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Hiking Tours of Ireland

• Explore the historic charm and Irish ‘craic’ of Dublin City
• Hike the Dingle Way, Nat Geo claimed 'Most Beautiful Place on Earth'
• Explore ruined castles and standing stones on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Coast
• Trek over green pastures, sheep fields and valleys on the Wicklow Way
• Pubs, Irish music, pints of Guinness and fresh seafood all in abundance
• Explore County Kerry’s ancient stone-walled trails and highest Irish peaks

Ireland exudes beauty and spirit inside and out. With its rolling green pastures, this ‘Emerald Isle’ features dramatic cliffs topped with wild coastal paths, and a countryside dotted with Celtic influence and ancient footpaths lined with stone walls. Steeped in history, the friendly and fun essence of the Irish people is found at every bend in the road, and at every corner of the villages there is a pub serving a pint of ‘The Black Stuff’ – Guinness.

Our first-hand knowledge of Ireland's best kept secrets has allowed countless Macs customers to enjoy their self-guided hiking adventures and truly take in every corner of the country.

You can choose to discover rugged coastlines, golden beaches, and colorful Gaeltacht villages whilst hiking the Dingle Way , or hike amongst Ireland's highest peaks on the Kerry Way . South of Dublin on the east coast, the well-known Wicklow Way can give you an excellent experience on ancient trails and remote valleys. For lesser-traveled coastal paths with simply stunning views, we highly recommend the Wild West Coast of Ireland .

At Macs, we pride ourselves in our unique expertize that are unmatched in the US market. Showcasing a selection spanning across the entirety of Ireland, you have free range to choose a hiking adventure rooted in Irish spirit that is suitable for your individual preferences.

Explore Ireland

Featured Tours - Ireland

The Dingle Way - 10 Days & 9 Nights

Best of the Dingle Way

Walking Ireland's West Coast

Dublin & The Wicklow Way In Style

The Wicklow Way - 7 Days & 6 Nights

The Kerry Way - 11 Days & 10 Nights

Discover ireland.

Our first-hand knowledge of Ireland's best kept secrets has allowed countless Macs Adventure customers to confidently explore every corner of the country. We've been running our self guided hiking trips in Ireland since 2006, and have dialed in the perfect itineraries for culture, food and drink, and scenery.

Choice of Tours: Ireland is now one of our most popular destinations for US customers, with hundreds of hikers traveling with Macs Adventure to Ireland each year. Whether you're interested in impressive coastal trails with castle ruins and ancient stones such as those on the Dingle Way , or the best live-music pub in town, rest assured we've planned it right for you.

Self-guided: We provide the freedom for you to choose your route and travel companions, and to discover Ireland independently at your own pace. We've made great friends with the accommodation providers and baggage handlers and should you have the slightest issue, they'll do everything possible to help you out. Additionally, our 24/7 support team is just a phone call away.

Accommodation: Our accommodation is carefully selected to ensure you have a good level of comfort alongside friendly Irish service. We find the best B&BS and guesthouses, or more up market In Style hotels, in the villages and towns that our routes pass through. You'll find that it’s the people and the proprietors that make these tours and Ireland so special. All of your luggage is transported to the next overnight – hassle free hiking the way you want it.

We pride ourselves on our unique expertize and we showcase a fine selection of tours spanning across the entirety of Ireland. The beauty of this Emerald Isle and the Irish spirit is embedded in all our hiking in Ireland vacations.

Irish pubs are famous throughout the world, and most major cities now have an Irish pub/bar. However, an authentic Irish pub is not full of people with green hats with shamrocks dangling from them!

Who goes to the pub: In the late 17th century, the ‘Public House’ was a place for working men to drink. It's now a hub for the local community and everyone, including children are welcome. It’s common for an Irish family to take a baby baptism party for a drink at the pub after church. The Irish love getting together and having a chat over an informal pint.

The ‘Craic’: Pronounced ‘crack’, this very Irish saying translates to ‘What’s been going on with you, tell me a story about your day’. You go to the pub to hear the craic.

Buying rounds: The landlord of the pub is also normally a friend and will know all the locals. You order at the bar, and no tip is expected. If you’re with a group, you’ll take turns in buying drinks for the table. But you can’t leave before it’s your round!

Guinness: A pint of The Black Stuff. It’s unlikely that you’ll find an Irish pub which doesn’t sell Guinness. First brewed in Dublin in 1759 and is now brewed worldwide – however naturally it always tastes better in it’s homeland! 

