Park on the roadside at V872 838 A, room for 5 cars, and follow the track past Madmans seat and on to the Glas Loch.
Follow the west shore then steeply up to the east at the back of the lake. This path is very unstable just before the ridge at 560 meters elevation.
Cross over to the eastern side of the ridge, try to pick up zig-zig path that leads eventually to V884 851 B, the col between point 793 meters and the summit of Purple.
From this ridge its a short scramble up over loose rocks to the summit cairn, the fourth cairn of the five you will meet.
Continue on to Tomies
There are two ways down from Tomies.Follow a route directly rough heather which makes for slow unpleasent progress until you gain the lower slopes, it is undoubtable that this is the safer route. The other way is to descend over short heather to the top of Tomies rock . In bad visibility or windy weather be careful, it would be very easy to walk straight over the edge!. Just before you reach the the rocks there is a path close to the cliff edge which will lead you eventually down to a gentler slope- this route has magnificent views over the Gap of Dunloe. Once the lower slopes are gained at around V889 885 C head towards the green shed at V888 892 D, keep to western side of the wire fence( fence and shed are marked only on Hardys map) this marks the corner of the track back to the main road. At V887 893 E on this track either fork will take you to the main road. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/27/comment/4787/

"Nil Satharn sa Bhliain na go spalpann an ghrian"
(Theres no Saturday in the year that the sun doesn't shine)
This was certainly the case when I climbed Purple Mountain.
Just before the photo was taken I had spent an hour walking in a thunderous downpour,
following a murky morning walk through the Gap of Dunloe.
The Gap itself calls to mind the Siq through which you pass to enter the ancient city of Petra
"the rose red city half as old as time"( if you can imagine it without the rain, ok that may be a tenuous link).
Think Indiana Jones in a flood and watch out for the large rolling rock falling from the Madmans seat! Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/27/comment/2627/

This was a very enjoyable trek and we had great luck with the weather, the sun was shining for the duration. The climb itself was not that difficult, steep at the start abd at the very summit but otherwise quite gradual. The views from the top are breathtaking, to be honest didn't realise Ireland had such amazing scenery. Like others the way back down to the cottage was quite tricky and we got caught in a maze a Gorse bushes, quite prickly. I will definitely do it again, possibly in winter for a different experience! Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/27/comment/2479/

Had to change our plans due to a bad turn in the fabulous christmas weather but it turned into an opportunity for a first for us all. Our guide!'s first time up Purple in the cloud meaning attention to navigation and our first on top. Started at the top of the gap and Yes it was a long drag up by the Glas Lough and the camera wishing it would clear. Windy on top but able to shelter and then back down to find the "trail" we had left to mark our 2 crucial turns, one a banana! apologies all. We scrambled down just as it began to clear and got views up the valley and of the Reeks. Will definitely be back to do it from the Toomies and include the west top. But for a challenging 3 hour hike it could not have been better. The next day we had to stick to the old kenmare road but that is also very satisfying, photo of Torc at sunset included in that section. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/27/comment/2114/