A privately run, family-owned valley park on the Beara Peninsula, where a 140 m waterfall feeds a chain of lakes and four way-marked trails thread the mountainside.
The back wall of this glaciated coombe holds a 140 m waterfall that feeds the lakes along the valley floor, framed on the horizon by the Killarney McGillicuddy Reeks. Its force depends on how much rain fell in the preceding days, so it varies from a curtain to a torrent.
The easiest route (40 minutes, grade 2) starts opposite the reception car park and follows the stream past the Water Garden's lily ponds, rock pools and cascades. Handrails, steps and log bridges were all hand-crafted on site; watch for dippers and wagtails, and take it steady as the path can be slippery.
A 115-minute grade 4 climb from the waterfall car park, crossing the twin streams below the falls and gaining the mountainside to the black lake of Cummenadillure. The route crosses the top of the waterfall on a log bridge, flown in by helicopter, with big views down to Kenmare Bay and the McGillicuddy Reeks.
This 90-minute purple walk takes in the lower valley, an old 'haggard' drying enclosure and an 18th-century farmstead abandoned over 130 years ago. One building was rethatched around 2009; the cottage has appeared in Vogue and in film shoots.
The wildest option: 9.5 km and around four hours at grade 4/5, not suitable for young children. It follows the rim of the valley in a full circuit of Lake Cummenaloughaun with no footpaths, only yellow way marks; descend by the rock-cut steps beside the falls.
Gleninchaquin is a working sheep farm and livestock graze the whole park, so dogs are welcome but must stay on a lead at all times. Sheep, including Sway, are part of the scenery on every walk.
Bring your own lunch: there are many picnic benches and tables throughout the park, with parking close to the waterfall and picnic areas if you want to drive further in for a front-row view.
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