Overview

Mount Eagle - Sliabh an Iolair in Irish, meaning "eagle mountain" - is a mountain in County Kerry on the western end of the Dingle Peninsula, close to Slea Head, the most south-westerly point of the peninsula.

The location highlighted here is the starting point for a moderately difficult hike to the summit.

What You'll See

The summit offers spectacular views over Coumeenoole Beach, Dunmore Head, and the Blasket Islands, along with magnificent panoramas of Dingle's Atlantic coastline.

From the top, views extend to the Brandon Ridge to the east, the Three Sisters and Smerwick Harbour to the north, the Blasket Islands to the west, and the MacGillycuddy Reeks to the south.

A hidden corrie lake, Loch Shliabh an Iolair, sits nestled below the summit and rewards those who take the full loop rather than simply returning the way they came.

Visitor Essentials

The mountain is free to access and open at all times - no booking or entry fee is required. Parking at the trailhead is very limited, so arriving early is important, particularly in summer. Two main approaches exist. The Coumeenoole route starts at the car park overlooking Coumeenoole Bay on the R559, where you will see the Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point sign, and involves an initial steep zig-zag ascent of around 20 minutes before a more gradual ridge walk to the summit.

The Ventry approach starts at Baile an Chótaigh in Ventry, follows narrow country lanes to the lake, and then takes a short steep zig-zag ascent to the col before reaching the summit at 516 metres. Both routes take roughly three hours roundtrip.

Tips

The ascent is straightforward, but the descent to the corrie lake is quite challenging, involving steep terrain, rocky sections, and peat bog.

The descent route is not well signposted and often has no visible trail, so downloading an offline map before setting out is strongly advised. Many walkers recommend simply retracing the ascent route rather than attempting the full loop.

Waterproof footwear is essential, and hiking poles are strongly recommended due to the steepness. The summit is frequently covered by clouds, particularly in morning hours - arriving on a clear afternoon gives the best chance of open views.

The views to the islands from the upper track are exceptional even before reaching the summit, so a partial ascent still delivers significant reward for those who turn back early. Ventry Beach, Dunbeg Fort, and the Fahan Beehive Huts are all within a short drive, making it easy to combine the hike with other stops on the Slea Head Drive.

If you plan to attempt this hike during your visit - be sure to download the trail map on AllTrails beforehand and use the GPS navigation available in app.

AllTrails Hiking Route (recommended): https://alltrails.pxf.io/oNzbOW