Hiking Carrauntoohil: Ireland’S Highest Mountain

Kerry, Ireland

While traveling through County Kerry I decided to climb iv of Ireland’s biggest mountains inwards a unmarried day, including Carrauntoohil, the highest ane inwards the country. Here’s how!

If you’re looking for a challenging (and free) outdoor activity to do spell traveling inwards Ireland, I highly recommend hiking to the top of Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mount at 1038 meters (3,407 ft).

Carrauntoohil (Corrán Tuathail inwards Irish, important Tuathail’s Sickle) is business office of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mount range, located inwards County Kerry.

This is a bully hike to do if you’re traveling through Killarney, habitation of Killarney National Park.

While at that topographic point are a few unlike ways upward Carrauntoohil, I decided to hike the Coomloughra Horseshoe Loop, considered the best ridge walk inwards Ireland.

In this hiking guide, I’ll percentage information most the unlike routes upward Carrauntoohil, what the experience is like, in addition to how to pack for this unique Irish Gaelic adventure!

Carrauntoohil Hiking Routes

There are 3 primary routes upward Carrauntoohil for hikers to tackle, every bit good every bit a to a greater extent than hard fourth option called the Coomloughra Horseshoe that hits all 3 of Ireland’s highest peaks inwards ane go.

Which is the best route to climb Carrauntoohil? Well, most people take the Devil’s Ladder Route because it’s the most straightforward.

However, If you’ve been next my adventures for a spell now, you’ll know that I tend to relish a goodness challenge. So patently I picked the longest & most hard ane — the Coomloughra Horseshoe Loop.

1. Brother O’Shea’s Gully Trail

Distance: (6.8 miles)

Hiking Time: 4-6 Hours

Starting Location: Cronin’s Yard

This is considered the easiest hike upward Carrauntoohil. It starts at Cronin’s Yard, every bit does the Devil’s Ladder hike. After passing through “Hags Glen” you lot receive got a correct fork that rises over Lake Gouragh. You in addition to then climb a serial of gentle slopes, amongst a few exposed sections earlier reaching Carrauntoohil. Hike dorsum the same way.

2. Devil’s Ladder Trail

Distance: (7.1 miles)

Hiking Time: 4-6 Hours

Starting Location: Cronin’s Yard

Also starting at Cronin’s Yard, Devil’s Ladder is the most pop “tourist trail” which leads direct betwixt Lake Gouragh in addition to Lake Callee (after fording a modest river) towards the base of operations of Carrauntoohil. Devil’s Ladder itself is a steep gully filled amongst loose scree. Once you’re thoroughly exhausted, you’ll make the summit of Carrauntoohil. Hike dorsum the same way.

3. The Caher Trail

Hiking Time: 4-6 Hours

Starting Location: Hydro Track Parking Lot

This route takes you lot to Carrauntoohil via Ireland’s 3rd highest peak, Caher. Starting from a parking lot you lot transcend a locked gate in addition to caput upward a steep tractor route called the “Hydro Track”. The route turns into a hiking path that brings you lot into a valley adjacent to Lough Eighter (a lake shaped similar an 8). Take the trail on the correct of the lake upward Caher Mountain, in addition to then across a ridge to the summit of Carrauntoohil. Hike dorsum the same way.

4. Coomloughra Horseshoe Loop

Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)

Hiking Time: 6-8 Hours

Starting Location: Hydro Track Parking Lot

Starting inwards the same parking lot every bit The Caher Trail, this longer loop trail branches off to the left of Lough Eighter instead, hitting all 3 of Ireland’s highest peaks simply about a horseshoe-type shape: Beenkeragh, Carrauntoohil, in addition to Caher. This is the route I hiked, hence I’ll percentage to a greater extent than details below.

For to a greater extent than details on all these unlike hiking routes, every bit good every bit security information, brand certain to see the Kerry Mountain Rescue Website.

Hiking The Coomloughra Horseshoe

Leaving my rental auto at the trailhead parking lot, I jump over a locked gate onto a steep in addition to worn concrete tractor route called the “Hydro Track”.

It’s yet nighttime out, in addition to I seem to survive the showtime ane on the trail.

Eventually, I receive got to climb over some other livestock gate in addition to the concrete route turns into a proper walking trail. As the Sun begins to rise, I run across ominous clouds roofing the high peaks that are my ultimate destination.

Hopefully I’ll acquire some variety of clear sentiment from the top!

I’m non optimistic though, every bit Ireland’s atmospheric condition tin give the sack survive real unpredictable. Or, should I state predictably bad most of the time…

Scrambling Over Beenkeragh Ridge

Sheep are my exclusively hiking companions at the moment. They’re painted vivid blue, for what I assume is to position which ewes receive got been impregnated in addition to to proceed away from the ram.

At the top of Beenkeragh, Ireland’s 2d highest mountain, luckily the clouds laid out to dissolve, in addition to I grab my showtime glimpse of Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest peak.

I tin give the sack barely brand out a giant steel cross at the top.

From hither it’s downwards onto the real narrow Beenkeragh Ridge, which is several hundred meters long. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 twisting traverse featuring stone obstacles in addition to steep drop-offs on either side.

This is non a trail you’d desire to tackle inwards the rain, bad visibility, or other types of bad weather.

