I have always wanted to visit our neighbour island of Ireland with its spectacular natural beauty, rich history, unhurried pace of life and legendary hospitality. My desire to explore Ireland has only grown since discovering, by way of an Ancestry DNA test, that (surprisingly) I am a third Irish!
I was surprised to discover that although I have written about Colchester, Peterborough and Cambridgeshire I haven’t written about Ireland yet! One of the best ways to get to know any country is to explore on foot, and there are plenty of opportunities to connect with the Irish countryside with many fantastic walks to take in on a holiday. Rolling green hills, dramatic coastlines, pastel-coloured villages and amazing waterfalls await!
County Wicklow
Often referred to as ‘the Garden of Ireland,’ is a picturesque landscape of serene lakes, glacial valleys, majestic mountains, forests and farmland. The Wicklow Way, one of the first waymarked trails to be established in Ireland, visits this unspoilt region and combines the culture-rich city of Dublin (make sure you try some of the fantastic Dublin restaurants) with remote mountain trails and secluded valleys. Keep an eye out for stunning Sika Deer and Red Squirrels as you walk near Powerscourt House near Enniskerry!
Muckross Abbey Loop
Described as a gentle walk from Muckross House to Muckross Abbey, the Muckross Abbey Loop is a 3.5km walk located in one of the most spectacularly beautiful parts of the Killarney National Park which takes you past the 15th century Abbey (well worth stopping to check out the ruins). This route is scenic and easy to complete which makes it perfect for hikers of all abilities and ages.
The Causeway Coast Way
You can’t travel in Ireland and not visit the Giant’s Causeway! This relatively easy low-lying, signposted coastal walk in the northeast of Northern Ireland is possibly Ireland’s most famous hike. This route with a wide range of terrains from Portstewart to Ballycastle takes you alongside stunning coastal cliffs, wide bays, sandy beaches, and off-shore rocks and leads you to Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and of course, the World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway.
Torc Mountain
Torc Mountain is located in Kerry and again, offers spectacular views this time across the Killarney National Park including a number of picturesque waterfalls so it’s well worth taking your camera along with you. Rising up from the shores of Muckross lake, the Torc looms over many of the most famed beauty spots of the Killarney area. The 8km trail gets steep in places and the ground can become uneven underfoot, however, it’s a very doable walk for most.
Hare’s Gap
You won’t want to miss the most dramatic mountain pass in the Mournes. Hare’s Gap is a short (3.4-km) but strenuous hike ( it is quite rocky so I definitely recommend good footwear with ankle support), which is an easily reached central location on the rim of the High Mournes. This makes it a popular starting point for routes scaling adjoining peaks, or simply for a walk along the gentle contours of the Brandy Pad.
The Kerry Way
If you’re looking for more of a challenge, this long-distance hike is considered the best hike in Ireland. The Kerry Way encompasses 215km of stunning scenery, starting and finishing in Killarney, the trail loops around the Iveragh Peninsula, anti-clockwise, passing through some of the most isolated and dramatic countryside in the country. The trail takes over a week to complete with many welcoming pubs and inns in pretty little villages and towns along the way.
