This Valentine’s season, solo travellers are being encouraged to swap chocolates and candlelit dinners for connection, movement and meaningful adventure at the Wander Wild Festival, taking place from April 17 to 19, in the spectacular setting of Killarney National Park.
Set across 26,000 acres of UNESCO-protected landscape, Wander Wild is fast becoming a standout event for independent travellers. With no fixed itinerary and more than 100 outdoor, cultural and wellness experiences on offer, the festival is designed to let visitors shape their own journey, at their own pace.
The programme offers countless opportunities to relax and meet like-minded people, or simply enjoy time alone in nature. All events are individually ticketed, with many free to attend, allowing solo travellers to dip in and out as they please.
Morning highlights include a refreshing sunrise dip at Dundag Beach, followed by a lakeside sauna overlooking Muckross Lake, offering a restorative start to the day. Adventure seekers can join content creator Tadhg O’Brien on the Mangerton Social Summit, a friendly group hike designed to foster connection on the trail, or take to the water with stand-up paddleboarding across the Lakes of Killarney.
Faor those craving a slower pace, eco-therapy sessions provide guided sensory immersion in the park’s natural beauty, while yoga, breathwork and cacao ceremonies invite reflection and reconnection. Evenings bring their own magic, from glow-stick-lit cycling during Rave ar Róthar to intimate fireside chats with leading adventurers and outdoor thinkers.
Other standout experiences include guided hikes and rock climbing in the MacGillycuddy Reeks, boat and kayak trips to Ross Castle and Inisfallen Island, bat walks after dark with National Park rangers, and a natural wine and farmhouse cheese tasting hosted at Luna Coffee & Wine.
Prices range from €10 to €100, alongside a generous selection of free events. For more information, visit wanderwildfestival.com
