On my recent trip to the south of Ireland to attend a travel blogger conference, I decided to stay behind for a few days and climb Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland. This hiking guide contains everything you need to know about climbing this mountain yourself – which route to chose, how hard it is, what to bring and what to wear. Are you ready?

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Carrauntoohil is the highest mountain in Ireland and when I recently spent a few days in the south of Ireland to attend a travel blogger conference, I decided to extend my trip for a few days and climb it.

I’m not usually one to climb a mountain because it’s the highest, or most difficult, or most famous. I’m very happy to just climb whatever hill is in front of my nose, but when I looked for things to do in and around Killarney, Carrauntoohil caught my eye immediately. In fact it is only one of many outdoor activities in Killarney and to see and do it all you could easily spend a week here.

The area was crawling with bloggers from the around the world, everybody keen to explore what Ireland had to offer. Most joined organised day trips or longer FAM trips around Ireland the day after the conference, so I wanted to find an outdoor activity where I would find some solitude.

Driving the Ring of Kerry was out of question, because I knew a couple of busses were heading that way, and so was making the trek to the Cliffs of Moher – just too much driving. Climbing Carrauntoohil seemed like the perfect solution. Difficult enough so it wouldn’t attract hundreds of bloggers; easy enough to do on my own with my level of experience. A special hiking experience for my first solo trip to Ireland.

This guide will give you a rundown of everything you need to know for hiking in these parts of Ireland. What to wear, how to prepare, what else to bring and which route to chose.

Let’s get started!

{Video at bottom of post!}

This is a hiking guide about how to climb Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland, with different hiking trails up Carrauntoohil and what to pack!

Where is Carrauntoohil in Ireland and how do I get there?

Carrauntoohol is located in the south of Ireland, in Kerry County, and is part of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks range. The largest town close-by is probably Killarney, which is a great hub with plenty of accommodation, restaurants, supermarkets and outdoor shops.

From Killarney it takes just under 30 minutes to drive to one of the possible starting points for the hike, Cronin’s Yard.

If you travel by car, it is very easy to get to to Cronin’s Yard, from the main road (Ring of Kerry) just follow the signs towards Carrauntoohil, pass the turnoff towards the Gap of Dunloe and drive all the way to the end of the single track road until you reach Cronin’s Yard. There is a private car park there where you can leave your car for €2 (pay at the tea room).

It’s a bit harder by public transport. However, you can take the bus or train to Killarney and then organise a taxi from town or join a guided hike that includes transportation.

If you’ve got more time in Ireland, check out this 2-week Ireland itinerary including Carrauntoohil!

Killarney Travel Essentials

Hire a car

I hired a small car via a prize comparison website called Auto Europe, to make sure I’d get the best deal! Aa small car was ideal to navigate the narrow roads in Ireland!

Find your Auto Europe hire car here!

Stay at Black Sheep Hostel

I stayed at a local hostel in Killarney called Black Sheep Hostel. It was just a short drive from the start of the hike, the staff was super helpful and even lent me a gas canister for the hike!

Book the hostel via Booking.com or check TripAdvisor first!

Which is the best route to climb Carrauntoohil?

There are several routes for hiking the highest mountain in Ireland. Climbing Carrauntoohil is probably most straightforward via the ominously named Devil’s Ladder. I chose this route to walk both, up and down, mostly because other routes would have required better navigating skills and more knowledge of the area.

The trail is clearly marked and can be split in roughly three sections. First, you walk from Cronin’s Yard to the bottom of Devil’s Staircase. You can follow the signs for Cronin’s Yard Loop, but Carrauntoohil is also signposted (it’s the black route). Second comes a straight-forward but strenuous scramble up the Devil’s Ladder. There is no clear trail, but the gully is so narrow, that there is really only one way to go – up. Once you have reached the top of the gully, the third section of the trail leads you up towards the summit. Here the trail is fairly easy to follow and cairns (piles of rocks) mark it all the way to the top, so you can follow them if visibility is bad. At the summit there is a large cross and a roofless wind shelter.

For a more detailed route description and alternative routes up Carrauntoohil check out the websites of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team and Kerry Climbing.

This is a hiking guide about how to climb Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland, with different hiking trails up Carrauntoohil and what to pack!

How hard is it to climb Carrauntoohil?

