Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder up Carrauntoohil: route map, distance and time
1,039 m · Macgillycuddy's Reeks · OS grid V803844
Carrauntoohil is the highest mountain in Ireland, the centrepiece of Macgillycuddy's Reeks in County Kerry, with a large cross on its summit.
A track leads into the Hag's Glen past the lakes, then the Devil's Ladder climbs a steep, loose gully to the col and the summit path.
Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder at a glance
| Distance | 6.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 915 m |
| Time up | 2h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cronin's Yard car park |
| Summit grid reference | V803844 |
Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder 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 Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 25m | 5h 0m |
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 08:09, sunset 18:39. Start by 13:34 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:10, sunset 18:36. Start by 13:31 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Carrauntoohil summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Mainly clear, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 11 mph gusting 17 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 08:09, sunset 18:39.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Mostly dry, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 25 mph gusting 31 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 08:10, sunset 18:36.
Best day of the next seven for Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 17 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 7% (Low), best around 05:00.
Hour-by-hour Carrauntoohil forecast
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -5°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 Carrauntoohil
Carrauntoohil is the highest mountain in Ireland, the centrepiece of Macgillycuddy's Reeks in County Kerry, with a large cross on its summit. More about Carrauntoohil, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Marilyn, Arderin, Vandeleur-Lynam, historic county top, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Na Cnamha (957 m), 0.4 km north-west
- Beenkeragh (1,008 m), 0.9 km north
- Hag's Tooth (662 m), 0.9 km north-east
- Caher (1,000 m), 1.2 km south-west
- Cnoc na Toinne (844 m), 1.3 km south-east
- Caher West Top (973 m), 1.4 km west
Challenges that include Carrauntoohil
Other routes up Carrauntoohil
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coomloughra Horseshoe | 7.9 km one way | 982 m | 3h 15m | Scramble |
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.
Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder: questions and answers
How far is Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder?
Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder is 6.3 km one way to the summit of Carrauntoohil, with 915 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.6 km.
How long does Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder take?
About 2h 45m to the summit of Carrauntoohil and 4h 5m 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 5h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder?
Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder starts from Cronin's Yard car park.
Is Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first.
What time should I start Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder today?
By 13:34 at the latest. Sunset on Carrauntoohil today is 18:39, Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder takes about 4h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Cronin's Yard via the Devil's Ladder?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).