Hiking is a wonderful way to pass time, challenge yourself and enjoy nature all at the same time. You can find great hiking spots all around the world in the most unexpected places, from mountains to forests to jungles. Of all the great places to hike, Ireland is clearly one of the greatest, with its sea cliffs, remote islands, and emerald green rolling hills. If you’re unsure of where to start your Irish hiking adventure, look no further. Here are a few of the best hiking spots in Ireland.
Causeway Coast Way, Co Antrim
If you’re a fan of coastal hikes, look no further than Causeway Coast Way, which follows Antrim’s northern coast. Along the way, you’ll be able to encounter several of Ireland’s greatest tourist attractions such as Dunluce Castle and Bushmills Distillery, though the highlight of the hike is the final stretch from Carrick-a-Rede to the Giant’s Causeway. This particular section can be done in about a day, but be sure to put aside 2 or 3 days if you want to do the entire hike in one go.
Howth Summit, Dublin
Considered one of the most popular hikes in the Dublin area, Howth Summit is a 4-mile hike that starts at Howth DART station, leads you all the way up to the summit, and then back down again. This hike only takes about 2 hours compared to the Causeway Coast Way hike, but there are longer paths marked by various colored markers if you’re looking for more. Regardless of which paths you choose to take, you’ll be treated to superb views of the gorgeous Dublin Bay. Be wary of weekend hikes though, as this hike’s popularity can make it quite crowded.
Muckross Lake Loop Trail, Killarney National Park, Co Kerry
If you’re looking for something a little less coastal, check out Muckross Lake Loop Trail in Killarney National Park. While it may be another smaller hike, you’ll find numerous extremely photogenic parts of the park during your time here. The hike is full of plenty of side paths that can take you to places such as Old Weir Bridge, a great place to watch tour boats going through the channel. There’s even a cyclist path if that’s more your style.
The Beara Way
If you’re a history fanatic then The Beara Way is likely your hike of choice. The hike is just over 200km and can take a week or more to traverse the entire thing, but it’s totally worth the trek. The path is waymarked and typically follows old roads and tracks that will allow you to get spectacular views of the Wild Atlantic Way coastline as well as being full of stone circles and archaeological sites from the Bronze Age. What makes it even better is that it’s not a huge tourist attraction, so you can enjoy the history in peace and quiet, without large crowds affecting the ambiance.