The music: Small groups of local musicians will often play in the pub. It’s a casual affair with the musicians sitting in the corner drinking pints whilst playing. Impromptu music with a singsong and the tin whistle is less common, but this is the magic of small-town pubs when friends get together.

Food: A few pubs will serve food, but not all. However, you’ll aways be able to get a small pack of salty peanuts and a bag of ‘crisps’…don’t ask for chips as might end up with a portion of fries!

Sláinte: Cheers

Potato was the staple food of the Irish in the mid 1800’s. The plant disease ‘potato blight’ caused the crops to fail in successive years from 1845-1849. The British rule still forced wheat, cattle, diary and beans to be exported and as a result over 2 million people died of hunger or emigrated from Ireland.

The emigration to the USA was at its peak during this period, and the Irish comprised nearly half of all immigrants in the USA in the 1840s. This flow continued till about 1930. The population of Ireland pre-Famine was over 8 million, and it’s never regained these numbers, with it currently being around 5 million.

When thinking about the Dingle Way , a spectacular coast, rugged mountains, and ancient ruins come to mind. But that's not all the peninsula has to offer! The area has a rich cultural heritage; an ancient language, welcoming residents, longstanding traditions, and outstanding food. The Dingle Peninsula is more than an attraction, it is more than a visit, it is a destination. Residents and members of Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance have recognized their responsibility to keep the area protected, to allow future generations to enjoy it as much as we do today.

Here are some simple ways to contribute during your visit!

• Say “NO” to plastic – a great way of doing this is limiting the use of straws, plastic drinking bottles, plastic coffee cups and plastic bags.
• Leave no trace – carry your personal waste such as wrappers from snacks and other items and avoid littering along the route.
• Stay local, shop local – Support the local communities by eating and shopping locally!
• Let nature's sounds prevail – enjoy your experience, keep your noise to a minimum and respect farm animals and wildlife around you (with the added bonus of a higher chance of finding them!)
• Leave what you find – Don’t take home rocks, plants or flowers as souvenirs as some of these can be valuable for the natural habitats.

Shellfish - Being an island nation, it’s no wonder seafood especially shellfish is popular. Lobster, crab, shrimps and mussels can be found on most menus in the summer, and in September oysters come into season. Food festivals such as the Galway Oyster Festival (September) and the Dublin Bay prawn festival in Howth (May) are a joy for foodie visitors.

Soda Bread - The basic ingredients are always the same, baking soda, buttermilk and flour. However, every Irish family has a different recipe which can include adding seeds, bran or oats and making it sweet with honey or dried fruits. Always eaten sliced with butter.

Stew - A good plate of hearty Irish stew is a one-pot meal with potatoes, onions and traditionally mutton, but usually lamb these days. Carrots are sometimes added, and it’s left to simmer and reduce for a thick delicious warming meal coming in from a rainy day!

Colcannon and Champ  - Both these dishes are potato based, and it’s unlikely you’d have both on your plate at the same time. Champ is mashed potato with spring onions, butter and milk. Colcannon is the same but also includes cabbage or kale.

Boxty  - Another potato dish, Boxty covers the full range of potato dumplings, potato pancakes and potato bread. Usually, it’s grated potato mixed with mashed potato and then cooked in different ways for the various types. It’s often eaten with eggs and bacon for breakfast or with smoked salmon for lunch.

The Dingle Peninsula is one of the main "Gaeltacht" areas of the Emerald Isle, where the Irish language (Gaelic) is widely spoken at home, in schools and even the workplace. Due to its remote location, it was removed from the influences of the modern world for a long time and the local language and traditions have largely remained intact. Staying in "Gaeltacht" villages means you get to really immerse yourself in the Irish cultural heritage.

You can be sure to come across the Gaelic symbols during your Dingle Way adventure - road signs, names, descriptions and even menu items! Learning a few phrases will help you to get a deeper understanding of the people of this beautiful part of the world.

Here are a few sentences to practice:

Good morning - "Maidin Mhaith" (pronounced: mod-jin wot)

Cheers - "Slainte" (pronounced: slawn-cheh)

I speak only a little Irish - "Níl agam ach beagáinín Gaeilge" (pronounced: kneel ah-gum ock byug-aneen gayle-geh)

Thank you - "Tapadh leat" (pronounced: tapah lat)

The weather is beautiful today - "Ta an aimsir go halainn inniu" (pronounced: taw an eyeim-shur guh haul-inn inn-you)

Storytelling has been a staple of the Irish culture since the dawn of time and the folklore has famous myths and legends. Think of the many songs, limericks and tales that exist. It is safe to say that mythology and Ireland go hand in hand, have you heard of any of these stories?

