This article came about due to a mistake. We went hiking in Ireland’s stunning outdoors but were sorely unprepared.
We were underdressed and sporting the kind of shoes that should have never left the pavement. Suddenly the enjoyable hike turned into a slapstick dance with nature.
But fear not, fellow adventurers, because we won’t let that happen to you! We’ll not only share the best spots to explore but also arm you with the knowledge to avoid the slips and slides off the beaten path.
So let’s discover the ins and outs of the top hiking trails in Ireland and let the adventures begin!
Engage in Some Family Friendly Fun While Hiking the Slieve Foye Loop
Location: Liberties Of Carlingford, Carlingford, Co. Louth, Ireland
Difficulty Level: Easy
Best Feature: Suitable for kids
If you have been dying to take your kids on a hike, but can’t quite find a trail that’s safe enough for them, you’ll be glad to know that there is one such spot in Ireland. You can finally experience the joy of hiking with your entire family on the Slieve Foye Loop.
This trail in County Louth is an ideal trail not just for kids but for anyone seeking one of Ireland’s top walks who don’t have much experience yet. This three-hour adventure weaves through gravel roads, trails, and mud tracks.
Starting from Carlingford, the trail unfolds with a small stream meandering through, some stone walls you have to jump over, and forests you have to go through.
Pro Tip:
Post-adventure, we suggest spending the rest of the day inCarlingford. You can walk around town and visit the attractions there that include a castle and a pier. There are rows of great seafood restaurants to try near there that you have to try.
Embark on a Spiritual Hike at Croagh Patrick
Location: Glaspatrick, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Difficulty Level: Easy
Best Feature: Connect with a 3,000 year old tradition of climbing the peak
Croagh Patrick is one of Ireland’s most well known mountains because of the great views from the peak. But this mountain offers more than just that, the hike is also known as the Catholic pilgrimage where devotees hike the mountain on the last Sunday of July.
It attracts pilgrims from all over the world to take the challenge of the 2 hour hike and then attend a makeshift mass at the summit. Some even do it barefoot as a form of penance. The crowd of people during this event makes the climb a little extra special.
The trail is well-trodden, so you won’t have to worry about losing your way even without the crowds of people to follow. The peak also grants you views of Clew Bay.
Pro Tip:
If you’re not particularly spiritual and interested in the tradition or you just would rather not hike with over 25,000 people, we recommend going to Croagh Patrick in any other month aside from July. April to September offer the best weather conditions.
Get a Bird’s Eye View from Cave Hill
Location: Belfast, Newtownabbey, Ireland
Difficulty Level: Easy
Best Feature: Relaxed trek with city views
For those of you who hike for the views like us, you won’t be disappointed by what awaits you atop Cave Hill. After a not so rigorous trek that will take around 3.5 to 4 hours, you’ll make it to the top of the will with an aerial view of the cityscape below.
This view is especially breathtaking in the morning just after sunset or at night when the sunsets. But, we don’t recommend waiting until sunset, especially if you aren’t wearing special hiking boots.
The soil is particularly soft and the trail can be a bit hard to navigate at night especially if it rains.
Pro Tip:
Most people begin their trek at Belfast Castle where you can park your cars as you begin the hike. Alternatively, you can opt to ride the Metro bus 1 and get off at the Strathmore Park stop. Walk a bit further down the road to spot the access point.
Make a Friend on a Relaxed Hike at The Great Sugarloaf
Location: Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Difficulty Level: Easy
Best Feature: Friendly strangers and easy hike
The Sugarloaf gained its popularity as one of Ireland’s most frequented hikes because of the relative ease of reaching the top. This trail in Wicklow County is also pretty accessible with it only being 40 minutes away from Dublin city Center.
The path itself is very well marked and defined and is perfect for beginner hikers or if you just want to go on a nice relaxing stroll to the top. Because of the low difficulty level, hikers here often mingle and make friends with strangers which is a plus if you ask us!
It gets its name from how the mountain looks during December to March when it snows. The peak is covered in snow and makes it look like a sugar dusted loaf of bread.
Pro Tip:
While the initial slope is gentle and easy, the ascent near the peak introduces a touch of challenge. The slopes start to become rocky at the top and some of the stones are loose from all the foot traffic, so be extra careful during the final stretch.
Explore the Supernatural While Hiking at the Hellfire Club
Location: Montpelier, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Difficulty Level: Medium
Best Feature: Creepy factor
If you’re not a fan of hikes that take up half a day or more, then the Hellfire Club Walk in Montpellier County in Dublin is a great choice. The whole trail takes about half an hour to finish at a brisk pace and an hour for a more leisurely walk. But, it’s inclined.
The trail is also known as the Montpellier Loop Trail that leads to the remains of a mysterious club building atop Montpelier Hill. The trail ascends through a forest to the infamous Hellfire Club Building which is rumored to be a place inhabited by ghosts.
Legend has it that the structure was used as a meeting place for a club that dabbled in the dark arts and even summoned the devil himself in the form of a stranger.
Pro Tip:
There are taxi services available that will take you to the bottom of the hill because the location is just a trip from Dublin. If you ride a taxi there, be sure to reserve one on the way back because there are no centers there and phone signals can be spotty.
