8 activities in the Reeks District, Ireland

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We explore the best activities in the Reeks District, Ireland's brand new adventure playground

The newly named Reeks District or "The Beating Heart of the Kingdom of Kerry" is located on Ireland's west coast and houses some of the most beautiful landscapes in Ireland. With a wild mixture of high peaks, untamed coast and remote moraine lakes, the Reeks District offers a number of activities that maintain outdoor enthusiasts for days.

I visited the Kingdom of Kerry to try some of the best activities in the Reek's District, Ireland's brand new adventure playground.

1. Climb Carrununoohil

The Macgillycuddy’s Reeks are Ireland's highest mountain range and the inspiration for renaming the region. The REEKS accommodate the Carrununoohil, which is the highest mountain at 1,038 m (3,406 ft).

Alt = "Activities in the Reks-Quarter Carrauntoohil"> Valerie O’Sullivan With 1,038 m (3,406 ft) is Carraunoohil Ireland's highest mountain

I climbed Carrauntoohil about the Coomloughra Horseshoe Route and climbed the second and third highest mountains of Ireland. The 13 km long route, which is advertised as one of the most beautiful hikes in Ireland, shows the best in the mountain landscape in the region with excellent panoramic views on the peaks of all peaks.

Further information: Kerry climbing

2. Kajak Caragh Lake

Caragh Lake is a quiet place in front of the mighty backdrop of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks Mountains. The Caragh river flows in at one end and flows towards the Dingle Peninsula and the North Atlantic on the other.

I spent a morning to drive from one end of the lake to the other with the kayak, but there are many ways to explore parts of the river, including white water.

alt = "Activities in the Reek's District kayaking"> Valerie O’Sullivan kayak driver on the Caragh lake

Pair the lake with a stop in one of the countless guest houses and hotels that lie on the lake shore to replace all the calories you consumed. We recommend Carrig Country House & Restaurant and ARD Na Sidhe.

Further information: Cappanalea Outdoor Center

3. Surf-Inch beach

"You never have to fight for a wave here," says surf instructor Tom, who has been riding on these breakers for 25 years and swears by the exceptional full -year resistance of the waves.

Inch Beach is one of the two beaches of the Reeks District awarded with the blue flag. A wide sandy surface extends into the Dingle Peninsula and offers excellent surfing conditions all year round.

alt = "Surfing activities in the reeks district"> Valerie O’Sullivan Surfen at Inch Beach

dressed with a thick wetsuit I spent a few hours under Tom's lessons. Although my surfing skills leave something to be desired, the surroundings did not disappoint me. The surf school is located on Inch Beach and with the Tavern The Strand, which offers creamy pints Guinness after surfing, it is a great way to experience the wild Atlantic.

Further information: Kingdom Waves Surfschule

4. Cycle the Ring of the Reeks

The Reeks offer excellent opportunities for cycling with calm mountain roads and off-road trails that meander through Ireland's most dramatic landscape. One of the best cycling routes is the Ring of the Reeks, which begins in Killorglin.

alt = "Activities in the Reeks District Cycling"> Valerie O’Sullivan Cycling on the Gap of Dunloe

The 90 km long tour draws a route under the watchful view of the highest mountains in the country and comprises three extremely challenging but rewarding climbs: Ballaghbeama Gap, Moll’s Gap and the Gap of Dunloe. If you don't feel like breathing and down these slopes, there is also an entire network of less strenuous, gentler routes on offer.

Further information: General cycles of Killorglin

5. Wild swimming in remote waters

Whether free water or sea swimming, the Reeks District has some excellent wild swimming spaces. Caragh Lake is an obvious starting point, especially if you spend the night on his banks.

alt = “activities in wild swimming in the reeks district”> Valerie O’Sullivan The Caragh Lake is ideal for swimming

If you like swimming wildly, then Lough Coomloughra and Lough Eagher are excellent examples of the moraine basin of the Reeks.

The beach of Kells Bay, the pool of Valentia Island and the port of Coonanna are excellent, remote bathing spots in the Wild Sea, although they may need the help of a locals to find them.

