Ireland
Description
With its green hills, wet bogs, wild open countryside and dramatic cliffs along the Atlantic coast, Ireland sits at the most westerly edge of Western Europe. Enjoy an abundance of sea birds, ancient churches and stone walls, and the occasional forest and beach. Trails will lead you along Irelands clear streams and wonderful valleys, passing castles and farms, and offer panoramic views of mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. No wonder hill walking is popular, but with Ireland being relatively sparsely populated it never gets busy.
There are over 30 National Waymarked Ways, adding up to about 3000km of walking trails all across Ireland. The Ways are clearly signposted with standard waymarkers: a yellow arrow and walking man. A wide choice of detailed maps and guidebooks exist for all trails. Famous are the Kerry Way (215km) around the southwestern Iveragh Peninsula, the Dingle Way (179km), also in the southwest, and the Wicklow Way (127km) south of Dublin in the east. The European long distance trail E8 runs right across Ireland, starting from Dursey Head on the west coast, to Dublin in the east, partly coinciding with the Kerry Way and Wicklow Way.
Walking in Ireland is possible all year round. Irish weather can change frequently and suddenly, so take care to bring a rainproof coat at all times. Stiles and bridges have been built where necessary. Nevertheless be prepared for very wet and boggy terrain at times. Accommodation comes in all forms, ranging from basic hostels to luxury hotels, as well as B&B's and guest houses. And of course there are the legendary Irish pubs for you to enjoy a pint.
Opinions
- pc22
- Rate 7
Trails
- Avondhu Way
- Ballyhoura Way
- Barrow Way
- Beara Breifne Way
- Beara Way
- Blackwater Way
- Bluestack Way
- Burren Way
- Cavan Way
- Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail
- Dingle Way
- Dublin Mountains Way
- Duhallow Way
- E8
- East Clare Way
- East Munster Way
- Grand Canal Way
- Great Western Greenway
- Hymany Way
- Irish Coast to Coast Walk
- Kerry Way
- Leitrim Way
- Lough Derg Way
- Lung Way
- Mid Clare Way
- Miners Way and Historical Trail
- Monaghan Way
- Multeen Way
- Nore Valley Way
- North Cork Way
- North Kerry Way
- Offaly Way
- Ormond Way
- Royal Canal Way
- Santiago de Compostela Pilgrims Way
- Sheep's Head Way
- Slí An Earagail
- Slí Arainn Mhór
- Slí Cholmcille
- Slí Chonamara
- Slí Dún na nGall
- Slí Gaeltacht Mhúscrai
- Slí na Finne
- Slí na Rosann
- Slieve Bloom Way
- Slieve Felim Way
- Sligo Way
- South Leinster Way
- Suck Valley Way
- Táin Way
- Tipperary Heritage Way
- Ulster Way
- Western Way
- Westmeath Way
- Wicklow Way
Regions
States
Links
Facts
- National Waymarked Trails - Irish Trails
List of (long distance) National Waymarked Trails. There are more than 40 of them, covering the entire country. Behind each link is a good fact sheet. Good start for your hike in Ireland.
- Long-distance trails in the Republic of Ireland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A list of long distance trails, length, facts, links.
Reports
- Oranginas - Walking and hiking trails Europe
Walking hiking trails Greece Czech Republic, Poland, Slowakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Italy, Tuscany, Sardinia, France, Corsica, Basque Countrie, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Denmark, and more ...
- Hillwalking in Ireland
Simon Stewart's home page.
Guides and maps
- Ordnance Survey Ireland | Home
Home page.
- National Map Centre Ireland
Online shop and E-commerce partner of the Ordance Survey Ireland.
- Ordnance Survey Ireland
Website and online shop of the national mapping agency of Ireland.
Lodging
Organisations
- Irish Trails - Waymarked Ways of Ireland
Irishtrails.ie is a website from the National Trails Office in the Irish Sports Council. They do a good job documenting and maintaining the trails in this beautiful country.
- Mountaineering Ireland
Official website of Mountaineering Ireland, previously known as Mountaineering Council of Ireland (MCI). They have a good section on Hillwalking. The organisation is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation.
- Walkers Association of Ireland
Umbrella group for Irish hillwalkers.
Tour operators
GPS
- MountainViews
Irish based hiking website where people can share their walks and GPS recordings.
- WalkingRoutes.ie: Walking Trails, Walking Routes and Trail coordinates for hillwalkers in Ireland.
Another pretty page geared to hikers who like sharing routes.
Other
- Hillwalk Ireland
Irish tour operator offering self-guided walking tours in Ireland.
Books
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
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Netherlands
2013
- Wandelgids Pilgrim Paths of Ireland | Collins | John G. O´Dwyer
- The recent popularity of the Camino de Santiago has prompted renewed interest in pilgrim walks in Ireland. John G. O´Dwyer has walked the ancient pilgrim routes of Ireland, from Slemish Mountain in the northeast, where Christianity may have had its first dawning in Ireland, to Skellig Michael in the southwest, where the known world once ended.... Read more

