Best Ring of Kerry Stops from Killarney (Autumn Guide)

The Ring of Kerry is one of the most scenic road trips in Ireland. I’ve visited Ireland regularly for over 10 years, but this was my first time exploring the southwest. I drove the 179 km loop from Killarney in November, when the crowds are low and the roads are quiet. At times, we even had some of the viewpoints all to ourselves.

In this guide, I share how to drive the Ring of Kerry in autumn, including how long the drive takes, whether I recommend doing it in one day, which direction to go, which stops are worth your time and which I’d skip.

If I had to pick the best day of my 7 day Ireland road trip, the Ring of Kerry would be near the top.

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Ring of Kerry Map & Main Stops

Where is the Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is a scenic drive in southwest Ireland. It’s a circular loop on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, usually starting and finishing in Killarney. I did a 7 day Ireland road trip in November and the one day Ring of Kerry itinerary was one of my favourite parts.

If you’re coming from Dublin to Killarney, the drive takes about 4 to 4.5 hours. But if you drove to Cobh the day before, it will only be 2 hours. I started from Killarney, which allowed me to spend more time at each stop.

How Long is the Ring of Kerry Drive

The Ring of Kerry drive is about 179 km (111 miles) long and takes 3.5 to 4 hours without stops. But if you don’t stop along the way, you’ll miss some of the best viewpoints on the Wild Atlantic Way. It took us around 8 hours to do the full loop including the stops.

The roads are narrow and winding, as you’d expect in Ireland, and while locals tend to drive over the speed limit, I recommend taking it easy and using the pull-ins to let faster drivers pass.

If you’re driving the Ring of Kerry in November, leave Killarney early in the morning so you’re back before sunset, which falls around 5 pm.

One Day Ring of Kerry Itinerary from Killarney

If you’re doing the Ring of Kerry in one day, use Killarney as your starting point. Sleep in town the night before so that you can begin the Ring of Kerry road trip early in the morning. We started around 8 am and drove the loop clockwise. Below are the best Ring of Kerry stops that I visited myself.

The only thing I’d change about this Ring of Kerry itinerary is the direction. In summer, I’d recommend driving counterclockwise, which is the direction the tour buses follow. Since the roads are narrow, you’ll avoid having to pull over to let a bus pass. In November, I didn’t find it an issue.

If you want to do the Ring of Kerry without a car, your best option is to choose a guided tour from Killarney. These tours are only available seasonally and you don’t usually have the flexibility to spend as much time as you want at each stop. Another option is a private driver or taxi tour, which costs more though.

14 Best Ring of Kerry Stops from Killarney

On my Ring of Kerry road trip, I tried to see as many things as I could in one day. Ross Castle and Muckross Abbey are located in Killarney National Park and are the closest stops to Killarney town. They actually happen to be two of my favourite stops, together with Kerry Cliffs.

Ross Castle

Ross Castle is one of the closest stops to Killarney on the Ring of Kerry drive. The drive in is easy to follow and once you arrive you can visit the 15th century tower or kayak on Lough Leane. The reflections on the lake are fantastic, especially if you visit in the morning.

You can do a guided tour of the castle or a boat trip on the lake. But this is only possible at certain times of the year. When I visited in November, the boat tours were already closed for the season.

Muckross Abbey

In just a few minutes from Ross Castle, you’ll reach Muckross Abbey. There is a small parking lot at the entrance of the abbey grounds. From here you can enter for free and reach the ruins of the 15th century Franciscan friary on foot or take a guided horse tour.

Muckross Abbey is in my opinion one of the best things to see on the Ring of Kerry drive. Maybe we got lucky with the lighting and weather, but the ruins were beautiful and fun to explore, especially the cloister with its ancient yew tree at the center. Entry to the abbey is free and if you have extra time, the nearby Muckross House and Gardens are worth adding. 

Torc Waterfall

From Muckross Abbey, you need to drive 10 minutes to get to Torc Waterfall. Watch for the brown tourist signs and turn into the car park on your left. From there, follow the short path to the waterfall, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. 

If you want to make it a longer one, you can walk from Muckross Abbey to Torc Waterfall through Killarney National Park. This is also the first established national park in Ireland.