• The Leprechauns  (or locally known as " Leath bhrògan"):  The name translates from 'shoemaker' and the leprechaun is the cultural symbol of Ireland. They were said to roam the Emerald Isle before humans did, wearing a unique hat and red hair. Leprechauns leave a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, so be sure to have a look if you see one!
• The Pooka (or locally known as "púca"): Pooka's are shape-changing creatures that are some of the most feared in Irish folklore. They are said to be evil and bring bad luck to those who have seen them. For this reason, they are most feared by farmers around the times of harvest!
• The Irish Harp : You may have noticed that the harp is the national symbol of Ireland, think of the company logos of famous Irish brands such as Guinness and Ryanair. The story goes that evil gods stole the first harp from Dagda (an Irish king). This caused a lack of music in Ireland and people turned very sad. The evil gods then gave back the harp and the joy returned to the entire land. This is how the harp became a national icon!
• The Shamrock : The three-leafed clover is an important Irish legend and crucial in the spread of Christianity across the Emerald Isle. St Patrick saw a clover and decided to use it to explain the three strands of the father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as one, to the Celts. The Celts could previously not understand what St Patrick was trying to say, but with the help of the shamrock, they finally did. 

Reading a book can give you a really good taste of the culture, history and landscapes of a destination. Whether you are planning a trip to Ireland or have recently booked a trip, here are some classic books that are set in Ireland!

Dubliners by James Joyce - This famous collection includes 15 short stories about the lives of ordinary people living in Dublin in the early 1900s. The book has a variety of characters and is an easy read with varied outlooks on life. 

The Sea by John Banville - This novel is about love, loss, and the power of memory. A middle-aged Irishman called Max returns to the seaside town where he spent his summer holidays as a child to cope with the loss of his dear wife. Max comes to understand the past and this is the center of this beautifully written novel.

The Wild Irish Girl by Sydney Owensen - This book quickly reached bestseller status after it was published in 1806. In this story, a badly behaved boy is banished to his father's estate in Ireland to mend his ways. He then falls in love with the land and with a girl that he meets, but there are some complicated family affairs.

The Green Road by Anne Enright - This is the 6th novel by Anne Enright concerning the lives of the Madigan family on Ireland's Atlantic coast. This book is about family, selfishness and compassion when a family returns to the west coast of Ireland for a final family Christmas before their mother's home is about to sell. After a big conflict, the family is confronted with their ties and the road that brought them home. 

Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly - This story takes place in a hidden corner of Ireland where fisherman and farmers find hope and courage in their songs, faith and celebrations. This novel describes the life of a young couple starting a family and selling their crops and catch to pay rent. Potatoes have become the bread and butter of their existence and when three harvests are destroyed, the natural disaster turns into The Great Starvation.

The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey - This novel delves into the politics of Northern Ireland at the beginning of the 20th-century where main character Eileen is torn between two men, each drawing her to one extreme. As war is declared, Eileen begins working at a local mill and tries to save money to hold onto her dreams. This story describes her struggles in trying to separate politics from her personal life.

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THE 10 BEST Ireland Walking Tours

Walking tours in ireland.

• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
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• 4 hours to 1 day
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• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Dublin Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour

2. Dublin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

3. Dublin Private Walking Tour

4. Dark Dublin Guided Walking Tour

5. Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour

6. Dublin in a Day: Book of Kells, Guinness, Distillery & Castle

7. U2 and Dublin Walking Tour

8. Irish Food Trail - Walking Tour of Dublin

9. Delicious Dublin Food Tour

10. Dingle Peninsula Four Hour Private Tour

11. Dublin Out-Off-Tourist-Path Pub Tour and Tastings with a Local

12. Cork Culinary Tour

13. Dublin Coastal Hike and Pints and Puppies

14. Mythology & Folklore Tour

15. Game of Thrones - Winterfell Trek from Dublin

16. Easy Access Blarney Stone and Castle Gardens Tour

17. Complete Dublin Walking Tour with Castle Admission

18. The Legendary Walking Tour of Galway

19. Walking and Tasting Tour of Galway City

20. Dublin's Best Kept Secrets Tour

21. Dublin Guinness Storehouse, Molly Malone Statue and Book of Kells

22. Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

23. Dublin Private Walking Food Tour With Locals: the 10 Tastings

24. Galway Food Tours

25. 90 Minute Dublin Walking tour and Sightseeing tips

26. Dublin Personalized Private Walking Tour with Local Guide

27. Cork City Ramble

28. Dublin Coastal Craft Beer & Seafood Trail with a Local

29. Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral Tour

30. (Nearly!) All of Dublin in 5 hours (Walking Tour)

What travelers are saying.