United Kingdom
2013
- The Mountains of Ireland
- A comprehensive guidebook to walking Ireland's 200 summits of 2000ft or more and to the 12 peaks exceeding 3000ft. Described clockwise from Wicklow to the Mournes in 70 walking routes. Read more
- Also available from:
- The Book Depository, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2013
- The Mountains of Ireland
- A Guide to Walking the Summits Read more

Netherlands
2013
- Wandelgids The Mountains of Ireland | Cicerone |
- A comprehensive guide, now the classic guide, to Ireland´s 200 summits of 2000ft or more and to the 12 peaks exceeding 3000ft. The mountains are described clockwise from Wicklow to the Mournes, and offer a choice of 70 walking routes. The guide divides the peaks into 5 groups, and at the start of each is described ´Paddy´s Way´ - the way the... Read more

Germany
2012
- Hintermeister, Ueli;Eder, Birgit: Irland
- 50 Touren zwischen Donegal und Kerry, Wicklow und Connemara. Die schönsten Küsten- und Bergwanderungen Rother Wanderführer. 3., vollständig überarbeitete Auflage. Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2012
- Wandelgids Irland - Ierland | Rother |
- Uitstekende wandelgids met een groot aantal dagtochten in dal en hooggebergte. Met praktische informatie en beperkt kaartmateriaal! Wandelingen in verschillende zwaarte weergegeven in rood/blauw/zwart. Irland, die sagenhafte grüne Insel, ist der westlichste Vorposten Europas, ein natürlicher Wellenbrecher, der schon seit Millionen von Jahren... Read more

Netherlands
2011
- Wandelgids Walking in Ireland - Ierland | Somerville - Ebury Press |
- Prachtige wandelgids over Ierland, echt een boek om ideeën op te doen, kaartmateriaal beperkt. Walking has never been a more popular pastime and nowhere is more beautiful for walkers to explore than Ireland. In this beautifully written and superbly researched guide, Christopher Somerville draws on his very popular column for the Irish... Read more
- Also available from:
- The Book Depository, United Kingdom
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
2011
- Walking in Ireland
- Walking has never been a more popular pastime and nowhere is more beautiful for walkers to explore than Ireland. In this beautifully written and superbly researched guide, Christopher Somerville draws on his very popular column for the Irish Independent, to present 50 of the very best walks in Ireland Read more

United Kingdom
2010
- Hiking in Ireland
- Walking in Ireland in the Walking Guide series from Lonely Planet; profiling in comprehensive detail the walking opportunities, from day walks to long distance hikes, available in a range of international destinations. Frank and informal in style, the guides introduce readers to a selection of walks in each country and are designed to be... Read more
- Also available from:
- The Book Depository, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2010
- Wandelgids Hiking in Ireland - Ierland | Lonely Planet |
- Een gedetailleerde beschrijving van een aantal dag- en meerdaagse tochten verspreid over het land. Vooral zeer handig als het gaat om een route te plannen. Engels. Gentle mountains, rugged ridges, wild moorlands, warm hospitality and the infamous Irish weather - taking to the trail in Ireland is never dull. With routes across the most... Read more

Netherlands
2010
- Wandelgids Ierland / Walking guide Irish Coastal Walks |
- Groot aantal kustwandelingen langs de hele kust van Ierland verspreid. Goed beschreven met veel details. The western seaboard is incredibly convoluted, breaking into fine headlands and a spread of islands. While many parts of Ireland´s coastline are well known, such as the Giant´s Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher, few have heard of the Wexford... Read more
- Also available from:
- Cicerone Press , United Kingdom
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- The Book Depository, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
2010
- Irish Coastal Walks
- A guidebook describing 54 coastal walks around Ireland's beautiful, raw and rugged 3500 mile coastline. All parts of Ireland, including Northern Ireland and its Giant's Causeway, are covered. Detailed coverage on the south-west and west (Galway). Read more

United Kingdom
2010
- Irish Coastal Walks
- Irish Coastal Walks is accomplished walker Paddy Dillon Read more

