A little-known hiking trail just eight miles from Dublin’s city centre has been listed among the most scenic walks in the world by a major international guide.
The Dublin Mountains Way — a 43km trek that runs between Tallaght and Shankill — is featured in the recently released 1001 Walks You Must Experience Before You Die, by Barry Stone, a travel writer.
The route was established in 2009. It runs through scenic mountains and along quiet country and rural roads, but has yet to enjoy the high profile of more established Irish trekking paths such as the Wicklow Way or Kerry Way.
The hike is listed alongside famous international treks such as the Rift Valley in Africa and the Appalachian Trail in America.
Mark d’Alton, a board member of the Dublin Mountains Partnership, said its inclusion in the book was “terrific news”.
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“It’s remarkable and a huge credit to all those who had the vision to make it happen,” he said.
The book provides start and finish points, overall distances, difficulty ratings, maps and likely durations of the hikes listed. It is estimated that fit walkers will take about ten hours to complete the Dublin Mountains Way, which runs from Sean Walsh Park in Tallaght to Shankill village.
The waymarked trail includes sights such as the Bohernabreena Reservoir, the remains of the Hellfire Club building on Montpelier Hill, Killakee Forest, Cruagh Wood, Tibradden Mountain, Three Rock Mountain, Glencullen and Kilternan. It also appeared in an episode of the RTE series Tracks & Trails featuring Ken Doherty, the snooker player, and Ciara O’Callaghan, the actress.
Orla Carroll, of Failte Ireland, the tourism development authority, said it was a great example of the trails that existed in Ireland.
“It’s only eight miles from O’Connell Street, so it emphasises the proposition of the great outdoors on Dublin’s doorstep,” she said.
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Other routes in the collection include the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales and the Witches’ Trail in the Harz mountains in Germany.
Mr Stone said: “There are gentle walks for beginners, some lasting barely an hour, and more demanding challenges for seasoned enthusiasts that may take weeks to achieve.”