There is nothing quite like strolling through the forest on a clear day, listening to the sounds of the birds in the trees, and turning a corner in the path to be greeted with a breathtaking mountain vista or sweeping green valley. Moments such as these can be found on a hiking holiday in the rugged wilderness of Ireland.
The picturesque countryside of Ireland is made up of a patchwork of many different types of landscapes, from majestic mountains to rolling green hills, granting the intrepid hiker with a lifetime of views to enjoy. If you love hiking, hop on a flight to Ireland, including direct routes to Dublin, and you’ll be sure to fall in love with the Emerald Isle.
The Wicklow Way
This long distance walking trail was one of the first trails to be formally established in Ireland and connects a wide variety of scenic landscapes throughout Ireland. It is an easy accessible path which will take you past lakes, glacial valleys, mountain streams, farmlands, forests, and more. The trail will also reveal to you many extensive remains of early Christian monasteries in the Glendalough Valley.
The Wicklow Way begins in the southern suburb of Rathfarnham, right outside of Dublin. It stretches towards the south-west across to County Wicklow. The end of the trail is in the village of Clonegal in County Carlow, and the total length of this hiking path is 127 kilometres. To trek the entire trail would take approximately eight to ten days for the experiences hiker of average fitness. More casual hikers might enjoy choosing a section of the trail to complete within one day.
The Dingle Way
Located in south-west Ireland, this hiking trail begins and finishes in Tralee. If you are interested in the ancient history of Ireland, The Dingle Way will take you to some of the best archaeological sites in the country, such as standing stones, beehive huts, and ogham stones. There is also a great deal of spectacular scenery to reward you along your journey, from the view of the Atlantic at Slea Head, the golden beaches on the Maharess, and the gentle foothills of Slieve Mish.
This 179km trail will take the average fit hiker approximately 8-9 days to walk. The many small villages along the trail are not usually more than a couple hours apart, so food and water can be purchased along the way. Keep in mind that the section of trail around the foot of Mount Brandon should be avoided if the weather conditions are bad.
The Causeway Coast Way
If you are inspired by views of the ocean from Ireland’s beautiful beaches, this will be the perfect trail for you. The Causeway Coast Way is an easy walk along the north-east coast of Northern Ireland, which will take the average hiker only 2-3 days to complete. The trail traverses between the popular tourist towns of Portstewart and Ballycastle and will take you past some of the most popular tourist attractions in the area such as the Dunluce Bridge, the Giant’s Causeway, and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The scenery is truly amazing, with cliff sections, beach walking, seafront promenades, and more. This trail is easy to navigate and is suitable for a novice walker.
These are just a few of the best hiking routes in scenic Ireland, so why not strap on your hiking boots and hit the trail!
Tags: Hiking in Ireland, Hiking Trails in Ireland, Ireland, Ireland Hiking, Ireland Things to Do, Ireland Tourism, Ireland Travel, Outdoor Ireland
