8 things to do in Reeks District, Ireland

8 things to do in Reeks District, Ireland

We explore the best things to do in the Reeks District, Ireland's brand new adventure playground

The newly named Reeks District or "the beating heart of the Kingdom of Kerry" lies on Ireland's west coast and is home to some of Ireland's most beautiful scenery. With a wild mix of towering peaks, untamed coastline and remote moraine lakes, the Reeks District offers a range of activities to keep outdoor enthusiasts entertained for days.

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

1. Climb Carrauntoohil

The MacGillycuddy’s Reeks are Ireland’s highest mountain range and the inspiration for the region’s renaming. The Reeks are home to Carrauntoohil, which at 1,038 m (3,406 ft) is Ireland's highest mountain.

alt=“Things to do in Reeks Carrauntoohil”>Valerie O'SullivanAt 1,038 m (3,406 ft), Carrauntoohil is Ireland's highest mountain

I climbed Carrauntoohil via the Coomloughra Horseshoe Route, climbing the second and third highest mountains in Ireland. Touted as one of Ireland's most beautiful walks, the 13km route showcases the best of the region's mountain scenery with outstanding panoramic views at the top of every peak.

Further information: Kerry climbing

2. Kayak Caragh Lake

Caragh Lake is a tranquil place set against the mighty backdrop of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks Mountains. The River Caragh enters at one end and flows towards the Dingle Peninsula and the North Atlantic at the other.

I spent a morning kayaking from one end of the lake to the other, but there are many ways to explore parts of the river, including whitewater.

alt="Things to do in Reeks District Kayaking">Valerie O'SullivanKayakers on Caragh Lake

Pair the lake with a stop at one of the countless guesthouses and hotels dotted along the lakeshore to replace all those calories you've burned. 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 these breaks for 25 years and swears by the waves’ exceptional year-round consistency.

Inch Beach is one of the Reeks District's two Blue Flag beaches. A wide expanse of sand extends into the Dingle Peninsula and offers excellent surfing conditions all year round.

alt="Things to do in Reeks District Surfing">Valerie O'SullivanSurfing at Inch Beach

Dressed in a thick wetsuit, I spent a few hours under Tom's lessons. Although my surfing skills left something to be desired, the surroundings did not disappoint. The surf school is located on Inch Beach and with The Strand tavern offering creamy post-surf pints of Guinness, it's a great way to experience the wild Atlantic.

Further information: Kingdom Waves surf school

4. Cycle the Ring of the Reeks

The Reeks offer excellent cycling opportunities with quiet mountain roads and off-road trails winding through Ireland's most dramatic landscape. One of the best cycle routes is the Ring of the Reeks, which starts in Killorglin.

alt="Activities in Reeks District Cycling">Valerie O'SullivanCycling the Gap of Dunloe

The 90km round trip traces a route under the watchful gaze of the country's highest mountains and includes three extremely challenging but rewarding climbs: the Ballaghbeama Gap, Moll's Gap and the Gap of Dunloe. If you don't feel like slogging your way up and down those inclines, there's a whole network of less strenuous, gentler routes on offer too.

Further information: General Cycles of Killorglin

5. Wild swimming in remote waters

Whether open water or lake swimming, the Reeks District has some excellent wild swimming spots. Caragh Lake is an obvious base, especially if you're staying on its shores.

alt="Wild Swimming Activities in the Reeks District">Valerie O'SullivanCaragh Lake is great for swimming

If you enjoy wild swimming, Lough Coomloughra and Lough Eagher, at the foot of the Coomloughra Horseshoe, are excellent examples of the Reeks' moraine pools.

Kells Bay Beach, Valentia Island Pool and Coonanna Harbor are excellent, secluded swimming spots in the wild sea, although you may need the help of a local to find them.

Further information: Caragh Lake House

6. Ride the Killarney Reeks Trail

Trot through ancient forests or canter along Blue Flag beaches on the Killarney Reeks Trail, with excursions ranging from day trips to multi-day horseback rides. The trail traverses the Kerry Highlands along with the McGillycuddy Reeks via country roads and mountain paths (on one of the few post-to-post trail rides available in Ireland).

alt="Activities in Reeks District Horse Riding">Valerie O'SullivanA Sunset Rider on Rossbeigh Beach

Off-piste, the route traverses forests, marshes, riverside paths and the beaches of Waterville, as well as the magnificent 4 mile route at Rossbeigh. Look out for the 19th century shipwreck of the 19th century schooner Sunbeam, which appears under certain conditions on the sands of Rossbeigh.

Further information: Killarney Riding Stables

7. Relax with Hawaiian Healing

If you have no idea what Hawaiian healing is, you are not alone. Until I visited the Reeks District, I had no idea either. A session at Aloha House was the last activity on my itinerary and it turned out to be a real surprise.

alt="Activities in Reeks District Hawaiian Healing">Valerie O'SullivanA first time for everything

After three days of intense activity, the stretching techniques we learned in our yoga class didn't come easy, but working through the pain from previous efforts was certainly welcome.

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

Further information: Aloha House

8. Attend one of Ireland's oldest festivals

Once you've exhausted all the activities in the Reeks District, Killorglin's biggest festival is the Puck Fair, where a goat is crowned and reigns as King Puck for three days. If you find this strange, you will realize how normal it seems to a local describing the festival.

alt="Interesting facts about the Irish Puck Fair">DreamtimeAt the Puck Fair, a goat is crowned King Puck

If goat coronations don't pique your interest, consider the old folklore and the equally perfectly normal celebration of Biddy's Day. Torchlight processions parade through the winding streets to ward off evil spirits from humans and animals for the coming year.

Further information: Reeks District

Things to do in the Reeks District: the essentials

What: Things to do in Reeks District, Ireland.

Where: I stayed at Carrig Country House & Restaurant, a charming Victorian country estate picturesquely situated on the shores of Caragh Lake near the small town of Killorglin. The grounds boast acres of verdant gardens, immaculately maintained right down to the lake shore.

Inside, there are a number of period-style bedrooms, several drawing rooms and an excellent lakeside restaurant, all decorated with period furnishings. The mansion is owned and run by Frank and Mary along with their friendly team who are always on hand to help or chat about the area's rich history.

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Carrig Country House & Restaurant

Caragh Lake lies at the foot of the lower northern slopes of MacGillycuddy's Reeks at the head of the Caragh Valley, within easy reach of the region's activities. Typical experiences include hiking, cycling, surfing and kayaking.

When: The above activities in the Reeks District are best experienced during 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 shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October can also be a great time to visit, but the weather will definitely be more unpredictable.

How: The Reeks District is in the middle of Kerry, with Killorglin the most central town in the region. The city is a 20-minute drive from Kerry Airport, served by Dublin (Aer Lingus Regional) and London Luton and Stansted, Frankfurt-Hahn, Berlin-Schönefeld, Alicante and Faro (all Ryanair).

Shannon Airport is a two hour drive from Killorglin. It offers flights year-round from a range of destinations, including airports in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Poland, as well as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Toronto.

Book flights at the best prices through Skyscanner.

The above activities in the Reeks District are most easily accessible by car. Rental cars are available at both airports and in Killorglin.

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Photographer Valerie O'Sullivan captures the region's rich heritage and traditions in The MacGillycuddy's Reeks: People and Places of Ireland's Highest Mountain Range, focusing 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 this, but we really don't guarantee positive coverage. We say what we think – good and bad – so you can make informed decisions with honest advice.

Main image: Valerie O’Sullivan

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