Coomloughra Horseshoe, Co Kerry

What: Soar as high as eagles in this super route! The MacGillycuddy’s Reeks is home to Ireland’s highest summits: Carrauntoohil (1,040m), Beenkeragh (1,010m) and Caher (1,001m). A concrete path known as the Hydro Road leads uphill to Lough Eighter. The location is jaw-dropping: a stunning natural amphitheatre surrounded by peaks. Now head clockwise. First up, the airy summit of Beenkeragh, then gingerly tiptoe across its narrow ridge. Bypass a rocky pinnacle (The Bone) at its end and drop to the col above O’Shea’s Gully. Next, ascend a steep treadmill of rock decorated by St Patrick’s Cabbage and pink Sea Thrift to reach the cross/stone shelter on Carrauntoohil. Here, you are above it all. Enjoy views of the Kingdom, back toward Beenkeragh and along the Reeks’ dramatic eastern ridge. Next descend toward Caher and gaze across Coomloughra again. After Caher West Top (975m), descend a slope and over 1km further, come off it back to Lough Eighter.

Start/Finish: A large car park at the base of the Hydro Road (V771 871).

Get there: Via a cobweb of minor roads from Killorglin or Beaufort — best to use the map or GPS.

Level: Suits very experienced hillwalkers with a head for heights!

Length/Time to walk: 13.5km/6-7hrs.

Ascent: 13.5km.

Pack: A compass, headtorch, spare clothes, waterproofs; a copy of Adrian Hendroff’s guidebook Killarney to Valentia Island — which charts the Iveragh Peninsula; and MacGillycuddy’s Reeks & Killarney National Park from the the OSI Adventure Series.

Refuel: Carb up at Kate Kearney’s Cottage (katekearneyscottage.com) and stay at Lough Acoose House B&B (acoose-house-glencar.com) in Glencar.