One of the most popular attractions in Killarney National Park, Torc Waterfall is formed by the Owengarriff River as it drains from the Devil’s Punchbowl corrie lake at Mangerton Mountain. Reached by a very short walk (which can be extended into several longer hikes) the waterfall is a located along the Ring of Kerry drive and the Kerry Way long-distance hiking trail.
Torc Waterfall (named from Irish Easach Toirc, meaning “cascade of the wild boar”) is associated with Irish folklore:
According to legend, the cursed man was transformed into a wild boar every night and it’s said that he’d spend his evenings roaming the area near the waterfall.
This continued until the man’s secret was revealed by a local farmer. The revelation of the secret resulted in the man bursting into flames and disappearing into the nearby Devils Punchbowl.
The Iriish Road Trip
Torc Waterfall Loop (Yellow Trail)
There are several loop trails around the Torc Waterfall: the Yellow Trail (3.1km), Blue Trail (3.6km), and Red Trail (5.5km). All of them start (and finish) at one of the two car parks near the waterfall. From the Torc Waterfall car park which is closest to the falls, it’s an easy 5min stroll if you just want to visit the waterfall.
The wide trail ascends very gently along the Owengarriff River to the base of Torc Waterfall.
There’s a viewing platform along the trail, or you can descend to the river just below the waterfall for the best views.
All of the Torc Waterfall loop trails continue up a series of stone steps, with some filtered views over Muckross Lake as you near the the top of the steps.
The trail continues to ascend – a little more gently – up to a junction. Here the Blue Trail continues a little further up the river, while the Yellow Trail and Red Trail cross the Owengarriff River.
An impressive stone bridge has been built across the river.
While not as impressive as the Torc Waterfall, there are some nice cascades above the bridge.
The Torc Waterfall Yellow Trail is now downhill all the way back to the road.
There are a few muddy sections but it’s otherwise very easy and pleasant walking through tall forest.
Where the trail reaches the N71 you could walk along the road back to the carpark, which would the quickest option. But it would bypass one of the nicest sections of the Torc Waterfall Loop. After crossing the road, the trail comtinues through the forest before reaching another stone bridge across the Owengarriff River.
There’s another nice view of the river from the bridge as it flows through the verdant forest.
A small detour takes you out of the forest, and into the open grassland around Lake Muckross – you could extend the walk by continuing along the lake to Muckross House.
From the edge of the lake there’s a nice view to the west towards Shehy Mountain (762m), with the sun trying hard to break through the clouds.
Although it’s tempting to wait here until the sun sets, I’m getting eaten alive by midges so I re-trace my steps to the Torc Waterfall Loop, which re-enters the forest and crosses under the road to complete the loop.
Although the highlight of the loop is Torc Waterfall, it’s a pleasant hike and the upper cascades are quite impressive after rain.
Getting to Torc Waterfall
A small car park is near the waterfall along Muckross Road (N71); if this parking area is full you can also park at another larger carpark about 500m along the road. There is also a large carpark along Old Kenmare Road which is above the falls; if you start the loop here you’ll descend first and then have the climb at the end. The main (lower) trailhead is about 7km (10min) from Killarney.
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