25 Irish walks you have to try: The essential guide to getting out and about this summer

There’s a reason this is one of the most popular walks in Dublin. Within minutes of starting the loop up Howth Head, you’re met with killer views of the ocean from the rocky hillside covered in heather and gorse.

Walk it on a sunny day and you couldn’t ask for a finer setting, with the turquoise waters crashing against the cliffs. Then when you get back to Howth, you can reward yourself with a plate of crab claws. Follow the green arrows for the 6km loop – if you’re feeling adventurous the purple route (12km) is incredible but requires a lot of stamina (and thighs of steel).​

2 Malahide to Portmarnock, Co Dublin Best for: Seaside strolls 4km linear, 1 hour one way, easy

The wide coastal path between Malahide and Portmarnock makes for a lovely, easy stroll, with the beach on one side and parkland on the other. It’s a popular spot with joggers and you’ll see a fair few families at the weekend too, walking with buggies and pushchairs.

Once you get to Portmarnock you can walk a little further along the sands, or stop in for an ice cream at the strand before you turn around and walk the same way back.​

3 Queen Maeve Trail, Strandhill, Co Sligo Best for: Active kids 6km loop: 2 hours, intermediate

Since this walk was properly developed back in 2015, it’s been a go-to for those who want a good hike with excellent views. The trail goes through the forest on the side of Knocknarea, on over 500 wooden steps, an elevated boardwalk and a little path that takes you to the summit.

There you’ll be met with Queen Maeve’s tomb (though this is definitely not for climbing) and views along Strandhill beach and out to Donegal, if you’re lucky. It’s not technically a loop – you follow the same route down as you took up.​

4 Lough Avalla Farm Loop, Co Clare Best for: Geology nuts 6km loop: 3 hours, difficult

This loop starts at Gortlecka Crossroads and takes you through the incredible landscape of the Burren. You’ll start off on a country track but soon walk on the cracked slabs of limestone, passing wildflower meadows, woodland and an ancient stone cairn.

You’ll need to keep a close eye out for the purple signs to keep you on track and it’s not easy underfoot, but the effort is well worth it. Towards the end you can stop in to see farmer Harry Jeuken, who has converted his home into a cosy café for hikers – their homemade brownies are epic.​

5 Knight’s Walk, Co Limerick Best for: Castle spotting 4km loop: 1.5 hours, moderate

Glin is a gorgeous little village, and this walk is a great introduction to the area. You start off at St Paul’s Church, and follow the red arrows along the trail, which will lead you up a hill for great views of the Shannon Estuary.

The trail passes through the estate of Glin Castle, owned by Catherine FitzGerald and Dominic West, so you never know who you might bump into… apparently Taylor Swift walked this trail when she stayed at the castle. When you finish back in the village, call in to the quaint pub O’Shaughnessy’s for a pint.​

6 Skerries Loop, Co Dublin Best for: Young families 1.5km loop, easy

If you want a shorter stroll that little ones can keep up with, a loop around the Red Island headland in Skerries is just the ticket. Start off at South Beach and watch people kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on the waves, before following the footpath around the Martello Tower.

There are plenty of benches along the way, and you can take a paddle at North Beach when you’re finished. You can also encourage (bribe) the more reluctant walkers with a promised ice cream from the tiny cottage Storm in a Teacup at the end.​

7 Erris Head Loop, Co Mayo Best for: A dramatic cliff walk 5km loop: 2.5 hours, moderate

When you’re walking on the blustery Erris Head, you feel like you’re standing on the edge of the world. The trail itself is easy to follow, starting in the Erris Head car park and weaving through fields, past raggedy sheep and over stiles, but the payoff is excellent – the headland curves around the bay, as gannets swoop into the water. On a good day, the sea is dazzlingly blue, and the view out to the rocky outcrops is beautiful.​

8 Lough Key Forest Park, Co Roscommon Best for: A family day out 3.5km loop: 1.5 hours, easy

There are several walking trails in Lough Key Forest Park, all of which are free, unless you want to walk the (excellent) treetop canopy. Drumman’s Island Trail takes you all the way around the island and along the lake shore – just follow the red arrows.

You pass under two beautiful old bridges, one that’s known as Fairy Bridge. The ancient trees are particularly striking, and the woodland blooms with bluebells and primrose in the summer. The 129km Miners Way Historical Trail also passes through the estate, which you can walk part of. Note that there is a car parking fee.​

9 Avonmore Way, Wicklow Best for: A lengthy river trek 12km linear: 3 hours, moderate

With a mixture of tracks, forest roads and country lanes, this trail is a gorgeous way to see the Wicklow Mountains.

