only at the cottage!) We then walked the Gap of Dunloe back to Kate Kearney’s cottage. This took about 2 and a half hours with amazing scenery along the whole way. Great atmosphere and food/drink at Kate’s! You can get a horse and trap from Lord Brandon’s too.
Fantastic day out, would 100% recommend Gap of Dunloe tours. Thanks to Tadhgy and guides for a brilliant day out!
Written 6 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Delighted ye all had a great time hoping to see all again soon. thanks for your review
Written 23 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bec
Macclesfield, UK43 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
We were picked up from our hotel at 10 a.m. 40 minutes later after some pick ups, we drove by our same hotel! We arrived at Ross Castle at 11 a.m. The boat ended up leaving at 12.15. The guide/ boat driver was an hour and 15 minutes late. No apology, just a joke asking whether anyone had brought a ham sandwich. A family with us had a young girl with them who no doubt was needing some lunch at this point. We enjoyed a lovely boat trip and arrived at Brandon’s Cottage at 2 p.m. No time for food or a drink. We had to leave straight away to embark on a 2 and a half hour walk. The bus was meant to be leaving at 3.30!! We had a nice walk. Thankfully I had done it before as we had otherwise no idea where to go. There were some junctions that really needed a simple map. We did the walk in 2 hours 15 minutes. On the way we met a horse and cart that was sent up to collect us. I asked the driver if the company had paid for it and the driver laughed and said no. We said we would walk and the driver got annoyed and said he has made a wasted trip!! We didn’t order a horse and cart. We carried on walking and when we arrived, our guide thankfully was still there. He was surprised that we had made it in the time and asked if we had walked??? The whole day was a shambles. I gave the trip 2 stars as the guide very interesting and the boat journey was beautiful. 6 and a half hours and no opportunity to rest. Very exhausting but it was funny watching the farce unfold!
Written 29 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Im very sorry im only getting back to you now. I do apologise for what happen that day. Our pick up are between 10-10.30 and somtimes can run a bit later depending on how busy it is and we always say that. The boat trip should of started at 11.00 but due to a family issue as explained to the people you mention in your review the boat driver was late and I do apologise for that.
If you have the time I would love if you could ring us as we pride ourself in what we do and things like this dont normally happen.
Written 23 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Two Of Us
2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
If I had read all the comments here I would never have chosen this company! Like many customers, we were back on time for the return bus but the driver, who was also very unpleasant and had not made any interesting comments, decided to leave 15 minutes early, leaving us there with children, more than 2.5 hours of walking from the city on a dangerous road, while I am convinced that several members of the group with whom we had talked all day and during the 3 hours of "hiking" on a concrete road where cars and carts speed without worrying about pedestrians, told him that we were at the toilets opposite (which he had a view of). The contact number was wrong, no response on Facebook and by email I was told 1 hour later to take a taxi which of course was never reimbursed. This company is a disgrace and takes advantage of having the same name as another company which is very concerned about its customers. Better to do this tour by yourself.
Written 5 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shitbear P
Dundrum, Ireland6 contributions
Sept 2020
I walked the gap of Dunloe with 2 friends and we were blessed with a stunning sunny day. It was a spectacular day.
Could not recommend the tour company more. Much to our horror we found out 30 minutes before we arrived that i had booked the wrong date for the tour. I rang the company and they were extremely polite and accomadated us to do the trip 30 minutes later. They even drove us all the way back to our car afterwards. Superb service
Could not recommend the tour company more. Much to our horror we found out 30 minutes before we arrived that i had booked the wrong date for the tour. I rang the company and they were extremely polite and accomadated us to do the trip 30 minutes later. They even drove us all the way back to our car afterwards. Superb service
Written 30 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are staying at the Parknasilla Resort. Is there a tour with a pick up from that resort to the Gap of Dunloe? Thank you!
Written 24 May 2019
Good evening,
We only collect clients in the Killarney area.
Thanks
Gap Team
Written 25 May 2019
Hi there, can you tell me how long the walk took you and did you have enough time to do it in before the boat departure time? Thanks :)
Written 24 April 2016
We had 45 minutes at the end to grab a bite before the boat left and we stopped for a lot of pics. That being said, it is 11 km or 7 mi in 2.25 hours with ~150ft of elevation. We passed bikers who couldn't handle the slope.
Written 22 August 2016
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.