MacGillycuddy's Reeks

MacGillycuddy's Reeks
Irish: Na Cruacha Dubha
Highest point
Peak	Carrauntoohil[1]
Elevation	1,038.6[1] m (3,407 ft)
Coordinates	52°01′N 9°42′W / 52.01°N 9.70°W / 52.01; -9.70[1]
Dimensions
Length	19 km (12 mi) East–West
Naming
English translation	the black stacks
Language of name	Irish
Geography
MacGillycuddy's Reeks Location of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks
Location	County Kerry
Country	Ireland
Provinces of Ireland	Munster
Topo map	OSI Discovery 78
Geology
Age of rock	Devonian[1]
Mountain type	Purple sandstone & siltstone[1]

MacGillycuddy's Reeks (Irish: Na Cruacha Dubha, meaning 'the black stacks') is a sandstone and siltstone mountain range in the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Stretching 19 kilometres (12 miles), from the Gap of Dunloe in the east, to Glencar in the west, the Reeks is Ireland's highest mountain range, and includes most of the highest peaks and sharpest ridges in Ireland, and the only peaks on the island over 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) in height.

Near the centre of the range is Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain at 1,038.6 metres (3,407 ft). The range was heavily glaciated which carved out deep corries (e.g. the Eagle's Nest), U-shaped valleys (e.g. Lough Coomloughra), and sharp arêtes and ridges (e.g. the Beenkeragh Ridge).^[2]

The range, part of the Reeks District, is a destination for mountain walkers and climbers and includes some of Ireland's most regarded walking routes such as the 15–kilometre Coomloughra Horseshoe, and the 26-kilometre MacGillycuddy's Reeks Ridge Walk that traverses the full range; it is estimated that over 140,000 people visit the range each year.^[3] The entire range is in private ownership; however, reasonable access is given for recreational use.^[2][3]