Overview
Lough Doon is one of the highest lakes in Ireland, hidden in a steep-sided canyon just below the top of the Conor Pass. It also carries a quiet footnote in the history of science: in 1849 the naturalist John Ball pointed to the glacial evidence here as part of his case that Ireland, like the Alps, had once had glaciers of its own – an early step towards recognising that the country had lived through an Ice Age.
You’ll also see it called Pedler’s Lake, or Loch an Pheidleara. It sits well off the main tourist run, and the reward for the short climb is the water itself and the wall of the Brandon Mountains across the valley.
Getting to the water
The lake is reached from the Conor Pass road (the R560). At the foot of the canyon a small car park takes about eight cars, and from there a footpath climbs 70 m to the shore. It’s short – roughly half a kilometre out and back, a quarter of an hour at an easy pace – but it’s a genuine climb, not a stroll, and the ground turns muddy and slippery after rain, so wear boots. The path is open year-round. Heavy goods vehicles are banned from the Conor Pass, so only cars and vans get up here, which keeps the place quiet.
Be honest with yourself about what it is: a high lake and a big mountain view at the end of a stiff twelve-minute pull. If you’re already driving the Conor Pass, it’s a fine stop. It isn’t worth a special trip out from Dingle on its own.
The Loch a’ Dúin valley nearby
Don’t confuse Lough Doon with the Loch a’ Dúin valley a little further round near Cloghane, at Kilmore Cross. That valley holds one of the richest prehistoric landscapes in Kerry: Bronze Age monuments spanning roughly 2000 to 500 BC, and more than 12 km of ancient stone field walls threading the hillsides. It’s a rewarding half-day for anyone interested in early settlement, and quite separate from the lake.
Practical information
Getting there – Follow the Conor Pass road (R560) and watch for the sign to Lough Doon; the car park is at the base of the canyon. Because of the HGV ban on the pass, larger vehicles should be left in the nearby towns.
Parking – A level area for about eight cars, free of charge. Space is tight, so arrive early at weekends and in summer.
Access – The path to the lake is open all year but can be muddy or slippery after heavy rain. There are no facilities at the lake.
Come on a still morning if you want the Brandons mirrored in the water; after a wet spell the path is more bog than track, so keep the boots on until you’re back at the car.