Ladies View

Ladies View was one of my favourite viewpoint on the Ring of Kerry drive. You’re overlooking the Upper Lake and the surrounding mountains. On a clear day, the landscape is breathtaking. The spot is named after Queen Victoria’s visit in the 1860s, when her ladies in waiting enjoyed these same views.

There is also a cafe across the street, but it was closed when we visited in November.

Moll’s Gap

Moll’s Gap is a mountain pass with beautiful views over the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. It’s a very scenic road to drive on and a great stop at Avoca Molls Gap Shop & Café for a break.

We pulled over to enjoy the view and were greeted by a few sheep that decided to make an appearance, running across the road right in front of us.

Kenmare

Kenmare is about 45 minute drive from Killarney. It’s a very colourful town and a great stop for lunch. One of my favourite things to do in Ireland is visit the pubs, which are great not just for a pint but also for a great stew or other local food.

Kenmare is also a good place to refuel before the quieter coastal roads. 

Staigue Stone Fort

Staigue Stone Fort is roughly 2,000 years old and one of the best preserved Iron Age ring forts in Ireland. It is located near Castlecove and it’s accessed via a narrow, single lane road.

There is a small parking lot beside the fort. It’s quite incredible that the walls built so many years ago are still holding up today.

Caherdaniel

Caherdaniel is a small village located on the Ring of Kerry road and it’s the starting point for the detour to Staigue Stone Fort. If you decide to stop in the village, don’t miss the craft shops or the local cafes. It’s a great stop to break down the drive or to enjoy lunch along the way.

Derrynane Beach

If you thought golden sand and clear water could only be found in the Caribbean, Derrynane Beach is here to prove you wrong. It’s about 2 km from Caherdaniel and at low tide you can walk across the sand to Abbey Island, where you’ll find the ruins of a monastic site.

The beach itself is free to visit and open year-round, but Derrynane House and its grounds have seasonal opening hours, so check before you go.

Coomakista Viewpoint

Coomakista Viewpoint is located on one of the highest point along the Ring of Kerry road. On a clear day, you can see as far as Skellig Island, Scariff and Deenish Island. Unfortunately, on our trip the viewpoint was covered in thick fog, so we didn’t get to see much.

You don’t need to take a huge detour to reach the Coomakista Viewpoint, so even on a foggy day, it doesn’t cost anything to take this route. The car park is quite small though, especially when there are many tourist cars and buses.

Coomanaspig Pass

The Coomanaspig Pass connects Ballinskellings and Portmagee town. The road is narrow, which is pretty normal in Ireland, and we drove it completely covered in fog. We took our time and luckily didn’t meet any cars coming the other way. But if you do, don’t worry, as there are several pull-ins along the way. On a clear day, the pass is known for wide views over Ballinskelligs Bay and out toward the Skellig Islands.

Coomanaspig Pass is part of the Skellig Ring, a scenic detour loop of about 30 km (18 miles) that branches off the main Ring of Kerry near Waterville. It’s named for the Skellig Islands, where seasonal boat trips run in the warmer months and puffins can be seen in summer.

The Skellig Ring is much quieter than the main route because tour buses generally skip it. In November, it adds a lot to a short day, so you should leave early in the morning.

Kerry Cliffs

After you cross Coomanaspig Pass you’ll reach the Kerry Cliffs. If you’re coming from the other direction, Portmagee will be the closest town.

Kerry Cliffs are impressive and soar 300 metres above the Atlantic Ocean. I personally preferred them to the famous Cliffs of Moher. It’s less crowded and when we did our Ireland road trip in November, we had the viewing platform almost to ourselves.

To access Kerry Cliffs you need to pay a small entry fee, as it’s located on private land. You can even camp on the fields next to the cliff if you’re traveling by camper van or car. Be aware that winds can be particularly strong here.

Portmagee Town

Portmagee is a small fishing village on the Skelling Ring road. This is also the departure point for the boat trips to Skellig Island. These boat tours only run between spring and early autumn, so they were not an option when we visited in November.

The village is also the gateway to Valentia Island, which is separated from the mainland by a bridge. If you have some extra time in the day, you should visit Valentia Island but if you’re short on time make sure you at least stop in Portmagee for some fresh seafood.