Self-Guided Walking Holidays in Ireland

• Guided Walks and Hikes

Guided Full Moon Walks near Dublin

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Walking Holidays In Ireland

Hilltoptreks offer Award winning Guided and Self Guided Walking Holidays in Ireland. As well as Day Tours from Dublin, Guided Day Walks and Multi-day hiking Tours of Ireland.

All the guides are qualified and local giving you the best insight during your day hike, hiking tour or walking holidays in Ireland..

From all the tours you really get to see the Irish landscape up close and personal. You will be brought of the beaten track where you can experience Ireland’s real beauty.

Hilltoptreks have been organizing fantastic Walking holidays, day hikes, hiking tours and Day Tours in Ireland for numerous years. Over this period they have fine tuned their tours and cherry picked some of the finest walks in Ireland just for you.

They like to pride themselves on offering you the best insight into Ireland. Including its culture, history, music, people and of course Ireland’s beautiful landscape.

So in a nutshell what Hilltoptreks provide are: • Irish Day Tours from Dublin of Wicklow, Glendalough, Kilkenny, the Boyne Valley and Newgrange.. • Guided Day hikes and walks to some of Ireland’s most scenic locations. • Walking Holidays in Ireland and Europe – Guided or Self Guided. • Hiking Tours throughout Ireland. • Day Tours with Guided Walks or Horse Riding Options. • Short Walking Breaks and hiking tours in Ireland. • We can also Tailor make Tours or day hikes to suit you, your family, company, group or friends

Why choose our walking & hiking holidays?

Local qualified guides (a real insight into ireland).

All our guided Irish day tours, hill walking, trekking and hiking tours are hosted by local and qualified guides. They will give you a real insight into Ireland and the places you are visiting. The guides are also friendly and can help you with any inquiries you may have.

Customised Tours (Tours to suit all tastes and abilities)

We operate Irish day tours, Hill Walking, trekking, day hikes, hiking tours and multi day tours through out Ireland. On our Multi-day tours we do this in a way that you have a choice on most days of the activities if any, that you would like to do.

A Lifetime Experience (Off the beaten track with highlights also)

Our hill walking, trekking and hiking Irish tours are designed so that you will visit the recommended highlights of the area you visit in Ireland. You will also visit and explore many places that are off the beaten track.

What People Say about Walking Holidays in Ireland.

“We can’t thank Hilltop Treks enough! They helped my boyfriend plan the most perfect engagement at Guinness Lake. It was the most breathtaking backdrop to our wonderful moment.”

“Hilltop treks thanks for a fabulous day tour in Wicklow! Loved it all!”

“Excellent way to spend a day” – Wonderful experience to enter Newgrange and a lot of wonderful sights around the Boyne Valley

Wicklow day trip with horse back riding was even five stars in the rain!!!

“Have gone on a few hikes now with Hilltoptreks they are always great fun, with a lovely group of friendly people. The locations are stunning also and Terry has great local knowledge”

BEST way to see beautiful Ireland!

Review of  Hilltoptreks

Reviewed 12th July 2019 via mobile

Stop what you’re doing and book a trek with Hilltop Treks already! I was so thoroughly impressed with my experience of the Wicklow/Glendalough tour, I honestly can’t recommend it enough. I only had a few days in Ireland, so the incredible scenery and knowledge gleaned from this tour gave me a real sense of the country and culture as a whole. Massive, MASSIVE thank you to our incredible guide Johnny, who absolutely made the experience. Funny, caring and deeply passionate about this part of Ireland, he is a wonderful ambassador for this beautiful country. Can’t wait to visit again!

Date of experience:  July 2019

Great guided tour

Reviewed 9th July 2021 via mobile

Loved walking with Terry. Terry knows the Dublin Wicklow mountains like the back of his hand and his relaxed leadership style makes for a great day out leaving you to enjoy the views and good company. I would definitely recommend Terry and look forward to more hikes in the hills in the future.

