| To read the full article visit: www.eurodestination.com The Ring of Kerry in western Ireland is 115 miles long but there are two parts of it that are unmissable. They are at each end of the Ring, which basically means you need to drive the whole of it to appreciate it fully. The local maps and tourist board advise travelling in an anti-clockwise direction around the Ring of Kerry to make the most of the sights, but I don't personally think it makes any difference as you probably will need to stop every few hundred metres anyway. There are plenty of lay-by's to stop and take photos, so there's no need to stop somewhere dumb. First the Killarney National Park, which is on the Eastern end of the Ring, with its Loch Leane, a pristine lake surrounded by imposing mountains including the highest in Ireland, Mount Carrauntoohil which at 1038 metres is just shy of Mount Snowdon, which is 1085 metres high. It's also relatively easily climbable, but there are a number of peaks inside the ring over 600 metres high. The National Park, also contains the Muckross Abbey and Muckross house (04:28), built in the 19th century by an Anglo-Irish aristocrat. The house is not only a fine example of its period, but its setting is the most breathtaking I have ever seen, right next to Loch Leane and with mountains rising in the distance. Just beside the National Park is Black Valley (03:10), and the Gap of Dunloe, which are both side routes well worth taking on a good day. On a bad day you just ... |
