The Irish Mountain Challenges are a unique set of 25 standalone hillwalking challenges. 24 of the challenges each focuses on a specific Irish mountain range, while the All-Ireland Mountain Challenge takes in the full list of proper Irish 2,000ft+ mountain summits. All of these personal outdoor adventure challenges can be undertaken at any time. Please note that many of the mountain summits should only be visited by experienced, well-equipped hillwalkers and mountaineers. The objective of each local challenge is to visit every mountain summit in a specific range. The objective of the All-Ireland Mountain Challenge is to visit all 210 Irish mountain summits (including 1 pair of twins). The Irish Mountain Challenges also provide interesting charity-fundraising opportunities for hillwalkers.
The 24 Local Mountain Challenges
We have created a mountain challenge for every upland area in Ireland containing a minimum of two mountain summits, at least two of which must also be on the Slievemore list. Each challenge has been carefully designed to work as a single-day expedition for experienced hillwalkers and mountaineers. For this reason, the Wicklow Mountains range has been split into two separate challenges. Find out more about each challenge by clicking on its marker in the map below or via the alphabetical list further down this page.
Always bring a map and compass
A hardcopy map and compass are the preferred navigational tools used by all competent self-navigators in the mountains and hills. Relying exclusively on a GPS device or phone for navigation is strongly discouraged. The person who follows a dot, crosshairs or a GPX route on a tiny screen is not navigating. They are effectively being led by their device. This involves no skill whatsoever and will only increase that person's reliance on technology. We recommend using hardcopy maps and traditional magnetic compass because:
- their use requires and reinforces an elementary outdoor skill.
- the user is the navigator (this is not the case when using a GPS device, especially one with the day's route loaded in).
- they do not require a power source, therefore have less impact on the environment.
- hillwalking and mountaineering should be about having a digital detox in nature, not squinting at yet another screen.
- satellites, phones, GPS devices and their associated networks and systems are vulnerable to potential outages caused by external factors (e.g. hacking, ransomware, terrorism, solar fluctuations, space junk, etc).
In short, you should always have the relevant hardcopy map and a traditional magnetic compass in your pack when venturing off the beaten track. The convenience of a GPS is not a valid reason to go into the uplands or other wild areas without these two basic essentials.
We have listed all relevant maps on each mountain challenge's page. Alternatively, you can browse all maps on our dedicated maps page.
Irish Mountain Challenges
- The All-Ireland Mountain Challenge
- The Achill Mountains Challenge
- The Bens Mountain Challenge
- The Blackstairs Mountains Challenge
- The Bluestack Mountains Challenge
- The Caha Mountains Challenge
- The Comeragh Mountains Challenge
- The Derrynasaggart Mountains Challenge
- The Derryveagh Mountains Challenge
- The Dingle Mountains Challenge
- The Dunkerron Mountains Northeast Challenge
- The Dunkerron Mountains Southwest Challenge
- The Galtee Mountains Challenge
- The Knockmealdown Mountains Challenge
- The MacGillycuddy's Reeks Mountain Challenge
- The Mangerton Mountains Challenge
- The Maumturk Mountains Challenge
- The Mourne Mountains Challenge
- The Mweelrea Mountains Challenge
- The Nephins Mountain Challenge
- The Partry Mountains Challenge
- The Shehy Mountains Challenge
- The Sperrin Mountains Challenge
- The Wicklow Mountains North Challenge
- The Wicklow Mountains South Challenge