LUNA coffee + wine
A relaxed Killarney stop for speciality coffee, house-baked pastries and artisan sandwiches after the mountain.
1 Brewery Lane, Kenmare Place, KillarneyHardSteps · Killarney · recorded
Torc Mountain
Cardiac Steps.
A steep Killarney circuit climbing through the Cardiac Steps before crossing Torc’s mountain ground and returning to the original trailhead.
Also known as Cardiac Hill, Huntsman’s Hill.
DISTANCE
11.47km
ASCENT
682m
HIGH POINT
524m
Rob’s recorded time 3 hr 59 · steep sustained climb · 672 original track points · 37 mapped path points close the loop 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 500 m
Approx. 500 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
From 46 m to 524 m.
The profile follows the original activity and the short mapped walking-path return used to close the recording at its trailhead.
524 m46 m
Reading the forecast
0 km682 m ascent · 682 m descent11.47 km
THE LINE
A hard way onto Torc.
The steps go by several names: Cardiac Hill, Huntsman’s Hill and the Cardiac Steps. The long stone climb reaches an observation point and a stone beehive hut at around 300 metres, with the Lakes of Killarney opening out below. From there the route continues onto Torc’s higher ground.
Torc means wild boar. One legend retold by Tourism Ireland has Fionn Mac Cumhaill killing a magical boar on the mountain. It is one of the stories attached to the name, part of the wider landscape of Fionn traditions around Killarney.
The route descends through the park’s trail network. It does not pass Torc Waterfall itself, which lies on a separate approach below.
- 01Woodland approachA lower trail leads towards the base of the main climb.
- 02Cardiac StepsA steep, sustained ascent where wet rock needs care.
- 03Torc high groundThe route reaches a recorded 524 m.
- 04Trail returnDescent and mapped pedestrian path close the loop.
The boar legend is retold by Tourism Ireland ↗. Route data note: the original recording ended 962 metres from its start. A 1.043 km mapped pedestrian return completes the circuit; the map shows the recording in orange and this added return in dashed yellow.
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.
The Cardiac Steps are steep and sustained, with slippery rock in wet weather.
Torc’s upper ground is exposed to wind, cloud and rapid weather changes.
Wet slabs, roots and stone steps demand care on both ascent and descent.
The final 1.043 km return was reconstructed along a mapped pedestrian path because the original recording stopped early.
On the Cardiac Steps, the conservative retreat is down the known approach before committing to higher ground. Once beyond the climb, use the established trail network and do not shortcut through woodland or steep ground.
ABOVE KILLARNEY
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 STARTTorc trailhead
Select coordinates to copy
This coordinate is taken from the supplied recording. Confirm current parking and access arrangements, obey local signs and never obstruct gates, residents or emergency access.
ROUTE FILE
Take the recorded route with you.
The final return follows mapped pedestrian routing.
The original GPX supplies 672 recorded points. A 1.043 km mapped pedestrian return closes the final gap to the recorded trailhead; this provenance is retained in the GeoJSON.
Download completed GPXtorc-via-cardiac-steps.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
Steep steps and slippery ground.
Save energy for a careful descent.
The Cardiac Steps make this a demanding route despite Torc’s modest height. Wet rock, fatigue and fast-changing weather can materially change the day.
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 conditionsAvoid committing to steep wet steps in unsuitable weather.
- 02Wear proper footwearGood grip matters on rock, roots and stone steps.
- 03Keep your marginTurn back before fatigue or weather makes the descent unsafe.
- 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 in Killarney.
All 29 recorded routes →AFTER THE WALK
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A small, personal shortlist around Killarney. Check current opening times before making the journey.