Walking in Ireland - Sunflower Books

Walking on the Emerald Isle

Ireland, with its rolling hills, rugged coastlines and charming villages, is a walker’s paradise.

From the dramatic cliffs of the west coast to the tranquil paths of the Wicklow Mountains, there’s a trail for everyone. Our guidebook to walking in Ireland covers the entire island, with an emphasis on the wild mountainous west.

In our guide we cover the following:

• The Wicklow Mountains
• Beara Peninsula
• Iveragh Peninsula
• Dingle Peninsula
• The West Coast
• Donegal
• Northern Ireland

Below we have described some of our favourite walks.

Glendalough – Along the upper lake into the Glenealo Valley (Walk 2)

Fringed by wooded cliffs, the Upper Lake is peacefully set in the Vale of Glendalough. The magical beauty of this landscape is further enhanced by its sense of wilderness and isolation.

This walk takes you along the north side of the Upper Lake to a deserted mining village. From there you can venture further up the Glenealo Valley. It’s at its best in the morning, before the tourists flood in, and when the sun shines in from the east.

If you’re lucky you will spot deer, kestrels and other birds of prey.

Bear Island (Walk 5)

Bear Island – An tOileán Mór (‘the big island’) in Gaelic – lies well off the beaten track. The west of the island is sparsely populated, with just the occasional house abutting the main road.

Three Martello towers and a signal tower testify to the island’s strategic position in days gone by. In the more recent past Bear Haven served as an important ‘treaty’ port for the British Navy, where Dreadnought battleships were moored until as late as 1938.

This circular moorland walk takes you to the lighthouse at the western tip of the island and on to the signal tower.

You enjoy a striking panorama from the highest rise on the island, before returning along the main road.

Muckross and the Killarney National Park (Walk 7)

Killarney National Park is the most popular lakeland in Ireland. Ancient woods of oaks and yews surround the lakes and cloak the hillsides.

Lough Leane’s vast expanse of water is dotted with tiny islands, while smaller Muckross Lake is overlooked by densely wooded Torc Mountain.

This lovely walk takes you from the idyllic Muckross Friary, set close to the shore of Lough Leane, past Muckross Lake to romantic Dinish Cottage, before ascending the steep slopes of Torc Mountain.

The Muckross Gardens are a sheer delight, with a great variety of exotic shrubs and trees. Last but not least, Muckross House is a beautiful 19th-century Elizabethan Revival manor house open to the public.

Do make an early start to have the friary and the lake all to yourself!

Mount Eagle (Walk 13)

Standing guard over Ireland’s most westerly coastline, flat-topped Mount Eagle (Sliabh an Iolair) rises high above the sea at the end of the Dingle Peninsula.

This splendid circular walk takes you along an old bog road to the top. Afterwards you descend over high mountain heath down to a secluded tarn, superbly sited at the bottom of a steep-sided corrie.

Magnificent views over the surrounding seascapes accompany you most of the way.

The Burren (Walk 14)

Facing the Atlantic, the stark grey limestone terraces of The Burren (Boireann; ‘rocky land’ in Gaelic) are a world of their own.

This intriguing karst landscape has a strange lunar-like appearance that can be quite forbidding on an overcast day.

Deceptive in its barrenness, the Burren boasts rare plants growing in its countless crevices, with both alpine and warmth-loving species flourishing side by side.

Below its scarred surface, a complex system of caves and subterranean waterways permeates the carboniferous massif. This fascinating landscape is now a national park, and there is no better way of exploring it than this invigorating circular walk

Slieve League (Walk 20)

Slieve League (Sliabh Liag; ‘Mountain of the Flagstones’) looms dramatically over north Donegal Bay. Sheer rock faces plummet down the rugged coast to the roaring sea.

This ascent follows the classic route from Amharc Mór (‘The Great View’), a superb vantage point overlooking the Cliffs of Bunglass, along the crest of the mountains and to the summit of Slieve League.

Your return route is by an old Pilgrims’ Path that gradually winds its way down to Teelin, from where you follow the road back up to Amharc Mór.

The Giant’s Causeway (Walk 21)

Associated with the legendary Finn MacCool, the Giant’s Causeway is famous for its polygonal rock formations – nearly 40,000 columns of dark basalt jutting out into the sea.

They were formed when volcanic lava erupted some 60 million years ago. As the lava cooled at a very steady rate, it solidified into crystalline columns – mostly hexagonal in shape.

For more than 300 years, the Giant’s Causeway has been a major tourist attraction, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.

But even in August you can quickly escape the hoards of tourists from all over the world by following this scenic cliff-top walk.

The best time to go walking in Ireland

Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) are generally considered the best times to walk in Ireland.

Spring has mild temperatures, blooming wildflowers, and lush green landscapes.

In autumn you can experience the vibrant autumnal foliage, crisp air, and fewer crowds.

Getting around Ireland

From a walker’s point of view, public transport is quite limited. Major towns and cities are well served, but the more remote countryside where you will want to walk is rarely reached by public transport.

There are trains connecting the major cities. Unfortunately most local branches (including the scenic Galway to Clifden line) have long been closed.

Even buses are rarely useful to the walker. Generally they stick to the main roads and don’t take you to the starting points of most of the walks in this book.

Most buses in the Republic are operated by Bus Éireann, while the North is mainly served by Ulsterbus.

Walking in Ireland is an unforgettable experience. With its stunning scenery, friendly locals, and rich culture, the Emerald Isle offers a truly unique walking adventure. Buy our guidebook to walking in Ireland.