ᐅ Summit No. 32: Carrauntohill (Ireland)

SUMMITS

SUMMIT No. 32: Carrauntohill (IRELAND)

IRELAND

Carrauntohill

04/04/2026

ALTITUDE

1,038 m

ANDREU LÓPEZ

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

MEDIUM

REPORT

I’ve been working nonstop from Monday to Sunday throughout January, February, and March, with practically no free time. I often think outside the box, so one night, well into the early hours of the morning, I decided to send a message to the universe: I’ll book some flights to Ireland, where I’ll spend five days during Holy Week this year.

For many days now, I’ve been juggling multiple obligations and schedule constraints—mainly due to work—so I’ve decided to plan only the first night of the trip and, from there, just go with the flow and figure out the rest of the itinerary as I go.

Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland, is a member country of the European Union, so you can forget about your passport and about having to exchange euros for British pounds. However, you won’t be able to avoid driving on the left or needing a power adapter.

Ireland’s population exceeds 5 million, and its capital is Dublin, located in the eastern part of the country, with a population of about 600,000 (1,800,000 in the metropolitan area).

The modern Irish state achieved effective independence from the United Kingdom in 1922, following the War of Independence, which ended with the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Meanwhile, Ulster—later Northern Ireland—remained part of the United Kingdom. This intensified the so-called “Northern Ireland Conflict,” which continues to this day, despite peace negotiations between pro-British unionist forces and those who seek independence from the United Kingdom and integration with the Republic of Ireland.

Let’s put the past and history aside and fast-forward to the present—specifically, Friday, April 3, when my flight from Reus to Dublin takes off at 9:50. Flying out of Reus isn’t a common choice, but if we want to avoid crowds and get a competitive price, it’s a very valid alternative worth considering, especially for destinations like this one.

The trip is short—about two hours—and as soon as I arrive, I head to the Europcar offices. The first hour of driving is quite stressful, since driving on the left is compounded by the traffic, which is very common in the capital, Dublin, during certain rush hours of the day. The drive from Dublin to Killarney, in the west of the country, takes me about four and a half hours. I’m staying at the Líos Na Manach ECO B&B, surrounded by beautiful green meadows and away from the city center—a truly peaceful option.

I don’t stay at the lodging for very long, since I’ve spent practically the whole day traveling by car and sitting down, and I’m eager to get out and about on my own. So I head to the Killarney Lakes, where—making the most of the last few hours of daylight—I’ll complete a lovely circular walk that takes about two hours.

Tomorrow is the day I’ll climb to the country’s highest peak: Carrauntoohil, at an elevation of 1,038 meters. Years of mountain experience have taught me not to underestimate any kind of elevation, no matter how modest its height. I had initially planned to complete a route that climbed Ireland’s three highest mountains, but this option involved a certain technical challenge. Combined with the fact that I’m traveling alone on this expedition and a weather forecast calling for rain and winds nearing 100 km/h, I’ve decided to rule out the “triple crown” option.

Just completing the Carrauntoohil via the classic route will be a great adventure in itself.

I should have gotten up very early, but, as always, I didn’t—and I’m not exactly a role model in that regard. The storm will peak around 1:00 p.m., and it will find me up in the highlands. I’m prepared for that. The distance between Killarney and Cronin’s Yard, the starting point of the route, is about a 30-minute drive. Cronin’s Yard is located in Beaufort, County Kerry, a predominantly rural area.

I start the hike around 10:30 a.m. at an elevation of 200 meters. I have about 6 kilometers to go to the summit and an elevation gain of approximately 900 meters, after which I’ll retrace my steps back. The first four kilometers are practically flat and present no difficulty beyond the discomfort of the strong, constant, and intense wind and rain. The forecast for today indicates that around 1:00 p.m., the rain and wind will reach their peak intensity, so I take the opportunity to walk quickly through this more forgiving terrain and make sure I get through the worst of it away from the open, most exposed areas of the mountain.

I pass by two lakes—one on my left and the other on my right—and arrive at the famous Devil’s Ladder. It’s a very steep slope—though not at all technical—which, for my purposes, feels almost heavenly, since it’s a sheltered corridor that protects me quite well from the wind and rain. I pass hikers coming down. Some haven’t reached the summit because they decided to turn back after leaving the pass due to the strong wind, and others did make it, though they had to crawl on all fours in some sections.

I make rapid progress and reach the pass, located at an altitude of approximately 700 meters. From there to the summit, a veritable windstorm awaits me, with gusts that easily exceed 100 kilometers per hour. Even so, I feel calm and maintain complete control of the situation at all times.

I reach the summit at 12:30 p.m. and, from there, begin the descent as quickly as I can, though always with caution. I finish the hike with three or four kilos of water soaked into my clothes, but beaming with joy from the experience and adventure I’ve had today. And, honestly, I think that once I manage to dry my clothes, I’ll have earned a visit to a real Irish pub.