Date of experience:  July 2021

Memorable private tour of Powerscourt, Wicklow, and Glendalough

Reviewed 22 Aug 2019

Visiting these incredibly beautiful sites on a relaxing private day tour was a definite highlight of our family vacation. Thanks to Hugh for a well-paced, comfortable trip with lots of interesting commentary and discussions along the way, and for dropping us off at our Kilkenny hotel with recommendations for our visit there. Highly recommended!

Date of experience:  22nd Aug 2019

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Hill Walking Holidays in Ireland

HilltopTreks Blog

Tour of Wicklow and Glendalough

Tour of Wicklow and Glendalough from Dublin Glendalough and Wicklow Tours from Dublin written by Linda I recently went on Hilltop Trek’s Tour of Wicklow and Glendalough and would highly recommend it! Why? Well, what I personally liked about this tour was that it was on a mini bus with max capacity of 16 people. […]

Walking the sheep’s head way

Hill Walking in West Cork The Sheep’s Head Way Discover the beauty and wonders of this little Peninsula on the Sheep’s Head Way.  Gillian takes a few days walking on the Sheep’s Head Way in West Cork. Gillian has a real love for the outdoors, flora and fauna and there is nothing she enjoys more […]

3 weeks ago

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Guided walks and Tours in Ireland. Day tours and guided hikes. Walking holidays in Ireland and Europe. #walking #hiking Ireland #tours #guided walks

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Tours and Walks

• Day Tours From Dublin
• Self Guided Walks in Ireland
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                      Walking and Hiking Tours in Ireland

• Brigit's Garden - one of the truly outstanding places to visit in the West of Ireland. The award-winning Celtic Gardens are widely regarded as one of the most spectacular in Ireland.  
• Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden. Home to the Benedictine nuns since 1920.  The story of  tragedy, romance, education, innovation and spirituality. Explore the 6 acre Victorian Walled Garden with its delightfully restored garden buildings. Discover woodland and lake shore walks that will take you on a beautiful journey through their 1,000 acre estate. The beautiful Gothic Church is a short walk from the Abbey, nestled nearby is the Mausoleum where Mitchell and Margaret Henry are buried side by side.
• Aran Islands, Inis Mór is the largest of the three Aran Islands and includes several ancient stone forts and churches among its antiquities. Most impressive of the stone forts is Dun Aoengus. It is semicircular, resting on the edge of a perpendicular cliff rising 100 meters out of the ocean. 
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• Bagpipes, Whisky and Kilts
• Scottish History, Culture, and Literature
• Quaint Villages, Excellent Cuisine
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• Over 30 years of experience
• Gouguanbarra Valley where St. Declan's church is nestled on an island in the lake.
• Garish Island learning the history of this little island.
• Hear the stories of Muckross House and how Queen Victoria put Killarney on the map.
• A boat trip from the end of the walk to Ross Castle on the Gap of Dunloe

Guided & Self-Guided Walking and Hiking Tours in Ireland

Ireland: Connemara Ramble

GUIDED 

$4,375  - 7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS

Connemara is located in County Galway and has strong ties to traditional Irish culture.

Ireland: The Dingle Way

$4,375 - 7 Nights / 8 Days

One of the most beautiful peninsulas in Ireland offering spectacular views of mountain, sea and islands.

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Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in Ireland

If it's incredible views you're seeking, a hiking tour in Ireland is the perfect adventure for you. Find the best hiking and trekking tours - including the gorgeous Dingle Peninsula - and prepare for a life-changing journey!

32 Hiking & Trekking tour packages in Ireland with 5 reviews

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• Coastal Walks

Hiking & Island Hopping - Cork & Kerry

This tour was incredible. Donncha brought Ireland to life in no other way. Literally, nearly a year later and we feel "homesick" thinking about Ireland. The trails were incredible. Every skill level could do the hikes and yet it was never boring. Best way to see Ireland in my opinion. All accomodations were lovely, food was fantastic. Donncha also have fantastic recommendations everyday on where to eat and what to check out in our free time. This will be one I remember for the rest of my life as a top favorite.

