Carrantoohil
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Ireland's highest peak.
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles293 reviews
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Nuala O
15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2021 • Friends
We climbed Carrauntoohil recently under the superb guidance of Mossie Walsh (Mountain Adventure Walks).
Mossie’s knowledge of the mountain, it’s routes, flora & fauna, and folklore, is excellent making the journey so enjoyable.
We were fortunate to have good weather. The views were spectacular. Would highly recommend Mossie as a guide.
Written 4 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CaitrionaRyan
Dublin, Ireland18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
This trail offers an amazing array of sports as it ascends to Ireland's highest mountain and it includes multiple distinct routes up Carrauntoohill. The Devil's Ladder is also a common route. Most of the "ladder" itself has corroded, making the climb up and down exciting, but highly rewarding.
The trails are well-marked, and the various terrain makes this amazing walk a terrific visitor challenge.

There are no facilities along this route; everything's at the trail start. Dogs are not allowed on trails due to many livestock. Like the mountains, the weather changes quickly, causing tourists some trouble, thus all equipment must be well-organized. The closest spot to visit is the Cronin`s Yard
Written 26 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bertie
Ireland3,401 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This is a review of a mountain, yes a mountain, nothing more and certainly nothing else.

It is the highest mountain in Ireland and the most punishing in terms of weather and effort. The payoff when you reach the top is beyond satisfying.

I have attached pictures of our climb on the 22nd July 2008. It was a cloudy start and after our 5 1/2 hours it ended up being a sunny and 21 celcius day. However, the elevation of the summit provides you with none of this. You are above cloud level with a surrouding prescence most of the time. Check the weather carefully.

It is of course the same as other mountains. The climb to the top is the longest but the descent is the most dangerous. There is far more opportunity for overbalance and slipping and the loose rocks on the descent are more trecerous on the descent and you force more downward force upon them.

We previously climbed this mountain in late November, previously, and it is not for amateurs but experienced novices and above, however the summer months can be more forgiving.

We noticed that most people were highly prepared with proper equipment, maps and compass, mobile phones and colourful clothing. We did however see two couples together whom were not prepared for a climb even though we met them near the summit. The arrived in jeans and boston Irish sweatshirts. The girls looked fit for lazing about the house with flat shoes, certainly not sustainable should the weather close in. Be prepared.

The are three paths to the top. The most popular and the most difficult is up the devils ladder which we used both times. You may approach from the west and also along an easterly approach. Cronins yard is the most popular arrival(by vehicle) site for most people with parking, changing rooms, showering, cafe. Please voluntarily pay €2 to the black box for use of the people private car park. Or, you can drive past the cronins yard turn off and after about 1.5km cross and narrow bridge and turn left onto the cul de sac(dead end), across another VERY narrow bridge and take the road to the left. keep going, dont be afraid if it looks like a farmers yard, keep going and you will come across a car park suitable for about 20 cars with a gate to the start of the walk. Its a long walk whichever starting point you choose to the start of the climb. The walk is breathtaking though.

You will have to cross two rivers from cronins yard and one river from Leilebane car park. Easily crossable in summer months, quick arduos in winter months, trust me I fell waist high.

Remeber this is the highest and most difficult climb in Ireland. Do not continue without proper preparation.

Take nothing, leave nothing only your footprint. Except for leaving a momento at the top.

Check out my pictures. Email me on quirke.alan@gmail.com
Written 22 July 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jamesie67
Limerick, Ireland53 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2012 • Solo
I liked the trek in via the Hag's Glen. The climb up the Devil's Ladder was pretty tough and the scree appears to be much looser than on previous visits. At the top of the Ladder, the view is only wonderful. From there to the summit is quite a walk. The weather on the mountain can change almost immediately so I do recommend proper clothing, map and compass and a whistle. A bivi bag would be very handy as well as some extra rations. Try and leave someone know your intended route.
Written 9 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

daltonm78
Limerick, Ireland20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2012 • Friends
I climbed this mountain a few times. It amazing, Be sure to bring water and some snacks. as even for some good climbers this can take up to 6-7 hours. But its totally worth it. And guess what.. Its free.. and the walk and scenery is amazing, :-)
Written 13 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Al S
Belfast, UK14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2012 • Solo
Thu 27th Sept saw me tackle the horseshoe from the Hydro path (which now as a dedicated car park) and climb anti-clockwise - against the perceived wisdom of going the other way. My reasoning was that, given the forecast for low cloud and rain, my No.1 target was to summit Carrantoohill and if I couldn't go further then back down via Caher seemed the easier route.

As previous reports stress the hydro path is a killer at the start being so steep over a relatively short distance. Having said that, it was nothing compared to the return trip 7hrs later coming down with tired legs and aching knees!! The path beyond the concrete path is clearly identifiable for most of the way up Caher. At the west cairn, in poor visibility it's necessary to check your bearings before continuing. Best tip would be to continue in the direction you approached the cairn (and to its LHS) and the path becomes clear again. A fairly steady decline then steepish incline and you should be able to see the cross on top of Carrauntoohill. A welcome stone shelter awaits where refreshments can be enjoyed out of the wind.

Now it's decision time. Back the way you came or continue along the horseshoe and the famous Beenkeeragh Ridge? Visibility was still poor at this point but the excellent directions from Kerry Mountain Rescue are 100%. Basically 50m back in the direction you came (230 degrees) then veer right (308 degrees) and descend to pick up the path towards the ridge. Having said that, unless you're confident in navigating AND assured in tackling a ridge in damp conditions and cloud cover then DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! Had it been anything other than a light wind I wouldn't have contemplated it.

