Dingle Mountain Climbing On The Dingle Peninsula. Almost Entirely A Mountain Region

Centres: Tralee, Inch, Camp, Castlemaine, Dingle, Castlegregory, Anascaul, Cloghane, Ballyferriter, Dunquin.

The Dingle Peninsula is almost entirely a mountain region, topped by Brandon Mountain (3,127ft). The area can be conveniently divided into three main groups of mountains: The Slieve Mish range, Castlegregory-Anascaul group and Brandon, these three comprise Dingle Mountain Climbing.

The Slieve Mish Mountains

The Slieve Mish range runs westwards for about ten miles from near Tralee to south of Camp. The more elevated peaks are at the western end, and Baurtegaum (2,796) is the highest point.

West of this top, Caherconree (2.713ft) has the prehistoric stone fort of Caherconree on a spur below the summit.

The best approach to these hills is from the road running south from Camp to Aughils Bridge.

The main ridge eastward to Tralee is reminiscent of the Galtees, and the final peak, Knockawaddra (1,125ft) south of Tralee, is a magnificent viewpoint for the rolling country of North Kerry and Cork. Castlegregory-Anascaul Group.

Situated in the centre of the Dingle Peninsula, this group of mountains is cut off from the Brandon group by Connor Pass on the West; on the East, the main Tralee-Dingle road separates it from the Slieve Mish range. The mountains are rather scattered and provide individual climbs rather than ridge walking.

From Ballyduff, on the north a long valley runs under the west side of Beenoskee (2,713ft) and provides a good approach to this peak.

At the head of the valley, the range can be crossed over to Lough Anscaul (some fine cliffs).

The Brandon Group

North of Dingle Town the mountain rampart of Brandon overlooks the coastal plain of the western extremity of the peninsula.

From Dingle, a strong climber can ridge-walk from Ballysitteragh (2,050ft) to Gearhane (2,050ft) SAME HEIGHT!! To Brandon Peak (2,764ft) and Brandon Mountain (3,127ft) and then down to Cloghane.

The favourite ascent of Brandon Mountain is by the “Saint’s Road” from Ballybrack (approximately 8 miles north of Milltown).

A recognisable track way climbs the western slopes of the mountaintop the tall well-groomed cairn at 3,127ft.

On the summit is the ruined oratory of Saint Brendan, and a well.

The view from the summit is superb, and the peaks of South Kerry across the Dingle Bay contrast with the lowlands of Clare to the North.

From Brandon’s summit the dropping ridge northwards via Masatiompan (2,509ft) to Brandon Head is a fine ramble. The sea cliffs at Brandon Head are over 1,000ft high and are only for the expert cragsman.

There are numerous rock climbs on the range of cliffs on the East side of Brandon. The best centre for these is Cloghane.

From Lough Cruttia (the largest of the chain of tarns beneath the summit) a rough scramble leads to Lough Nalacken. Above this point a boulder strewn area leads to a series of cliffs affording climbs varying from 400 to 600 feet.

Have you any climbing experiences around the Dingle Mountains? If you have why not send me an email, and I’ll include them on this page.

Dingle MOUNTAIN climbing