Hike up the Tallest Mountain in Ireland at Carrauntoohil
Location: Coomcallee, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Difficulty Level: Medium to Hard depending on trail chosen
Best Feature: Tallest peak in the country, trails with a variety of difficulty to choose form
For the brave hearts out there who don’t mind elevation, we recommend you journey to Kerry to conquer Ireland’s tallest mountain, Carrauntoohil. A favorite among hikers, this peak offers several routes, each presenting unique challenges and breathtaking views.
Although the entire hike can take upwards of 6 hours, the journey is well worth it. You can choose between the 3 available routes, The Devil’s Ladder, Brother O’Shea’s Gully route, or the Caher Route.
Each one offers scenic panoramas of the surrounding valleys, forests, and lakes. The most common and easiest one is Devil’s Ladder and is marked with signs to guide you.
Pro Tip:
If you’re up for an adventure and you have a substantial amount of hiking experience under your belt, we recommend you try the Caher Trail. It takes you over the peak at Caher and into a valley beside the Lough Eighter and up the peak of Carrauntoohil.
Go for an Immersive Hike in Glendalough
Location: Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Difficulty Level: Ranges from medium walks to hard hikes depending on the trail chosen
Best Feature: Lots of trails to choose from
A trip to Glendalough in County Wicklow is best if you prefer to have loads of options in case the trail you choose becomes. The entire region has 9 marked trails for hiking and nature walks and all of them provide opportunities to encounter wildlife.
While many people go here for day trips, they (like us) stayed for the weekend with the amount of trails offered. The Brockagh Trail or the Red Loop was the one we enjoyed the most with views of mountains and forests.
The trail connects to the Wicklow Mountains National Park which gives you access to the other challenging trails.
Pro Tip:
If you aren’t familiar with the area, you can begin your trip by dropping by the Glendalough Information Center to get a map of all the trails available and what to expect from each one. You can also leave your car at the parking area there.
Discover the Hidden Surprise in the Comeragh Mountains
Location: Kilclooney, Co. Waterford, Ireland
Difficulty Level: Hard
Best Feature: Access and views of Comeragh Lake
The Coumshingaun Lake Loop takes you on a trek across the Comeragh Mountains in County Waterford. Often overlooked, (we don’t know why), this hike is quite a challenging but satisfying climb.
The majority of the trail rewards you with stunning views of Coumshingaun Lake. The trail also has a short portion in a forested area, with the whole thing taking about five hours at a leisurely pace and breaks to take photos or rest.
As you make it up, there’s a portion in a vast, bog-covered flat plain, so waterproof footwear is a must or at least bringing a change of socks and shoes.
Pro Tip:
There is a car park at the foot of the mountains, but the location becomes more popular on warmer days, so come early to make sure you secure a spot. After you make it to the base of the lake, the left route offers a more trek down.
Go on the Circular Loop through the Slieve Binnian
Location: Slieve Binnian, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
Difficulty Level: Hard
Best Feature: Combination views of manmade structures and nature
The Slieve Binnian in Down County is one of our favorite hikes. The trail leads you in a circular path that follows the length of the Mourne Wall. On a cloudless day, you can see a portion of the Isle of Man as you make your way to the top of the mountain range.
We would consider this a more challenging hike, luckily the official website provides a detailed guide from start to end. On the way down you can spot the South and North Tors as well as the Blue Lough for some great views of the water.
Also, you can try their bus service that takes you to the starting point from the county center if you’d rather leave your car behind.
Pro Tip:
Keep in mind that Slieve Binnian is located in Northern Ireland where most commercial stores and shops only accept pounds. While some places may accept Euros, the exchange rate can be less than favorable, so bring pounds instead!
Conquer the Tallest Peak of Northern Ireland at Slieve Donard
Location: Slieve Donard, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
Difficulty Level: Hard
Best Feature: Less crowded hike with lots of views of nature
If you’re up for the challenge, we recommend hiking the Slieve Donard while you’re still in the Mournes area. This is Northern Ireland’s tallest peak which means more effort to climb it, but that also means some of the best views you can get.
The trails here are less popular because of the difficulty level, so only expert or more experienced hikers are recommended to try it. You still have to bring maps and gear to make sure you successfully complete the hike.
The path is easier to navigate if you go up while following the Glen River through the forest areas of Scots Pine, Oak and Birch.
Pro Tip:
Some parts of the trail pass through the property of local farmers. Always ask for permission and speak to them before crossing property lines. They’re mostly very friendly and will even offer you a refill of your water bottle if you ask nicely!
Go on a Longer Hike at The Twelve Bens
Location: Glencoaghan, Co. Galway, Ireland
Difficulty Level: Hard
Best Feature: Perfect for those looking for extra long hikes without much inclination
Right in the heart of the Connemara National Park, you’ll find The Twelve Beans. This group of 12 mountains form a mountain range in the unique shape of a cross.
Although the peaks of the many mountains aren’t that high with the highest at 730 meters, the trek is lengthy if you decide to finish all the trails available. The mountain range offers a rugged landscape that is suitable for experienced and avid hikers.
Despite the moderate elevation, this trek is not for the faint-hearted, presenting a demanding journey through the distinctly laid-out peaks.
Among the favored and most challenging routes is the Glencoaghan Horseshoe Walk. This 16 km loop includes six peaks for a hike that takes around 9 to 10 hours.
Pro Tip:
Since the hike takes long, you can make a weekend stay out of your trip! The Twelve Bens are located inside Connemara National Park which we recommend you explore as well. Head over to the information center to get maps and tips before your hike.