• Mountain Hikes

Hiking - Connemara's Atlantic Edge

The Wild Atlantic Way

7 Day South - West Ireland Tour

Walking Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way

Walking the Kerry Way and Killarney National Park

Deluxe Hiking - The Kerry Mountains

Hiking & Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast

Deluxe Hiking - Ireland Coast to Coast

The Wicklow Way: Self Guided 10 Day

The Wicklow Way: Self Guided 5 Day

• Self Guided Walking Holidays

The Kerry Way - Self Guided 5 Days

The Wicklow Way: Self Guided 8 Day

The Dingle Way - Self Guided Ireland 9 Day

The Dingle Way - Self Guided Ireland 8 Day

What people love about hiking & trekking tours in ireland.

This tour was incredible. Donncha brought Ireland to life in no other way. Literally, nearly a year later and we feel "homesick" thinking about Ireland. The trails were incredible. Every skill level could do the hikes and yet it was never boring. Best way to see Ireland in my opinion. All accomodations were lovely, food was fantastic. Donncha also have fantastic recommendations everyday on where to eat and what to check out in our free time. This will be one I remember for the rest of my life as a top favorite.

Hiking & Trekking Tours

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Ireland Walking & Hiking Tours

From misty green hills to the crooked streets of Dublin, Backroads’ Ireland walking tours will take you to the heart of the Emerald Isle. Enjoy hand-picked hiking routes through rain-dappled landscapes, relax at stately Premiere hotels and drink in local culture —along with a pint of Guinness—with our long-time friends at the neighborhood pub.  

Ireland Easygoing Walking Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Ireland Multi-Adventure Tour

Traditional Irish Culture from Cork to Killarney

Families with Teens & Kids

Families with Older Teens & 20s

Ireland Walking & Hiking Tour

NEW Women's Adventures

Families with 20s & Beyond

   FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Which Ireland trip is right for me?

We offer Ireland walking tours for all types of travelers. Our classic Ireland Walking & Hiking Tour highlights the very best of this unforgettable island, from off-the-beaten-path countryside trails to dramatic North Atlantic views. With three route options each day, this trip will suit casual ramblers and serious hikers alike, and you’ll love ending the day in style at our luxurious Premiere hotels.

Our easygoing Dolce Tempo tour is perfect for anyone who prefers to take it slow and savor their time in Ireland. Relaxed walking routes each day make the perfect complement to an immersive adventure on the Emerald Isle featuring fascinating history, heart-warming local connections and gracious hospitality.

For families, our Ireland Family Multi-Adventure offers the perfect mix of fun activities and fascinating local culture to discover this incredible country together. Bike quiet roads, hike hidden trails, sea kayak the North Atlantic and enjoy fun quality time with your loved ones.

Why go hiking in Ireland?

Ireland is an incredible destination for an active escape. Welcoming locals, idyllic landscapes and incredible trails await you, whether you’re discovering the Cliffs of Moher or strolling the streets of Dublin. Or change it up with a day of bike riding or a round of golf—the choice is yours!

What other destinations do you recommend?

In addition to our Ireland tours, we offer a variety of ways for travelers to explore the British Isles actively. Our Cotswolds Walking & Hiking Tour features the iconic landscapes of England’s pastoral hill country. Our Wales Walking & Hiking Tour will take you off the beaten path to the wild landscapes of the Pembrokeshire coast, and our Scotland Walking & Hiking Tour will let you discover crumbling castles, colorful local culture and gorgeous Scottish countryside.

Further afield, our Iceland Walking & Hiking Tour and Iceland Multi-Adventure Tour feature dramatic green-hued landscapes, incredible trails and pleasantly chilly weather! For a quintessential European hiking adventure, our Camino de Santiago Walking & Hiking Tour will let you discover a gorgeous stretch of this 5,000-year-old pilgrimage route in Spain or Portugal. Or for a historically focused adventure on two feet, our Brittany & Normany Walking & Hiking Tour provides a fascinating insight into the history of America and Europe.

Why should I visit Ireland on a Backroads active tour?

We’ve been exploring the Emerald Isle for more than 20 years. In that time, we’ve made friends with locals who’ve shown us their favorite hiking trails, the best local pubs and the fascinating history of their home culture. On our trips, we leverage our relationships with locals like Mike Murphy to introduce our guests to the fun-loving, storytelling culture of Ireland. Together with our deep local knowledge , luxurious Premiere hotels and unforgettable daily activities, our local connections let you have the kind of immersive, authentic experience you just can’t find elsewhere.

Why travel with Backroads?

