Home » Where to walk » Walking areas »

Mountain ranges in Ireland

What is a mountain range?

A mountain range is generally defined as a series or chain of mountain summits connected by high ground. To be classed as a mountain range, an Irish upland area must contain at least two proper mountain summits (i.e. two or more peaks each having an elevation of at least 2,000 feet and a topographical prominence of at least 30m).

How many mountain ranges are there in Ireland?

There are 31 mountain ranges in Ireland.

Based on the definition above, 31 of the 125 Irish upland areas can be officially classed as mountain ranges. 208 of Ireland's 209 proper mountain summits lie within 37 separate upland areas. Six of these areas each contain just one mountain summit and cannot be classed as a mountain range. One standalone Irish mountain (Nephin) does not lie within any defined upland area. We have created an alphabetical list of all the mountain ranges in Ireland and plotted them on a handy interactive map below to help you identify them. This is the first comprehensive list of Irish mountain ranges to be compiled and was first published here on this website on 20th September 2021.

24 mountain ranges each have their own flexible anytime mountain challenge. 17 each have their own 700s challenge.

Please note that we have illustrated these mountain ranges based purely on their topography in comparison to surrounding land and the fact that they each contain at least two proper mountain summits. It should not be assumed that access is permitted to any of the mountain ranges illustrated on this website. Where local access restrictions exist (e.g. those indicated by "Private Property" signs, "No Trespassing" signs, etc), we strongly advise that you comply with the relevant landowner's wishes.

Mountain ranges offer great walking opportunities all year round, however we particularly recommend exploring them during months when the days are longest. For this reason, we promote upland walking as our monthly theme for June.

#JuneUplandWalk

All-Ireland map

Each red polygon on the map below represents the extents of a mountain range in Ireland. Click on a polygon for further information about that area. All the mountain ranges marked on this map have also been listed in alphabetical order below.

▲

Alphabetical list of Ireland's mountain ranges

Ben Gorm Mountains
Blackstairs Mountains
Bluestack Mountains
Caha Mountains Northeast
Caha Mountains Southwest
Comeragh Mountains
Dartry Mountains Northwest
Derrynasaggart Mountains Northeast
Derryveagh Mountains
Dingle Mountains
Doulus Head Hills
Dunkerron Mountains Northeast
Dunkerron Mountains Southwest
Galtee Mountains
Glenbeigh Mountains
Knockmealdown Mountains

MacGillycuddy's Reeks
Mangerton Mountains
Maumturk Mountains
Mourne Mountains
Mweelrea Mountains
Nephin Beg Range
Partry Mountains North
Purple Mountains
Sheeffry Hills
Shehy Mountains
Slieve Mish Mountains
Sperrin Mountains
The Twelve Bens
West Achill Hills
Wicklow Mountains

▲

Support us (at no cost)

Our website is a 100% free resource for all to view without having to pay any subscription fees or being asked for donations. We cover all the costs of running and maintaining the website ourselves on a voluntary basis. And we do all of this purely for our love of walking in Ireland. The long-term development strategy for The Ireland Walking Guide website will continue to be implemented over the coming years and for as long as it takes until our strategic goals are achieved. In the meantime, here are some zero-cost, zero-time ways in which you can support the ongoing development of The Ireland Walking Guide and its growing family of independent Irish information websites.

Walking initiatives

We have developed the widest possible selection of meaningful initiatives to promote recreational walking in Ireland. These are delivered across The Ireland Walking Guide and High Point Ireland websites and range from monthly walking themes right through to the official All-Ireland Hillwalking Championships. We aim to deliver a consistent programme of initiatives every year on a recurring basis rather than a series of standalone one-off campaigns. Our "predictable" approach to participation initiatives means walkers always know what's coming up and have ample time to plan ahead. But why should you take part? Click here to find out...

Connect with us

Main sections of the website

Our most popular pages

The Ireland Walking Guide is the best and most user-friendly independently-owned Irish walking and hiking information website. If you are planning a day walk, a weekend of walking, a holiday or vacation in Ireland, make us the first stop resource for all your on-foot Irish adventures.

Find out more...

Disclaimer

Please be aware that recreational walking in the great outdoors can be a risk activity. The Ireland Walking Guide and Donard Media (the website's publisher) accept no responsibility for any injury, loss or inconvenience sustained by anyone using this website. Personal safety is entirely the participant's own responsibility.

The inclusion of walking routes, locations and geographical areas on this website is not an indication that access is permitted. It should not be assumed that access is permitted to any specific piece of land in Ireland. Please note that upland areas and coastal areas indicated on this website are based purely on their geographical characteristics. It should not be assumed that access is permitted to any of the upland areas and coastal areas illustrated on this website. Where local access restrictions exist (e.g. those indicated by "Private Property" signs, "No Trespassing" signs, etc), we strongly advise that you comply with the relevant landowner's wishes. The Ireland Walking Guide and Donard Media recommend that anyone planning to go walking in Ireland should check for potential access restrictions and to request permission from the relevant landowner(s) in advance.