Follow the yellow arrows along the trail and you’ll loosely meander alongside the river, through oak forests and over pretty stone bridges that give you great views along the length of the Avonmore. You’ll need to leave another car at the Stump of the Castle Forest, or arrange to get picked up from there when you’re finished.​

10 Crawfordsburn Country Park, Co Down Best for: A beach walk and a country pub 3km loop: 1 hour, easy

There are a few different trails in Crawfordsburn Country Park, taking you through the beautiful woodland that links the village to the sea. The Meadow Walk is great in the early summer, when the wildflowers are in full bloom and the waterfall is at its most powerful.

You can start at the visitor’s centre and loop through the meadow to the beach, but make sure you call into Crawfordsburn village when you’re finished, for a pint in the thatched pub The Old Inn.​

11 Knockadoon Cliff Walk, Co Cork Best for: Sea views and a swim 6km loop: 1.5 hours, easy

A seaside stroll along the Knockadoon Cliffs is always a lovely way to spend an afternoon, and the Capel Way Coastal Trail Glen Loop is a nice circle that takes you all along the top of the headland.

You’ll walk along the coastline, past the signal tower and get a great view out to Capel Island, as well as the sea cliffs. If you fancy a dip, you can pop in for a swim off Knockadoon Pier when you’re finished.​

12 Ardmore Cliff Walk, Co Waterford Best for: Coastal views/ a bit of history 4km loop: 1 hour, easy

This trail starts near enough to the Cliff House Hotel – follow the yellow arrows up and along the top of the cliffs, where the narrow trail runs right alongside the sea.

The view down the side of the rock is beautiful, and you can often spot a bit of birdlife flitting in-between the rocky outcrops. You also pass by the early medieval St Declan’s Well, as well as the coastguard station. When you end up back in Ardmore, pop into Urchin Bar for a coffee or a cocktail.​

13 Glenveagh National Park, Co Donegal Best for: Wildlife spotting 7km linear: 3 hours, strenuous

With its rust-coloured mountains, giant flat lakes and scattering of islands, Glenveagh National Park is one of the best walking spots you could ask for. There are six different trails in the park, most of which are easy, short loops.

But the longer Lough Inshagh Walk is a great one if you fancy a proper hike. You’ll get incredible views of the lake and maybe even spot some red deer along the way, too. This is a linear route, so you’ll need to arrange for a pickup at Lacknacoo car park or walk back the way you came for a 14km route.​

14 Doolin to Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare Best for: A taste of adventure 12km linear: 4 hours, strenuous

It’s one thing going to see the Cliffs of Moher from the visitor’s centre. But if you really want to get the full impact you need to walk the full stretch from Doolin, on a route that only 3pc of visitors to the cliffs ever see.

This narrow clifftop path is tricky to navigate in some parts so you need to keep your wits about you, but the views are incredible every step of the way. To walk the full stretch from Doolin you must be accompanied by a guide – Ollie’s Tours (olliestours.com, priced at €25) is a great shout.​

15 Gougane Barra Slí na Sléibhe, Co Cork Best for: A proper mountain hike 2.5km loop: 2 hours, strenuous

There are six walking trails in the Gougane Barra Forest Park, ranging from an easy 30-minute stroll to the more athletic Slí na Sléibhe loop. While it’s only 2.5km, it’s a hefty climb that takes you into the mountains – you can stop frequently along the way, though, to “admire the views” (aka catch your breath).

As you might expect, the views from the top are killer. You pass by the very start of the River Lee, a babbling little brook in its infancy, and through the lush plant life in the forest.

16 Round Hill Loop, Lismore, Co Waterford Best for: A riverside stroll and brunch 5km loop: 1.5 hours, moderate

The Round Hill Loop is a lovely stroll that takes you on a woodland walk along the riverbank in Lismore, leading out to the namesake Round Hill. It’s a good place to spot waterbirds, and you will see some good wild plants in the forest, too.

Follow the orange arrows to get to the Round Hill, then walk the trail back towards Lismore Castle. If you’re there on a Sunday, you’ll be met with the farmer’s market, where you can pick up a coffee and a bite to eat. Or head to The Bakers Table for brunch.​

17 Djouce Mountain, Co Wicklow Best for: A proper mountain trek 7.4km loop: 2.5 hours, strenuous

Sometimes you just need to go and climb a mountain, make those thighs burn and feel like you’ve really accomplished something. A detour off the Wicklow Way, the trek up Djouce is no joke – there’s no marked trail and it’s very exposed (read the guide on visitwicklow.ie for advice).

