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I was looking forward to this trail as although right on my doorstep, I knew little about the mountains and hills in Dublin. At just over 42km in length, I was ambitious and looked to complete it in a single day - and I did so, starting in Tallaght at 07:00 and arriving in Shankill at just after 19:00, with some very hot feet! By the way, anybody I met on the trail was doing this over 2 days. Although you start and finish in urban environments, the route quickly goes rural and although you get great views over Dublin city at times, you do feel you are sufficiently away from the hustle and bustle. Most of the way is on mountain paths and forest trails, but there are good chunks of road walking around Glenasmole, Killakee and Glencullen. I walked this in June 2025 and the woods at Barnaslingan were impassable owing to storm damage from the previous winter - a detour is in operation. There are opportunities to refuel at Glenasmole and Glencullen and of course at the start and finish.
Dublin Mountains Way | Dublin Mountains Way | Dublin Mountains Partnership
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So the Wicklow Way is a biggie and one I had been looking forward to - if slightly nervously. I had a sense of familiarity with parts of it as I know some of the areas in Wicklow it passes through quite well. Overall, the way takes 5 or 6 days to do for me I have had to split this up and as of now I have completed 3 days walking and will hopefully complete the remaining stretches later this year. Starting in Marlay Park in Rathfarnham Co. Dublin, my first leg was to the superb hostel in Knockree. This leg took me across sections of the Dublin mountains I was unfamiliar with and is an enjoyable walk along wooded trail, hill track and some small roads. My second leg took me from Knockree to Roundwood in Wicklow where I stayed in a lovely BnB (Lus Mor) who can provide a shuttle service into the village itself. This is a strenuous leg but is very scenic with stunning views across Djouce, Powerscourt Waterfall, Lough Tay and Ballinastoe Wood. Day 3 for me was on route as far as Laragh where I bailed out to walk the Avonmore Way to Rathdrum where I caught a train to Bray. A fuller day will have you heading on to Glendalough, but it is from Laragh that I will pick the trail up again later in the year. Up to this point there is plenty of accommodation and camping opportunities (wild and campsite) available.
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This is a gem of a trail in County Wicklow. The official start is at the car park in Trooperstown Wood, just outside Laragh, and it winds for 12km to Rathdrum. The trail is along some minor roads and forest trails - plantation and deciduous. The trail comes into it’s own at Clara, where you pass by the small church before climbing up slightly to enter the deciduous forest that brings you all the way to Rathdrum. The initial section from Trooperstown Wood to Ballard Wood does have a significant road section, though on a good day this give great views into Glendalough. An alternative option is to start in Laragh, walking out on the Rathdrum road for a few hundred metres before picking up the trail in Ballard Wood - this cuts out the main road section plus a significant uphill section early on. Travel options from/to Dublin are to take the St. Kevin’s Bus to Laragh and then pick up the train from Rathdrum to either Bray to connect with the DART or all the way to the city centre. Give yourself a healthy 3 to 3.5 hours to complete. Provisions can be got at the cafe in Laragh before heading off.
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At just over 40km long this route can be walked comfortably in 2 days and that is what I did, splitting the walk by staying at a BnB near Ravensdale. The route at the start and finish provides magnificent views across Carlingford, to the Mournes and south to Lambay Island and Howth. It is strenuous in parts as the terrain rises steeply after you leave Omeath. It returns to Carlingford by skirting along Slieve Foye and you can treat yourself to lunch or just an ice-cream in Carlingford. If driving, parking is free at the tourist office, but get there early as the car park fills up quickly.
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A very accessible collection of trails offering great views of the East coast as far north as the Mournes and across Dublin Bay and Dublin city itself. There are a number of different trails of various lengths - the longest being 12km (Bog of Frogs Loop) - appealing to different skill levels and preferences. Follow the colour code of choice and you can’t go wrong. Plenty of seabird life on view - Gannets, Fulmars, Terns etc as well as seals and harbour porpoises. Howth village is a great place to refresh and refuel afterwards.