Unfortunately the visibility (or lack of it) meant I couldn't enjoy any views but it forced me to concentrate 100% on picking my way carefully across the rocks. Be careful not to miss the path as you clamber over rocks and boulders - it comes and goes but it is there. On reaching the top of Beenkeeragh it was the same old story....a blanket of cloud! Nothing for it but to descend steeply (and not without a few trips and slips over loose rock and shingle) towards the final, ever reducing peaks of Skregmore. Easy enough to follow and thankfully, once below 800m, I could see further than 30m. This is still quite challenging physically, especially after what has gone before and it still has a few climbs, but it's the homeward journey and time to think about the pint of Guiness back at the guest house!!

Back on the concrete path the only fear is the dreaded, steep decline over the last few hundred metres. There's no short cut here, just grit your teeth and get on with it. All in all a rewarding day taking 4hrs 50mins moving time and 1hr 30mins stop time (6hrs 20mins in total). Total distance was 14.4km with max hgt being 1045m. Total ascent was 1605m (400m more than the Snowdon Horseshoe of Crib Goch, Carnedd Ugain and Snowdon!)
Written 30 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amanda C
Ballyduff, Ireland28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2014 • Couples
We parked the car at Cronin's Yard, the trail is easily sign posted. The walk to the base of the mountain is an enjoyable walk, over small streams, bog and stones. The climb became difficult when we reached the Devil's Ladder. It is abit steep and you will need to use your hands, but is completely possible just take your time, its not a race, you are climbing a mountain. Once we reached the top of the Ladder we stopped for a break and enjoyed the view, at this point it was cold and there was a strong breeze, put on an extra layer. Clouds were coming in so we walked the rest of the way to the top. We got to the top, took our photos and quickly made our decent before it got dark. The most difficult part was descending the Devil's Ladder, be careful, take your time as it is difficult to figure out a trail to follow. Once at the base of the ladder it's a quick walk back.

My advise is to start early, take your time, bring extra clothing, food and water. If at anytime the weather is getting bad turn back. We were extremely lucky it didn't rain, it would have made the climb almost impossible to do due to slippery rocks. Not the hardest climb I've done, I found Croagh Patrick was more difficult due to it being being a constant up hill and loose rocks.
Written 6 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ireland2010Colorado
Greeley, CO122 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2012 • Couples
Climbed Carrantoohil with our guide, Piaras, from Kerry Climbing. It was an amazing day and we learned so much from being with him. We will never forget it!
Written 20 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Von1287
Albany, NY762 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2018 • Couples
Coming from the Adirondack region of New York State, we are used to high mountains and have actually climbed our highest peak as well. That being said, the experience at Carrantoohill was unmatched. It was difficult to find the trail head since a water main break blocked the road we needed access to but eventually we found it. The parking cost is honor system and there are bathrooms and a cafe on location. People also campout here.

The trail is easy to begin with on a gravel path with great views of mountains, fields, and sheep. This lasts about an hour past a lake with great views and then you reach Devil's ladder. The ladder is very difficult and strenuous, that took 45min alone. Once at the top it was foggy so we could not see the summit. We did not realize there was much more to the hike after devil's ladder, but there is much more. It was another 45min up a steep rocky section to the summit which was not as difficult as Devil's ladder but by this point you are spent and this is very tough. We spent 30min at the top allowing the cloud cover to clear.

Once we came back down to the top of Devil's ladder we could see the alternate route down which did not include going back down the ladder, some people called it Zig Zags since that is what it looked like and other people called it Heaven's Gates. Either way, we chose that route down which actually meant we needed to go UP another small peak and over to the zig zags to get down. This was a long process as well but much safer than the ladder. The zig zags are steep and literally on the edge of the mountain so be careful.

You definitely need hiking gear, proper shoes, water, and food for this hike. It took us 5hrs in all.
Written 22 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ray C
Western Ireland, Ireland29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2012 • Family
This is the highest mountain in Ireland and it must be treated with respect otherwise it will have you big time. Think what you are doing and no problem even with teenage kids and trainers ( I have seen there) Allow about 7 hours. Make sure you are ok health wise and beware of the strain it puts on the knee joints,NOT going up but coming down. Take a back pack, drinks eats small first aid kit whistle, usual gear. HINT, wear one of the man made material shirts that allow wicking of sweat, dont go for cotton like stuff. The cotton soaks up the sweat. Damp wet patches arms and back with the back pack on. When you stop for a rest the air gets to the damp patches and you become cold very quick. Wicking gets rid of the damp and cold spots so you keep warm. Park at one of the free car parks, heed the warning signs and follow the path. The lead-in is a long path that leads to Jacobs ladder/ devils staircase or whatever name. A steep uphill scramble over loose stone- rock- water course to the top. It may be a pain in the butt but stay on this path up, dont veer off onto the smooth grass at the sides. I saw 2 women coming down as they thought on the easy grass slope at the side, what they didnt see but I could, was the grass was sloping more and there was no hand foot holds their decent speed was increasing and they were headed to a 60' free fall which was out of their view, I moved over to them quick and called them to a slow and I had to jam my carbon poles into the grass slope in front of them so they could use it as a stop hold to halt their fall. The poles held and the 2 were pulled back to the boulder path. They went into shock but were ok. so dont stray.. keep straight.. At the top of the ladder, turn right and keep going up to the cross at the summit. Enjoy and come back. It started snowing when I was there so Merry Xmas to all my readers. Come down the first decent to where the top of the ladder is and here you can go back down the ladder or if you look to your left there is another decent called Heavens Door, this is another marked decent path but watch out for about 3 separate stages of 20' free climb down.No problem if you think first. and home james. Dont forget the camera. Make sure you have the clothing gear for the weather
Written 15 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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