Carrauntoohil is just under 1,040 metres tall – about 3,406 ft. At first glance that does not sound that bad, particularly when you’re used to higher mountain ranges, such as the Alps, the Rockies or even the Scottish highlands. However, don’t underestimate the extreme weather so close to the Atlantic coast and fairly far up north.

You pretty much leave the tree line behind you within the first hour of walking. From there you are dealing with rough terrain, little shelter and unpredictable mountain weather. The hike via Devil’s Ladder takes around 5-6 hours to and from Cronin’s Yard, and the earlier you can start, the better.

Safety

Even though the trail is pretty straightforward, it is a tough way to the summit. The scramble up Devil’s Ladder can be intimidating if you have never done anything like it, and quick changes in weather can make it hard to impossible to see far ahead.

I recommend to regularly stop and evaluate your situation – do you feel comfortable walking up? More importantly, do you feel comfortable climbing back down? You don’t want to be stuck like a cat in a tree, who doesn’t know how to get back down! Looking ahead is just as important as looking backwards.

The day after my hike, I heard about two girls from another dorm in my hostel, who went up Carrauntoohil a few days earlier and actually had to be rescued by the local mountain rescue team. Apparently the fog got thicker so suddenly, that they didn’t dare to continue their down-climb. Visibility was too bad for an airborne rescue mission, so a team actually had to climb up towards them and help them find their way back down.

Fitness

I did not prepare in any particular way for the hike, but a general level of fitness is needed to make it to the summit. When scrambling you definitely use different muscles than normally when hiking, and I was pretty sore for a few days. I wish I had stretched a little more after my hike.

This is a hiking guide about how to climb Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland, with different hiking trails up Carrauntoohil and what to pack!

Is solo hiking in Ireland safe?

In addition to above mentioned safety concerns, there a number of things to consider when you plan to go solo hiking in Ireland.

Safety Tip for Solo Hikers

Leave your contact info, route plan and estimated arrival time with your hostel receptionist or a friend. Let someone else know where you are and when you intend to return. I actually had mobile reception throughout the hike and kept updating my partner of my progress.

Be honest to yourself about your abilities. Can you handle a map and a compass? Are you confident to scramble up and down a narrow gully? Have you done anything similar before?

Have the right equipment with you. More on what to bring below, but in order to stay safe, make sure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear, carry a first-aid kit and potentially a stove to heat up water if you get cold, bring a map (I used this one) and compass and know how to use it, charge your phone and bring enough water to stay hydrated.

If you’re not sure you can or should hike in Ireland on your own, you can join a guided hiking tour or hire a private hiking guide.

My hostel recommended John O’Sullivan in Killarney, who unfortunately was not free to take me up, but gave me loads of advice on the route. Ask your accommodation for his contact info, he’s a well-known hiking guide in the area.

What should I pack for Carrauntoohil?

As I just mentioned in the section about climbing safety, it is important to bring the right equipment for a strenuous hike like this.

What to wear

What should you wear when hiking in Ireland? Pack layers. I only wore a pair of quick-dry trekking trousers and a t-shirt until I reached the top of Devil’s Ladder, but quickly pulled out my rain jacket as I continued to the summit.

I wrapped my buff around my head and wore gloves as the wind on the mountain was icy. On the summit I added another layer – a warm fleece cardigan. There can be a 10C difference from the bottom of the mountain to its summit, so make sure you bring plenty of clothes to keep you warm!

“A cold body gets tired more easily, and with exhaustion comes a heightened risk for accidents.”

Footwear

Don’t try to do this hike in your trainers! For anything that involves scrambling you want to wear proper hiking boots, that give your perfect grip on slippery or loose rocky surfaces. You must be able to rely on your footwear to keep you safe and your feet dry. I wore my new pair of Hanwag Tatra Light which are great for day hikes on rough ground.

Hiking Equipment

When I packed my carry on for a week in Ireland I filled it with 40% conference clothes and 60% hiking equipment… My essentials are a good hiking backpack (I use the Osprey Tempest 30), a big water bottle (1L), warm clothes as described above, an all-in-one gas stove to prepare some tea to keep warm and of course a small first aid kit.

