Why Choose Us?
Because quite simply, we're the best!
It’s the highlight of your trip or perhaps has been on your bucket list for just too long now, and so of course it’s vitally important to select the best guiding company – one that makes sure you leave with the greatest of memories, most rewarding experience, incredible stories and new likeminded friends.
So, here’s a little list that shows why you should choose us, and not someone else.
We are number 1
Award Winning. Ranked Number 1 on Trip Advisor out of ALL Outdoor activities in the Killarney region for 7 consecutive years running!!!
PLUS in 2022 A “Guided Climb of Carrauntoohil” with KerryClimbing received the high accolade of being Ranked as number 2 in the Top Overall Experiences in Ireland in 2022 AND in 16th place in the Top Overall Experiences in Europe by TripAdvisor.
Choose a hugely renowned & respected, long established, highly qualified & experienced guiding company you can trust – It’s our mission to offer you an exceptional adventure of a lifetime.
This is what we do
We are not out to make a quick buck!!! KerryClimbing are a committed full-time professional business which guide and instruct as our only business, so you can be assured we are fully committed to providing you with the very safest, most highly informative, professional and deeply rewarding experience.
Piaras & Kerry Climbing is a member of all the relevant governing, training and representative bodies, including:
Family run and locally operated
We are a small team that truly love what we do and are deeply passionate about these mountains and the magnificent area they encompass. We genuinely get a real buzz when we see our customers having a unique and hugely memorable experience and that’s what has them coming back time and time again. Our youngest guide – 13 year old daughter – Orlaith is also an extremely keen and accomplished mountaineer/climber in her own right and to date has climbed Carrauntoohil over 100 times! She loves nothing more than assisting her dad, especially on days when other younger climbers are present. Orlaith relishes sharing her passion with other younger climbers, giving them welcome encouragement and dishing out the sweeties!!!
Receive unique specially commissioned commemorative badge
After your momentous ascent of Ireland’s highest mountain – Corrán Tuathail / Carrauntoohil, each and every climber will be presented with a cool & unique memento of this truly remarkable day. These specially commissioned enamel commemorative badges will make a really nice keepsake and excellent reminder of your time spent “Experiencing the Adventure” of the magnificent MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains of Kerry. They will serve as a cool reminder of the huge significance of this special day and will show off to the world your impressive Kerry climbing achievement.
Smaller Groups
Our core belief is that smaller groups make for a far better experience. We have an average of 4-12 people on each guided ascent. The result is that your day feels more like a cool hike with your mates, rather than a plod with a load of strangers.
The very best guides
It’s a fact! Our mountain guides are the very best, the most experienced and competent, most truly passionate and of course not to mention, best “fun”. We only employ those with an extensive local knowledge and who ooze a real & genuine passion for what they do so you can rely upon us to give you the very best and hugely memorable hiking & climbing experience and their expertise will help to lift your experience out of the ordinary.
Widest choice of activities, routes & dates
Meet like-minded people, adventure seekers from all walks of life and make new friends. We aim to cater to the wide range of wants and needs of ALL the different kinds of adventure travellers out there. We also have the largest selection of activity dates available to fit in with your itinerary, so you can be sure to find the right climb at a time that suits you.
Outstanding customer service
Many choose our services because booking with us is so efficient and easy. If you have any problem or questions, we don’t muck about, we just sort it out. We will respond to your queries and questions swiftly and comprehensively so that it doesn’t delay your travel plans. The person you speak to is the person who will help you. We have a designated full-time office team so your queries will be responded to at the very latest within 24 hours. Even after you book, we will keep in touch with you regularly until you start your activity. We possess the experience to help enhance your itinerary – or tailor-make you an exciting memorable adventure and can offer personalised, budget-centric activity planning and attention to detail.
Amazing Prices & value for money
We are extremely proud of and widely renowned for the high standards we achieve and the value for money we offer. We take great care to ensure that our activities are the best value for money and most competitive in the business, and we know that outstanding value means ensuring that all of the ingredients are right, not just the price. Our prices are inclusive of VAT as well as including a voluntary contribution to the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks Mountain Access Forum that sustainably manage these mountains for future generations.
Comprehensive and thorough pre-activity information pack
Upon booking you will receive a thorough information pack which contains all the relevant information you will need in preperation for your activity. It contains a detailed itinerary of your days activity to get the excitement juices flowing along with a recommended equipment list of what you will need on the day. Also included is an easy to follow directions to the start/meeting point. We can also provide you with a comprehensive list of recommended accommodation providers/partners at budgets to suit all pockets. Training and recommended diet plans can also be provided on request for those completeing charity/challenge events.
Perhaps you just fancy an informative and interesting guided stroll or hike in the beautiful Killarney National park or up some smaller oak forested rugged hill? Local knowledge is the essential factor in making the most of your visit and we will give you a head start in exploring this wonderful area.
If you are planning a walking or climbing holiday in the South West of Ireland we have the flexibility to tailor days to suit you whether you are on your own, with a group of friends or as a family.
We have extensive experience of running safety and rescue backup for a variety of charity events, mountain events and challenges and organise the annual Ultimate High Peaks Challenge, which traverses sixteen of Ireland’s highest summits in one day.
Solo Traveller
Our hikes, climbs and courses are perfect if you’re travelling on your own as 60% of our clients are also solo travellers. Even though we do require minimum numbers the majority of our tours don’t have a compulsory single supplement, meaning you can share with another likeminded fellow traveller.
Fully Immersive Experience
With us, you don’t just see the mountains, you experience them! We’re all about spontaneous exploration, truly immersing you in Kerry mountain life and giving you more than just a handful of happy memories. We promise you will leave having made a great group of friends from every corner of the world and all walks of life. We are undisputedly the very best in the business and spend a day with us and you will see why!