ashenWhat better can an adventure traveler ask for than scenic mountain tops, lush green valleys and coastal cliffs all when it comes to hiking? The mountain air itself can make you feel nourished and healthy. Hiking in Ireland will imprint all these kind of mesmerizing moments in your memory making you come back to relive it. In this post we’ve put together a pretty detailed guide for hiking enthusiasts to conquer the mountains of this fabulous destination. Keep reading until the end and let us know if we’ve missed out on any other trails that you think should be included.
Hiking in Wicklow County, Ireland
County Wicklow, often referred to as the “Garden of Ireland,” is a haven for hikers with its diverse landscapes, including mountains, forests, lakes, and picturesque valleys. Here are some popular hiking destinations and trails in County Wicklow:
Glendalough Valley:
Explore the Glendalough Valley and its famous monastic site. There are several trails around the Upper and Lower Lakes, providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The Spinc and Wicklow Gap trails are particularly popular. It takes 3.5 to 4 hours to complete the hike with a total ascent of 490m. The hike isn’t the easiest and you have to prepare yourself for some good climbing! On the way, you will come across the idyllic Poulanass Waterfall which is nothing short of a stunner. You then take the wooden steps to the viewing point where you can feast your eyes on the placid Glendalough Upper Lake. You then follow the rest of the loop under Lugduff Mountain and back to the starting point. Some hikers prefer going the other way around too. The Glendalough Hotel is a popular lodging choice for most travelers aiming to cover Wicklow.
Lugnaquilla:
As the highest peak in the Wicklow Mountains, Lugnaquilla (925 meters) offers a challenging hike and incredible panoramic views. Various routes lead to the summit, and the terrain can be rugged, so be prepared for a demanding ascent. This isn’t really recommended unless you are a seasoned hiker.
Powerscourt Waterfall and Maulin Loop:
This looped trail combines a visit to Ireland’s highest waterfall, Powerscourt Waterfall, with a hike up Maulin Mountain. The views from Maulin extend across the surrounding countryside.
Djouce Mountain and the Wicklow Way Boardwalk:
The trail to Djouce Mountain offers breathtaking views of the Glencree Valley and Dublin Bay. The Wicklow Way Boardwalk, located near the summit, provides a unique hiking experience as it takes you across a section of boggy terrain.
Devil’s Glen and Trooperstown Hill:
The Devil’s Glen is a picturesque wooded area with a river, waterfalls, and sculptures. A 10.0-km loop trail near Ballycullen and takes roughly 3 hours to complete. The trail is moderately challenging but it will not disappoint you. The nearby Trooperstown Hill offers a moderate hike with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Knockree Hostel to Roundwood:
This is a shorter section of the Wicklow Way, but it’s a beautiful hike through forests and open countryside. The trail leads to the charming village of Roundwood. Total of 18 km and you’ve got to cross a few rivers along the way too.
Hiking in Kerry County, Ireland
County Kerry, located in the southwestern part of Ireland, is also renowned for its magnificent landscapes, rugged coastline, and towering mountains. Here are the time worthy hiking options in Kerry County:
Carrauntoohil:
Located in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range, Carrauntoohil is the highest peak in Ireland and provides a challenging hike with rewarding panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. With an elevation of 1,038 meters (3,406 feet), there are various routes to the summit, and the most popular is the Coomloughra Horseshoe which is also the longest & most difficult one. However, due to the difficulty level most people start from Cronin’s Yard.
The longest it takes is usually 8 hours to complete the hike. You definitely want to use a guide here as you are attempting to conquer Ireland’s highest mountain. If you start off at Cronin’s Yard, Devil’s Ladder is the trail which leads straight between Lake Gouragh and Lake Callee to the mountain base. There’s also the Caher Trail which takes you via Caher, Ireland’s third highest peak.
Dingle Way:
The Dingle Way is a circular trail that takes you around the stunning Dingle Peninsula. Roughly 162 Km in length and 2,590m of total ascent, it also includes 20km of good beach walking. Enjoy coastal cliffs, sandy beaches, and charming villages. The trail also offers views of the Blasket Islands and the Atlantic Ocean. Again, this is a rather strenuous trail with an average duration of at least 7 days and you need a guide to help you through the difficult parts of the trail. These are the top picks for lodging that we recommended in Kerry County so that you can cover as much ground as possible.
