Essential Guide Hiking in Ireland Explore Hiking 101 Our Top 10 Hikes Myths and Legends Ireland’s Weather Plan your next adventure with confidence. Story-telling was a favourite art among With our 101 guide to hiking. Gaelic-speaking people. See how these ancient tales live on. Belfast Galway Dublin Finding Your Way Shannon Travel Essentials Culture and Customs Limerick Discover Ireland’s rich Cork heritage and traditions. PASS Hiking in Ireland What to Wear Recommended Reads Stats & Facts From coast to cliff, from mountain to forest, Get kitted out for your day Want to find out more about hiking in Ireland is perfect for hiking. Discover general exploring Ireland’s wild places. Ireland or hiking in general, then check our information about hiking in Ireland. recommended list of further reading. Benefits Get in of Hiking Touch Hiking 101 Get to grips with everything you need to know for a fantastic day hiking in the Irish wilderness. With a little research and some forward planning you can ensure you chosen the right hike for your experience level. This will go a long way towards making sure your hike. is one to remember for all the right reasons. Know your Gear Leave No Trace Stay Hydrated Share your Plans When hiking it’s vital to plan ahead and make Leave No Trace principles are a set of guidelines Always bring more water than you think you’ll No matter what, always tell friends or family sure you’ve got everthing you need for a day out everyone should follow in the outdoors. need. This is easy enough on shorter hikes. about your hiking plans and what to do if on the trails. They’re designed to show you how to minimize However if you’re going out for longer and more they do not hear from you by a set time. your impact on your natural surroundings. They difficult hikes, you should consider learning how The right clothes and equipment can be the In case of a serious emergency, go beyond simply cleaning up after yourself – and to purify water from streams and lakes. difference between an amazing day out and a you’ll be thankful someone is teach how to leave your surroundings as if you This way you can minimize the amount new hobby for life or a nightmare that sees you looking out for you. were never there at all. you’re carrying but still stay safely hydrated. never wanting to hike again. For more information about choosing the right gear The Leave No Trace 7 Principles check out our What to Wear and Finding Your Way • Plan Ahead and Prepare pages, to find out what you need to be prepared • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces for your next hike. Hike Difficulty and Grading 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 • Dispose of Waste Properly • Leave What You Find At Wilderness Ireland we use a colour grading system of either green, blue or red for determining a hike’s • Minimize Campfire Impacts difficulty, with green hikes being the most accessible and red hikes being the most difficult. Within each of • Respect Wildlife the colour grades, there are numbered sub-grades with 1 being easiest and 9 being the most challenging. • Be Considerate of Other Visitors Each of the grades is worked out based on a number of factors, with the level of physical challenge being the most significant. Technical skills and experience required are also important contributors when working out a hike’s grade. Hiking in Ireland The Emerald Isle is a land seemingly created for hiking. Rolling hills, wild bogs, majestic mountains, ancient megalithic tombs, sheep- dotted hills, rugged coasts, country lanes… all this and more awaits the intrepid hiker. So dig out your sturdy hiking boots and waterproof jackets and head out to the wilds! Where Can I Hike? Hiking on Public Land in Ireland Hiking on Private Land in Ireland Unlike in Scotland and across Scandinavia, Ireland has 6 national parks maintained by the Irish government. You need permission to hike on any trails that run through private land. there are no “Rights to Roam” or “Every Man’s National park trails are exceedingly well maintained, with clean facilities These routes are often maintained by the landowner (usually a farmer) Right” that would allow hikers access to roam and an extensive visitor’s centre. which means that the state of the paths can’t be guaranteed. on any land public or private. In addition, the National Waymarked Trails association maintain over 40 Irish Some trails may be rough or boggy as well as traverse livestock Instead, the majority of the waymarked or trails around Ireland, including the Dingle Way, the Wicklow Way and the Kerry pastures, so caution should be taken. In some cases, the way may be signposted trails in Ireland cross private land, Way, as well as other shorter hikes. Forestry