We’ve hosted exceptional active adventures around the world for more than 40 years. Our biking , hiking , multi-adventure and easygoing Dolce Tempo tours visit more than 55 countries and feature incredible Trip Leaders, thoughtfully planned itineraries, hand-picked hotels and multiple route options each day. With trips specifically designed for couples, friends and solos and families in three distinct age groups , an adventure with Backroads is the best way to get out, make new friends and build connections with your loved ones on an unforgettable trip together.

Ready to make some plans? Get our full catalog of active tours!

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Experience Ireland's Best Routes with Walking Ireland Tours

National Famine Way Tour

Self-Guided

Kerry Way Mountain & Hiking Tour

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Ireland Walking Tours

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Ancient, familiar and fascinating: Ireland is a remarkable destination full of surprises.

Blessed with one of Europe’s richest spiritual, mythological and artistic cultures; dotted with crumbling castles, ancient ruins, medieval villages and lively cities; and painted in timeless landscapes of undulating pastures and steep, sea-battered cliffs; Ireland is superbly suited to walking, hiking and biking adventures.

Traverse the Wicklow Way and discover a stunning patchwork of the Emerald Isle's greenest landscapes; then head to Slieve League for a spectacular walk to some of Ireland's highest sea cliffs.

Explore medieval hamlets and archaeological monuments along the beautiful Dingle Peninsula, the jewel of Ireland's west coast; and visit historic Glendalough, home to one of Ireland's most important ancient monasteries.

Make your way around the Iveragh Peninsula through remote and dramatic landscapes on one of the country's longest signposted hiking trails, the Kerry Way; and climb Diamond Hill for breathtaking views over Connemara National Park, one of Ireland's most stunning wilderness areas.

With everything from gentle walks to hikes and cycling journeys, our unique itineraries are designed to get you deep into the heart of Ireland, regardless of your fitness level.

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Ring of Kerry Walk

Moderate to Challenging

Dingle Peninsula Walk

A Taste of the Wicklow Way

The Wicklow Way - 7 Days

The Wicklow Way - 9 Days

Kerry Camino Walk

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Essential information, popular activities in ireland.

Self Guided Walks

Self Guided Cycling

Discover the Dingle Peninsula on foot

Walk along the Wicklow Way

JOurney to the monastic site of Glendalough

Take in the stunning Slieve League

Connemara National Park

The Kerry Way

Making Ireland affordable

Trips only include what you need like accommodation, meals, bikes on cycle trips, luggage transfers, maps and route directions on self guided trips and an experienced local guide for group trips, as well as the peace of mind that comes with complete backup and support.

Explore Ireland at your own pace

On self guided trips you can expect to receive up-to-date and well researched route notes and maps, seamless luggage transfers and competitive pricing on all essential services. Many self guided trips also have daily departure dates, allowing you to enjoy the convenience and flexibility a self guided trip offers.

Enjoy flexibility and choices

Cycling or walking, 2 star or 4 star, small groups or self guided, land or sea - we can help you explore Europe exactly the way you want.

Bed & breakfasts (B&Bs)

Simple yet rich in local character, the B&Bs chosen are clean, comfortable and run by hosts that help add to your experience.

Guesthouses

Similar to bed & breakfasts, these family-owned accommodations are clean and comfortable. Rooms with en suites generally have a shower but no bath due to space. There may be a separate room with a bath tub.

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Where to Go

Hike and bike between ancient ruins, medieval villages and lively cities, discovering timeless landscapes of undulating pastures and sea-battered cliffs

Traverse the Wicklow Way and discover a stunning patchwork of the Emerald Isle's greenest landscapes

Explore medieval hamlets and archaeological monuments along the beautiful Dingle Peninsula, the jewel of Ireland's west coast

Head to Slieve League for a spectacular walk to some of the country's highest sea cliffs

Visit historic Glendalough, home to one of Ireland's most significant ancient monasteries

Climb Diamond Hill for breathtaking views over Connemara National Park

Make your way around the Iveragh Peninsula through remote and dramatic landscapes on one of the country's longest signposted hiking trails, the Kerry Way

Ireland is located near the gulf stream and therefore has a very mild climate, making it ideal for walking and cycling. During the busier times of April to October in the summer season, coastal temperatures range on average from 15-20 ºC.

At higher elevations the temperatures can drop sharply. Being a largely mountainous area, the weather can change rapidly and you should be prepared for some extremes of temperatures at higher elevations, even in summer. Rain is always a risk and one which you should be prepared for.