Further information: Caragh Lake House

6. Ride on the Killarney Reeks Trail

trot through ancient forests or gallop along the beaches awarded with the blue flag on the Killarney Reeks Trail with excursions that range from day trips to several days. The path crosses the highlands of Kerry together with the McGillycuddy Reeks via country roads and mountain trails (on one of the few hiking rides from Post to Post).

alt = "Activities in the Reeks District Riding"> Valerie O’Sullivan A Sunset Rider on the Rossbeigh Beach

away from the slopes crosses the route forests, marshland, bank paths and the beaches of Waterville as well as the wonderful 6.4 km route near Rossbeigh. Keep an eye out for the ship's rack from the 19th century, which appears in the sand of Rossbeigh under certain conditions.

Further information: riding stables from Killarney

7. Relax with Hawaiian healing

If you have no idea what Hawaiian healing is, you are not alone. I also had no idea until I visited the Reeks District. A meeting in the Aloha House was the last activity on my travel route and it turned out to be a real surprise.

alt = "Activities in the Reeks District Hawaiian healing"> Valerie O’Sullivan A first time for everything

After three days of intensive activities, we did not find the stretching techniques we had learned in our yoga class, but it was certainly welcome to work up the pain of the previous efforts.

The Aloha House also offers a number of other therapies, including traditional Hawaiian massages, Pilates, meditation and artistic energy therapy. There are several different sessions, courses and activities that you can try out, as well as longer retreats and courses - all influenced by Hawaiian healing.

Further information: Aloha-Haus

8. Visit one of the oldest festival Ireland

If you have exhausted all activities in the Reeks District, then Killorglin's greatest party is the Puck Fair, where a goat is crowned and ruled as a King Puck for three days. If you find this strange, you will find out how normally it appears to you when he describes the festival.

alt = "Interesting facts about the Irish puck fair"> Dream time At the Puck Mass, a goat is crowned King Puck

If goat crowns do not arouse their interest, then think of the old folklore and the equally normal festival of the Biddy’s Day. Torch parades move through the winding streets to ward off evil spirits of humans and animals for the coming year.

Further information: Reeks District

activities in the Reeks District: The essentials

WAS: Activities in the Reeks District, Ireland.

Where: I stayed in the Carrig Country House & Restaurant, a charming Victorian country seat that is picturesquely located on the banks of Caragh Lake near the small town of Killorglin. The terrain has several hectares of green gardens that are flawlessly cared for to the banks of the lake.

Inside you can expect a number of bedrooms in a historical style, several salons and an excellent restaurant on the lake, all of which are equipped with antique furniture. The mansion is in possession and under the direction of Frank and Mary together with their friendly team, which is always there to help or chat about the rich history of the region.

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Carrig Landhaus & Restaurant

The Caragh Lake is located at the foot of the lower northern slopes of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks on the head of Caragh Valley, within reach of the region's activities. The typical experiences include hiking, cycling, surfing and kayaking.

When: The above -mentioned activities in the Reeks District can best be experienced in the summer months from June to August. However, this is also high season and coincides with the school holidays from late July to August.

The low season from April to May and September to October can also be a great time for a visit, but the weather will definitely be more unpredictable.

like: The Reek's District is located in the middle of Kerry, with Killorglin, the most central city in the region. The city is a 20-minute drive from Kerry Airport, which is flown in by Dublin (Aer Lingus Regional) and London Luton and Stansted, Frankfurt-Hahn, Berlin-Schönefeld, Alicante and Faro (all Ryanair).

Shannon Airport is two hours of car from Killorglin. It offers flights from a number of destinations all year round, including airports in Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Poland as well as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Toronto.

Book flights at the best prices via Skyscanner.

The above -mentioned activities in the Reeks District are easiest to reach by car. Rental cars are available at both airports and in Killorglin.

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The photographer Valerie O’Sullivan catches the rich legacy and the traditions of the region in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks: People and Places of Ireland’s Highest Mountain Range and focuses on many of the above activities in the Reeks District.

disclosure: We traveled to Ireland with the support of the Mid Kerry Tourism Cluster. All publications say that, but we really don't guarantee positive reporting. We say what we think - good and bad - so that you can make sound decisions with honest advice.

main picture: Valerie O’Sullivan 
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