Killarney Black Valley Circuit

The Black Valley Circuit begins near the Gap of Dunloe or at Lord Brandon's Cottage in Killarney National Park, County Kerry, both reached by narrow mountain roads with limited roadside parking; no permit is required to walk the route. The circuit covers about 16km with roughly 450m of elevation gain, generally taking five to six hours. The trail surface alternates between farm track, boggy open moorland, and rougher stony sections through the mountain passes, with long stretches offering no shade; there is no significant exposure, though stream crossings can be difficult after heavy rain. The route passes through the remote Black Valley, one of the last parts of Ireland to receive rural electrification, with scattered farmsteads and dry-stone walls set beneath the peaks of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Key landmarks include views over the Gap of Dunloe's chain of lakes, the remote independent hostel at the heart of the Black Valley, and the mountain pass linking the valley to the wider Killarney National Park trail network. The valley's youth hostel is the only building of note along the route and does not guarantee food or water for passing hikers, so supplies should be carried. Those seeking a shorter walk can turn back after reaching the valley floor rather than completing the full mountain pass circuit, roughly halving the distance.