Carrauntoohill

Located in the south west of Ireland in the very lovely County Kerry sits Irelands highest mountain, Carrauntoohil standing at 1038m high. A classic pointed peak sat at the end of a horseshoe of sister peaks, all of which can be walked via the horseshoe circuit. (a more advanced hike)

The route I took is known as the "tourist route" which is the most direct way up to the summit via the devils ladder section. the route starts from Cronins yard which is a huge carpark to the north of the mountain range. Its a 2 euro parking fee on a barrier and a great little café to start and end the hike with. (great cakes!)

Even though this is the tourist route, it is nothing like the UK equivalent tourist routes up the big 3 of Snowdon/Scafell and Ben Nevis. Fitness, scrambling and just good mountain experience is required to enjoy this hike. The unpredictable weather the Atlantic ocean brings into Ireland must be appreciated and forecast consulted before any attempt is made.

The first (and last) 2 miles are pretty straight forward and resemble a typical tourist type route of laid Stoney/bouldery paths which constantly wind slowly up and pass some really interesting rugged mountain gullies such as Hags Tooth on the right hand side (another potential ascent route) You can see the summit way up high all the way along the first mile and its literally painful to look how high you need to ascend!

Things get spicy when you meet the infamous devils ladder around 2.5 miles in, which is effectively a steep gully going straight up for half a mile. Its scrambling up loose scree, boulders and whatever path you can find! Its not a hard scramble (ie not a category 1) but care needs to be taken as its loose and wet material. probably harder descending, although I chose to desend via Cnoc na Toinne.

Once at the top of the gulley its a fairly straight forward north west ascent (slog) up to the summit where you're greeted by a huge Cross and stone circle. Hopefully you will be treated to some absolutely stunning views of the mountain range looking down to Coomlaugha Lough and Lough Eagher (lakes) I know I was very lucky for my ascent as for a few days previously the summit was in total cloud. 

From the summit you can see the rest of the horseshow routes that take on some more advanced hiking routes as part of the horseshoe route, a route I wanted to walk but being solo decided against. 

I did however continue west up to the peak of Caher (1000m) which ascents up a quite stunning sheer face edge, some of which you get quite close too so again more caution is required.

During my hour or so around the summit I probably saw 4 people, which highlights actually "un-touristy" the mountain range really is. 

The way back you can do a variation, rather than scrambling down the devils ladder you can do a shortish ascent up to Cnoc-na Toinne and pick up an old zig zag path that will bring you back down to the main path back to Cronins Yard. (just before the devils ladder ascent) Its a longer route but far better for tired legs in my opinion as by the time the hike is done you will have walked 10 miles and 4000ft ascent. Once at the bottom of this alternative path you have a fairly easy 2.5 mile walk retracing the path back to the start. A nice relaxing finish to a great day in the mountains.

Some more info on the route can be found on the mountain rescue website below which I believe is well worth visiting and having a good read.

https://kerrymountainrescue.ie/carrauntoohil-route-descriptions/

Lots of photos from this hike, too good a day not too take so many!

Link for Cronins Yard - https://croninsyard.com/

Enjoy!

Any questions feel free to ask.

GPX route available on request.