How to Visit Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs
Read our travel guide on Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs in Ireland. Includes trail description and tips on parking, how to get, when to go, and where to stay.
Valentia Island is full of surprises. And we are not afraid to say that Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs is one of the best we have discovered.
Not just in this area but during our entire Ireland road trip.
Situated in the west of County Kerry and known as an extension to the famous Ring of Kerry and spectacular Skellig Ring, this area is a traveler's dream.
The views are beyond stunning, and the local trails are still without crowds.
Undoubtedly, Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs are one of the top attractions on Valentia Island.
If you've made it all the way down there, we can only congratulate you. You're in for a treat.
So here's everything you should know about Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs before you go.
How to Visit Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs
Visiting Geokaun Mountain is pretty straightforward, but there are still a few things that may confuse first-time visitors.
Firstly, we need to mention that this is private property, and while you can walk and roam the area for free, you need to pay for parking.
Entrance
Therefore, our first stop was at the simple ticket booth in the first main parking area.
This is a park and display area, so make sure your ticket is clearly visible on your dashboard.
As we decided to visit Geokaun spontaneously, we hadn't done much research on this area.
Luckily, a detailed map of the Geokaun Mountain area on the side of the road helped us plan our visit in a matter of seconds.
Parking
A brief look at the map revealed that there was no need to leave our car at the lowest parking, as there were three more parking areas further up the road.
Therefore, we decided to continue to the next designated parking, where the Fogher Cliffs trail starts.
As we mentioned above, there are three levels of the mountain, each featuring its own parking area.
Fogher Cliffs
For the past few days, we toured the southwest corner of Ireland and saw plenty of spectacular cliffs along the way.
Whether it was the Mizen Head Signal Station, Old Head of Kinsale, or the nearby Cliffs of Kerry, we couldn't get enough of these dramatic landscapes.
And Fogher Cliffs that guard the northern side of Valentia Island are pretty spectacular as well.
The 300-meter in-and-out Fogher Cliffs Trail is for all ages and abilities.
The flat and well-maintained path ends with a safely-looking viewing platform from where you can admire the restless waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing into the cliffs.
By the way, if you're a fan of cliffs, make sure also to visit Slieve League in County Donegal.
Carraig na Circe
From here, you need to retrace your steps back to your car, as there is no official trail connecting to Loop Walk.
It doesn't mean that there wasn't an unmarked path, though. It would be nice if it were improved in the future.
So the next stop is Carraig na Circe.
This is another parking area and viewpoint, but most importantly, Loop Walk starts here.
Loop Walk
The 1.5-kilometer Loop walk is another easy trail that goes around the mountain.
The views from the trail are simply breathtaking, and we made a lot of stops along the way to admire the scenery and enjoy the strong local winds once again.
Out of all the places we've visited so far, such as Beara Peninsula or Mizen Head, only Sheep's Head Peninsula was almost windless.
But walking along the open slopes of Geokaun Mountain was an experience on its own.
Make sure to have quality windproof gear with you, as it really comes in handy here.
The trail is also well-maintained, and there is no way you could get lost here.
We recommend doing the Loop Walk clockwise, as you will get all the best views along the way and have a chance to connect to the upper area at the last section of the trail.
This is not a difficult climb, and you will need only a short amount of time to reach the summit.
Geokaun Mountain
Tackling the 280-meter-high Geokaun Mountain is not difficult, as you can also drive all the way up there.
There are two main lookouts at the top of the mountain, Shepherds View and Miners View, both offering spectacular vistas.
On a clear sunny day, you will be able to see Bray Head, Valentia Lighthouse, and even Dingle Peninsula or Skellig Michael in the distance.
We haven't mentioned yet that many informative panels are scattered around the entire area, so you will have a great opportunity to learn much about the island's history.
If this is your only stop in this area, savor the moment, and take your time. This place really deserves your attention.
As we left our car at the lower parking, we had to walk another 500 meters via the main road.
The next destination was the northern side of Iveragh Peninsula and eventually Dingle.
How Much Time Do I Need
You should generally allow yourself about an hour for Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs. The trails are easy, short, and well-maintained.
Plus, you can drive between the parking areas, which will help you save time.
