From lush glens and magical canal banks, to daredevil cliff paths and quaint city quarters – when it comes to walking and hiking, Ireland has got you covered. Being an island, Ireland naturally offers unique opportunities for coastal walks. The Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coast are stand-out locations, but don't overlook the likes of the stunning Beara, Dingle, and Inishowen Peninsulas – each nicely varied with mountainous paths for adventurous souls, as well as gentler terrain. There's also the Copper Coast in the south east, a breathtaking shoreline of cliffs, coves, and sea stacks, named after the mining industry that once prospered there. Special mention, too, for the hilly routes around Achill Island, County Mayo.
Mountains
Mountains in Ireland come in many shapes and sizes, but they all come beautifully. The Mourne Mountains boast a host of heavenly hikes. The Wicklow and Kerry Ways traverse stunning mountainscapes with plenty of calmer stretches. Walks and hikes in these verdant surrounds are dealt a dash of color, thanks to the area's mythical heritage. For every step you take, a fairy, a warrior, a banshee, or a ghost has taken it before you. Keep it quirky with bog walks in the likes of Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, and Connemara. They are prettily planned with wooden walkways to keep you away from the stickiest terrain.
Things to do Outdoors in Ireland
Want to see the beauty of Ireland on your trip there? Ireland is a great place to get outside! Here are some ideas of things you could do and experience on your next trip to Ireland.
Golf
Ireland is a golfer’s paradise, with world-class courses in some spectacular places. With over 300 golf clubs and a selection of exceptional championship courses in unusual locations, every year over 240,000 from all over the world come to experience these impressive but unforgiving fairways. Most of Ireland’s trails are open all year round. However, classes are in best condition and weather is most suitable for golfing from April to October. In summer, daylight hours can stretch up to 10 pm so two rounds of lazy lunch can easily fit into a day.
Explore Ireland via city and village walking tours with local expert guides
A Historical Walking Tour is a must for a city like Dublin that wears on its sleeve a great deal of history, spanning from the times of Viking settlement to modern days.
You can also combine educational with recreational on the entertaining crawl through Dublin's pubs that have inspired great Irish writers. A walking tour is an excellent introduction to Dublin's rich literary heritage with a chance to enjoy a few pints along the way.
