Ballybrack via the Saint's Road up Brandon Mountain: route map, distance and time
952 m · Dingle Peninsula - W of Dingle · OS grid Q460116
Brandon Mountain is the highest peak on the Dingle Peninsula, a long ridge above the Atlantic with a pilgrim path to its summit.
A pilgrim path marked by crosses climbs long grassy slopes on the west side to the summit.
Ballybrack via the Saint's Road at a glance
| Distance | 5.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 859 m |
| Time up | 2h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ballybrack car park |
| Summit grid reference | Q460116 |
Ballybrack via the Saint's Road map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Ballybrack via the Saint's Road takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 15m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 08:11, sunset 18:40. Start by 14:10 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:13, sunset 18:38. Start by 14:08 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Brandon Mountain summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 11 mph gusting 21 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 08:11, sunset 18:40.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Overcast, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 32 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 08:13, sunset 18:38.
Best day of the next seven for Ballybrack via the Saint's Road: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 21 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Brandon Mountain forecast
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Brandon Mountain
Brandon Mountain is the highest peak on the Dingle Peninsula, a long ridge above the Atlantic with a pilgrim path to its summit. More about Brandon Mountain, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Marilyn, Arderin, Vandeleur-Lynam.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Faha Ridge (809 m), 0.6 km north-east
- Binn Faha (823 m), 0.9 km east
- Sliabh a' Choimin (895 m), 0.9 km north
- Binn Ard (798 m), 1.2 km south-east
- Brandon Far North Top (840 m), 1.3 km north
- Piaras Mor (746 m), 2.1 km north
Challenges that include Brandon Mountain
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location, what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Ballybrack via the Saint's Road: questions and answers
How far is Ballybrack via the Saint's Road?
Ballybrack via the Saint's Road is 5.1 km one way to the summit of Brandon Mountain, with 859 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.2 km.
How long does Ballybrack via the Saint's Road take?
About 2h 25m to the summit of Brandon Mountain and 3h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Ballybrack via the Saint's Road?
Ballybrack via the Saint's Road starts from Ballybrack car park.
Is Ballybrack via the Saint's Road suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Ballybrack via the Saint's Road today?
By 14:10 at the latest. Sunset on Brandon Mountain today is 18:40, Ballybrack via the Saint's Road takes about 3h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ballybrack via the Saint's Road?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).