Entrance Fee
There is technically no entry fee to Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs.
However, there is a €6 charge for parking.
Even when visiting Ireland on a budget, it's still worth the fee.
How to Get There
Geokaun Mountain is on Valentia Island, but it's fairly easily accessible, at least if you have your own transport.
The island is accessible either by a bridge from Portmagee or by a short ferry ride from Knightstown (the other side is Reenard Point).
Car
Regardless of the option you choose, the best way to get to Geokaun Mountain is by car.
Geokaun Mountain is about 170 kilometers from Cork and 180 kilometers from Limerick. The journey takes about five hours from Dublin.
You can get from Waterville to Geokaun in less than 30 minutes. Derrynane is about a 45-minute drive from here.
The trip to Cahersiveen takes about 30 minutes.
Renting a car in Ireland is a smooth process, but you should also read our guide featuring tips for driving in Ireland for first-time visitors.
Rental Cars
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Bike
Valentia Island is a great place to explore on a bike.
And climbing to the top is way more rewarding than getting there by car.
There is not that much traffic on Valentia Island, so you can also visit other interesting places this area has to offer on a bike.
Tours
If you want to explore Valentia Island with a local guide, consider joining an organized trip.
Here you can reserve a private Valentia Island Tour in advance.
Where to Stay
Plenty of small bed and breakfasts are scattered around this area, and you can even find some hotels in nearby towns, such as Portmagee, Knightstown, and Cahersiveen.
Just remember that the accommodation fills up quickly in the peak season and you need to book early if you want to stay in this area.
Here you will find tips on the best hotels near Geokaun Mountain.
Knightstown | Royal Valentia Hotel - Situated directly in Knightstown's tiny harbor, this adorable hotel is a perfect starting point for exploring Valentia Island.
Corobeg | Cuas a' Gamhna - Situated in the west of Valentia Island, this adorable bed and breakfast offers comfortable and spacious rooms, a friendly host, a home-cooked breakfast, and great views.
Portmagee | The Moorings Hotel - One of the entry points to Valentia Island, Portmagee is home to several accommodations. The Moorings Hotel is a lovely guesthouse featuring an excellent location, spacious rooms, an on-site restaurant serving fresh seafood, and a welcoming staff.
Cahersiveen | Quinlan and Cooke Boutique Townhouse - This lovely townhouse features spacious and clean rooms, a great location in Cahersiveen, free parking, and an on-site seafood restaurant.
Staying Safe
In general, it's safe to visit Geokaun Mountain.
If you stick to the designated trails, also Fogher Cliffs is a safe place to visit. Just make sure to bring proper gear for your outdoor adventures.
For more information on this topic, read our guide on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Pack
Whether you decide to explore all trails Geokaun Mountain offers or just enjoy the main viewpoint, you should have a windbreaker or rain jacket with you.
In case the weather forecast is bad, bring a rain poncho and rain pants to stay nice and dry during your trip. The trails are well-maintained, so we only wore our trusted runners.
Unlike some other hikes we did in Ireland, such as Diamond Hill or Spinc Loop, hiking boots were not necessary for this area.
We always have our comfortable daypack that contains a water bottle and an extra layer.
This guide will help you to figure out what to pack for Ireland.
When to Go
You can access Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs any time of the year.
There is no best time to visit Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs, as the scenery is beautiful all year round.
Obviously, you will enjoy the views on a day when a thick layer of clouds does not cover the mountain.
But even on misty and cloudy days, you can at least get a dramatic view of the cliffs.
Before you go, make sure to read our guide on when to visit Ireland.
Is Geokaun Mountain Worth Visiting?
If you're in the area, Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs are definitely worth visiting, especially if you're a fan of breathtaking scenery and stunning views.
Even though Geokaun is no Connemara National Park (though we have to repeat ourselves, the views are no less spectacular), and Fogher is not Cliffs of Moher, this coastal area is worth seeing.
If you're pressed for time, you probably won't have time to incorporate Valentia Island into your Ireland road trip itinerary either way, which is actually a bit of a shame but understandable.
There are so many amazing places in Ireland that overshadow these little sites, but those who will make it to Valentia won't leave disappointed. Quite the contrary.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