Torc Mountain:
Located in Killarney National Park, the hike up Torc Mountain is a popular attraction with rewarding views of the Lakes of Killarney and the McGillycuddy’s Reeks. The 535 meters (1,755 feet) height is comparatively easier but there are certain challenging points. The trailhead is conveniently located near the famous Torc Waterfall.
The Skellig Ring Loop:
This looped trail of roughly 15 km in Iveragh Peninsula takes you along the scenic Skellig Ring, offering views of the Skellig Islands and Valentia Island. The trail provides a mix of coastal scenery and rural landscapes such as the fishing village of Portmagee, Ballinskelligs and the famous seaside Waterville village.
Gap of Dunloe:
The Gap of Dunloe is a stunning mountain pass in MacGillycuddy’s Reeks with towering peaks on either side. You can hike, cycle, or take a traditional jaunting car ride through the gap, experiencing the breathtaking scenery. It’s roughly 11 miles and there are boat tours to enjoy as well.
Hiking in Clare County
Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk:
The Cliffs of Moher Coastal walk is a 20km cliff edge trail and you can see the views of the Atlantic Ocean and the towering cliffs which are truly spectacular. You will need close to 5 hours to complete this hike. Before we proceed any further, we should let you know that this hike too we mostly recommend for well seasoned hikers. There are a few good reasons for this. The terrain consists of all sorts of ground from steep ascents, descents to flagstone steps. After a certain point the trail becomes more isolated and demanding, with no barriers, handrails. But you can handle it if you are moderately fit with some experience under your belt. It is mostly uphill but the views of the Atlantic ocean are worth all the effort. Here are the hotels we recommend in Clare County.
Ballycuggaran – Crag Wood Walk:
With a length of 7.12km, this rather strenuous trail in County Clare is a forest road hike that takes about 2 hours to complete. In Crag Wood itself you’ll encounter a set of impressive trees such as Sitka and Norway Spruce, Japanese Lurch and Noble Fir.
Burren Way:
The Burren is a unique limestone landscape with diverse flora and fauna. With a lengthy distance of 114km trail, the Burren Way offers various walking options, allowing you to explore this fascinating region, passing through ancient forts, dolmens, and charming villages. You’ll even encounter ancient church ruins. The trail starts from Lahinch and ends at Corofin. This is truly a special hike considering you get to walk across the beach, quiet tarmac roads, forestry tracks. At certain areas the mist might trouble with finding direction. Nonetheless, if you are up for it, this is a remarkable experience to have.
Slieve Carran Nature Reserve Loop:
This looped trail takes you through Slieve Carran Nature Reserve, known for its rich biodiversity and archaeological sites. The trail provides panoramic views of the Burren and the surrounding countryside and has a total distance of 7 km.
Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (Northern Ireland):
Although located just across the border in Northern Ireland (Fermanagh), Cuilcagh is easily accessible from County Clare. With a round distance of 12 km, the trail features a boardwalk over the boggy terrain and leads to the summit, known as the “Stairway to Heaven,” offering expansive views.
The Mid Clare Way:
With a distance of roughly 150 km, the Mid Clare Way is a waymarked walking trail that takes you through the diverse landscapes of County Clare. It requires 6 days for completion with an overall climb of 1,620m. Includes sections along the River Shannon, Burren to the north, serene lake shores and river valleys. Again, this is just like most other hikes with remote roads, ancient abandoned church sites from the historic ages and diverse weather.
Hiking in Galway County
Galway County, on the western coast of Ireland also offers a diverse and stunning landscape for hikers. From coastal paths to mountain trails, here are some popular hiking options in Galway County.
Connemara National Park – Diamond Hill:
Diamond Hill in Letterfrack, Connemara offers a relatively moderate hike with panoramic views of the Connemara landscape, including the Twelve Bens mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean. The round trip is roughly 9 km and covers 3,000 hectares of land. You can take the roundtrip bus from Galway to the park and cover the full Diamond Hill trail. You’ll also get to meet all sorts of wildlife like Connemara ponies, red deer, and birds including skylarks, stonechats and peregrine falcons.
