Ireland may not be big, but it packs a lot into a small space! The capital city is one of the friendliest and most fun cities in the world, so check out vacation rentals in Dublin Ireland for somewhere to stay. Other cities like Cork and Galway offer great nightlife and culture too. However, to get a real sense of Ireland you need to head out into the countryside. Trek along the Wild Atlantic Way admire the emerald green hills or see stunning abbeys on your trip to Ireland. In this post, we’ll take a look at the best ways you can see Ireland by hiking. Hopefully, it’ll help you to plan your trip and really make the most of your time on the Emerald Isle.
Discover “The Garden of Ireland” – County Wicklow
Let’s begin our list of hiking destinations in Ireland with the Wicklow Mountains, also known as “The Garden of Ireland”. If you’ve ever seen Ireland’s jaw-dropping countryside on TV or in the movies, this is probably where it will have been. The Wicklow Way is the oldest waymarked walking trail, and it’ll take you across the National Park, as well as through some of the oldest bog-lands in Europe, woodlands, and one of the most important monastic settlements in the world – Glendalough – which was founded by St. Kevin all the way back in the 6th century. While walking in these areas, you’ll also have a chance to see some of the wildlife that calls Ireland home, including sika and red hybrid deer, foxes, birds of prey, and many more. From walking the Wicklow Way, you also have easy access to sites such as the National Botanic Gardens at Kilmacurrage and its 18th-century arboretum, and Trooperstown Hill, where you can get panoramic views of almost all the mountains in the Wicklow range.
Follow in the footsteps of Giants in Country Antrim
This incredible UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the landmarks of Ireland. Folklore says that Finn McCool, an Irish giant, picked a fight with a Scottish giant Benandonner… he built this path between the nations only for his Scottish counterpart to rip it up – what’s left is the Giant’s Causeway. Fanciful tales aside, this impressive place is built up of more than 40,000 hexagonal pillars dating back to a volcanic age 60 million years ago – only 5 million years after dinosaurs walked the earth. The Giant’s Causeway is not the only beautiful location on a trip to County Antrim – you’ll also discover country villages, towns, and golden sand beaches. For those into history rather than folklore, make sure to stop off at Dunluce Castle – an iconic landmark in a dramatic cliffside which has seen a lot of blood spilled since its construction in the 1500s!
Marvel at the rolling green countryside of Cork and Kerry
We’re staying on the Wild Atlantic Way on our final way of seeing the best of Ireland by hiking, with the remote Beara Peninsula. This is your chance to get off the beaten track and see part of the country that few tourists do. Although it’s quite surprising that more people don’t know about one of the Emerald Isle’s best-kept secrets! Here, you’ll see the Rock of Cashel, and ancient Royal Fortress dating back to the 4th or 5th century. Beyond that, you’ll head to stately houses and gardens in Killarney National park, and marvel at the flora and fauna of Beara and Dursey Islands. Beara is a mysterious land enriched by ancient legends inspired by the standing stones and stone circles. A real unique Irish experience!
So, now that you know more about how to get the most out of Ireland by hiking…
It’s time to get planning the next stage of your trip. To get assistance on guided hikes and tours, check out Footfalls Walking Holidays. Their friendly staff can tailor your holiday perfectly so that you get to see everything you want to on your Ireland itinerary. Now that we’ve helped you plan your vacation, all that’s left is for us to wish you an amazing time!