{"id":5593,"date":"2020-01-06T00:07:51","date_gmt":"2020-01-06T00:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.aerlingus.com\/?p=5593"},"modified":"2024-10-03T12:00:37","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T12:00:37","slug":"7-of-the-best-walks-in-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aerlingus.com\/hub\/7-of-the-best-walks-in-ireland\/","title":{"rendered":"7 of the best walks in Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For a small island, Ireland isn\u2019t short on walking options. As well as burning some calories, it\u2019s a great way to explore hidden parts of the country.<\/h3>\n

All you need is a sturdy pair of shoes, a rain jacket and of course, some snacks. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

Here are some of my favourite walks in Ireland.<\/h4>\n

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1. Glendalough Lake Walk, County Wicklow<\/h4>\n

Difficulty: Easy<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Just an hour from Dublin, Glendalough is a 6th century monastic settlement in the Wicklow Mountains. From the site along a side of the lake, the trail passes through pine woodland. It’s even more beautiful if you are enjoying an Autumn break in Ireland<\/a> and can soak up the glorious colours of the turning leaves. Halfway along the route, the cave St Kevin\u2019s Bed can be seen across the lake. Along the way you\u2019ll pass some goats, and if you\u2019re lucky, you might see some peregrine falcons in the sky. You can finish your walk at the car park, but I\u2019d recommend heading into the Glendalough Hotel for some food and drink.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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2. Cuilcagh \/Legnabrocky Trail (Stairway to Heaven) County Fermanagh<\/h4>\n

Difficulty: Moderate<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Explore one of the largest areas of blanket bog in Northern Ireland. You\u2019ll walk along a one-mile long boardwalk that was opened in 2015. Locals call it the Stairway to Heaven and when you\u2019ve hiked it yourself, you\u2019ll see why. There\u2019s a steep climb to reach the summit of Cuilcagh Mountain but the views are worth it, pack a picnic and enjoy it from the top. Cuilcagh Mountain is located within the Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark so be sure to visit the caves while you\u2019re there. There is so much more to explore in Northern Ireland,<\/a> from Black Taxi tours to Titanic you are bound to find something that interests you.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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3. The Famine Walk, Connemara, County Galway<\/h4>\n

Difficulty: Moderate \u2013 Hard<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Connemara has a wild beauty to it that is pretty unique. Connemara\u2019s lakes and mountains will take your breath away (and not just from the walking!). This area is also home to Ireland\u2019s only fjord, located at Killary Harbour. As you hike along the edge of the fjord you\u2019ll have Mweelrea Mountain towering beside you, you\u2019ll follow the infamous \u201cFamine Road\u201d which was built by men and women in return for food. The walk finishes at a small harbour \u2013 treat yourself to a drink in Gaynors, a colourful local pub. If you have more time, there’s a lot more to see and do in Galway<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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4. The Causeway Coast, County Antrim<\/h4>\n

Difficulty: Easy<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Widely regarded as one of Ireland\u2019s best coastal walks, the Causeway Coast stretches for 33 miles, from Portstewart to Ballycastle, passing Dunluce Castle and The Giant\u2019s Causeway. This is my personal favourite, and not just because I grew up here. For a less crowded walk, head just beyond it and you\u2019ll find a secluded coastline rich in mythology and amazing views. Don\u2019t miss Port na Spaniagh, a cove containing the wreck of the Girona, one of the ships from the Spanish Armada. If you have time, a visit to the nearby town of Portrush<\/a> is worthwhile, especially in the summer months when it really comes alive.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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5. Mount Errigal, County Donegal<\/h4>\n

Difficulty: Moderate<\/strong><\/h4>\n

One of the most popular climbs in Ireland, Errigal is a scenic walk up Donegal\u2019s highest mountain. Starting from a carpark on the R251 road, the route follows a popular and obvious tourist path, firstly across slightly boggy land before the route starts to climb on the steep shining scree with an accent of approximately 525m from the carpark to the summit. As one of Ireland’s most beautiful destinations, Donegal is a wonderful place to spend a few days<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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6. Carrauntoohil Hike, County Kerry<\/h4>\n

Difficulty: Hard<\/strong><\/h4>\n

For a strenuous hike with unbelievable views to boot, it\u2019s hard to beat a trek to the summit of the country\u2019s highest mountain. Standing at over 3,000 feet, Carruntoohil is the central peak of the MacGillycuddy\u2019s Reeks, Ireland\u2019s highest mountain range. This one is not for beginners though, the whole route takes between 4 and 6 hours. At the top you\u2019ll be rewarded with incredible views over the Killarney lakes. There are several routes to the top but Devil\u2019s Ladder is the most popular, direct and shortest. Taking on a challenge like this is only one way you can get off the tourist trail on your Irish vacation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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7. Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim<\/h4>\n

Difficulty: Moderate<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The unique Waterfall Walkway, opened 80 years ago, has been significantly upgraded along its 3-mile length which passes through a National Nature Reserve. Starting in the mossy depths of a waterfall-filled ravine, it takes you up a long and winding climb to the edge of the Antrim Plateau. It\u2019s steep in places, but that means you\u2019re rewarded with views across the surrounding landscape and over the sea to Scotland on a clear day.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Ready to get out and explore Ireland’s great outdoors? Find great value flight deals.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Book Now<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":5625,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2273,1469,2271,1430],"class_list":["post-5593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-destinations","category-family","category-routes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n7 of the best walks in Ireland - Aer Lingus Hub<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n