The island of Ireland is a great place to discover. Though small, it has an abundance of fantastic places to visit, including coastlines, hills, countryside and cities. April to June and September to October are the best times to visit for weather and cost, and when it comes to hiking and exploring the countryside, there aren’t many better places to be. We can guide you through hiking in Ireland and the best trails to walk, so grab your gear and let’s get going.
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Easy to moderate scenic walking trails for hiking in Ireland
When it comes to getting out and stretching those legs along a nice walking trail and discovering some breathtaking scenery, it’s important to know about the less challenging hikes to get you started and wanting more. Here you can feast your eyes on some of the more gentle but stunning paths in Ireland.
Ballycotton Cliff Walk, Cork: discover Ireland’s southern coast
If you’re one that enjoys the freedom of walking along the coast and breathing in the fresh sea air, then the fishing village of Ballycotton, in Cork, is a great place to begin your hiking journey in Ireland. The picturesque village is host to the beginning of the Ballycotton Cliff Walk, which lasts 8 miles, finishing on Ballyandreen Beach. It’s a nice gentle start and not too difficult, so hikers with little experience should be fine.
You can gaze across the Celtic Sea and the Atlantic while being surrounded by meadows and lush greenery on one side and the wildness of the sea on the other. If you’re into spotting wildlife, you can catch glimpses of peregrine falcons, as well as dolphins and whales in the water, and you can take in the great views from various seated vantage points along the route.
The Causeway Coast, County Antrim: the famous Giant’s Causeway
When visiting Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of the main attractions to tourists is the Giant’s Causeway, in County Antrim. The 40,000 black basalt columns that stick out of the water off the coast of the Antrim plateau are a real sight to be seen and are also home to one of the best walking trails on the entire island.
For all those hiking novices among you, thankfully this trail is nice and relaxed in comparison to other coastal paths. Stretching from the Giant’s Causeway itself to the impressive ruins of Dunseverick Castle, the Causeway Coastal Route is around 4.5 miles long, while the entire coastline is around 33 miles in total, from Portstewart to Ballycastle.
Naturally, the area is popular with tourists, so to avoid the crowds, it’s worth heading just beyond the Giant’s Causeway, where a secluded bit of coastline awaits with incredible views and geological mystery. Don’t miss Port na Spaniagh, a rocky cove that houses the wreck of the Girona, a ship from the Spanish Armada from the mid-1500s.
Achill Island, County Mayo: a historical island landscape not to be missed
County Mayo, on the west coast of Ireland, is home to some of the most delightful countryside on the island, but none more than Achill Island. You can reach it by bridge from the mainland, but despite this, the place still feels very much like a separate piece of land with little influence from the more populated mainland.
The vast countryside and landscape remain similar to what visitors would have discovered centuries ago, and this is what gives its unrelenting charm. The walking trail is of a moderate level at least and is only 2.8 miles in length, starting from the base of the mountain Slievemore.
The trails vary from tough hikes on top of the steep cliffs to leisurely strolls through villages, where farmers take their cattle to higher pasturing lands during the summer. These hamlets are somewhat abandoned, so they really provide quite an authentic and historical feel, especially when you can also discover a megalithic tomb, deserted villages, and an ancient graveyard – a real journey through time and nature.
Hiking in Ireland: the more challenging and stunning walking trails
For those of us who like a challenge and to feel a sense of achievement, these challenging hiking trails in Ireland are just for you. So, get ready to discover some of the walks that will really get the legs going and the heart pumping.
Glendalough and the Spinc Cliffs, County Wicklow: mountain paths and landscapes for miles
Within easy reach of the capital city, Dublin, you can head to Glendalough for a tough but spectacular hike starting and finishing at the Glendalough Visitor Centre. This hilly valley trail lasts for 8.5 miles and is best suited to seasoned walkers.
Take in the views of 20,000 hectares of mountainous landscape, the area’s world-renowned Lower Lake and monastic site and the Poulanass Waterfall closely neighbouring a deep ascent up to the Spinc Cliffs. By this point, you will have climbed around 1,000 feet, and at that height, you’ll have the privilege of some magnificent views of both the Upper and Lower Lakes.
Wicklow Mountains National Park hosts several other picturesque trails, and if the walk up to Spinc Cliffs is a little too much, there are plenty of other great options.
You can also check out our extensive list of things to do in Dublin or what to see if you spend a weekend in Dublin.
Carrauntoohil Hike, County Kerry: a strenuous workout that’s worth the views
Deep in the southeast of Ireland, you can reach this remote region by road from Cork in around 1h 30min. The Carrauntoohil Hike is probably one of the toughest you’ll come across in Ireland; if you’re ready to take it on, then you’ll be treated to some of the best views you can imagine when you get to the top. We recommend this one for the most experienced of hikers, as you’ll be put to the test.
Lasting just under 8 miles and starting in the remote Cronin’s Yard, an activity centre in rural County Kerry, this trek takes you to the summit of Ireland’s highest mountain. Once you’ve reached the summit, you’ll be standing at a mammoth 3,407 feet in altitude.
The central peak of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, the country’s highest mountain range, is known as Carrauntoohil, and the hike up to this peak is not for the faint-hearted, taking around 4-6h for experienced hikers.
Your reward after one of the toughest climbs: views you’ll never forget over the Killarney Lakes and the rocky, rugged landscape.
Hiking in the north: Northern Ireland’s best hiking trails
The Republic of Ireland’s neighbour knows a thing or two about nature and spectacular walking trails. Aside from the coastal gem that is the Giant’s Causeway and its coastal path, there are a few more up its sleeve awaiting your visit.
Glenariff Forest Park Scenic Trail, County Antrim: a woodland treat
The circular Glenariff Forest Park Scenic Trail varies in difficulty but would be a moderate level for most hikers. Firstly, get yourself to Glenariff Forest Park, which is about a 1h drive north of Belfast. Here you can trek through a peaceful woodland setting, beginning and ending at the visitors’ centre. During springtime, you can marvel at the bluebells as you start the trail at Inver River Gorge.
Discover waterfalls and ravines while you’re taken up a long and sometimes winding trail to the edge of Antrim Plateau. Though in places you’ll find it quite steep, you’ll be happy to climb it once you come across the beautiful views across the stunning landscape and over the sea to Scotland.
Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail, County Fermanagh: Stairway to Heaven
The Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail can be found in the southwest of Northern Ireland, in County Fermanagh, about 1h 30min by car from Belfast. You can start this easy-to-moderate trail from the car park as soon as you arrive at Cuilcagh Mountain Park. Here you’ll experience one of the largest bog regions in the country, which now can be walked due to the 1-mile boardwalk that has been installed.
The trail is well known to locals as the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, and you’ll understand why once you’ve seen it, with incredible landscapes for miles and the steep climb to the 2,185 ft summit of Cuilcagh Mountain. The area is also unique in that it is part of the Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark, so the caves are not to be missed as part of the experience.
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