What to know before hiking Carrauntoohil - the tallest peak in Ireland
Carrauntoohil stats
Height: 1083m (3407ft)
Distance: approximately 12-14 km* (round trip)
Where it’s located: in County Kerry in the SW of Ireland, it’s part of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks range
*depends on which trail you take
Image is cut from the Carrauntoohil Guide by Natasha Bergen
Here are the top questions hikers ask when they start planning to conquer the Irish beast - Carrauntoohil!
You have the top, juicy answers from yours truly, an adventure travel YouTuber on a mission to reach the highest point in each European country. Let’s get to the point (pun totally intended).
*please note this post contains affiliate links
What’s the weather like and what should you wear?
It’s Ireland. You may have heard it rains. Which is 100% true, and this is what can happen when in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks range. The weather can change in an instant. You can lose visibility in the clouds, get caught in a downpour, be chilled to the bone, get blasted by wind and - if you’re lucky - feel the warm rays of the Irish sun on your face.
When I was there, I got three seasons in one day! No snow though, which is lucky for my crampons and ice axe at home. So this is why layers and being prepared are absolutely essential. This is what I recommend wearing for most weather occasions. You can sort out your own undergarments though.
The ‘what to wear’ list:
a base layer top, either short or long sleeve depending on the season
water-resistant or waterproof pants (windproof is even better)
hiking boots with ankle support are ideal especially for the more challenging trails
a mid-layer fleece depending on the season or if you get cold easily
outer shell jacket with a hood that’s wind and waterproof
padded gloves if you’re planning to do the ridges and scrambles
a hat if it’s sunny
warm gloves and hat if it’s during the cold season
*Please note this list is NOT optimal for winter climbs. These will require advanced knowledge and gear like an ice axe.
Final word on the weather? Check the forecast consistently! Use a website like meteoblue instead of your phone’s built in weather app. Be prepared for the scenario where you lose visibility and need to stay on track. Most parts of the trail don’t have cell reception so you can’t rely on it to navigate. #staydryinireland
What trails can you take to the peak of Carrauntoohil?
There are four main trails you can take that vary in length and difficulty. The most common trail nature-lovers take is the Devil’s Ladder. Naughty little name, eh?
It’s the fastest route to the summit and can be a fun challenge for beginners! It’s not to be underestimated, as every year the brave volunteers from Kerry Mountain Rescue have to save the injured and lost. It’s got its name because of the gully filled with loose rocks, mud and uneven terrain. It’s a menace when you don’t know what you’re doing or if someone ahead of you is kicking rocks back.
After the ladder it’s a steep stretch to the summit where you might see some sheep! If the clouds have rolled in at the summit, make sure you don’t fall off the edge. You know what they say, stay on top!
On your way down, it’s recommended to take the Zig Zags for three reasons and NOT go back via the ladder. One, it’s much easier than going down the often slippery, loose rock filled ‘ladder’. Two, if you end up starting earlier than the rest of the hikers. then you’ll be descending when they’re going up the ladder. That means there’s less chance you’ll kick a loose rock into someone’s face. Three, you get an awesome view of Carauntoohil and the lakes below!
The Devil’s Ladder is one of four trails you can take to the summit. The others might be more suitable for you, depending on how much of a challenge you would like! We’re talking scrambles, ridges, and places you can’t see while taking the Devil’s Ladder. If you’d like to know everything there is about all four trails (including the Devil’s Ladder) then check out this ultimate guide. Descriptive maps and trail links are included. I made this for fellow adventure lovers who want to skip the hours of research and have everything they need to know about Carrauntoohil in one place! That way you can spend more time outside doing what you love.
Stats on the Devil’s Ladder:
Difficulty: Hard
Time: 4-6 hours RT
Distance: 11 km RT
Image is cut from the Carrauntoohil Guide by Natasha Bergen
How do you get to Carrauntoohil?
Without any means of public transport to the base, this can be tricky for some. The best way would be to rent a car and drive to the trail starting point. For many, this would be Cronin’s Yard, but this isn’t the case for all trails. Do keep in mind they drive on the left-hand side and the roads are NARROW! We’re talking really narrow. Like a hippo trying to squeeze through a door frame narrow.
If you need to find a car to rent and save yourself the headache of comparing different companies, prices and regulations, then, check out discovercars.com. They’re the only platform I use when booking rental cars. They’ve saved me money and time. Once you’ve rented a car, you have the freedom to explore more of the region and get yourself to the trailheads with ease. Say hello to guesthouses and quaint B&Bs!
It’s recommended to have Killarney, the posh outdoorsy town (it’s like an Irish Banff #wherearethecanadiansat) as a jumping off point. From there, County Kerry and Carrauntoohil are really accessible!
The above should serve as a good starting point on your planning journey for Carrauntoohil. If you’d like full access to everything there is to know about Carrauntoohil, the tallest peak in Ireland, then this guide is for you! Alternatively, you can join the Patreon community as an Explorer or Adventurer and get access to the ultimate guide and more (exclusive content, meetups, and other Europe guides).
There’re also these videos you can watch for free! This one tells the story of Peak 4 on my journey to reach the highest peak in every European country and the other has more tips for you! Get out there and live your adventure!
