Carrauntoohil Mountain
Carrauntoohil Mountain
Carrauntoohil Mountain
4.9
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Kam-Haider
London, UK666 contributions
Aug 2022
We have hiked up the three peaks back in 2019. I had found Ben Nevis a real challenge so was looking forward to conquering Carrauntoohil. Fortune was on our side with the weather being glorious, not a drop of rain and mostly sunny. We used Kerry Climbing as guides. I would recommend a guide for this mountain not nearly as many climbers as the mountains in the UK so easier to get lost. Mike was our guide and he was excellent, professional and reassuring. The hike itself was difficult. The devils ladders ascent is tough you will need to scramble up the rocks. This was exhausting and energy sapping and took almost 50 minutes. This climb does require a level of fitness. The final ascent to reach the summit was pretty brutal and tiring. At top there is a big cross. The descent also tough on the knees and I was in acute pain during this. As per normal I would recommend wearing the proper hiking gear, sturdy hike boots and its better to wearing warm clothes covering the entire body, there were plenty of midges and we did not have repellent. Its pretty cold at the top so warm clothes needed. I would also take plenty of fluids we did run out towards the end. I would rank the climb the hardest out of the tallest ones in the UK but was very proud of my children especially my 11 year who completed it without too many tears. There is a car park at the start, however bear in mind although there is a coffee kiosk there are no toilets,
Written August 31, 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.
Gordon H
Lancaster, UK53 contributions
Sep 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 September 18, 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.
Wolfhound130
Wicklow, Ireland4 contributions
Sep 2019 • Friends
Best descision was getting a guide for our climb rather than climbing it ourselves....what an incredible experience. From the initial contact with Catherine in the office who replied to my email late at night within an hour of me hitting send ( impressive ! ) the information pre-hike was very extensive and helpful for our preparations. This has been on our bucket list for quite some time. We researched all those providing guided hikes of Carrauntoohil and chose Kerryclimbing because of their stand out experience and professionalism. They also came highly recommended from local tourist offices and any accommodations we asked for advice. They are very highly regarded locally as the best at what they do. On the morning of the climb Catherine met us at the start of the hike to check us in and introduce us to our guides. Again very professional and everyone was warm and engaging and good fun from the get-go. We were guided on the day by Keith and Pearce, both instilled a sense of being in good hands and we started with a briefing on safety before setting off. During the course of the climb you could see the guides were monitoring us at all times but in a non intrusive way. We heard lots of stories about mountain rescues ( both guides are members of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team ) the geology of how the mountains were formed, even how old the rocks are!! Different wild plants spotted and named along the way. Also I found quite fascinating to hear of the clans that lived in the Hags Glen hundreds of years ago. We could even see Dursey Island from the top and Piaras had a lot of knowledge on the history there, its obvious this guy is a bit of a history buff but the way he passes the information on is quite enthralling. Kerryclimbing are up there with the best guides we've ever used. Thanks guys for a day we will never forget and for the great video, nice touch! If you want a safe day in the Irish mountains book Kerryclimbing for a fun informative unforgettable experience. They are quite simply top of their game.
We will be back to do O Shea's Gully and will most definitely be booking Kerryclimbing again!
We will be back to do O Shea's Gully and will most definitely be booking Kerryclimbing again!
Written June 23, 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, Italy44 contributions
Jun 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 November 27, 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.
Eliz@beth "Betsy" Myers
Pittsburgh, PA24 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Beautifully kept lands but I don't recommend just walking about on your own. Trails are well marked but this is rugged terrain. It's worth every euro to schedule time with a local guide. I recommend Kerry Climbing, which is operated by the Kelly family that lives in Beaufort. You'll learn a lot of mountaineering, safety, geology, geography and tales of the local hikers who named these mountains around you. My 14-year-old son smiled all day and interacted with hikers in our group. If you have teenagers you know that is a miracle! They can be pretty grumpy, especially early in the morning. But my son and our guide got on quite well. Lots of good craic going on the whole day!
Written January 11, 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.
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 September 16, 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.
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 October 10, 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.
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 August 11, 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, UK86 contributions
Jul 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 July 14, 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 May 5, 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 June 3, 2019
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