- Grade: A
- Length: 2 Options – see below
- Duration: 5-6 hrs
- Height gain: 900m
- Extension Option@
Start Point: Cronin’s Yard @ O.S. Map 78 V836 873
Carrauntoohil routes
1. Ascend Devil’s ladder and descend the Zig Zags (Shortest and most straightforward route.)
Distance 13km Time 5-6 hours. Ascent 900m
The walk in along the Hags Glen is relatively flat to the bottom of the ladder and
presents few obstacles. So too is the steep walk up to the summit from the top of the ladder. The ladder itself is a steep gully, filled with loose rocks but on a dry day and taking care is very ‘doable’. The return on the zig zags which is a steep narrow path on the flank of the area to the west of the ladder. It is straight forward and safer than the ladder and is followed by the walk out through the Hags Glen.
2. Ascend O Shea’s Gully and descend the Heavenly Gates
Distance 14.5km Time 5-6 hours. Ascent 900m
O Shea’s Gully is a more interesting and complex route and involves three scramble steps to negotiate facing rock. The final ascent to the summit is a scramble over boulders. Heavenly Gates is similar to O Shea’s with the same three scramble steps. The Gates itself is a narrow passage leading down to the steep gully.