service agency Coillte maintains open to the public, but no trail is marked. In cases such as this, it is and are only signposted for hikers with the another 12 forest parks as well as 180 recreational sites throughout Ireland. best to hike with a guide. agreement of the landowner(s). Benefits of Hiking Hiking is an immersive way to get outdoors, slow down, breathe fresh air and become part of the natural world while exploring a new place. • You’ll experience life slower. Too often, we spend our days rushing from one thing to the next. By hiking in Ireland, you’ll slow down, feel the wind in your face and the soft grass underfoot, taste the salt in the air and listen to the crash of the waves. • Your experiences will be more meaningful. Walking may be tough, but the challenge of hiking through Ireland will increase your appreciation of Ireland - and if it had been too easy, you wouldn’t feel such a sense of accomplishment! • You’ll get to see places others may not know exist. Leave the car behind and tackle trails only accessible by foot, exploring a whole world that car-dependant travellers will miss. Stumble across amazing views, deserted beaches, megalithic tombs, dramatic cliffs and more. And chances are, you’ll have it all to yourself. • Feel connected to the island and the people who call it home. As you walk across the rugged landscapes, follow in the footsteps of ancient ancestors. Arriving at each summit, enjoy the same view once appreciated by the people who built the local ruins, as you take a moment to try to understand what life was like for the Irish people living here over the centuries. • Experience Ireland the way it was meant to be. Ireland has always been a rugged, magical place - more agricultural than urban. By walking in the wild, you’ll be able to experience the true spirit of Ireland – its wild side We make it easy for you to choose where to hike. Explore our interactive Our Top 10 Hikes map for local recommendations of the best hikes in Ireland. Belfast Galway Dublin Shannon Limerick Cork Culture Low Level with Mountain Views Historic These routes are recommendations only and any hiking you decide to undertake is done so at your own risk. High Points Coastal Trails Wildlife & Nature Causeway Coastal Way Northern Ireland Follow the wild Causeway Coast around the clifftop Dunluce Castle, through the lovely Ballintoy Harbour (better known as the Iron Isles from HBO’s Game of Thrones), past Old Bushmills Distillery, culminating at the iconic Giant’s Causeway. Visit the imagined seven kingdoms of Westeros (or at least their filming locations) and hike through the mystical countryside that inspired the Chronicles of Narnia. Explore sections of the Causeway Coastal Way and other best hikes in Ireland on our exciting Causeway Coastal Route & Donegal Hiking Trip. Find more info on this hike here Explore our interactive map Distance Duration Start Point Best For Portstewart, or Ballycastle Mystical landscapes that inspired Game of Thrones, the Chronicles of Narnia 33 miles/52 km 4 days if you do it backwards and Irish legends. Also, visit the Giant’s Causeway. Culture Low Level with Historic Mountain Views Where to Eat Nearby Culture & Activities At the beachside Harry’s Shack, expect a menu of simple pleasures. Dunluce Castle, Bushmills Distillery, Ballintoy Harbour & Giant’s Causeway, Canoeing In Bushmills, head to Tartine at Distillers Arms, a charming melange of French and Irish cuisine. the Causeway Coast, the thrilling cliffside Gobbins Path. High Points Coastal Trails Wildlife & Nature Doolin Cliff Walk Whether you choose the shorter route finishing at the Cliffs of Moher or continue along the longer route to Liscannor, the Doolin Cliff Walk is a breathtaking hike along the sharp cliff’s edge. Hike along the narrow path to drink in dramatic views of the swirling Atlantic Ocean far below your feet. One of the best hikes in Ireland, the Doolin Cliff Walk is also called the ‘secret’ access to the famous Cliffs of Moher! By approaching on foot from the northern end of the cliffs, this is the best way to reach the Cliffs of Moher without the majority of the crowds. Take the Doolin Cliff Walk to the Cliffs of Moher and more on the Hiking the Burren, Aran Islands and Connemara trip. Find more info on this hike here Explore our interactive map Distance Duration Start Point Best For 4.5 miles/7 km Longer option: 3-6 hours Doolin village Secret’ access to the Cliffs of Moher 11 miles/18km Culture Low Level with Historic Mountain Views Where to Eat Nearby Culture & Activities Enjoy fresh fish n’ chips with locally-sourced fish and hand-cut chips Discover the Cliffs of Moher by boat, pop down to Lahinch Beach for surfing lessons, at The Ivy Cottage in Doolin.