Cronin's Yard Loop

Walking
County Kerry
3.3/5
3 reviews
Grade Moderate
Length 8 km
Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Format Loop
Ascent 200 m
Dogs Allowed No
Waymarking Purple arrow
Start Point
Cronin's Yard
Finish Point
Cronin's Yard
Nearest Town to Start Beaufort 12 km
Grid Ref. V 836 873
Lat. and Long. 52.026778, -9.695699

Nestled below Carrauntoohil - Ireland's highest mountain - this trail follows sandy paths, mountain tracks, open terrain and riverbank in one of the most remote parts of the magnificent MacGillicuddy's Reeks, beginning at the entrance to the Hag's Glen (the traditional starting point for those climbing Carrauntoohil). In an area with an abundance of mountain views, the walker is surrounded by spectacular vistas that include the Hag's Glen, Devil's Ladder and Lough Callee along with the north-eastern face of Carrauntoohil.

Maps and other information

Trail Management

South Kerry Development Partnership, West Main Street, Cahirciveen, Co Kerry
Email: info@skdp.net
Tel: 066 9472724

Facilities

In Beaufort: shop, pub, restaurant, accommodation
At Trailhead: Car parking, tea rooms, accommodation

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheet 78
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

None, but local taxis

3 trail reviews
3.3/5
Write your own review of this trail
2/5
07/17/2021

Heather from Antrim

Did this walk yesterday. I don’t recommend the looped trail at all. You are basically walking up the hillside to walk down again and then you cross the river to join the stony path trail, which incidentally you can see all along from the hillside. I recommend walking along the stony path trail to the bottom of the Devil’s Ladder and going back down the same way. The views from this are just as good as any from the looped walk. If I was going to Devils ladder again I would walk both ways on the stony path. Note even though it has been very dry recently there were still some wet boggy patches on the hillside part of walk. If it had been raining it would be very boggy. PS the scenery here is wonderful, the looped walk not.

NOTE FROM SPORT IRELAND OUTDOORS: This trail is not intended to be an access route to the Devil's Ladder. It is a looped walk as far as Lough Callee in the Hag's Glen.
4/5
05/28/2015

Anne from Kilkenny

Found this walk a bit tougher going than we were expecting, but nice all the same. Part of the walk is not on a trail - just follow the easily visible sign posts. Parts are a bit wet, so waterproof hiking boots are a must. Spectacular views.
4/5
04/29/2015

marguerite from Kerry

Cronins Yard Loop trail, is a nice easy trail for those that want a relatively flat walk. Some of the trail is on the path up the Hag's Glen, and some is open terrain. Could be mucky in wet weather, but views of the Reeks are fantastic. Cronin's Yard is a good base with a cafe serving refreshments. Vending machines there when the cafe is closed. They also have showers, and even pods to sleep in. Check out Cronin's Yard website. Just remember no dogs allowed on the Reeks, so please respect this request.

Have you done this trail?
Tell us what you think