Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe up Purple Mountain: route map, distance and time
832 m · Macgillycuddy's Reeks · OS grid V886851
Purple Mountain is an 832 m peak above the Gap of Dunloe near Killarney, named for the colour of its shattered sandstone slopes.
Climb onto Tomies Mountain and follow the broad, stony ridge south to Purple Mountain, then drop steeply into the Gap of Dunloe.
Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe at a glance
| Distance | 6.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 860 m |
| Time up | 2h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Kate Kearney's Cottage, Gap of Dunloe |
| Summit grid reference | V886851 |
Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe 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 Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe 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 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 20m | 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 08:08, sunset 18:38. Start by 13:38 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:10, sunset 18:36. Start by 13:36 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Purple Mountain summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Purple Mountain right now. The main Purple Mountain page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Purple Mountain forecast.
About Purple Mountain
Purple Mountain is an 832 m peak above the Gap of Dunloe near Killarney, named for the colour of its shattered sandstone slopes. More about Purple Mountain, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Marilyn, Arderin, Vandeleur-Lynam.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Purple Mountain NE Top (756 m), 1 km north-east
- Shehy Mountain (761 m), 1.6 km east
- Tomies Mountain (734 m), 1.8 km north-east
- Cnoc na dTarbh (657 m), 2.4 km west
- Cnoc an Bhraca (728 m), 2.8 km west
Challenges that include Purple 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.
Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe: questions and answers
How far is Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe?
Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe is 6.5 km one way to the summit of Purple Mountain, with 860 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.0 km.
How long does Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe take?
About 2h 45m to the summit of Purple Mountain and 4h 0m 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 Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe?
Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe starts from Kate Kearney's Cottage, Gap of Dunloe.
Is Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe 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 Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe today?
By 13:38 at the latest. Sunset on Purple Mountain today is 18:38, Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe takes about 4h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Tomies ridge from the Gap of Dunloe?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).