• You have the flexibility to pay your deposit and balance using any legal method. Please note, if you choose to pay via electronic bank transfer, you are responsible for any associated transfer fees. This ensures that the company receives the full invoiced amount in the specified currency. 

• Cancellations 90 days or more before departure: Full deposit refund if paid in advance. After 90 days, 30% of the deposit is non-refundable.
• Cancellations 60 days before departure: 50% of the deposit is non-refundable.
• Cancellations 45 days before departure: Full deposit is non-refundable, plus an additional 30% of the total trip cost.
• Cancellations 30 days or less before departure: 100% of the total trip cost is non-refundable.

The Carrauntoohil hike takes approximately 5 to 8 hours depending on the route, the weather, and the pace of the group. The Devil’s Ladder route is the shortest and most direct at around 5 to 6 hours. The Brother O’Shea’s Gully and Coomloughra Horseshoe routes take longer. Your guide will manage the pace to make sure everyone gets to the summit and back safely.

The best time to climb Carrauntoohil is from March to October, when the days are longest and the weather is most settled. That said, the Kerry mountains can produce rain, wind, and low cloud at any time of year. Summer months (June to August) give you the best chance of clear skies and dry conditions. Winter climbing is possible but requires different skills and equipment.

Carrauntoohil is graded moderate to strenuous depending on the route. The Devil’s Ladder is the most popular route and involves steep, rocky terrain with some scrambling near the top. You do not need technical climbing experience, but you do need a reasonable level of fitness and proper hiking gear. If you can walk for 5 to 6 hours on uneven ground, you can climb Carrauntoohil.

Most reasonably fit adults can climb Carrauntoohil with a guided group. It is not a technical climb, but it is a real mountain with real mountain conditions. You should be comfortable walking for several hours on rough, steep terrain and be prepared for changeable weather. Children over 12 with good fitness can attempt the climb with a private guide.

The three main routes are the Devil’s Ladder (shortest, most direct, strenuous), Brother O’Shea’s Gully (scenic alternative, steep gully section), and the Coomloughra Horseshoe (ridge walk taking in multiple peaks, longest and most exposed). Your guide will recommend the best route based on conditions and the experience of the group.

Carrauntoohil is in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range in County Kerry, Ireland. It is approximately 15 minutes from Killarney and is accessed from Cronin’s Yard near Beaufort. Pat Falvey’s Mountain Lodge in Beaufort is the meeting point for all guided treks.

You need proper hiking boots (not runners or trainers), waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, hat, gloves, a small backpack, water, and food. Kerry weather can change quickly, so dress for rain and wind even if the forecast looks good. Pat has a detailed gear guide video on his YouTube channel.

You do not legally need a guide, but Carrauntoohil is a real mountain where people get lost, injured, and caught out by weather every year. A guided hike with an experienced local guide is the safest and most enjoyable way to reach the summit, especially if it is your first time.