Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Ireland - Gap of Dunloe and Cronin's Yard Walks

I must admit - I didn't do too much actual hiking while in Ireland, but the scenery was too beautiful not to share.  

At Kate Kearney's Cottage before embarking on the Gap of Dunloe Walk
The Gap of Dunloe is a gorgeous stretch of road that winds its way through a mountain pass before reaching the Black Valley.  We parked at Kate Kearney's Cottage and from there walked the 3.5 miles up the road to the "top of the gap."  We then returned by retracing our steps back down the road.  The road is narrow (barely wide enough to allow a car to pass walkers at points), winding, and not recommended for tourists to drive, but you can walk, bike, or take a horse and cart to the top for some gorgeous sight seeing.

Kate Kearney's Cottage
On our walk up, sheep and wild goats dotted the hillside and we enjoyed what may have been our brightest day since arriving to Ireland.  I don't usually think much of walks along pavement, but this was an exception.  It was easily a highlight of my trip.











Jenny and I on our walk through the Gap
Sheep hanging out in the road
Casey and I (view of road through gap)
Wild baby goat
The entire group at the top of the gap
By the time we reached Cronin's Yard, we were running out of time to do the entire "Cronin's Yard Loop," but we walked a ways into the sheep pasture for some views of Carrauntoohil (Ireland's highest peak) before returning to the car.  The road into Cronin's Yard was barely wider than the Gap of Dunloe road and our side view mirrors scraped a few bushes as we squeezed our way in.  I recommend rental car insurance if traveling to Ireland as it seemed there was no way to not scratch up the side view mirrors at points.

Cronin's Yard serves as an entrance to the Carrauntoohil walk and if I should ever make it back to Ireland again, I will make a point to climb the mountain.
Lamb at Cronin's Yard

View of Carrauntoohil from Cronin's Yard

No comments:

Post a Comment