● RECORDED ROUTE

Brother
O’Shea’s.

A demanding recorded day through the Hag’s Glen, Cummeenoughter and Brother O’Shea’s Gully in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks.

✓

Based on Rob’s GPX
686 recorded track points · start and finish at Lisleibane car park

ROB’S PHOTOGRAPHSSee 7 route photos↓

Loading topographic map…

INTERACTIVE TERRAIN · ACTUAL GPX TRACK

DISTANCE10.62km recorded

RECORDED TIME6:46hours

ASCENT977m recorded

GRADEHardexperienced hikers

Recorded time is not planning time. Build your own estimate from pace, ascent, ground, breaks, weather and available daylight.

WEATHER AT A GLANCE

900 m mountain forecast

Reading the route forecast…

Current snapshot. Detailed planning guidance and route files are below. Mountain conditions can differ sharply from the forecast.

PLAN THE GROUND

Start well. Turn back early.

Recorded-track information for planning. This is not confirmation of parking, access or safe passage on the day.

RECORDED START

Lisleibane car park

From the supplied track

Irish Transverse Mercator

Tap coordinates to copy

The recorded start is at Lisleibane car park on the Hag’s Glen approach. Confirm current parking arrangements locally and follow all signs and landowner directions.

Use appropriate parking and never block gates, homes, narrow roads or emergency access.

Google Maps Apple Maps

HAZARDS & OPTIONS

Know the commitment.

Steep gully terrain with broken, loose or wet rock.
Complex navigation beneath Carrauntoohil’s north-east face, especially in cloud.
Water, wind, ice or winter conditions can quickly increase the seriousness.
A long descent remains after the high point; protect time and daylight.

Conservative retreat guidance

Before entering the gully, reversing the known approach is the conservative option if conditions deteriorate. Once committed to steep terrain, this guide does not prescribe a simple escape. Make the decision to turn back early.

No line shown here should be treated as a guaranteed emergency escape route.

RECORDED ELEVATION

From the glen to 1,024 m.

The GeoJSON provides elevation and cumulative distance at every recorded point, so this profile follows the actual activity rather than an estimate.

1,024 m196 m

0 km977 m ascent · 980 m descent10.62 km

FROM THE MOUNTAIN

The route in pictures.

Rob’s photographs from the Reeks: still water below the cliffs, broken rock in the gully and wide views from the high ground.

Calm mountain lough reflecting steep green slopes and cloud — 01Still water, steep ground

Rocky mountain walls rising above Lough Cummeenoughter under a blue sky — 02Beneath the cliffs

Looking through a steep rocky gully towards the mountain ridge — 03Inside the gully

Jagged rock formations and a high ridge beneath moving cloud — 04Broken mountain ground

Hikers beside a summit cross silhouetted against dramatic cloud — 05The summit

High panoramic view across the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and mountain lakes — 06Across the Reeks

Green mountain glen with sheep, jagged rocks and distant peaks under cloud — 07Back towards the glen

Photography by @kerrymountains.rob ↗

THE LINE

A serious route into the Reeks.

The supplied track leaves Lisleibane car park, follows the Hag’s Glen and climbs towards Lough Cummeenoughter before returning on a separate line. The plotted shape above comes directly from the recorded GPX. It is not a suggested route generated by the website.

01Lisleibane → Hag’s GlenEstablished approach into the mountain.

02CummeenoughterComplex mountain ground beneath Carrauntoohil’s north-east face.

03Brother O’Shea’s GullySteep, serious terrain requiring confident navigation.

04ReturnThe recorded track returns on a distinct line to the start.

BEFORE YOU GO

This is not a beginner route.

A proper mountain day needs a proper plan.

Brother O’Shea’s Gully is mountain terrain where navigation, weather and ground conditions matter. Kerry Mountain Rescue describes this route as taking in spectacular but serious scenery beneath Carrauntoohil’s north-east face.

Navigate independentlyCarry a paper map and compass and know how to use them.
Keep a backupAvoid relying on a phone or this GPX alone.
Know when to turnTurn back if cloud, wind, rain or winter conditions exceed your experience.
Share your planLeave your route and expected return time with someone.

Read Kerry Mountain Rescue guidance ↗

In an emergency Call 112 or 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.

AFTER THE TRAIL

Post-hike picks.

A small, personal shortlist around Lisleibane and the Reeks. Check current opening times before making the journey.

01Coffee · post-hike stop

Carrauntoohil Coffee Hut

A handy coffee stop by the Lisleibane trailhead after a day in the Reeks. Check Instagram for current opening times.

Lisleibane, MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Co. Kerry

Directions ↗Open Instagram ↗

A NOTE BEFORE YOU GO

Walk responsibly.

Your route. Your decisions.

This guide describes one recorded outing and may not reflect current access, path conditions or hazards. Weather and mapping are guidance only. You are responsible for your route choice, navigation, equipment and decisions. If in doubt, turn back.

Leave No Trace.

Plan ahead, respect landowners, livestock, wildlife and other walkers. Use durable ground where practical, take all waste home, leave what you find and do not light fires without permission.

Read the Leave No Trace Ireland Seven Principles ↗

Track geometry and activity time come from the GPX. Elevation, cumulative distance, ascent and descent come from the matching GeoJSON supplied by @kerrymountains.rob.