Photo Blog: Irish Peaks & Mountains of the Wild Atlantic Way

Traverse the ridge along Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s Holy Mountain.

Known locally as ‘The Reek,’ Croagh Patrick has been a pilgrimage route since ancient times. This impressive mountain overlooks the town of Westport, Clew Bay and the hundreds of islands populating the bay. Famous for its saintly connection, St Patrick is said to have fasted on the summit of Croagh Patrick for 40 days. Considered Ireland’s Holy Mountain, it is still climbed by thousands of pilgrims on the last Sunday in July – some of whom walk up the mountain barefoot!

• Hike Croagh Patrick on Hiking the Mountains of Connemara & Mayo.

Admiring the nose of Ben Bulben, Sligo’s iconic tabletop mountain, one of the most intriguing Wild Atlantic Way mountains.

Ben Bulben, one of Europe’s only table mountains, reigns over Sligo. The iconic mountain is easily spotted from a distance – in fact, visitors to Donegal’s massive Slieve League cliffs will see Ben Bulben from the top of the cliffs. Ben Bulben, as with the rest of Sligo, served as inspiration for Irish national poet, WB Yeats, and much of Sligo is featured throughout his poems. Yeats loved Ben Bulben so much that he requested to be buried in its shadow – he currently rests in Drumcliff Abbey, which skirts the Ben Bulben’s western slopes.

Though an amazing hike, Mweelrea is not one to attempt unless you are a serious hiker. As with many Wild Atlantic Way mountains, Mweelrea Mountain has no official or maintained trail. Located in one of Ireland’s wildest corners, Mweelrea can be rough and boggy at times, and should therefore only be attempted with a serious hiker or better yet, a hiking guide. Once you summit the mountain, you’ll enjoy brilliant views over Killary Fjord, Connemara, and the wilds of Mayo.

• Hike Mweelrea on Hiking the Mountains of Connemara & Mayo.

Climbing Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain, for an invigorating challenge!

When it comes to the Wild Atlantic Way mountains and hills, peak baggers and serious hikers visiting Ireland won’t be able to miss climbing Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s tallest mountain. Not to be attempted without the proper equipment, OS maps and a guide, Carrautoohil is a challenge but well worth it. The narrow trail weaving around mountain will rival the Alps or the Pyrenees in rugged beauty. Depending on the weather conditions, there are a few paths to the summit: Devil’s Ladder, O’Shea’s Gully, or the Caher Route.

• Hike Carrauntoohil on Hiking the Mountains of The Ring of Kerry .

Hiking around the Connemara’s Diamond Hill, overlooking lakes, mountains and abbeys.

Though the Twelve Bens are beautiful Wild Atlantic Way mountains, they are more difficult to access due to property rights, lack of maintained trails or roads, and rugged terrain. Diamond Hill, set amongst the backdrop of Connemara’s Twelve Bens, is a great and very accessible hike through Connemara, providing great views over the Twelve Bens mountains in the Connemara National Park.

• Hike Diamond Hill on Connemara from the Cliffs of Moher.

Errisbeg Hill in Connemara.

Though Connemara is one of Ireland’s favourite destinations, Errisbeg Hill is a great choice for a wild hike. Though not really a ‘peak,’ Errisbeg isn’t exactly an easy climb due to its boggy ruggedness. Lacking a proper trail, it provides the wilderness experience but still easy enough to be back in Roundstone village for a pint and a sunset stroll along the pristine beach at Dog’s Bay.

• Hike Mweelrea on Hiking the Mountains of Connemara & Mayo.

Hiking the summit of Mt Brandon on Kerry’s Dingle Peninsula.

Towering over Dingle, Mt Brandon supposedly takes its name from St. Brendan the Navigator, who is said to have seen the Promised Land/America from the summit during his climb. You won’t see America during your hike, but you will get some beautiful views over southwest Ireland! Another theory is that Mt Brandon, a place steeped in Irish mythology, gets its name from the ancient pagan deity called Bran.

• Hike Mt Brandon on Hiking the Mountains of The Ring of Kerry.
• For a less challenging option, hike along Mt Brandon’s shoulder on Hiking the Dingle Way.

Rated National Geographic Traveller’s Coolest Place on Earth in 2017, Donegal is a rugged and wild place – nicknamed Ireland’s Forgotten County for good reason. By summiting Mt Errigal in Glenveagh National Park, that means that you’re standing at the top of Donegal’s highest peak – drink in the views over Glenveagh National Park, the Poisoned Glen, and the Derryveagh Mountains.

• Hike in Glenveagh National Park on Hiking the Causeway Coast & Donegal.

Topped with an enormous cairn – a rock-covered, dome-shaped tomb 5,000 years old – Knocknarea is an ancient place. Though a relatively short hike, the views from the top are phenomenal, with the surf village of Strandhill, the beach and Ben Bulben mountain spreading out below. A sacred burial site for thousands of years, explore the ancient cairns and megalithic tombs at the top. Intriguingly, Knocknarea is the supposed burial site of warrior Queen Maeve – buried standing up ready to face her enemies!

• Hike Knocknarea Hill on our Intro to Hiking & Kayaking escape in Sligo.

Are the mountains calling? Find out how to hike the Wild Atlantic Way mountains and hills.