Ratings

Map

Directions

Black Valley
By car or cycle

From Kenmare, take the N71 to Moll's Gap, turn left past the Avoca shop towards Sneem, then take the first signposted road on the right. (If you pass the lake, you have gone too far!) After around a mile, turn right at the next crossroads.
From Killarney, take the N71 Muckross Road in the direction of Moll's Gap and then proceed as above. You can also take the N72 towards Killorglin, turning left to Beaufort and on through the Gap of Dunloe but during the summer months, you should not travel between the hours of 10am and 6pm as this single track road is heavily used by pony-and-traps and walkers.

By foot
From Killarney town, you can follow the well-marked Kerry Way to Muckross House, past the Torc waterfall, past the foot the of Torc Mountain and Mangerton, then at the former Derrycunnihy Church, take the track to the right following the Mass Path which led from the Black Valley to the church. Continue to Lord Brandon's Cottage (refreshments) then turn left up the road to the Black Valley Youth Hostel.
You can continue from here along the Kerry Way through spectacular lake and mountain scenery to the Climber's Inn, Glencar, for overnight accommodation. From there, the Kerry Way continues to Waterville and beyond.

By pony and trap or boat
Day trips can be taken starting either at Kate Kearney's Cottage in the Gap of Dunloe, or at Ross Castle, Killarney. From Ross Castle take a boat across the Killarney lakes to Lord Brandon's Cottage, then take a pony and trap ride through the Black Valley and over the Gap of Dunloe. This trip can be done in reverse, starting with the pony and trap ride from Kate Kearney's. 

Address: Nr Beaufort,
Beaufort,
Ireland