There’s not better way to get some fresh air and take your mind off things than hiking in Ireland. You’ll find walking routes up mountains, along the wild coastline and through glens, as well as plenty of long-distance trails to get you out into the landscape – often with nothing but the beautiful scenery for company. We’ve got directions, difficulty gradings and a few pro tips, so lace up those boots and take your pick from the best Irish walking routes!
Get stepping: 10 of the best hikes and walks in Ireland
1. The Howth Cliff Walk, Dublin
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Duration: 2–3hrs
You don’t have to travel very far from the capital to enjoy hiking in Ireland. Shrug off the city with a trip out to Howth – one loop of the cliff walk around Howth Head will obliterate those cobwebs. From the fishing village of Howth you’ll walk clockwise, heading east first to the Nose of Howth, before turning south across the sloping clifftops and striking upwards to The Summit.
The south-facing coast of the peninsula has the most spectacular views, down over secluded beaches and rocky islets, and passes the Bally Lighthouse, the last manned lighthouse in Ireland up until 1997. Dublin may be visible from Howth Head, but it feels like a distant planet compared with the tranquility upon the cliff edge.
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2. The Glen of Aherlow, Co. Tipperary
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 6 miles (10km)
Duration: 3hrs
If you’re looking for more reasons to go hiking in Ireland, this one’s one of the country’s most scenic and accessible walking routes. Nestled between the Galtee Mountains and the wooded ridge of Slievenamuck, the Glen of Aherlow has long been an important pass between Limerick and Tipperary. Several loop walks are waymarked here, including the 10km Ballinacourty Loop, which follows woodland trails to ascend onto Slievenamuck. Traverse its southern shoulder for lovely views of the Galtee Mountains back across the glen. The total ascent on this trail is 240 metres.
3. Torc Mountain, Co. Kerry
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4.5 miles (7.5km)
Duration: 2–3hrs
Want to climb a mountain? Torc Mountain is a straightforward one to tackle, with rewarding 360-degree views out over Killarney town and lakes, Muckross House, Killarney National Park and MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. It’s just 7.5km from the upper Torc Mountain car park to the summit and back, and the whole route takes around 2.5 hours to complete. There’s a clear path, made up in part of railway sleepers, so this is an easy walk for almost all fitness levels – though take care, the sleepers can be wet and slippery.
4. Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 8 miles
Duration: 4.5hrs
Ask a child to draw a mountain and you’ll find yourself staring at a reproduction of this sacred summit, its pyramid-like shape standing tall above the south Mayo countryside. For more than 5000 years an annual pilgrimage has made its way up here, climbing the slopes on the last Sunday of July. Park at the Croagh Patrick visitor centre and follow the well-marked trail up to the peak, some 762 metres above sea level.
5. Diamond Hill, Connemara, Galway
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4.5 miles (7km)
Duration: 2–3hrs
For a quick introduction to Connemara’s beauty, head to the top of Diamond Hill from the national park visitor centre. You’ll start out on Sruffaunboy Nature Trail before striking off for the summit along gravel footpaths and wooden boardwalks to climb the western slopes and reach the ridge. From the top look out along the Connemara coastline, spotting Kylemore Abbey’s gothic turrets and the summit of Mweelrea, the province of Connaught’s highest mountain.
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6. The Dingle Way, Co. Kerry
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 111 miles (179km)
Duration: 8–9 days
The Dingle Peninsula was formed by glacial stresses and it left one humdinger of a landscape, all steep mountain ridges and plunging cliffs, rock stacks and recessed sandy beaches. The 179km, eight or nine day, Dingle Way is the best route to explore it, looping around the peninsula’s full extent from the town of Tralee. You’ll walk in the foothills of the Slieve Mish, around the cliffs of Slea Head and past golden sandy beaches, as well as passing through the town of Dingle. Small roads make up most of the trail and there are few ascents; you’ll be mostly looking up at the mountains, not climbing them.
7. The Western Way, Connemara, Co. Galway
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 34 miles (55km)
Duration: 2 days
Connemara is the very edge of Europe, a region of imposing peaks and boggy valleys. Get out among them on this two-day waymarked trail, beginning in the angler’s town of Oughterard. You’ll follow the western edge of Lough Corrib, one of the longest lakes in Ireland, before crossing into the steep-sided and beautifully scenic Inagh Valley, tucked in between the Twelve Bens and Maam Turks peaks. The linear 55km trail ends at the village of Leenaun on the shores of Killary harbour and is best broken overnight in Maam, which makes for two equally long days.
8. The Kerry Way, Co. Kerry
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 132 miles (213km)
Duration: 9 days
Got nine days to spare? If you’d like to spend them hiking in Ireland, take on one of the country’s longest signposted trails – not to mention one of its most popular – by completing the Kerry Way. Taking walkers on a historic journey along old droving paths and coach roads, it starts (and ends) in Killarney before striking out around the Iveragh Peninsula, for waterfalls, subtropical plants and magnificent mountain views. Most people see this glorious landscape by coach; taking it in from two feet is far more rewarding.
9. Slieve League, Co. Donegal
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 6 miles
Duration: 4hrs
Want to see one third of Ireland, all in one go? It’s said that on a clear day you can do just that from the top of Slieve League’s epic cliffs, so high that the crashing Atlantic far below is rendered silent – this trail is one of Europe’s highest. Park at Bunglass and follow the path up and along the top of the ridge ,where you’ll meet the Old Man’s Track. Follow the narrow One Man’s Pass up to the top of Slieve League for those unbelievable views. Take care on misty days and if visibility is really poor, don’t attempt it. Vertigo sufferers should also give this one a miss.
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10. Burren Way, Co. Clare
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 71 miles (114km)
Duration: 5 days
Hiking in Ireland is nowhere more spectacular than in the Burren, a vast area of terraced limestone hills that drops abruptly into the Atlantic at the Cliffs of Moher. The 114km Burren Way offers walkers the chance to be dwarfed by this scenic wonderland, running from the coast at Doolin across limestone terraces bursting with wildflowers and passing Neolithic remains and ancient Christian churches. Though most of the route is along cattle droving roads and forestry tracks, there are some steep climbs. These are rewarded with jaw-dropping views though, especially from the top of Mullaghmore.
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Hiking in Ireland: 10 of the best hiking trails and routes for walking holidays
| Walks & Hikes | Where? |
| 1. The Howth Cliff Walk | Dublin |
| 2. The Glen of Aherlow | Co. Tipperary |
| 3. Torc Mountain | Co. Kerry |
| 4. Croagh Patrick | Co. Mayo |
| 5. Diamond Hill | Connemara, Galway |
| 6. The Dingle Way | Co. Kerry |
| 7. The Western Way | Connemara, Co. Galway |
| 8. The Kerry Way | Co. Kerry |
| 9. Slieve League | Co. Donegal |
| 10. Burren Way | Co. Clare |
*Updated April 2020. Information correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
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