Food & Snacks

Apart from tea, which I had at the summit, I brought vegetable sticks, nuts, avocados and sweeties. I also brought a sandwich but ended up not touching it because I filled up on high energy snacks. I always carry a bit too much food, just in case I run out of energy faster than I think.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: What to pack for Long Distance Hiking

This is a hiking guide about how to climb Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland, with different hiking trails up Carrauntoohil and what to pack!

Climbing Carrauntoohil was the absolute highlight of my brief solo trip to Ireland and I will never forget how amazing it felt when I reached the summit. I might have not seen a thing at the top and had sore legs for days to come, but the feeling of climbing Ireland’s highest mountain was definitely worth it!

I know I’ll be back – if only to try my luck again for the views; and maybe to drive around the Ring of Kerry!

Have you ever climbed a mountain by yourself or even been up Carrauntoohil? I’d love to hear your story!

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This is a hiking guide about how to climb Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland, with different hiking trails up Carrauntoohil and what to pack!

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37 thoughts on “How to Climb Carrauntoohil, the Highest Mountain in Ireland

  1. Nick says:

    This article and your video are really useful as I’m planning my first solo trip to Ireland in a couple of weeks time to do this climb. I’m trying to decide between the more popular Devils ladder route, or to come up from the other side which looks longer but doesn’t have such steep sections.

    Will certainly be checking out some of your other videos for inspiration!

  2. Menashe Zer says:

    Done this trail 2 days ago ( July 3rd)- thank you for all the important tips. My recommendation – be ready to spend much more time along the trail ,as it is breath taking ( sternous trail and wonderful views). Returned through zig-zag trail , because returning through devil’s ladder seemed risky

  3. Catherine Kelly says:

    Many thanks for mentioning us here in your article. We are the leading guiding company for guided Carrauntoohil ascents and rated #1 Outdoor Activity provider in Killarney for the last 6 years! Please get in touch if you are back in Kerry as we would be delighted to take you on another more “off the beaten” track to the summit. Happy travels and thanks again for the mention 🙂

    • Kathi says:

      You’re very welcome! I’d love to come back and maybe even get to the top with a view 😀 Had a trip planned for 2020, but have postponed to 2021 – will make sure I plan some time in Killarney to come out with youse! Thanks!

  4. Duncan says:

    If I was in Ireland in September 2020 how many days should I allow to get a reasonable chance of a clear day going up the mountain?

  5. Steven says:

    Excellent article. The only thing I would add is that you should be prepared to not make it to the top. When we went (Winter) it was very icy after the Devil’s Staircase. You should be prepared to stop at any point, feel a sense of satisfaction, and then climb back down. If you are not an experienced ice climber, and don’t have ice equipment, then don’t try to achieve more than your skill level. I absolutely loved the scrambling, and we chose to scramble around at an altitude just below the ice, and had just as an amazing time, watching the goats, enjoying soda bread and Wexford cheese, cashews, Cadbury dairy milk and a bunch of other fun snacks.

    • Kathi says:

      That’s great advice for any hike really! Whether you make it to the summit or not is not the most important part – it’s all about the experience of being outdoors, and making safe choices! Glad you had a great adventure in Ireland and thanks for sharing!

  6. Pingback: 17 Adventurous Things to do in Ireland: Your Ultimate Outdoor Bucket List - Extreme Nomads

  7. steve says:

    appreciate the info – correct me if Im wrong, but ive noticed a bunch of the high peaks and mountain ranges throughout ireland require a bit of getting to for the most part, with limited and/or expensive transportation options…probably typical of most mountain ranges in other countries as well…thinking my second trip to Ireland will involve renting a vehicle and working through Wicklow Mountains and then along the various west coast peaks on the island

    I know day tours can be available for some of these, but unless its an actual hike up the various peaks and mountain ranges, they feel very limited and constraining if you want to do a bit more than just say you were there and snapped some nice photos.

    • Kathi says:

      Hi Steve, that’s exactly why I rented a car for my trip – there would not have been a bus service to the beginning of this trail! Most regular day trips won’t include any hiking, however, in all mountain regions you can always find hiking guides, who might be happy to pick you up at your accommodation, guide your hike and drop you back off. It’s easy enough to find them by asking at the local tourist office or your accommodation!

  8. Gracie says:

    Have you ever climbed any of the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks in NY? If so could you compare this to one of those? I’m planning a trip to Ireland in February and want to make sure that if I set a day aside for climbing this then it really is within my ability to complete the hike.

