Kate Kearney’s Cottage
A family-run pub and restaurant at the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe, serving food and drinks. Check Instagram for current opening and food-service times.
Gap of Dunloe, Beaufort, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 AWR8ModerateSummit · Reeks · recorded
Cnoc na dTarbh
from the Gap of Dunloe.
A short but rugged recorded climb from the Gap of Dunloe, rising over steep rock and rough mountain ground to the 652 m high point of Cnoc na dTarbh.
Also known as The Bull Mountain.
DISTANCE
4.66km
ASCENT
358m
HIGH POINT
652m
Rob’s recorded time 3 hr 37 · steep, rocky mountain ground · 302 recorded track points GRADE GUIDE ↗
Reading the map…
INTERACTIVE TERRAIN · ACTUAL GPX TRACKACTUAL GPX TRACK
A recorded time is not a planning estimate. Build your own from pace, ascent, ground, weather and daylight.
ONE · BEFORE YOU COMMIT
Is this your day?
The grade, the hazards, the forecast and the ground the route actually crosses. Everything you need to decide whether to go at all.
WEATHER AT A GLANCE
Forecast for around 650 m
Approx. 650 mNOWReading the forecast
WINDReading the forecast
TODAY’S PEAK RAIN CHANCEReading the forecast
Forecast. This is a modelled estimate for this route’s high ground; conditions can differ sharply across the mountain. Detailed planning guidance follows. Derived from Open-Meteo forecast data ↗.
RECORDED ELEVATION
A steep climb to 652 m.
The compact recording gains 358 m over rough ground before returning to the Gap of Dunloe.
652 m241 m
Reading the forecast
0 km358 m ascent · 376 m descent4.66 km
THE LINE
A compact mountain with serious ground.
The recording starts in the Gap of Dunloe and quickly leaves the low ground behind. A steep, rocky line climbs towards Cnoc na dTarbh, with the surrounding mountains opening out on either side. At only 4.66 km the circuit looks compact on paper, but the rough terrain and recorded time show why it should not be treated as a quick or easy walk.
Cnoc na dTarbh means the hill of the bulls. The name belongs here to the mountain on the western side of the Gap, opposite the Purple Mountain ground. The close view of both sides of the pass is part of this climb’s character.
- 01Gap of DunloeThe recorded circuit begins at approximately 241 m beside the Gap.
- 02Rocky lower slopesThe line climbs away from the road over broken rock and rough grass.
- 03Cnoc na dTarbhThe route reaches its recorded high point at 652 m.
- 04Return to the GapA rough descent closes the compact circuit near its starting point.
The English reading of Cnoc na dTarbh, hill of the bulls, follows the Irish words. The location described here is the mountain west of the Gap of Dunloe.
Reading the forecast
WIND NOWReading the forecast
—cloud
—humidity
—km/h peak gust
Strongest wind today—
Peak gust—
RECENT RAINFALL · LIKELY GROUND
Reading the forecast
RAIN, GUST & VISIBILITY WINDOW
Reading the forecast
BEST HIKING WINDOW
Reading the forecast
DAYLIGHT PLAN
Reading the forecast
MET ÉIREANN · KERRY
Reading the forecast
NEXT SIX HOURS · swipe
Reading the forecast
HAZARDS & OPTIONSKnow the commitment.
Steep, rough and rocky mountain ground despite the route’s short distance.
There is no guarantee of a continuous path or waymarking on the upper slopes.
Wet rock and grass can become very slippery after rain.
Cloud can obscure the summit, the return line and the surrounding steep ground.
The narrow Gap of Dunloe road carries walkers, cyclists, local traffic and jarveys. Take care at the start and finish.
The safest retreat before the high point is back down the known ascent line. Do not descend into an unfamiliar gully or towards unseen ground. Turn around early if cloud, wind or wet rock makes the climb uncomfortable.
ABOVE THE GAP OF DUNLOE
Rob’s photographs.
TWO · YOU’VE DECIDED
Getting there.
Where it starts, the recorded file, and the checks worth making before you leave the house.
PLAN THE GROUND
Start well.
RECORDED STARTGap of Dunloe
Select coordinates to copy
The route starts and finishes in the Gap of Dunloe. Parking and traffic can be difficult in the Gap, so confirm a suitable legal place to leave a vehicle without blocking the narrow road, homes, farms or emergency access. Respect all signs, livestock and private property.
ROUTE FILE
Take the recorded route with you.
302 recorded track points, exactly as walked. Load it into your watch, phone or offline mapping before you leave signal.
Distance, recorded time, track geometry and elevation come from Rob’s supplied GPX and GeoJSON. Access and conditions must be checked independently.
Download original GPXcnoc-na-dtarbh.gpx · as recordedGeoJSONKML
Onto a watch: import the GPX into Garmin Connect, Komoot or Strava and send it to the device from there. On a phone, the Garmin Explore and OS Maps apps take the file straight from the share sheet.
BEFORE YOU GO
Short distance. Real mountain ground.
Judge this route by its terrain, not its kilometres.
Cnoc na dTarbh is a compact mountain circuit with steep rock, rough slopes and limited waymarking. Sound navigation and an early turn-around decision matter.
Your quick checksOptional and saved only in this browser.
0/5 checkedThese checks support your planning; they do not confirm that the route is safe.
- 01Check the mountain forecastReview cloud base, wind, rainfall and warnings before entering the Gap.
- 02Navigate independentlyCarry suitable mapping and know how to use it away from a clear path.
- 03Protect your marginTurn back early if wet rock, cloud or wind exceeds your experience.
- 04Share your planLeave your route and expected return time with someone.
Leave a plan.
Tell someone your route and return time. For emergencies in Ireland call 112 or 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.
More recorded routes.
All 29 recorded routes →AFTER THE WALK
Post-hike picks.
A small, personal shortlist around Gap of Dunloe and Beaufort. Check current opening times before making the journey.