Killarney

Killarney is the natural start and finish for the Ring of Kerry drive. We used it as our base during our 7 week Ireland road trip. We stayed at The Heights Hotel Killarney, which is a bit outside the core town area. Nevertheless, it was close to the city centre and we really enjoyed our stay. It was definitely a plus that they had an onsite restaurant for both breakfast and dinner.

We stayed two nights in Killarney and one of the evenings we went to Cronins Restaurant in Killarney town. The owner was very kind and the food was amazing.

What I love most about visiting Ireland is that there’s always music. Whether you’re sitting in a pub or walking down the street, you’re likely to come across a local musician. When we left the restaurant and heard music playing outside, it put a smile on my face. 

What Direction to Drive Ring of Kerry

You can drive the Ring of Kerry either clockwise or counterclockwise, and both work well.

If you’re driving it in November like I did, traffic is very low. In summer though, the route is busy with tour buses, and most of them go counterclockwise. If you’re new to driving on the left, following the standard counterclockwise direction is the easiest option, since you’ll be moving with the flow of traffic. But either way, you can’t go wrong.

Best Time to Drive the Ring of Kerry

There is no wrong time to drive the Ring of Kerry, unless you really don’t like rain. In that case, I have a bad news for you…. Ireland is a rainy country year-round. So pack a waterproof jacket whenever you go. I’ve visited Ireland in every season and loved it despite the rain.

June is one of the best months, with the longest and driest days. May and September are equally good, with long daylight, most attractions open and smaller crowds. 

July and August are the busiest months, with tour buses from Dublin and crowded viewpoints. If you prefer quieter days, visit between October and March, but keep in mind that many attractions close for the season, days are shorter and rain is more common.

Ring of Kerry in November: Based on My Experience

I drove the Ring of Kerry in November. The roads were very quiet and we almost didn’t meet any tourists on the way. The weather in November is unpredictable, but we got very lucky. On most days it only rained early in the morning and late in the afternoon, so we were able to visit the attractions without getting wet.

Plan for short days, with sunset around 5 pm and check opening hours in advance, since some cafes and sights run reduced winter schedules. 

Is the Ring of Kerry Difficult to Drive?

The Ring of Kerry drive isn’t difficult, but if it’s your first time driving on the left, take extra care. This isn’t a wide highway. The road follows the Wild Atlantic Way along narrow, winding stretches and while it’s paved and well signed throughout, some sections are narrow with steep drop-offs close to the edge. Rain and mist can also reduce visibility quickly, so don’t plan a tight schedule.

In summer, tour buses can slow you down and add to the challenge. If you meet one on a narrow bend, you may need to pull in or reverse a short distance to let it pass. Sheep also roam the roads, so keep your speed down and stay alert.

I’m lucky to have an Irish husband who is comfortable driving on the left, which made things easier for us. Even so, the road is well signed, so if you take your time and stop along the way, you can relax and enjoy the drive. On our Ring of Kerry drive in November there was little traffic and we didn’t find it difficult at all.

If You Only Have Time for One: Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula

Both the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula are scenic drives in County Kerry. If you have the time, drive both of them, as I did.

While the Ring of Kerry is a larger and longer loop, Dingle Peninsula is much shorter and can be done in less time. Ring of Kerry has a lot of windy roads, a variety of landscapes, lakes and coastline, while the Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula has more dramatic cliffs and beaches.

So, if you only have time for one, choose Ring of Kerry for more variety or Dingle Peninsula for a slower paced day trip. They are both unique and I loved them in different ways. If you have time for both, do the Ring of Kerry from Killarney first and then move on to Dingle the next day.

Is the Ring of Kerry Drive Worth It?

The Ring of Kerry drive was one of the highlights on my 1 week Ireland road trip. This is the perfect day trip from Killarney, with a mix of scenery from mountains, lakes, cliffs and colourful towns.

In summer, it can get very busy because of the tour buses. We visited Ring of Kerry in November and had no traffic all the way. But if you prefer a shorter coastal road trip, Dingle Peninsula is a great alternative.

This was my first time doing the Ring of Kerry and I’d recommend you do each stop in this article. Normally, I would include some stops that can be skipped, but I loved each and all of them. But you should leave early to allow more time at each stop.

If you want more details about my Ireland itinerary, read my 7 day Ireland road trip.

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