Easy01
Straightforward walking
Generally clear or uncomplicated ground with modest technical difficulty and limited exposure. A route may still be long, wet or tiring.
SLÍ KERRY GRADING
Know what the grade means.
Each grade considers the whole walking day, not distance alone. It describes the route in reasonable, non-winter conditions and never replaces your own judgement.
THREE CLEAR LEVELS
A starting point for your plan.
Moderate02
Hillwalking experience helps
More sustained effort, rougher ground, less obvious navigation or some exposure and remoteness. Confident movement on open hills is useful.
Hard03
For experienced hikers
Steep, loose, exposed or remote mountain terrain, sustained ascent, consequential navigation, or a combination of these factors.
HOW IT IS JUDGED
The most serious factor matters.
The grade is not an average. One significant feature can set the level for the whole route. A short exposed scramble may be Hard, while a longer walk on clear, low-level paths may remain Easy.
01
Effort
Distance, ascent, duration and how sustained the day is.
02
Terrain
Surface, steepness, roughness and technical movement.
03
Navigation
Path clarity, route complexity and the effect of poor visibility.
04
Exposure
Drops, remoteness, retreat options and the consequence of an error.
CONDITIONS CHANGE THE DAY
A grade is not a safety guarantee.
Wind, rain, cloud, heat, ice and water levels can make any route more serious. Check the route forecast, Met Éireann warnings, daylight and local access before setting out. Recorded time is not planning time.
CURRENT COLLECTION
16 recorded routes reviewedFramework review: July 20261 Easy5 Moderate10 Hard