You start off by Lough Tay – a view that’s beautiful enough as is – and then head up the mountain until you’re at the summit. It’s not technically a loop, as you loosely follow the same track back, but there and back is 7.4km in total.​

18 Carlingford Greenway, Co Louth Best for: An easy offroad stroll 6.7km linear: 1.5 hours, easy

While the Carlingford Lough Greenway isn’t yet extended to the Border, you can walk a lovely stretch of it now, between Carlingford and Omeath. Start off at the Carlingford Marina and follow the offroad path along the edge of the water.

If you fancy a longer stroll or don’t want to organise a pickup, make it a loop of sorts by walking back to the start point for a walk that will take less than three hours.​

19 Horn Head, Co Donegal Best for: Killer views with less effort 4km loop: 1 hour, moderate

When the views are this good even from the car park, it can feel a little like cheating. But if you venture a little further from the car at Horn Head, you’ll get the full impact of this headland.

From the car park, hike over the heather and rock to the old lookout point, for great views through the empty stone window frames. The trail is easy enough, but the weather can change with impressive speed and the winds at the top can be pretty strong, so be careful.​

20 Lost Village Loop, Co Laois Best for: A historical hike 6km loop: 2.5 hours, moderate

Starting off at the Ridge of Capard, this route takes you through a stretch of the Slieve Bloom mountains to the lost village sometimes known as The Cones.

You’ll pass several historical sites along the way, before getting to the abandoned settlement where moss grows on the crumbling walls. There’s information along the way about each family, so you may add a little time on to the walk depending on how much you want to explore.​

21 O’Rourke’s Table, Co Leitrim Best for: A picnic with a view 2km loop: 1 hour, moderate

For years this walk was a ramshackle route known by the locals around Dromahair, with hundreds of rickety wooden steps cut into the woodland leading to the top of the mountain. Now, it’s fresh out of a community-led reconstruction, with a fresh pathway and more structured route.

It’s still a hefty climb, but the views at the top are well worth it, with Lough Gill spread out before you as well as the Sligo mountains and the sea, on a good day. There are picnic tables at the top, so bring a little something to enjoy at the summit.​

22 Children of Lir Loop, Co Mayo Best for: A lengthy hike with a swim 10km loop: 3 hours, strenuous

If you want to spend the day doing a proper, lengthy hike, this is the one to go for. Starting off at Carrowteige village, this trail takes you up and over Benwee Head, on a path that’s boggy but beautiful.

The views from the top are incredible, with sea stacks, rock arches and stony beaches at the bottom of giant sea cliffs. You’ll also pass by the Children of Lir sculpture. If you fancy a dip, detour slightly to Rinroe Beach and replenish your muscles in the sea.​

23 Muckross Lake Loop, Co Kerry Best for: Endless lake views 15km loop: 4 hours, moderate

Starting at Muckross House, this loop only involves one climb (unless you choose to add on a jaunt to Torc Waterfall) so, while it’s long, it’s fairly manageable.

On your way all around the lake, you’ll pass by little stony beaches, beautiful woodland with both red squirrel and deer, and beautiful views of the mountains of Killarney National Park. At around the halfway mark you can stop at Dinis Cottage for a cup of tea and a bit of a sit down, before tackling the final stretch.​

24 Blessingbourne Woodland Walk, Co Tyrone Best for: An easy family stroll 4km loop: 1 hour, easy

You don’t have to be staying at Blessingbourne Estate to enjoy the grounds. The walking trails are open for all (with a £5 for car parking) and weave through the 550-acre estate just outside of Fivemiletown.

The lakeside loop passes through gorgeous old woodland and alongside the estate’s mountain bike trails, on a well-maintained path that vaguely loops around the historic house itself.​

25 Fairy Castle Loop, Dublin Best for: A mountain hike close to the city 6km loop: 1.5 hours, moderate

There are loads of walks at Ticknock, but this is a great little loop for views out over the city and the bay. You’ll pass over sections of both the Dublin Mountain Way and the Wicklow Way, but it’s a whole lot more manageable than either of those treks.

The best viewpoints are at Three Rock Mountain and Fairy Castle itself, where you can feel like the whole of Dublin is laid out before you.

This article was first published in April 2023