Purple Mountain via the Gap of Dunloe

The trail starts at the Kate Kearney's Cottage hotel and restaurant, which can be reached from the N72 (Ring of Kerry), from the west via Killorglin and from the east via Killarney, via Beaufort, taking the Beaufort Bridge at the petrol station. Beaufort and the Gap of Dunloe are then signposted. Continue straight on for 4 km to reach Kate Kearney's Cottage. The road does not end, but is (theoretically) closed to unauthorised private vehicles. Park in the car park opposite the cottage, on the right-hand side of the road. On the wall of the cottage, a large information board shows the location of Purple Mountain in particular.

(S/E) From the cottage, take the tarmac road that continues on from the road coming from Beaufort. This is the only road through the Gap of Dunloe, which you will need to follow for about 6 km. Drive along Coosaun Lough on your left.

(1) After this lake, turn left with the road and follow three other lakes on your right. The road gradually descends into a valley overlooked by two pyramid-shaped peaks, including Purple Mountain on the left. Beautifully diverse landscapes and a fairly wild environment.

(2) Continue along the road and follow Black Lough on your left. Further on, in the last few hundred metres, the road winds its way up to the pass (Head of the Gap of Dunloe). A slab marks the separation between the Gap and the next valley, Black Valley, into which the main road plunges.

(3) From a small improvised car park with about two spaces, turn left (east) onto a discreet, unmarked path. First, overlook the road leading to the pass, then tackle the steep slope of the mountain. You can then see the summit of Purple Mountain in the background on the left. The path climbs for about 400 metres, straight up the slope and due east.

(4) Turn left and enter a small ravine that follows the bed of a virtually dry stream. Follow the ravine upstream for about 800 m (northeast). The path is not always easy to follow. Keep to the left of the path to avoid confusing it with the stony riverbed in places where progress is more difficult. Do not venture to the left of the plateau, on the edge of the ravine (you will then be overlooking the Gap of Dunloe road). After about 800m, the path leads to a small lake, Glas Lough.

(5) Go around the lake on the left. Soon, the path branches off to the right and heads up a steep hillside, following the bed of a small stream again, at the foot of a rocky cliff, which it goes around after 200 metres.

(6) The path then turns left and begins the final climb to the summit. The path is difficult to see in places and sometimes splits into several branches, but continues towards the summit in a north-northeast direction. In the last few hundred metres, it climbs steeply over rocks to reach an unnamed pass.

(7) Continue east then north-east to climb the final scree slope. This will take you to the summit of Purple Mountain. Beautiful views of Killarney's Upper Lake to the south.

(8) There are two options for the descent:
- Follow the ascent route in reverse to the car park (S/E).
- For a loop, not tried by the author but suggested by the hiker collpicto, on trails that are sometimes poorly marked, as shown on the map, descend on the other side, heading northeast. Then climb back up to quickly reach the northeast summit of Purple Mountain.

(9) Descend due north with a few hairpin bends to an unnamed pass. Climb back up north to ascend Tomies Mountain.

(10) Descend north-west with a few hairpin bends to an unnamed pass. Climb back up north-west to reach the north summit of Tomies Mountain.

(11) Descend west-northwest then north.

(12) Turn left at the hairpin bend and continue descending. Pass a few houses and join the access road to Kate Kearney's Cottage.

(13) Follow the road to the left and slightly uphill to quickly return to the starting car park (S/E).

This is a long hike with a steep gradient for the region. There are no markings. There are no water sources or refreshments available along the route (but there are toilets in the car park).

The weather in Kerry is changeable and rain is frequent. The trail from the top of the Gap of Dunloe is often muddy. Bring good footwear, preferably waterproof, warm clothing and a waterproof jacket.

The trail can be difficult to follow in places, but the direction is clear and there is no risk of getting lost; you will quickly find the main trail again if you stray from it. The descent can be slippery in wet weather (steep trail).

- Accommodation is available at Inveraray Guesthouse on the Beaufort road, which offers a very warm welcome.
- From Kate Kearney's Cottage, you can reach the top of the pass (Head of the Gap of Dunloe) by horse-drawn carriage or even on horseback. The carriages and their drivers await you at the entrance to the Gap road, on the left just behind the cottage.