    • Kathi says:

      Hi Gracie, I’m afraid I have never been to that area, so I can’t draw a comparison. One thing to keep in mind is that you will need winter mountaineering equipment and experience to climb it in February – it’s high enough for a considerable amount of snow, and the Devil’s Ladder gully can be an icy climb during that time! I’d check local hiking forums for current weather updates and only attempt it on a clear day. Have a great trip!

    • Patty says:

      Hi Gracie…did you do this climb? I’m an aspiring 46er and am hoping to do this climb in May. I was wondering the same thing as you.

  9. Agness of a Tuk Tuk says:

    We’ve recently been to Ireland and we’re still under the impression, Kathi. Carrauntoohil seems so charming and picturesque. Now I have one more reason to go back there soon! When’s the best time of the year to climb Carrauntoohil?

    • Kathi says:

      Heya, so I did this hike in early October – great because it’s before the snow and there are not too many hikers around. I saw photos from just a few days before and after my hike where the clouds were completely gone and the views were great – so I was just not lucky… That said, I’m sure it’s great during the summer too – I can imagine that there is quite a bit more traffic then though!

  10. Victoria says:

    I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland and Scotland. You’re a brave girl to be hiking that mountain, what a great accomplishment for you! I’m definitely up for a bit of adventure while travelling, so thanks for the great tips! I always wonder what there is to do in Ireland.

    • Kathi says:

      It’s all about knowing your abilities and trusting them! But to be honest, I was surprised by myself for not feeling scared at any stage of this hike! ALl the hikes in the Scottish highlands and Swedish polar regions this summer have paid off 🙂

  11. Magdalena says:

    Wow, looks like a great adventure! Ireland has been on my bucket list since forever and your lovely photos make me wanna go even more now… 🙂

  12. Phoebe says:

    Hey girl! Long time no see 🙂 Isn’t it funny that after reading this blog post & looking at the photos, I had the feeling that you were reporting from the Faroe Islands, where I was this May/June! The landscape must be fairly similar!

    • Kathi says:

      In terms of hiking it was definitely similar – rapidly changing weather, edgy cliffs that look like they’re out to get you and lots and lots of sheep 🙂 It’s not as bizarre as the Faroe Islands, but certainly just as pretty!

  13. jin says:

    I’m so impressed at how incredibly detailed this post is! So much useful information and well-organized! Thank you for providing such knowledge on how to climb the highest mountain in Ireland!

  14. Steph & Zach Dorworth says:

    Kathi, first off, love the overall style of your blog. The black and white and the font are just perfect. And the way you edited all your photos is gorgeous! We aren’t much of hikers but when we do hike, it’s got to be an easy one. We plan to go to Ireland in 2019 so will definitely check this hike out!

    • Kathi says:

      Thank you!! I’d say if the weather is clear it’s definitely an easy hike – like the Devil’s Ladder is challenging physically, but there’s basically no way you can get lost! Hope you get to the top one day!

  15. Taryn says:

    Too bad about the clouds! With all the mist it looks a little bit like hiking in Iceland does. Climbing the highest mountain in any country sounds like a pretty big accomplishment, even if it’s not that high 😉

    • Kathi says:

      Yeah, it made it looking really mysterious! And I’ve gotten a taste now – want to tackle the highest mountain in Scotland next year!

        • Kathi says:

          It took me about an hour, possibly a bit less (I’m deducting this from photos I took at the bottom and at the top of the Devil’s Ladder section). And from there another 40 minutes or so to the summit.

  16. Deea says:

    How eerie the scenery looks! Seems like a memorable experience (although I’m not sure I’d have the guts to do it alone and risk getting stuck in the thick fog with nobody to talk to… :)) )!

    • Kathi says:

      I was definitely happy I met several other hikers – so I knew it was possible. I’m also not a newbie to hiking, so I felt pretty confident. Hope next time the weather is better though 🙂

  17. Katherine says:

    What a great achievement! Ireland is just so gorgeous and your photos really highlight this. Not sure I could do this solo, I am so clumsy 🙁 and likely I’d injure myself.

    • Kathi says:

      It’s definitely not something to underestimate if you’re an inexperienced hiker. I really enjoyed the challenge, but hope next time I also get a view as a reward 🙂

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