Mount Brandon Hostel is the ideal place for mountain walkers.  There are some lovely walks around the village to explore. Just ask in reception.

Mount Brandon /Cnoc Bréanainn is 952 metres (3,123ft), the highest Irish mountain outside the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks range.

St. Brendan, one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, was a holy man and a navigator.  He was born and raised in the Dingle area, and  ordained a priest in 512 AD.  Brendan  was  founder of several monastic settlements in Ireland, one being at the base of of a great mountain on Dingle’s north shore – now known as “Mount Brandon.”

To walk from Mount Brandon Hostel, you must take the path opposite the hostel and walk up pass the old church. You cross a stream and walk up through the fields till you reach the road at Ballynalacken. Then turn left and walk up to Faha car park, which is 2.5km from  Cloghane to Faha.

There is a small car park for about 10 cars. This is the hardest trek to the summit, rated moderate to strenuous, depending on your level of fitness.  The route is 10.6km / 4-6 hours.  You will walk up pass Faha grotto and follow the poles and pathway up along the side of the mountain. You will come across the lovely little lakes known as the “Pater Noster (our father) Lakes”. From this point onwards the path can get very tricky and slippery under foot. You will need to use your hands to pull you up. There are some amazing views over Brandon Bay and the Maherees and the Blasket Islands. You won’t be disappointed with the views, unless its cloudy!