● RECORDED ROUTE

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.

✓

Recorded route with mapped return
672 original track points · 37 mapped path points close the loop

ROB’S PHOTOGRAPHSSee 9 route photos↓

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INTERACTIVE TERRAIN · ACTUAL GPX TRACK

DISTANCE11.47km completed loop

RECORDED TIME3:59hours

ASCENT682m recorded

GRADEHardsteep sustained climb

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

WEATHER AT A GLANCE

500 m Torc 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

Recorded start and finish

From the supplied track

Irish Transverse Mercator

Tap 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.

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

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HAZARDS & OPTIONS

Know 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.

Conservative retreat guidance

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.

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

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

0 km682 m ascent · 682 m descent11.47 km

ABOVE KILLARNEY

Torc in pictures.

Rob’s photographs from the mountain: the Cardiac Steps, long boardwalks, cloud inversions and the Killarney lakes opening below.

The Cardiac Steps climbing through flowering woodland above the Killarney lakes — 01Through the Cardiac Steps

A hiker descending a mountain boardwalk in dramatic light above the lakes — 02Weather on the descent

A boardwalk disappearing towards mountain summits rising over cloud — 03Above the cloud

Dark mountain ridges floating above a broad cloud inversion — 04Ridges in the inversion

A long mountain ridge silhouetted above a smooth sea of cloud — 05A sea of cloud

A wet boardwalk crossing open Torc mountain ground under grey skies — 06The open mountain

Two walkers descending towards the Killarney lakes in clear weather — 07Back towards Killarney

The Killarney lakes and mountains seen from high ground on Torc — 08Lakes below Torc

Wide panorama across the Killarney lakes and surrounding mountain landscape — 09The wider Killarney view

Photography by @kerrymountains.rob ↗

THE LINE

A hard way onto Torc.

The route begins on the western side of Torc, tackles the steep Cardiac Steps and continues across higher mountain ground before descending through Killarney’s trail network. The original recording ended 962 metres from its start; the final 1.043 kilometres shown here follow a mapped pedestrian path to complete the intended circuit.

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.

Route data note: the orange map line distinguishes no sections visually, so use the written provenance above when assessing the file.

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.

Check conditionsAvoid committing to steep wet steps in unsuitable weather.
Wear proper footwearGood grip matters on rock, roots and stone steps.
Keep your marginTurn back before fatigue or weather makes the descent unsafe.
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 Killarney. Check current opening times before making the journey.

01Coffee · sandwiches · something sweet

LUNA coffee + wine

A relaxed Killarney stop for speciality coffee, house-baked pastries and artisan sandwiches after the mountain.

1 Brewery Lane, Kenmare Place, Killarney

Directions ↗Visit website ↗

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 ↗

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.