Gap of Dunloe
Gap of Dunloe pass road · Kate Kearney's Cottage → Moll's Gap · Ireland
- Length
- 11 miles
- Drive time
- 50 min
- Type
- Technical road
- Region
- Ireland & the Isle of Man
Before you go: ⚠ Driving is heavily discouraged in season (roughly Easter–October): a narrow single-track pass shared with jaunting cars, ponies, cyclists and walkers, with signs at Kate Kearney's Cottage advising against cars. Drive it early morning or off-season only.
A glacial breach between MacGillycuddy's Reeks and Purple Mountain, squeezing past five lakes on a road barely a car wide, with the stone arch of the Wishing Bridge and a final drop into the lonely Black Valley. Ireland's most dramatic pass — but respect the horses and the season.
Highlights of the Gap of Dunloe
- Wishing Bridge between the pinch-point lakes
- Hairpins beneath Purple Mountain
- Black Valley descent to Moll's Gap
Where to stop on the Gap of Dunloe
- Kate Kearney's Cottage food — 170-year-old pub at the mouth of the Gap — food from noon in season, call ahead in winter
- Head of the Gap viewpoint — Summit of the pass between the lake corries — single-track shared with jaunting cars, no fuel anywhere on the road
- Lord Brandon's Cottage café — Open-air summer tea room in the Black Valley — cash only, closed out of season
Drive the Gap of Dunloe
Open Gap of Dunloe on the map → ⬇ Download GPX
GPX works with Garmin, TomTom, Beeline and most bike sat-navs. Free, no sign-up — these are indicative waypoints, so follow the road signs, not the arrow.
Plot it, add it to a club run with a meeting point and pit stops, then share the whole trip as one link. Free, no account, works offline.
Route research: Club road index
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