Top 10 Walks in Ireland

Top Walking and Hiking Routes in Ireland

Between scenery, history, mythology and ancient paths, Ireland has some of the best walking and hiking trails in the world. National Geographic say Ireland is in the Top 5 Walking and Hiking Destinations in the world.

Whether it’s a short walk along a beach, a ramble in lush green valleys, coastal walks, longer hikes on spectacular waymarked trails or climbs up great mountain ranges such as the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks in Kerry you’re choices are endless in Ireland with 1000’s of walks. SAVE this page as your TO DO list 🙂

Carrauntoohil Mtn. 1,039mIrelands highest mountain Carrauntoohil at 1,039m (3,404ft) in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks Mountains, Kerry

Our temperate climate means Ireland is a perfect year round walking destination for adventure tourists. In any case, always remember that ‘There is no such thing as bad weather just unsuitable clothing’. Here are my current list of favorite walks which vary type, iconic status, length and difficulty (changing all the time!). Feel free to agree, strongly disagree or add your own suggestions here or on the ActiveMe facebook page. Click the links and photos below for route maps and guides and also find them on our Free App.

If you need to Rent a Car to experience any of these hikes then I would suggest visiting www.carhire.ie. If you find a better price elsewhere they will beat it.

carhirelogos 600x200

Irelands Best Mountain Walking Routes and Hiking Trails

1. Carrauntoohil Mountain, MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Kerry (13km/6hrs) multiple routes

Carrauntoohil Mountain and MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Peaks and Walking Routes, Killarney, Kerry, Ireland - Aerial Image - ActiveMe.ie and Valerie O'Sullivan

2. Coumshingaun Loop Walk, Comeragh Mountains, Waterford (7.5km/4hrs)

Coumshingaun Lake, Waterford 2014 Muddy Boot Walking Guides

3. Slieve Donard Mountain Walking Route, Co. Down (9km/5hrs)

Slieve Donard, Mourne Mountains, Co. Down

4. Caherconree Mountain and Fort Walk, Tralee, Dingle Peninsula (7.5/3.5hrs)

Caherconree Mountain and Fort, Irish Mythology, Kerry, Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland Fionn MacChumhaill Cu Roi

5. Errigal Mountain and Mackoght Loop Trail, Co. Donegal (6km/3.5hrs)

Mount Errigal Mountain Walk and Dunlewy Lake, Donegal, Wild Atlantic Way Ireland cc.Liam Moloney Best Walks in Ireland

6. Benbulbin and Kings Mountain Loop Walk, Co. Sligo (8km/4hrs)

Benbulben Mountain Walking Route Map Trail in County Sligo, Lough Gill and Yeats County Scenic Drive, Wild Atlantic Way Irelands Best Walks

7. Lugnaquilla Mountain, Glenmalure Loop Walk, Co. Wicklow (15km/6hrs)

Wicklow Mountains, Ireland, Glenmalure, Lughnaquilla, Irish Air Corps

8. Mount Brandon Walking Route, Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry (9km/5hrs)

Faha Ridge - Copy

9. Croagh Patrick Mountain Walk, Pilgrim Path, Westport, Co. Mayo (7km/3.5hrs)

Croagh Patrick Walk and Mountain Pilgrim Path and Hiking Trail from Westport Harbour Clew Bay Co Mayo Wild Atlantic Way Top 10 Best Walking Routes in Ireland

10. Torc Mountain Walk, Killarney, Ireland (7.5km/2.5hrs) – Bring the Kids

Torc Mountain Walking Route, Family and Kids Friendly Walk, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland - Lakes National Park Kerry Way Hiking Trail

11. Galtee Mountain North Loop, Aherlow, Tipperary (13.5km/5.5hrs)

Galtee Mountains, Limerick Tipperary, Munster Vales, Irelands Ancient East Photo John Finn

12. Sawel and Dart Mountain Loop, Sperrins, Co. Tyrone (16.5km/4.5hrs)

Sawel Mountain, Sperrin Mountains, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland by Sperrins Hillwalking Club

13. Cuilcagh Mountain Walk Legnabrocky Trail, Co. Fermanagh (20km/6.5hrs)

Cuilcagh Mountain Legnabrocky Boardwalk Trail Walking Route to summit on Fermanagh and Cavn boarder, Ireland - Photo Sarah Explores

14. Slemish Mountain St. Patricks Pilgrim Path, Antrim (1.5km/1.5hrs)

Slemish Mountain Loop Walking Route, Holy Hill of St. Patrick, Ballymena, Antrim, Northern Ireland

15. Coomasaharn Horseshoe Walk, Glenbeigh, Kerry

Coomasaharn Lake

Plan your walk by checking the weather, sunrise sunset times and our hiking checklist here https://www.activeme.ie/useful-info/planning-a-trip/. Please remember that you are only as fast as the slowest member of your group! Estimate you walking time here. If the weather is poor don’t be afraid to cancel your mountain walk and do some other walk, maybe a low level walk. In my opinion, mountain walks without the views are a waste.

Use our Map of Ireland and Sat Nav tool to get directions to the start point and our detailed maps and GPS on our free ActiveME iPhone App and Android App to find and see the walking route live on screen and keep on track (beware of phone battery usage). At all times, our maps and App should only be used in conjunction with proper map and compass navigation techniques.

Irelands Best Coastal and Cliff Walking Routes

1. Bray Head Loop Walk, Valentia Island, Kerry – bring the kids

Start of the Bray Head Loop walk

2. Causeway Coastal Path Walking Route, Co. Antrim (16km/4hrs)

Causeway Coastal Walk, Antrim, Northern Ireland

3. Howth Cliff Path Loop Walk, near Dublin City (6-10km/2-3hrs)

Howth Cliff Path Loop Walk, Sheer Cliff Drops, Near Dublin City, Irelands Ancient East - Top Walks and Best Things to See and Do in Dublin City

4. Cliffs of Moher Cliff Walk, Co. Clare, Wild Atlantic Way (18.5km/5.5hrs) 

Cliffs of Moher Coastal Cliff Walk from Doolin to Moher, Co, Clare, Irelands Wild Atlantic WayTI

5. Old Head of Kinsale Loop Walk, Cork (6km/1.5hrs)

Old Head of Kinsale, Cork, Ireland, Wild Atlantic Way

 

Irelands Best Long Distance Way Marked Walking Trails

1. Kerry Way Long Distance Walking Trail, Co. Kerry (200km/9 stages)

Bridia Valley, Co. Kerry - Black Faced Ram by Valerie O'Sullivan

2. Wicklow Way Long Distance Walking Trail, Co. Wicklow and Dublin

Lough Tay

See our full list of over 500 Irish walks and hikes Here.

 

Coming Soon

Top 10 Easy Walking and Hiking Trails in Ireland

Top 10 Moderate Walking and Hiking Trails in Ireland

Top 10 Strenuous Walking and Hiking Trails in Ireland

Top 10 Looped Walking and Hiking Trails in Ireland

Top 10 Long Distance Walking and Hiking Trails

Top Pilgrimage Walks and Trails in Ireland

Best and Top Walks by County (coming soon)