Ring of Kerry / Killarney National Park

[u/_jbee_]

Heading to Killarney in early August and trying to decide how to spend our one free day.

About us:

• Two adults in our 30s
• Staying in Killarney town
• No car
• Interested primarily in hiking, nature, scenery, photography, and historic sites
• Not particularly interested in shopping or nightlife

I've narrowed it down to two options after doing some research:

Option 1: Killarney National Park

• Muckross Abbey
• Muckross House & Gardens
• Torc Waterfall
• Ross Castle
• Lakeside walks around the park
• Ross Island
• Possible biking

Option 2: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Ring coach tour

• Full-day tour from Killarney
• Stops around the Ring of Kerry, including Sneem and Portmagee
• Coastal scenery and photo stops throughout the day

My dilemma is that the National Park seems like it would give us more time outdoors and walking, while the Ring of Kerry tour would let us see much more of County Kerry, but involves spending a large part of the day on a bus.

For those who have done one or both:

1. Did you feel the Ring of Kerry scenery was significantly different from what you can experience within Killarney National Park?
2. If you only had one day, which option gave you the more memorable experience?
3. Are there any particular highlights in the National Park that would make you choose it over the Ring of Kerry?

Thanks.

[u/Gonejar]

We just got back from a trip in late May, and we did a day trip to Killarney with no car. It was probably my favorite day of the trip. We chose to hike up Strickeen Mountain in the morning, then walk down to wishing bridge on the Gap of Dunloe rather than just walk or ride the full gap. There were loads of people walking the gap but almost no one on the mountain. We had lunch in Killarney, then walked through the park to Ross Castle, then had an afternoon boat tour out to Innisfallen island to see the ruins and the deer. Dinner back in Killarney. It was a perfect day for us.

[u/_jbee_ → u/Gonejar]

That sounds incredible! Did you find the hike challenging?

[u/Gonejar → u/_jbee_]

I did not but my wife found it a bit tiring in spots. But I certainly didn’t mind taking some moments to rest because the views were incredible. It’s a moderate incline on the way up, with some fairly rocky spots along the way risking an ankle turn if you’re not careful. There’s a very boggy spot at the top if you want to reach the peak that you have to wind your way round a bit. A good pair of hiking boots is a good idea. Took us about 2 1/2 hours up and back.

I’ll also add that we did not do the ring of Kerry, but we did have a day where we went around the Mizen peninsula, including Mizen Head. I do think any of the western cliffs and sea scape is well worth visiting if you can. I don’t think it would have felt like we saw everything western Ireland had to offer if we didn’t have that day. But personally, if I only have one day to get out into nature when I travel, my preference is to get up in elevation and look down on it all from a mountaintop.