Getty Images/EyeEm

Carrauntoohil


Macgillycuddy's Reeks is Ireland's highest mountain range, and towering Carrauntoohil is the country's highest summit, at 1040m. There are several routes up, though even the most straightforward requires good hillwalking and navigation skills, while others are serious scrambling or rock-climbing routes.

The traditional route to the summit is via The Devil's Ladder, a gruelling trudge up a badly eroded gully path southwest of the loughs, which is unpleasantly loose and unstable. An alternative route ascends via Brother O'Shea's Gully (some rock scrambling and good route-finding ability required), a steep and challenging route through spectacular mountain scenery. The easiest descent is via the Zig-Zags to the east of the Devil's Ladder.

Experienced hillwalkers can follow the directions in Adrian Hendorff's guidebook, The Dingle, Iveragh & Beara Peninsulas: A Walking Guide. If you're in the slightest bit unsure, hire a guide – Kerry Climbing and Hidden Ireland Adventures both offer guided ascents of Carrauntoohil year-round, weather permitting (booking is essential).

Climbing Carrauntoohil should never be attempted without a map and compass (and the skills to use them), proper hillwalking boots, waterproofs and spare food and water. Use Harvey's 1:30,000 MacGillicuddy's Reeks Superwalker map, or the 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey Adventure Series map (MacGillicuddy's Reeks & Killarney National Park).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Gap of Dunloe

4.35 MILES

The Gap of Dunloe is a scenic valley squeezed between Purple Mountain and the eastern summits of MacGillicuddy's Reeks. In summer it can be a bottleneck…

2. Ladies' View

6.66 MILES

The gorgeous panorama over the Upper Lake and Purple Mountain at this viewpoint, 17km south of Killarney, was enjoyed by Queen Victoria's ladies-in…

3. Kerry Bog Village Museum

7.82 MILES

This museum recreates a 19th-century bog village, typical of the small communities that carved out a precarious living in the harsh environment of Ireland…

4. Inisfallen

8.67 MILES

The first monastery on Inisfallen (the largest of the islands in Lough Leane) was founded by St Finian the Leper in the 7th century. The extensive ruins…

5. Killarney National Park

8.99 MILES

Sprawling over 10,236 hectares, this sublime park is an idyllic place to explore. Ross Castle and Muckross House draw big crowds, but it's possible to…

6. Ross Castle

9.46 MILES

Lakeside Ross Castle dates to the 15th century, when it was a residence of the O'Donoghue family. The entertaining 45-minute guided tour combines an…

7. Torc Waterfall

10.12 MILES

This picturesque 20m-high waterfall cascades down a series of rock steps 7km south of Killarney, a 300m walk from a car park on the N71.

8. Knockreer House & Gardens

10.19 MILES

The original Knockreer House, built for the Earl of Kenmare in the 1870s, burned down in 1913; the present house was built on the same site in 1958 and is…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "ireland/gap-of-dunloe/attractions/carrauntoohil/a/poi-sig/1616564/1322073",
      "position": "superzone"
    }