Guide to Ireland trekking holidays

The Emerald Isle offers trekkers many places to roam: rocky mountain peaks, wide rivers, a long coastline, ancient villages and endless green fields. Ireland trekking trips can be wild and challenging, or gentle and peaceful. Take your pick…

Ireland offers gorgeous views wherever you choose to look, making trekking there something really special. Whether you go for gentle coast walking or challenging hill walking, you’ll be surrounded by spectacular countryside.

Ireland has some excellent marked trails. The Dingle Way is one of the most popular. It travels over County Kerry’s Dingle Peninsula, over mountains, past cliffs and crashing waves, and across peaceful farmland. National Geographic once called it ‘The Most Beautiful Place on Earth’. Other trails worth following include the Wicklow Way, through the beautiful Wicklow Mountains and their hinterland, often called ‘The Garden of Ireland’. And the Kerry Way, which follows historic droving and coaching roads through the lovely Kerry countryside.

If you’d rather get off the beaten track, think about heading to the Slieve Bloom Mountains. These mountains are overlooked by most tourists. They’re missing out. From forests, to moors, to empty mountain slopes, there is plenty of variety and space to explore on your own terms.

In Northern Ireland, head to County Antrim for dramatic cliff-top views. Sheer, rocky cliffs meet the waves on one side, and grassy meadows on the other, with spectacular results. The area is also home to the Giant’s Causeway, one of Ireland’s most famous sights.

An Ireland trekking holiday offers the chance to walk ancient paths, explore wild countryside and windswept coasts, and enjoy some incredible views. If you want a break from walking there are plenty of other outdoor pursuits in Ireland that you can try. Follow the crowds to see the popular sights, or get away from it all completely – the choice is yours.