Mount Brandon Guided Walks
Climb Ireland’s second highest mountain
Celtic Nature Walking Tours
Mount Brandon which takes its name from St. Brendan The Navigator is Ireland’s second highest mountain standing at 952 metres or 3000 feet. Approximately a 5/6 hour return trip, this looming, glorious mountain offers 360 degree spectacular views from the summit of lakes, islands and miles and miles of the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way coastline.
A Guided Walk up Mount Brandon, Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry
Grade: Moderate to Strenuous.
Route Length: 9km – 15km depending on route.
Height: 952m – 3123ft
Duration: 4 – 6 hrs
Highlights: Moderate to strenuous hike offering wonderful views and some very healthy personal satisfaction
Walk Through History
A hike up Mount Brandon will take you to the highest point of the Dingle Peninsula and is one of the great mountain walks on the Wild Atlantic Way. Mount Brandon, located as it is at the end of the Dingle Peninsula and climbing 3000 ft above the surrounding ocean offers wonderful views of wild Ireland.
The summit of Mount Brandon is where in Pagan times the harvest festival of Lughnasa was celebrated. The summit of Mount Brandon is also where legend tells us St Brendan, in a small oratory, spent time in deep meditation before embarking on his great voyage to find the Isle of the Blest. Barr an Turas is how the summit is known locally in the Irish language. Meaning “the top of the journey” it refers to the summit of Mount Brandon being the ultimate destination of pilgrimage since time immemorial. Reaching the summit of Mount Brandon always allows for a healthy sense of achievement.
Mount Brandon Route Options
We offer to guide you on one of three alternative routes to the peak of Mount Brandon. Each route begins at a different trailhead.
Mount Brandon from Baille na hAbha
This route follows the Dingle Way up through Baile na hAbha on the military rd as far as the col just shy of 700m. Here you turn south towards Piaras Mor and to the summit of Mount Brandon. Wonderful views of the dramatic coastlines for miles and miles from the Blasket Islands to the Maharees and beyond. At your feet, the corrie lakes of the glaciated valleys and the faha ridge.
- 4 -5 Hours
- Moderate - Strenuous
Mount Brandon from Faha
Faha, near the village of Clogane on the northern side of the mountain, offers a dramatic ascent up through the glaciated valley of xx with it’s series of paternoster lakes and the sheer valley walls carved out by ice in the long ago. A short scramble at the back of the valley brings you onto the col??, a ten minute walk from the summit.
- 4 -5 Hours
- Strenuous
Mount Brandon from Baille Breac. Ballybrack
Ballybrack is 6 miles north west of Dingle Town. This route follows the western pilgrims path and is marked out by the 14 stations of the cross. This is the most direct route and takes 3 to 4 hours up and down.
- 3-4 Hours
- Moderate
We are happy to recommend the best approach on the day depending on weather conditions, fitness levels and your special interests. We can also plan to ascend and descend by different routes, giving you a full taste of this wonderful mountain.
