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Caha Mountains

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Mountain

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The Caha Mountains are a rugged range located on the Beara Peninsula in southwest Ireland, straddling the border between County Cork and County Kerry. The highest peak in the range is Hungry Hill, standing at an impressive 685 metres above sea level. Geologically, the mountains are primarily composed of Old Red Sandstone from the Devonian period, which was extensively carved by glacial activity during the last Ice Age. This glaciations left behind deep corries and numerous scenic lakes, including Lough Aderra and Lough Beag, which dot the high-altitude landscape. The area is historically significant for its copper mining heritage, with the Allihies Copper Mine being one of the most productive in the British Isles during the 19th century. Today, the Caha Mountains offer some of the most remote and challenging hiking in Ireland, attracting those looking for adventure off the beaten path. From the higher ridges, hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Kenmare Bay. The range is also a sanctuary for rare arctic-alpine flora that thrives in its protected rocky crevices. As part of the Wild Atlantic Way, the mountains remain a cornerstone of the region's natural beauty.

Location: Ireland
Top sights: Knockanoughanish · Knockowen · Coomnadiha
Nearby: Templenoe (11 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	6	6	6	8	11	13	15	15	13	11	8	6
Rain mm	138	104	95	84	91	94	105	110	101	128	142	143

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Access is largely achieved via the winding coastal and high-pass roads of the Beara Peninsula, such as the spectacular Healy Pass. Small scenic pull-offs along these routes frequently serve as convenient starting points for hill walks.

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Best season

Late spring straight through to autumn is widely considered the best time to thoroughly enjoy the rugged beauty of the landscape. In winter, fierce Atlantic storms routinely blast powerful winds and relentless driving rain into this exposed area.

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Terrain & paths

This mountain range is famed for its dramatically steep rocky flanks, deep mountain lakes, and exceptionally soft, boggy plateaus. With very few formally marked trails, progress is often deliberately slow and requires careful landscape reading.

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What to bring

For any exploratory hike, heavily lugged boots and comprehensive waterproof and windproof shells are strictly essential. A compass and paper map are mandatory, as dense sea mist rolling off the ocean can erase visibility in mere minutes.

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Parking

Parking spaces are typically found in the form of unpaved pull-offs scattered sparsely along the pass roads or at small viewpoints. Visitors are strictly expected to park considerately to avoid hindering any local passing traffic.

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Safety

The combination of suddenly steep drops and rapid, weather-induced loss of visibility poses the gravest danger to walkers. Completely avoiding any routes hugging the cliff edges during high winds is passionately and urgently recommended.

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Time needed

A rewarding day hike along the exposed ridges of these mountains generally requires roughly four to six hours of solid effort. If one is merely making brief photographic stops near the high passes, one to two hours is completely sufficient.

Geography

Coordinates

51.76670, -9.70000

Facts

Highest peak: Hungry Hill (685 m)
Rock type: Old Red Sandstone (Devonian)
Forms the border between Cork and Kerry
Features numerous glacial corries and lakes
Historic copper mining area (Allihies, 19th century)
Located on the Beara Peninsula along the Wild Atlantic Way

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Glengarriff10 km · EExplore →

Templenoe11 km · NExplore →

Kenmare15 km · NEExplore →

Sneem16 km · NWExplore →

Ring of Kerry16 km · NWExplore →

Bere Island18 km · SWExplore →

Bantry House19 km · SEExplore →

Castletownbere19 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Caha Mountains (3)

Knockanoughanish📍 landmark

A mountain peak located within the scenic Caha Mountains range.

Knockowen📍 landmark

A prominent peak in the Caha Mountains known for its rugged terrain.

Coomnadiha📍 landmark

A remote peak offering hiking opportunities in the Caha Mountains.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where are the Caha Mountains located?

They are located on the Beara Peninsula on the border between Counties Cork and Kerry.

What is the Healy Pass?

A spectacular mountain pass with switchbacks that crosses the mountains and features great views.

Are there many lakes there?

Yes, there are numerous small mountain lakes in the Caha Mountains, often reachable only on foot.

Are the hiking trails marked?

Some sections of the Beara Way pass through, but otherwise the terrain is rugged and requires navigation.

Can you drive through tunnels?

Yes, on the N71 road between Kenmare and Glengarriff, there are distinctive tunnels carved into the rock.

Caha Mountains: where is it located?

Caha Mountains is located in Ireland.

Caha Mountains: what is there to see?

Highlights include Knockanoughanish, Knockowen, Coomnadiha.

Caha Mountains: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Caha Mountains: why is it worth visiting?

The Caha Mountains are a rugged range located on the Beara Peninsula in southwest Ireland, straddling the border between County Cork and County Kerry.

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