Torc Waterfall

In the series of waterfalls, let's head for the Torc waterfall!

Nicknamed the Wild Boar Waterfall, it's less than 7 km from Killarney. The car park, which is easy to find and very well signposted, is just 200 metres from the waterfall. It's relatively small, though, and there aren't many spaces. I hope you're as lucky as we were, because we were there at the end of the day and, although it's a very touristy place, we had no trouble parking.

The waterfall, nestling in a green setting in the middle of the forest, is very accessible. We begin by walking along the banks of the River Owengarriff, lulled by the sound of the water flowing between the moss-laden rocks. It's not a very long walk, but it's very immersive. The smells, the sounds, the scenery... all your senses are catered for. Allow 5 minutes to reach the foot of the waterfall.

Twenty metres high, 110 metres long, a few onlookers: there's no doubt about it, we've arrived!

I'm not going to hide from you the fact that it's all about selfies. The tourists on site all want to leave with a photo of the waterfall. You may have to wait a while to get a shot of your own. The more adventurous will even put their feet in the water before being immortalised from their best angle, it's fun. For my part, I prefer to give you my shot in a more... natural version!

A staircase has been built opposite the waterfall. It's a steep climb, but well worth the effort. It's as pleasant as can be to distance yourself from the crowds and start climbing, still enjoying the spray from the waterfall. Nature once again puts on a captivating show.

The deafening noise faded as we climbed, until it faded completely. At the top, you can see through the trees and enjoy a breathtaking view of Lake Muckross. The peace and quiet allowed us to appreciate the view all the more.

Our escapade ended here, but it is possible to continue. For the more courageous, a ten-kilometre walk will take you to the top of the mountain. This walk is obviously not the easiest and will take you a few hours, but it does have one huge highlight: a breathtaking view of the lakes and the park from the summit.

Maybe next time?