Key takeaway
From gentle coastal walks to challenging mountain routes — a guide to Ireland's best hiking trails and how to plan a safe walk.
Ireland's trail network
Ireland has over 40 National Waymarked Ways — long-distance walking routes maintained by Fáilte Ireland and local groups. These are in addition to hundreds of shorter looped walks and coastal paths. Most trails are free to access, clearly signposted, and open year-round.
Best beginner trails (near Dublin)
- Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk (Co. Wicklow) — 6km coastal path with spectacular sea views, accessible by DART. Easy-moderate.
- Ticknock and Three Rock Mountain (Dublin Mountains) — accessible from the city, great views, well-maintained paths. 5–8km loops.
- Howth Cliff Walk (North Dublin) — 6km circular route with sea views, accessible by DART. Easy-moderate.
Best longer/scenic routes
- Wicklow Way — 127km from Dublin to Clonegal, Co. Carlow. Typically done over 5–7 days. Passes through the Wicklow Mountains National Park.
- Connemara (Co. Galway) — stunning bogland and mountain scenery; Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park is a popular day hike.
- Dingle Peninsula (Co. Kerry) — dramatic Atlantic coastline, Slea Head Drive, and Conor Pass. Day hikes and multi-day options.
- Carrauntoohil (Co. Kerry) — Ireland's highest mountain at 1,038m. Serious hike requiring preparation; tackle via Devil's Ladder route.
Safety tips
- Weather in Ireland changes rapidly — always bring a waterproof layer, even on sunny days
- Wear proper hiking footwear — trails can be very boggy
- Tell someone your route and expected return time
- Download the trail map offline before you go — mobile signal is unreliable in mountain areas
- The mountain rescue number in Ireland is 112
hikingwalkingoutdoors
General guidance only. Always verify with official sources — gov.ie, citizensinformation.ie, hse.ie.