Where To Hike In Ireland?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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For such a small island,

Ireland punches well above its weight when it comes to

. There are some 954 developed trails all over the country (check out irishtrails.ie for the full list), with vastly differing landscapes.

Where is the best walking in Ireland?

  • Dingle Way, County Kerry. Coastal path along the Dingle Way (Shutterstock) …
  • The Famine Walk, Connemara. …
  • Croagh Patrick, County Mayo. …
  • Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walking Route. …
  • Wicklow Way, County Wicklow. …
  • Errigal, County Donegal. …
  • Grand Canal Way, Dublin.

When can you hike in Ireland?

Ireland also never gets weather extremes, like you do, in most parts of the world, thanks to the warm Gulf Stream. This all makes it one of the best places to go hiking in

almost all year round

(though it's got to be said, what Ireland lacks in weather extremes, it more than makes up for in rain).

What is the easiest mountain to climb in Ireland?


Diamond Hill, Co

.

This is the easiest mountain to climb on our list, with a summit that's an achievable 1,450ft (442m) above sea level.

How do you hike carrauntoohil?

First, you

walk from Cronin's Yard to the bottom of Devil's Staircase

. You can follow the signs for Cronin's Yard Loop, but Carrauntoohil is also signposted (it's the black route). Second comes a straight-forward but strenuous scramble up the Devil's Ladder.

What is the hardest hike in Ireland?


Mount Brandon

is one of the most popular mountains on the Wild Atlantic Way with the Faha route leading up to the summit commonly regarded as the most challenging but also most rewarding route. It offers breathtakingly beautiful views of the Dingle Peninsula.

How long is Keeper Hill?

The Keeper Hill Trek (

8.2 kms

, 3 hrs, strenuous) guides you up to the top of Keeper Hill standing at 964m. There are some impressive gullies and waterfalls to observe along the way, including a waterfall known locally as the ‘Spout'. The Slieve Felim Way, a long distance waymarked way passes through these woods.

Where does the Wicklow Way start?

The Wicklow Way begins in

Dublin's southern suburb of Rathfarnham

and travels in a south-south-westerly direction across the Dublin and Wicklow uplands, then through the rolling hill country of southwest County Wicklow to finish in the small, County Carlow village of Clonegal 127 kilometres later.

Where is the Dingle Way?

The Dingle Way is one of over 30 Irish long-distance walking trails.

Situated in the south-west of the Ireland

, the walk completes a circuit of the Dingle Peninsula, starting and finishing in Tralee, the capital of Kerry. The trail is 179km long and takes an adult who is reasonably fit an average of 8-9 days to walk.

What is the longest hiking trail in Ireland?

At 500 kilometers, The

Beara-Breifne Way

is Ireland's longest walking trail and allows walkers to hike from Cork to Leitrim. Linking 10 counties and four provinces, the Way was the largest community-based project undertaken in the country.

How long is the Ulster Way?

Ulster Way Length

636 miles (1,024 kilometres)
Location Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Trailheads Belfast Use Hiking

How long is Glenariff Forest walk?

Scenic trail (

8.9 km

)

The trail takes you down the Inver River gorge, nearly to the Ess-na-CrubWaterfall. Once you cross the river, you begin a long and winding climb from about 60 metres elevation to 260 metres over about 1.1km.

How difficult is it to climb Carrauntoohil?

It's the most direct and shortest route and is

a pretty strenuous walk that will take you between four and six hours

. The track is fairly easy to see and follow. Due to the popularity of this trail, it is eroded in parts and is quite loose underfoot through the steep ladder part.

Can a beginner climb Croagh Patrick?


It's a moderate to strenuous hike

. Starting in the car park at Murrisk, head to your first landmark after the visitor centre which is the statue of St Patrick that was erected in 1928. You'll walk through a small gate and then the upward climb begins!

How do I start hiking in Ireland?

  1. Break in your boots. Hiking boots should be used incrementally at first, giving them time to adjust and mould to your feet. …
  2. Start small. …
  3. Join a group. …
  4. Tell people where you are going. …
  5. Research the route. …
  6. Pack essentials. …
  7. Leave no trace.

Has anyone died on Carrauntoohil?

While casualties on Carrauntoohil in the Reeks account for most of the fatalities (

there have been 10 deaths on the mountain since 1966

), nearby slopes can also be treacherous.

Can beginners climb Carrauntoohil?

The Carrauntoohil hike isn't a climb you just head off on.

It requires planning and careful consideration and

it shouldn't be attempted by novice climbers (unless accompanied by a guide)

. The mighty Carrauntoohil mountain is, at a giddy 1,038 metres, the highest mountain in Ireland – so it isn't a walk in the park.

How long does it take to climb Mount Brandon?

On average, the Mount Brandon hike detailed below takes

between 6 and 7 hours

, up and down, but it all depends on the weather conditions and how long you spend admiring the view.

Is Mount Leinster hard climb?

Enjoy this 4.7-mile out-and-back trail near Myshall, County Carlow.

Generally considered a moderately challenging route

, it takes an average of 2 h 35 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and trail running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.

How many loughs are in Ireland?

Still, many come here for the sweeping landscapes and stunning natural beauty, which includes its lakes. There are a whopping

12,000 lakes

in Ireland (called loughs) that cover an area of more than 120,000 hectare. Of these, here is our list of the 15 best lakes in Ireland.

What is the steepest mountain in Ireland?


Carrauntoohil
Geography Location in Ireland Location County Kerry, Ireland Parent range MacGillycuddy's Reeks

Is Keeper Hill hard?

Experience this 10.3-mile out-and-back trail near Killoscully, County Tipperary.

Generally considered a challenging route

, it takes an average of 5 h 15 min to complete. This trail is great for birding, hiking, and mountain biking.

How long does it take to climb galtee Mor?

Length. The Galtymore hike is 11 Km and takes

approximately 4 hours

. The first 2.5 km are on an old mountain road which leads to open mountain. There is a sustained steep section towards the mountain summit.

Why is it called Keeper Hill?

Keeper Hill, also known as Slievekimalta, gets its name from a little-known tale about Sadb, daughter of Conn of the Hundred Battles, raising her children Eogan and Indderb on this mountain after they had been rejected by their father Ailill Aulom, king of Munster.

Is the Wicklow Way well marked?

The Wicklow Way is also

well-marked

and with a paper map and GPS, I believe most hikers will feel comfortable in terms of navigation. With these stunning views and favourable logistics, I think it's an ideal long distance trail for a first-timer.

How long does it take to walk the Wicklow Way?

Distance: 127km | Ascent: 3,200m | Time:

7+ Days

Traditionally the Wicklow Way is walked from north to south, beginning at Marlay Park in south Dublin and ending in Clonegal, Co. Carlow.

Is the Wicklow Way difficult?

I hiked the Wicklow Way in May 2017 from South to North, and I have since section hike pretty much the whole trail again several times. The is

not particularly difficult trail

and could be attempted by most newcomers to long-distance hiking.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.