Reaching The Summit Of Carrauntoohil

I finally arrive onto Carrauntoohil itself looking dorsum the agency I came to run across a brace of hikers that facial expression similar ants carefully walking through a maze of boulders on the contrary peak.

Below them, a tiny rock-climbing sheep grazes away at the grasses betwixt the rocks.

At the summit, I’m able to run across the giant 12-foot steel cross up-close. Originally a wooden cross, it was replaced amongst this one. In 2014 it was cutting downwards past times someone protesting the Catholic Church but raised in ane lawsuit again shortly after.

Plaques recollect fallen climbers who died trying to make this point. While Carrauntoohil is non a real high mountain, it tin give the sack yet survive pretty unsafe inwards bad weather.

The clouds receive got completely disappeared directly though, in addition to I receive got a perfect 360-degree sentiment of the Irish Gaelic countryside.

There’s also a uncomplicated stone shelter amongst no roof for getting out of the wind. I suspension out my luncheon in addition to brew a loving cup of mount java earlier moving Southwest to my 3rd in addition to finally peak of the solar daytime — Caher.

The Traverse To Caher Mountain

From the summit, the trail flattens out into a pleasant walk that follows a ridge at the caput of the valley. It in addition to then begins to ascent on the approach to Caher.

Lough (Lake) Eighter tin give the sack survive seen far below inwards the valley, dorsum where the hike began.

After a curt but steep climb, I make the summit of Caher (1,000 one thousand / 3,300 ft). It’s getting windy now, hence I don’t remain long in addition to start walking downwards the other side.

On the hike down, I transcend a local human being who shares the tale of five Americans who lost their lives inwards these mountains during World War two when they mistakenly flew their plane into the side of ane nearby.

My Irish Gaelic hiking adventure finishes upward every bit I arrive dorsum to the path that leads me downwards to the concrete Hydro Track in addition to my rental car.

This mission to hike Ireland’s 3 highest peaks via the Coomloughra Horseshoe Loop inwards ane solar daytime has been accomplished!

How To Get To Carrauntoohil

Carrauntoohil Mountain is located inwards the S of Ireland, inwards County Kerry. It’s business office of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks range. The largest town nearby is Killarney. From Killarney, the trailheads are most a 30-minute drive away.

The best site to majority a rental auto is Discover Car Hire. They search both local in addition to international auto rental companies to assist you lot detect the best possible price. This is the easiest agency to rent a auto inwards Ireland.

For tips on driving inwards Ireland, make certain to read my article here.

There’s actually no populace carry to these trailheads unless you lot hire a individual taxi. Another option is to bring together a professionally guided hike that includes transportation.

Packing List For Carrauntoohil

Clothing

I recommend packing layers for hikes. You tin give the sack add together or withdraw them to remain comfortable inwards all sorts of conditions. I to a greater extent than oftentimes than non wearable a brace of rugged hiking pants or a lightweight quick-dry version.

Along amongst a t-shirt or long-sleeve base of operations layer, I pack a warm & lightweight fleece sweatshirt, in addition to a rainproof/windproof shell jacket. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 sparse brace of gloves in addition to a buff are goodness for when temperatures drop.

Footwear

This is non a hike to do inwards your flip-flops! There are some moisture boggy sections on this trail, hence brand certain your footwear is waterproof. I ordinarily wearable a brace of trail running shoes or backpacking boots on my hiking trips.

Equipment

This is a day-hike, hence you lot don’t require a giant backpack. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 decent daypack should survive fine. Read my tips for choosing a goodness move backpack here. Depending on the hike, sometimes I take hiking poles too. Because my Irish Gaelic peel burns easily, I ever receive got sunscreen in addition to a hat.

Food/Water

I ordinarily stock upward on healthy, high-calorie snacks similar Pemmican Bars or homemade trail mix. Sometimes I’ll take a modest backpacking stove to brand mount coffee. And of course, my trusty filtered H2O bottle!

Carrauntoohil Hiking Tips

Feel complimentary to hike ane trail upward Carrauntoohil in addition to some other to supply downwards on to mix it upward a flake in addition to experience some unlike viewpoints in addition to trail conditions.

Even though this mount isn’t real high compared to places similar the Alps, don’t underestimate the atmospheric condition or exposure here. Strong winds & heavy fog tin give the sack speedily brand hiking real dangerous.

Remember to do basic rubber hiking guidelines in addition to tell someone else most your route, in addition to when you lot facial expression to destination the hike.

Know your personal limits, in addition to don’t receive got on likewise much risk. If your gut tells you lot something feels likewise dangerous, heed to it!

While I hiked this trail solo, I to a greater extent than oftentimes than non recommend hiking amongst a partner unless you’re an experienced in addition to confident hiker amongst navigation skills.

Travel Planning Resources For Ireland

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to assist you lot start packing for your trip. Pick upward a move backpack, photographic telly camera gear, in addition to other useful move accessories.

Book Your Flight

Find inexpensive flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to detect deals on airlines. Also brand certain to read how I detect the cheapest flights.

Rent Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Car

Discover Car Hire is a bully site for comparison auto prices to detect the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read to a greater extent than most how I majority inexpensive hotels online.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget move insurance! I’m a large fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read to a greater extent than most why you lot should ever behave move insurance.

Driver Lock