Carrauntoohil Mountain
Carrauntoohil Mountain
Carrauntoohil Mountain
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5.0
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KattySmyth
Belfast, UK50 contributions
Aug 2020
We started our journey of by parking at Cronin's Yard for 2 euros and excitedly started our hike up Ireland's highest mountain. I will say that it is a long hike and certainly proper hiking boots and kit essentials are recommended as the weather wasn't the greatest for our hike. But don't let this put you off, if you have the hiking gear and experience behind you, this is a brilliant hike. Trails are easy enough to follow and you'll be sure to have hikers in front or coming along behind you but it is not busy. The walk to the bottom of the Devil's Ladder is a great way to get the legs moving before a tough ascent and when up out of the Devil's Ladder it's up to the right and towards the peak. We descended down the Devil's Ladder and returned back to our car feeling exhilarated. We did have sore legs the next day but well worth it
Written 16 September 2020
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.
Gordon H
Lancaster, UK53 contributions
Sept 2021 • Friends
We came over to Ireland from the U.K. as 2 experienced Climbers/walkers to originally walk up Carountoohil, however on doing some research we thought we’d do it by Howling Ridge the classic mountaineering route up the mountain, all I can say is it turned out to be one of the best mountaineering routes up to the summit, my only complaint was that the weather was 24 degrees of sunshine with no wind, so it made it a bit tougher than it should of been.
In my view it was the best way to get to the summit.
However I would recommend doing it with and experienced mountain guide if you are inexperienced.
After we had spent some time on the summit, we descended via the Devils Ladder (Not for the faint hearted, a bit like descending off Milestone butress in Ogwen)
This is also one of the ways to the summit if you are walking it.
All in all a great and memorable adventure
In my view it was the best way to get to the summit.
However I would recommend doing it with and experienced mountain guide if you are inexperienced.
After we had spent some time on the summit, we descended via the Devils Ladder (Not for the faint hearted, a bit like descending off Milestone butress in Ogwen)
This is also one of the ways to the summit if you are walking it.
All in all a great and memorable adventure
Written 18 September 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.
Emily
7 contributions
Oct 2020
My boyfriend and I took a guided trek up Carrauntoohil. We could not have had a better experience! The views were amazing and well worth the trek. Would recommend a guide for the first trek up, especially for lesser experienced hikers. While doable if in shape and with proper gear, there isn't so much a trail, but rather a few unmarked routes to take to get to the top so this is where a guide would be good.
Written 10 October 2020
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.
Fabio G
Province of Trieste, Italy43 contributions
June 2023 • Couples
Excursion done by my wife and me in June 2023. Here is the info you need to climb the highest mountain in Ireland. Parking at Cronins park (you enter the park by passing a barrier that opens automatically) costs two euros per car, you pay on the way back by putting 2 euros in the column when you exit and the barrier opens, so it is useful to have the 2 euros in your pocket . From the car park, a pleasant climb begins, walking on an easy path. After about twenty minutes and after having crossed a stream via a bridge, you arrive at the 1st crossroads: continue towards the left (it's difficult to make a mistake because all you have to do is look at the mountain range, it's on the left). From now on there are no other paths that can lead you astray because it takes you straight to the top. After another 50 minutes of comfortable walking, passing near a couple of lakes, you arrive at the beginning of the Devil' Ladder, a gully made of stones and debris, the climb of which takes hikers for about 45 minutes. It's not technically difficult but it's very steep, not pleasant, and you often use your hands to pull yourself up. As soon as you reach the end of the Ladder, turn right 90° and, following the various stone cairns, in about 40 minutes you will reach the top. On the top there is a summit cross and a square made with stones to protect from the wind. I can't describe the view because the weather was a disaster: it was pouring, there was fog, there was a strong wind and it was cold, in short we had terrible bad luck. The return is done either by retracing the same road and hitting the ladder down or by extending it by about 15 minutes (like we did) and going around it via a path. Take this path like this: go back down from the top to the top of the Ladder, don't turn left to go down, but keep straight and climb steeply for about 10 minutes on the designated slope. Follow this clearly visible path (a little exposed in some parts, but with a firm step you can do it easily) and after about 40 minutes you find yourself at the base of the Ladder. On the way out you could also take this path but I assure you that it is very difficult to locate because the area is a messy stony lot, so much so that you have some doubts even about taking the Ladder. Arrived at the base of the Ladder in a good hour or so, calmly, you arrive at the car park. There is a bar/restaurant across the car park that doesn't offer vegan food, they don't even know what it is, like almost all of Ireland. The excursion requires a journey time which is subjective: on average it takes around 6 hours.
Written 27 November 2023
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.
Curiosity826660
27 contributions
Aug 2021
Most people will climb this mountain via the Devil's Ladder, the obvious route. Taking Brother O'Shea's Gully provides a far more interesting way up that enables a good horseshoe walk to be made and breaks the ascent into a far more interesting climb. That said, the path is not clear in all places and when the clouds come down the way is not obvious. So if you choose to do this more rewarding route get a guide such as Kerry Climbing.
Written 11 August 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.
LJ35
Northern Ireland, UK87 contributions
July 2020 • Couples
At long last we got the weather to climb Carrauntoohill. The trail is well marked from the start. We headed off just after 9am & it was quiet, just a few others in front. We went up the Devil's Ladder and came back the zigzag path, approx 9 miles & took us just under 6 hours. It's a long hike and good fitness is essential. Walking boots are best and bring layers, water & food. The walk up to the bottom of the Devil's Ladder is long and a very gradual ascent, this in itself would make a good family walk. After that it's tough! Worth it though for the amazing views at the top if you are lucky enough to get a clear day as we did. To get to the zigzag trail you have to come back down from the peak, go past the top of the Devil's Ladder & up to the top of the next ridge. It's a great hike & worth the sore legs next day!
Written 14 July 2020
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.
Joe
Limerick Junction, Ireland3 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
This mountain is amazing and a great achievement. I took 2 photos on the 1st Dec 2019, who ever the groups were, I thought you might appreciate these. Initially I was dissapointed there were people in them, but I think it brought scale..😂
Written 5 May 2020
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.
Lukas
Miami, FL18 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
We went March 2nd and set out from Cronin’s Yard at 8am. The weather and conditions were pretty extreme. There was extreme winds and a snow blizzard at top. Low visibility near the top. Had no gloves but summited at 11:09am. Definitely intermediate-advanced level.
Written 3 March 2024
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.
Sandra S
2 contributions
Aug 2021
I have fallen in love with these mountains, definitely going back in October if I can. Not for everyone, it was hard work. saw two kids there, but i won't be bringing mine, too many risks for little ones imo
Written 31 August 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.
concubhair2017
Dublin, Ireland146 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
A strenuous enough climb but well worth the effort for the views - weather depending!
We climbed up via the Devil’s Ladder and descended the slightly longer route by the side of Cnoc an Toinne, having parked in Cronin’s Yard. The trails was straightforward enough to follow and there were enough other hikers to offer advice if required.
We climbed up via the Devil’s Ladder and descended the slightly longer route by the side of Cnoc an Toinne, having parked in Cronin’s Yard. The trails was straightforward enough to follow and there were enough other hikers to offer advice if required.
Written 3 September 2020
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.
kjpinard
Vancouver, Washington
Are there guided hikes during the week? Specifically, July 3rd or 4th, 2019?
Written 3 June 2019
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