United Kingdom
2009
- The Ridges of England, Wales and Ireland
- A guide to summer scrambles, technical rock routes and winter climbs on ridges in the Lake District, Snowdonia, Peak District, Exmoor, the Isle of Wight, Kerry and Connemara, covering popular classics and obscure gems, from Sharp Edge to Skeleton Ridge. With great photographs, this guide is both celebration of the landscape and route guide. Read more
- Also available from:
- eBooks.de, Germany
- The Book Depository, United Kingdom

Germany
2009
- Bailey, Dan: The Ridges of England, Wales and Ireland
- Scrambles, Rock Climbs and Winter Routes. 1st edition. Read more

United Kingdom
2009
- The Ridges of England, Wales and Ireland
- Scrambles, Rock Climbs and Winter Routes Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

Netherlands
2006
- Wandelgids Best walks of Ireland - Ierland | Frances Lincoln |
- Best Walks in Ireland describes 5 walks in the north and 15 walks in the Republic of Ireland. It takes in well-known areas such as the Antrim coast, the Mountains of Mourne and the Dingle peninsula and also remote, wild areas of Ireland still largely undiscovered by tourists. For this new edition of David Marshall´s walking guide, the routes... Read more

United Kingdom
2006
- Best Walks in Ireland
- About this seriesA varied series of walking guides that provides detailed route descriptions for both historic trails and short walks. A general history of the area is also given. Sketch maps of the routes are also included, and the guides are illustrated with numerous black and white photographs. Read more
Maps

United Kingdom
- Howgill Fells
- Howgill Fells at 1:25,000 on a waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map from Harvey Map Services in their Superwalker series covering popular hiking areas of Great Britain and Ireland, annotated with additional information for walkers.The maps have contours at 15m intervals, with additional graphics for various types of terrain (crags,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Lakeland East
- Lakeland East at 1:25,000 on a waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map from Harvey Map Services in their Superwalker series covering popular hiking areas of Great Britain and Ireland, annotated with additional information for walkers.The maps have contours at 15m intervals, with additional graphics for various types of terrain (crags,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Lakeland Central
- Lakeland Central at 1:25,000 on a waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map from Harvey Map Services in their Superwalker series covering popular hiking areas of Great Britain and Ireland, annotated with additional information for walkers.The maps have contours at 15m intervals, with additional graphics for various types of terrain... Read more

United Kingdom
- Lakeland North
- Lakeland North at 1:25,000 on a waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map from Harvey Map Services in their Superwalker series covering popular hiking areas of Great Britain and Ireland, annotated with additional information for walkers.The maps have contours at 15m intervals, with additional graphics for various types of terrain... Read more

United Kingdom
- Dark Peak
- Dark Peak at 1:25,000 on a waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map from Harvey Map Services in their Superwalker series covering popular hiking areas of Great Britain and Ireland, annotated with additional information for walkers.The maps have contours at 15m intervals, with additional graphics for various types of terrain (crags,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Kintail: Glen Shiel
- Kintail: Glen Shiel at 1:25,000 on a waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map from Harvey Map Services in their Superwalker series covering popular hiking areas of Great Britain and Ireland, annotated with additional information for walkers.The maps have contours at 15m intervals, with additional graphics for various types of terrain... Read more

United Kingdom
- Lakeland West
- Lakeland West at 1:25,000 on a waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map from Harvey Map Services in their Superwalker series covering popular hiking areas of Great Britain and Ireland, annotated with additional information for walkers.The maps have contours at 15m intervals, with additional graphics for various types of terrain (crags,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Crianlarich
- Crianlarich at 1:25,000 on a waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map from Harvey Map Services in their Superwalker series covering popular hiking areas of Great Britain and Ireland, annotated with additional information for walkers.The maps have contours at 15m intervals, with additional graphics for various types of terrain (crags,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Lochnagar and Glen Shee
- Lochnagar and Glen Shee at 1:25,000 on a waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map from Harvey Map Services in their Superwalker series covering popular hiking areas of Great Britain and Ireland. Topography is indicated by contours at 15m intervals, with a change in colour of the contour lines indicating predominantly rocky ground.... Read more

United Kingdom
- Lakeland South West
- Lakeland South West at 1:25,000 on a waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible map from Harvey Map Services in their Superwalker series covering popular hiking areas of Great Britain and Ireland, annotated with additional information for walkers.The maps have contours at 15m intervals, with additional graphics for various types of terrain... Read more



















































