The 7 Best Hikes in Ireland

Known affectionately as ‘the Emerald Isle’, Ireland is famous for its breathtaking landscapes and lush greenery. From rolling hills to craggy coastlines, there are so many stunning places to explore in Ireland, and what better way to do it than on foot? Ireland is home to some of Europe’s best hikes, so if you’re a walking enthusiast, these are 7 of the best hikes that you should attempt when you’re next in Ireland.

7 Must-Try Hikes That Showcase Ireland’s Natural Beauty

1. Howth Cliff Walk – County Dublin

Found just a few kilometres north of Dublin city centre, the small seaside village of Howth is home to one of Ireland’s best hikes.

The eight-kilometre loop around the cliffs is ideal for any walker, whether you’re an avid hiker or a beginner with your family, this walk offers some of the most stunning views over the Irish Sea.

You will want to start at Red Rock, making your way southeast over to the cliff path. Once you’re on the top of the cliff path, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of the eastern coast of Ireland, and lots of native seabirds and marine life below.

Continue onwards until you see signs towards Howth Village, where you’ll then easily be able to close the loop back up towards Red Rock.

This route shouldn’t take longer than around 2 hours, and of course, when you’re finished, there’s a wide array of pubs and restaurants in and around Howth where you can enjoy a well-deserved pint and a meal afterwards.

2. Dingle Way – County Kerry

This 180km route offers the best of the nature of County Kerry, from dramatic cliffs to seemingly endless green fields, and everything in between.

It’s important to bear in mind that the Dingle Way typically takes around eight to nine days to complete, so if you’re only in Ireland for a short period of time, then perhaps only tackle a section of it.

If you’re only planning on taking down one section of the Dingle Way, we highly recommend the climb over Mount Brandon, which offers incredible, breathtaking views over the entire north Kerry way.

Because this trail passes over the base of a mountain, you’re rewarded with a wide variety of scenery, from open fields and hills to rocky mountainous terrain and more.

This can be a fairly tough climb, especially with inclement weather, but as the famous saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!

3. Erris Head Loop – County Mayo

This is one of the best coastal walks in County Mayo, in the west of Ireland, overlooking the chilly waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Found on the Mullet Peninsula, this five-kilometre walk starts with an easy, gentle incline, where you’ll want to take it at your own pace to soak in all the sights, from diverse marine life below to local flora and fauna underneath your feet.

You’ll then reach Erris Head, at the tip of the peninsula, which is when you can begin your return journey. Don’t forget to take the opportunity for some excellent photos here, including – if the weather’s clear – nearby Eagle Island.

This is a great walk for hikers of all abilities and paces, and it’s a good one to do with children who are able to go the distance. Generally, we recommend that if children are eight or older, they should be able to do this walk fairly comfortably.

4. Croagh Patrick – County Mayo

Croagh Patrick is the name of the holiest mountain in Ireland, and this hike takes you to the top of this incredible holy site.

The mountain is of holy and religious significance, as it was reportedly where Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick, fasted for 40 days and nights in 441 CE, making it one of Christianity’s holiest sites for a pilgrimage in all of Ireland.

While only a seven-kilometre round trip, you will experience 740m elevation during the hike as you traverse the rocky mountain paths.

You will need to be an intermediate to experienced hiker to tackle Croagh Patrick, and you will also need to bring the right equipment – hiking boots and energy-rich snacks are essential.

However, once you reach the top of the mountain, you’re rewarded with stunning panoramic views over the sprawling landscape below, which many hikers claim is not just rewarding but inspiring, especially if you’re a religious person.

After the walk, make sure that you visit the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre and pick yourself up a souvenir of your trip, as well as taking the opportunity to learn more about the historical and religious significance of the mountain.

5. Torc Waterfall Walk – County Kerry

Found in Killarney National Park, the Torc Waterfall Walk is the perfect hike for nature lovers.

This four-and-a-half kilometre loop is ideal for walkers of all abilities, and is very accessible from nearby towns and villages, making it a great walk for all the family.

The main trail starts from the car park and ends at the bottom of the 20m waterfall, which is one of the end points of the Owengarrif River.

However, for those more experienced hikers, the beauty of the Torc Waterfall Walk is that there is another route you can take beyond the waterfall, which is steeper and more challenging, but offers incredible views over the top of the waterfall and a good view of the nearby woodlands.

This flexibility allows hikers of all abilities to choose which parts they’d like to tackle, so whether you’re looking for a family-friendly hike or a challenging walk in County Kerry, the Torc Waterfall Walk is one of the best options.

6. Slieve League Cliff Walk – County Donegal

Ireland’s most northern province is also home to the highest sea cliffs in Europe – and that’s where you’ll be walking if you choose to hike the Slieve League Cliff Walk Route.

Not for the faint-hearted, or for those who don’t like heights, this hike is nevertheless one of the most scenic in Ireland.

A short walk, which is just over three kilometres (or six kilometres if you want to double back upon yourself), can take anywhere from two to five hours to complete.

There are three distinct walks along this route, with varying difficulties, again, making it suitable for a range of hikers.

The Cliff Walk is the easiest and will take around three hours to complete. For those who want something more challenging, try the Pilgrim’s Path, which leads to the cliffs and back, so you can experience grasslands as well as the cliffs themselves.

For highly experienced hikers, the last route is known to be dangerous and should only be undertaken by professionals or expert hikers. This is called One Man’s Pass, and is a narrow track which loops around the cliff edges.

Whichever route you take, you’re walking on a geological record, being the highest sea cliffs and Europe, and as such, you’re rewarded with stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean below. Don’t forget to bring a camera or your smartphone to take some incredible photos of memories that will last a lifetime.

7. Lugnaquilla – County Wicklow

The highest mountain in County Wicklow, Lugnaquilla, is a challenging yet rewarding hike, and comfortably one of the best in Ireland.

This is an all-day event, so make sure that you’re prepared for it, with most hikes taking around five to seven hours.

Another thing to bear in mind when hiking Lugnaquilla is which route to take – the two most popular being loops from Fenton’s Pub (who doesn’t enjoy a pint at the end of a walk?), and the other being the Camenabologue Loop.

However, there is a nearby military range, so you need to check in advance when it’s safe to hike up Lugnaquilla so that you don’t get seriously injured or worse from nearby military activity in the Glen of Imaal. 

Once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with spectacular views over both the Glen of Imaal and Glenmalure, some of the most pristine and beautiful landscapes not just in County Wicklow, but in all of Ireland.