The Ring of Kerry is an unfolding story of landscape and legend. This 179-kilometer route circles the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. It threads through misty mountains, seaside villages, and traces of Ireland’s ancient past. The ring is one of those rare places where the scenery changes by the minute, from bogland to beach to mountain pass. Every stop invites you to step out, wander, and look closer.
Killarney National Park: The Gateway to the Ring
Most journeys around the Ring of Kerry begin in Killarney, a town that feels like the front porch of Ireland’s wilderness. The park surrounding it is Ireland’s first national park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This is home to red deer, waterfalls, and the tranquil Lakes of Killarney. A walk or cycle through Muckross Estate reveals manicured gardens against a backdrop of rugged mountains. Stop at Torc Waterfall, where the sound of rushing water blends with birdsong and the scent of rain-soaked moss. It’s the perfect introduction to the lush, layered world of Kerry.
Ladies View and Moll’s Gap: Where the Road Climbs to the Clouds
Climbing out of Killarney, the road twists through Moll’s Gap. This high mountain pass was carved by glaciers. The route opens onto Ladies View, named after Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting, who admired the panorama in 1861. The view hasn’t changed much since: lakes, heathered slopes, and shifting clouds that turn the whole valley into a living painting. Stop at the overlook café for coffee and local chocolate, and take your time. This section is one of the most dramatic on the entire loop.
Sneem and Waterville: Coastal Villages with Character
The route heads south and the mountains give way to the sea. Sneem is a postcard-perfect village of bright houses, stone bridges, and slow rhythms. This is the kind of place where you can sit by the river with an ice cream and watch the tide drift in. A little farther along, Waterville sits between the Atlantic and Lough Currane, famous as Charlie Chaplin’s Irish retreat. The town even holds a festival in his honor every August. These villages are photo stops and they’re the human heartbeat of the Ring, where you’ll find conversation as easily as scenery.
Skellig Ring and Valentia Island: The Wildest Detour
The Skellig Ring is a smaller loop that includes Valentia Island and Portmagee. Valentia feels otherworldly, with its sea cliffs and subtropical gardens. The Tetrapod Tracks are fossilized footprints over 350 million years old. Offshore lie the Skellig Islands, including Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where monks once lived in beehive huts clinging to cliffs. You might also recognize it as Luke Skywalker’s island in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The detour takes extra time but it’s often the stretch that travelers remember most.
Caherdaniel to Kenmare: History, Hikes, and Hidden Bays
The final leg from Caherdaniel to Kenmare feels like a slow reveal of everything that makes Kerry unforgettable. Visit Derrynane House, the family home of Irish statesman Daniel O’Connell, surrounded by dunes and walking trails that lead to secluded beaches. The Kerry Way, one of Ireland’s longest hiking routes, often parallels the road here, offering walkers quieter glimpses of the same dramatic views. As you near Kenmare, the landscape softens: patchwork hills, stone walls, and the occasional sheep pausing mid-road. It’s a fitting close to a loop that manages to feel ancient, lived-in, and alive all at once.
THN Travel Tips: The entire Ring of Kerry loop is 111 miles (179 kilometers) long. If you’re there for a non-stop drive, it’ll take about 4 hours. The Kerry Way trail is an option for hikers that mirrors most of the driving route. The trail spans 133 miles (214 kilometers). Consider driving the route counterclockwise so you’ll always be on the inside lane away from the cliffs’ edges, as the route is shared with tour buses, sheep, and cyclists.
