One of the best things to do in the Killarney National Park with kids is the Gap of Dunloe. The Gap of Dunloe is an incredibly scenic, narrow mountain pass which separates the Purple Mountains from MacGillycuddy’s Reeks (the highest mountain range in Ireland).
Keep reading for our tips on cycling the Gap of Dunloe with kids, plus a short video from our outing so you can see what it was like for yourself.
This post contains compensated links.
Ways to See the Gap of Dunloe with Kids
There are many ways to see the Gap of Dunloe with kids. You can walk it, take a horse and buggy or you can cycle it. Driving the Gap of Dunloe is possible, but it’s strongly discouraged given the number of walkers, cyclists and horse-drawn jaunting cars sharing the narrow road. You can see many of these options in these Gap of Dunloe tours.
The Gap of Dunloe option which intrigued us most was the boat and cycle option. We had read many places that the Gap of Dunloe is a really hard bike ride and is not suitable for kids, yet when we actually looked at the stats, we didn’t think it looked too bad.
We almost always find the things that are “too hard for kids” are actually quite doable with kids, so based on our own research, we went ahead with our plans to cycle the Gap of Dunloe with our kids.
If you’d like to see the stats yourself, you can see the Gap of Dunloe on AllTrails – just keep in mind the estimated time is for hikers.
Read: Don’t miss one of the most beautiful family hikes in Killarney National Park! See our full post on Hiking Torc Mountain Trail with Kids.
How to See the Gap of Dunloe with Kids
To state the obvious, to do the boat & cycle trip, you need a bike and a boat. You likely won’t find any Gap of Dunloe bike tours for kids, but it’s easy enough to do it yourself.
The Gap of Dunloe Boat and Bike Trip
We rented bikes from O’Sullivan Bike Rental as they offered tag-a-longs for the kids. They also have a good selection of kids bikes, if your kids are old enough.
For the Killarney boat trip, we booked transport with Killarney Day Tour as they offer to transport passengers as well as their bikes.
We arrived at O’Sullivans right at their 9 am opening to get the kids fitted for their tag-a-long bikes and helmets. After a few bike adjustments for us adults, we were on our way.
There was very little on-road cycling in this first stage of the trip as you follow dedicated cycle paths to Killarney National Park. Once you reach the park, there are no cars on the pathways.
Read: If you love cycling, don’t miss this self-guided family cycling tour in Connemara, Ireland
The Boat Ride Across the Lakes of Killarney
We met our boat behind the very impressive 15th century Ross Castle. Make sure everyone uses the toilet here, as the boat ride is long and there are limited facilities once you leave. We met our captain, and along with six other passengers, we climbed into a big wooden motorboat and stored our bikes at the front.
The 1.5 – 2 hour boat ride starts at Ross Castle and ends at the western edge of Upper Lake. Along the way you’ll glide by Innisfallen Island and see the ruins of Innisfallen Abbey along the shorelines. You’ll also go under several bridges and you may even need to get off and walk upstream for a bit while the boat manages the strong currents under Old Weir Bridge (we had to).
We saw several deer along the shoreline, including a cute little fawn right at the water’s edge, completely unfazed that we were only a few feet away.
Biking the Gap of Dunloe with Kids
When you complete your Lakes of Killarney boat journey, the first thing you will see is a busy café. There are public toilets here, and it’s a good idea to make sure everyone goes. The Gap of Dunloe is very busy with not many places to hide behind a bush. We had a quick packed lunch near the bike racks then hopped on our bikes to begin our journey.
There is approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) of flat road alongside River Owenreagh before the steep uphill section begins.
The Climb
The “big, bad & scary” uphill part which everyone talks about is actually really short; clocking in at just 3.5 km (2.2 miles) long. Over this distance you’ll climb 212 m (695 feet), which is only an average of a 6% incline.
It’s definitely hard work, especially if you’re towing a child, but it’s doable if you’re in reasonably good shape. We’re not triathletes by any stretch and we were able to do it without having to walk our bikes uphill.
We stopped multiple times to avoid cars and horse buggies on the road or to simply to take pictures of the incredible scenery. These frequent stops are enough to recharge your energy for the push to the top. And, there’s no need to worry about getting off your bike and walking as many people were doing it.
The Gap of Dunloe scenery is really incredible, it’s so worth the effort.
As you climb, the views of the valley below and the Lakes of Killarney are amazing. You’ll laugh as you pass grazing sheep who will simply stare at you with bewilderment as you huff-and-puff your way to the top.
The Top
Before we knew it, we were at the top; we couldn’t believe how quickly we got up there. It was much easier than the doom-and-gloom stories we’d heard. At the top there are plenty of places to grab a seat on a rock fence and enjoy views in all directions. You’ll be proud of yourself for earning these views.
The Fun Ride Down
And there’s no better reward for the hard bike ride up than a long, effortless, winding glide down the other side. The other side is less steep, and you’ll love the many scenic mountain lakes, abandoned stone houses, waterfalls and historic stone bridges you’ll cross on the way down.
Cycling From the Gap of Dunloe to Killarney
You’ll know you’re at the far end of the Gap of Dunloe when you reach the large carpark. There’s a few cafés here as well as another public toilet.
From here it’s a 5.8 km (3.6 mile) ride along reasonably quiet back-country roads to the N72 highway. The N72 highway is a very busy highway, but you’ll only be on it for a few minutes until you reach the dedicated bike lanes, which are red and easy to spot.
Back into Killarney National Park
After a few minutes in the bike lane, look for a small turnoff onto a bike path through the trees into Killarney National Park. It’s easy to miss. If you reach the Golden Nugget Pub, you’ve gone a little too far. Once on the bike path, it’s a very pleasant final ride back to the park and then to the bike rental shop.
Our Gap of Dunloe With Kids Video
Want to see what our family bike ride through the Gap of Dunloe looked like? This short video includes highlights from our full day bike tour and gives you a better feel for the scenery, the level of difficulty and what it was like cycling the Gap of Dunloe with kids.
After watching, keep reading for our final thoughts and links to our related Ireland posts.
We’re slowly adding more of our family travel videos to our YouTube channel, so feel free to subscribe if you’d like to follow along.
Final Thoughts: Cycling the Gap of Dunloe with Kids
The bike-and-boat trip through the Gap of Dunloe was an amazing way to spend our final day in Killarney National Park. Getting to see its beauty both from the water and from up high was such a treat. We’re glad we didn’t let the warnings about the climb put us off. We believe most active families will also be able to enjoy this amazing experience and hope you’ll consider it!
If you’d like your family to enjoy the beautiful scenery of this trip, but don’t feel up to the cycling part, you can trade the bike portion for a horse & buggy (known locally as a Jaunting Car). Family-friendly boat, jaunting horse & bus Gap of Dunloe Tours are easily booked on GetYourGuide.com.
See More of our Family Trip to Killarney
Follow Along our Family Trip to Ireland
We arrived in Killarney National Park after a visit to the Dingle Peninsula with kids. We spent five amazing days in Killarney National Park, before making our way to visit Cork with kids.
If you are planning a family trip to Ireland, don’t miss our favorite things to do in Ireland with kids. We also have a helpful family packing list for Ireland with kids.
Our Travel Journal for Kids
Based on our family travels, our kids helped us design this Travel Journal for Active Kids! This engaging travel journal encourages kids to document their adventures, spark creativity, and stay entertained on the go – grab yours now on Amazon!
Found this post helpful? Pin It For Later!
