Ireland’s 32 County Mountain Challenge

Do you consider yourself something of an outdoors person, who loves nothing more than conquering hills and mountains (and enjoying the amazing views from the top)? If so, then this fun and rewarding 32 County Mountain Challenge might be just for you. It consists in climbing the highest mountain in each of our 32 counties!

Standing at 1,039 metres (3,409 ft), Ireland’s highest mountain is Carraun­toohil, which forms part of the MacGillyy­cuddy's Reeks in County Kerry. Depending on weather conditions and other factors, it’s possible to reach the summit of Carraun­toohil in four to six hours.

Given that it’s our only mountain over 1,000 metres, you can see how beating the 32 County Mountain Challenge is very attainable, even for people without a mountaineering background. 

Best of all, you can take on this challenge at your own pace, completing it over several visits and multiple years. Or, if you’re really ambitious, you can try to complete the challenge over the course of just a few days!

Here’s a breakdown of the highest mountains in each of Ireland’s 32 counties.

1. Antrim: Trostan - 550m (1804 ft) 
2. Armagh: Slieve Gullion - 573m (1880 ft) 
3. Carlow: Mount Leinster - 795m (2608 ft) 
4. Cavan: Cuilcagh - 665m (2182 ft) 
5. Clare: Moylussa - 532m (1745 ft)
6. Cork: Knockboy - 706m (2316 ft)
7. Donegal: Errigal - 751m (2464 ft) 
8. Down: Slieve Donard - 850m (2789 ft)
9. Dublin: Kippure - 757m (2484 ft)
10. Fermanagh: Cuilcagh - 665m (2182 ft)
11. Galway: Binn Bhán (Ben Baun) - 729m (2392 ft)
12. Kerry: Carrauntoohil - 1039m (3409 ft)
13. Kildare: Cupidstown Hill - 379m (1243 ft)
14. Kilkenny: Brandon Hill - 515m (1689 ft)
15. Laois: Arderin - 527m (1729 ft) 
16. Leitrim: Truskmore SE Top - 647m (2123 ft) 
17. Limerick: Galtymore - 919m (3015 ft) 
18. Derry: Sawel - 678m (2224 ft) 
19. Longford: Corn Hill - 278m (912 ft)
20. Louth: Slieve Foye - 589m (1932 ft)
21. Mayo: Mweelrea - 814m (2671 ft)
22. Meath: Lough Crew/ Slieve Na Calliagh - 279m (915 ft)
23. Monaghan: Slieve Beagh East - 366m (1201 ft)
24. Offaly: Arderin - 527m (1729 ft)
25. Roscommon: Corrie Mountain (Seltanasaggart) - 422m (1385 ft)
26. Sligo: Truskmore - 647m (2123 ft)
27. Tipperary: Galtymore - 919m (3015 ft)
28. Tyrone: Sawel - 678m (2224 ft) 
29. Waterford: Knockmealdown - 794m (2605 ft) 
30. Westmeath: Mullaghmeen - 258m (846 ft) 
31. Wexford: Mount Leinster - 795m (2608 ft) 
32. Wicklow: Lugnaquilla - 925m (3035 ft)*
    
    

Last but not least, remember to stay safe on the trail : always let someone know where you are going and when, know your limits, bring enough water and safety equipment and check the trail conditions and weather.

So, is this a challenge that interests you? Perhaps you have already scaled some of these mountains before? Either way, lace up your hiking boots and let us know below!