Carrauntoohil Walk via O’Sheas Gully and Zig Zags, Kerry

The Brother O'Sheas Gully approach to Carrauntoohil is a moderate to strenuous 5-6 hour (13km) walking route to the summit of Carrauntoohil Mountain (1,039m) and return via the safe if not sometimes difficult to find Zig Zags (a small stone marker has now be created). This is now one of the more popular routes to the summit for people avoid the Devils Ladder with the route starting in the traditional start point of Cronin's Yard near the town of Killarney, Co. Kerry in the south west of Ireland. It is a relatively safe and interesting climb with a few easy scrambles.

This route is considered the easiest of Gully routes on the north west side of Carrauntoohil with the Curved and Central Gullys considered more difficult than O'Sheas Gully. From teh traditional starting point of Cronin’s Yard (or Lisleibane), follow the well worn path into the Hags Glen, passing a few steel bridges over the Gaddagh River and some other streams. At a point just before the stepping stones, you turn right for O’Sheas Gully or other Gully routes.  For other route including the Devils Ladder you continue straight using the large stepping stones to cross the river.

Please note that if you have not walked this route before, care is required to reach to what is known as Level 1 above Lough Gouragh in the Hags Glen. There are one or two places where the route is quite exposed some may find this daunting if they do not have any mountain experience. There are a number of short rocky steps requiring some easy scrambling so a personal guide could be handy to give you more confidence. Shortly afterwards this easy scramble, you emerge onto an area of flat ground known as the ‘first level’ (Grid Ref. V809849) with great views of the Reeks. See http://www.kerrymountainrescue.ie/routes/brother_osheas.html for more information, routes and photos.

There are plenty of other routes to suit beginners to advanced walkers in the area, so please find a route that is right for you or your group. Some other popular routes include:

1. Carrauntoohil via the Devils Ladder
2. Coomloughra Horseshoe Loop Walk to Carrauntoohil 
3. Carrauntoohil via The Bone and down the Heavenly Gates
4. MacGillyCuddy's Reeks Entire Mountain Range Walk

Plan your walk by checking the weather, sunrise sunset times and our hiking checklist on our website https://www.activeme.ie/useful-info/planning-a-trip/. Please remember that you are only as fast as the slowest member of your group!