We are delighted this morning to find out that Ireland is considered one of the top 5 destinations for hiking and scenic walks in the World! We at Overland agree!
The great news for future Overlanders is that some of the best hikes and coastal walks are included in our small group tours of Ireland and our Ireland self-drive tours! Of course, you can also do them all on a private tour around Ireland if you prefer.
We want to add adventure and energy into your trip and there is no better way than to embrace the outdoors, put on a pair of walking shoes and discover Ireland by foot. You can take all of these hikes at your own pace and stick to our motto ‘It’s your holiday – do it your way!’
Hiking the Ballycotton Cliff Walk
Ballycotton Cliff Walk offers an easy -paced cliff walk in the sunny south east of Cork. Allow for a 2-hour hike along the stunning coastline taking you 3.5km each way. This is a fantastic hike to do on your own as part of our popular Ancient East Self-Drive Tour of Ireland.
Hike Slieve League in Donegal
Slieve League stands at almost 600 meters over the Atlantic Ocean in County Donegal in Northern Ireland. The views from the cliffs rival the famous Cliffs of Moher making it a must see if you’re in that neck of the woods. It is an old Christian pilgrimage. Walk from the car park to make sure you don’t miss any of the amazing views. You will experience this on The Northern Way Self-Drive Tour or ask your guide to swing by on the Ultimate Ireland – 10 day Tour!
Hiking Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park
Connemara National Park by foot is great, wherever you venture, but the highlight is on one of the loop walks at Diamond Hill nestled in the heart of Connemara, surrounded by the Twelve Bens Mountain range. There are two fantastic hikes to choose from here in County Galway. Your Ireland to Island Zest tour will take you here for an unforgettable experience.
Hiking in Glendalough
There are a plethora of choices for walking and hiking in Glendalough. If you are feeling like a stroll you can choose a short half-hour wander around the lake or step it up a gear with a 4-hour hill walk! Regardless of your choice, you’ll enjoy every second of the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Overland will send you there on your Greenway Self-Drive Tour where you will be treated to waterfalls, lakes, monastic sites and plenty of delightful flora and fauna!
Hiking the Causeway Coast
If you have extended time on your self-drive tour or plan to go up north after a small group tour, you could challenge yourself to a two-and-a-half-day Causeway Coast Way hike from Portstewart to Ballycastle. On the Ultimate Ireland 10 Day Tour and the Wild West and North Tour you can experience the magic of the Giant’s Causeway and take a short hike around the causeway with interactive storytelling about Irish mythology and giants! A perfect mix of activity and culture!
Hiking Mount Brandon
On this 3-hour hike to the summit of Mount Brandon, you will be rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views of Dingle Bay and Castlegregory. You can take it at your own pace but it is definitely an activity enjoyed by everyone on the Emerald Explorer 7 Day Tour of Ireland.
Hiking Croagh Patrick
Challenge yourself to a moderate hike up Ireland’s holiest mountain and learn about the man responsible for drowning the shamrock, painting the town green, and entertaining the masses with fantastic street parades around the globe! Croagh Patrick is situated outside Ireland’s favorite town Westport and the summit offers stunning views of Clew Bay and its 360 islands! Did you know that once you reach the summit you are permitted to commit a sin….. But you must then climb it again to absolve that sin… a bit of a vicious circle! You will definitely deserve a great night out in Matt Molloy’s pub after your hike! Our guides will take you there on your Great Atlantic Adventure Small Group Tour.
Howth Walk
If you have a little time in Dublin we highly recommend taking the coastal train out to the suburb of Howth for a leisurely walk around Howth Head! There are five different routes to choose from. After working up an appetite please visit the local market or one of our favorite fish and chips restaurants and eat your lunch al-fresco on the pier! It is a fabulous day out and a great way to discover the greater Dublin area.
Hiking the Cliffs of Moher
This 3-hour hike from the Cliffs of Moher to Doolin Village is a highlight on many of our self-drive and small-group tours. Not only will you take some spectacular photographs of the rugged cliffs and stunning backdrop you will discover the off the beaten track routes with our expert guides. There are a couple of hiking and walking options on the Cliffs of Moher but none will disappoint. Our favorite guided hike is from Guerin’s Car Park all the way to Doolin Village – The hometown of traditional music. If you are on a self-drive tour our exclusive Paddy the Pocket Pilot App will guide you all the way and show you some hidden gems.
Hiking Killarney National Park
The best thing about the Killarney National Park is the choice of walks and hikes available for us to enjoy while taking in the beauty of the park and its famous landmarks, flora and fauna. Every level of interest and fitness is catered for. Discover Torc Mountain with a 2-hour challenge to the summit or take the Lakeside walking route and visit Muckross House and Abbey! If you feel a bit tired along the way why not flag down a horse and carriage to bring you back to Killarney town for some refreshments or retail therapy! It’s your holiday – do it your way.
There you have it: Overland Ireland’s guide to the best hikes in Ireland. There are many more brilliant places to hike in Ireland; this is just our list of favourite spots. If you have any questions about the tours mentioned in this guide, please get in touch. We’d love to help you plan your next Ireland adventure!
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