Western Way:
The Western Way is a long-distance walking trail(roughly 55km) that passes through scenic areas of Galway County. One popular section starts in Oughterard and takes you through the Connemara countryside. Connecting the village of Leenaun and town of Oughterard, this path too is a combo of open moorland, forestry tracks and mountain paths. Pretty much every trail in Ireland has the same pattern with their own gorgeous views. With the Western Way trail, you may encounter mist and boggy weather dampening the views a bit. You’ll also come across chapels with statues of saints and beautiful villages such as the village of Maam Bridge as well as the magnificent Inagh Valley.
Portumna Forest Park – Rinmaher Walking Trail:
We thought of including this trail as anyone can undertake it and it takes you through a tranquil park filled with wildlife, beautiful woodlands and great views along the lake shore. So you don’t really have to be trained for this one and it is only 10 Km, requiring 2 hours to complete with mild ascents.
Coole Park 7 Woods Trail:
This path consists mainly of woodlands and only requires a little over an hour to complete. A 4.5km loop in sublime Coole Park is a good choice if you’d rather spend time inside a forest rather than be in the open countryside. This looped trail actually connects seven different woods and on the way you’ll pass the remnants of Coole Park’s 18th-century leftovers.
Aran Islands – Inis Mór:
Inis Mór too offers a unique hiking experience with its stone walls, ancient forts (Dún Aonghasa), and scenic coastal landscapes. Ferries from Rossaveal or Doolin provide access to the Aran Islands. Dún Aonghasa is the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands. Here you’ll get to feast your eyes on the glorious views of the Irish coastline.
Hiking in Ireland Near Dublin
Howth – Cliff Path Loop
Needless to say the hiking in Ireland list would be incomplete had we chosen to leave out the capital. There are many hikes close to Dublin and we are trying our best to sort out the most rewarding ones. The Howath loop is approximately 6 Km long and typically takes around 2 to 2.5 hours to complete. Starting off from the village DART (train) station, the trail leads hikers along the Howth harbour before climbing away from the village. You’ll get to enjoy panoramic views of Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea. You can also see The Baily Lighthouse and Lambay Island. You can get to the starting point of Howth either through train (DART) or by bus from the city center. Additionally, Howth offers various seafood restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a meal or snack after completing the trail.
Ticknock – Fairy Castle Loop
Another short hike right near the capital. This 5.5km loop with an elevation gain of 210m only requires roughly 2 hours to complete. You’ll get to see glorious views of Dublin City, Dublin Bay, Bray Head and the Wicklow Mountains. The path takes you through forests, mountains and even overlaps briefly with the Dublin Mountains Way and the Wicklow Way. You can enjoy spectacular Dublin views from the Three Rock Mountain and Fairy Castle. After you are done with the hike, treat yourself with some refreshments at Nearby Sandyford. Check out these hotels in Dublin that allow you convenient access to cover the outdoors.
No doubt that we’ve definitely missed out on a few other great hikes but of course we cannot include everything in one single post. Below are some other things you should think about before hiking in Ireland.
What is The Best Time of The Year to Hike?
As we mentioned, rain may dampen the mood for some hikes, therefore the best recommendation is to travel between later summer and Autumn. That is to say between July and October. This way you’ll get to experience most of what the Irish landscape has to offer.
What to Pack for Ireland?
Definitely bring a good pair of hiking shoes, preferably more inclined as a climbing shoe. One which has good grip, traction control, ankle support and of course breathable. Make sure to cover yourself as the mountaintops are chilly. So bring your hiking pants, winter jackets and other layers that you believe would be necessary. A good backpack to accommodate your belongings, one that is ergonomic and serves the purpose. You may need some hiking gear such as trekking poles to support your knees. Anyways, we’ve a feeling that the readers of this post aren’t complete amateurs to hiking so you know what to bring. We hope this guide for hiking in Ireland was useful for the trip that you are about to plan. We simply cannot cover each and every trail of this heavenly destination for adventurers. So please let us know what we’ve missed.