After a day like yesterday, completely exposed to the elements, it’s time to enjoy the comfort of having a roof over our heads and a mode of transportation that lets us explore the country in a relaxed and peaceful way. So I booked a guided bus tour known as the “Ring of Kerry,” which will take us to various points of interest in the county, departing from Killarney.

I’ve been trying for five minutes to understand what the driver—who’s also acting as our guide—is saying, but I finally give up. I can’t understand even ten percent of what he’s explaining. He speaks with an extremely thick accent and at a speed that even Usain Bolt himself would approve of. The day-long excursion is well worth it—despite the language barrier—and, on top of that, we’re enjoying bright, constant sunshine that didn’t make an appearance even for a single moment yesterday on Carrauntoohil.

During the excursion, we visited The Kerry Bog Village, a historical reenactment site where 19th-century homes have been preserved intact and where visitors can learn about the various traditional trades that were practiced there. We were also particularly struck by two Irish Wolfhounds, the tallest dog breed in the world, with males standing over 80 centimeters tall and weighing over 50 kilograms.

Another must-see are the Kells Sheepdogs, herding dogs with an extraordinary ability to herd flocks of sheep. Although, for a Catalan like me, who is used to watching the annual sheepdog trials in Castellar de n’Hug, the activity isn’t particularly surprising—unlike for most of the group members.

Throughout the entire route, we followed the coastline and enjoyed spectacular scenery. The driver made numerous stops so we could capture the moment, and around 5:00 p.m., we completed our loop through County Kerry.

I swap the bus for a rental car and head toward the Dingle Peninsula—a completely impromptu trip recommended by someone at the place where I stayed the night before. On this trip, I’ve been making decisions as I go, and honestly, it’s been a great choice. It’s allowed me to move around freely, without being tied to a rigid schedule, and to decide where to go at any given moment. The drive from Killarney to Dingle takes about an hour and is simply spectacular, as it runs right along the coast the whole way.

I’m staying in a house that’s been converted into a guesthouse with rooms overlooking the sea. There are hotels on the islands, of course, though this type of lodging is much more common. I’m greeted by two enormous yet gentle Irish Wolfhounds. The house also features a charming space that combines a bar and a library, where I enjoy a local beer before calling it a night.

Ireland is like plucking the petals off a daisy. The day we climbed Carrauntoohil was marked by strong gusts of wind and rain; the next day we enjoyed constant sunshine, and on Monday the sea “breeze” made its return. But we made the best of it, so we set out to explore the Dingle Peninsula—undoubtedly the most beautiful, spectacular, and wild place I’ve visited in Ireland, both on this 2026 trip and during my first visit to the country back in 2005.

The Dingle Peninsula is located at the western tip of Ireland and is known for its stunning cliffs, the islands that dot the coastline, and its magnificent beaches with fine sand.

I spend the morning on a circular hike of about 13 kilometers that follows the coastline and offers views of part of the spectacular Blasket Islands. The trail is mostly flat, though I’m exposed to strong winds throughout the hike, and I have to be extremely careful on some sections that run along the cliffs, as the wet grass is extremely slippery.

I’m not Irish, so the time I spend in the country is especially precious to me. I have to make the most of it. So, even though a four-and-a-half-hour drive to Dublin awaits me at the end of the day, I still find time for a quick hike up Mount Brandon, which stands at 958 meters, on a trail totaling about ten kilometers.

The ascent up Mount Brandon begins at about 170 meters above sea level. It is a straight path, clearly marked by numerous signposts that lead to the summit. After overcoming my old familiar foes—the wind and the fog—I reach the highest point on the peninsula.

I won’t tell you that the views from the summit were spectacular because, quite simply, there weren’t any views to speak of. However, when the fog decides to lift, this hike allows you to enjoy the full grandeur of the peninsula’s landscape.

Well, it’s about time to venture back into urban settings. Dublin awaits me, along with a four-and-a-half-hour drive to get there.

I had been in Dublin in 2005 visiting my childhood friend Bernat Tort, who was then participating in an Erasmus program at the University of Maynooth. Dublin, as a city, isn’t particularly spectacular beyond its castle, but it is a modern city that has left the conflicts between Catholics and Protestants behind to look toward an open, pluralistic, and cosmopolitan future.

I recommend taking a leisurely stroll through downtown and popping into a pub to enjoy some classic fish & chips while listening to some good music in the background. I spend my last few hours in the city exploring some of its lovely parks and pick up the car early enough to avoid getting caught in the usual rush-hour traffic jams.

I only spent a few days in Ireland, but they were intense and very well spent. They gave me a chance to unwind and recharge after several months of a heavy workload.

National Roof No. 32 completed.

Although Carrauntoohil isn’t particularly high, it did require our full attention due to challenging weather conditions and called for a good deal of resilience.

I’m leaving feeling very satisfied with the trip and with these islands—a destination that always knows how to take good care of its visitors.