Winter days are shorter and less stable weather is more likely, however temperatures rarely fall below zero and usually hover around 6-7 ºC.

Time in Ireland

Ireland is +1 hour ahead of UTC/GMT

Irish (Official), English (Official)

International Dialing Code

Electricity in Ireland is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is G (UK – 3 prong).

Visas are not required for citizens of Australia, Britain, Canada, USA and New Zealand for stays of up to 90 days. For all other nationalities and longer stays please contact the relevant embassy. Please note that if you travelling on to or from the Schengen area as part of your travels in Europe you can only stay in these countries for a maximum of 90 days within a 180 day period. Please see https://tinyurl.com/ybh5jads for more details.

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.

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Hiking in Ireland: 7 most beautiful multi-day walking routes

Hiking in Ireland is becoming more and more popular. The untouched nature, sparsely populated islands, friendly people and fascinating historical monuments really do make it a hikers paradise. But what are the most beautiful multi-day walking routes in Ireland?

We’ve made this selection of the ultimate walking tours, from three-day routes to trails of many hundreds of kilometers. Are you planning to go hiking in Ireland? Be inspired by these versatile tours through Irish nature!

1. Sheep’s Head Way, Cork

93 kilometers (58 miles) The elongated Sheep’s Head peninsula is one of the best kept secrets on Ireland’s west coast. The mountain ridge that runs down the spine of the peninsula makes it perfect for hiking and getting 360 degree coastal views. Unspoiled nature and particularly phenomenal views of the nearby Beara Peninsula also help to make the Sheep’s Head Way  one of the ultimate hiking routes in Ireland.

Highlight:  The scenic surroundings of Bantry Bay – the start and end point of the circular walk – is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in Ireland.

2. Western Way, Connemara

100 kilometers (62 miles) The mountainous area around Connemara National Park is one of the ultimate hiking destinations in Ireland. Rugged mountains, valleys full of sheep and magical water features lie along the Western Way route through Connemara. Also cozy, typical Irish villages, such as Westport and Leenaun, make this one of the ultimate multi-day walking routes on the emerald island.

Highlight:  Killary, Ireland’s only fjord, is a must on the program. The glacial valley and unique mountain ranges make hikers feel like they are here in Norway!

3. Causeway Coast Way, Antrim

52 kilometers (32 miles) The Causeway Coast Way is a section of the ‘Ulster Way’ trail, which completes a 1,000km circuit of Northern Ireland. The Ulster Way is one of the longest routes in Europe but the Causeway Coast Way is a relatively short and easy hike from Ballycastle to Portstewart. However, there’s plenty of hiking highlights still to be found including a walk across the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge if you dare.

Highlight:  The Antrim coastline is truly breathtaking, especially the stretch along the iconic Giant’s Causeway.

4. Burren Way, Clare

98 kilometers (61 miles) If you are interested in geology and are not afraid of a little wind, this is the place to be. Discover unique natural phenomena, such as towering cliffs, mysterious caves and vast expanses of karst stone.  The Burren Way is probably the most educational walking tour in the country. Prehistoric megaliths, rare animal and plant species and beautiful walking trails make this one of our favorite routes for hiking in Ireland.

Highlight:  The Cliffs of Moher, home to the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the cliff walls and also home to countless seabirds, are arguably Ireland’s most famous natural area. Rightly so!

5. Kerry Way

214 kilometers (133 miles) The Ring of Kerry is a popular round trip that can be made by car. What many travelers do not know is that there is also a wonderfully beautiful walking route around the same area!  The Kerry Way is one of the longest multi-day walking routes in Ireland. Deserted beaches, cliffs, narrow valleys, relaxing lakes … Need we say more?

Highlight:  The Black Valley at Killarney National Park is a dramatic natural area with winding trails, idyllic bridges and mirrored lakes. There is hardly a better place to take a landscape photo!

6. Dingle Way, Kerry

179 kilometers (112 miles) The Dingle Peninsula is home to the most popular hiking trail in Ireland, the Dingle Way . This circular route starts and finishes in Tralee and passes many lovely seaside and fishing villages. Countryside paths, miles of sandy beaches, mountain valleys and passes all await you on this famous trail. You also have the opportunity to complete the Kerry Camino pilgrim route which follows the Dingle Way from Tralee to Dingle Town.

Highlight:  The walk around Slea Head with wonderful views of the Blasket Islands is unforgettable and enhanced further by the beautiful Dunquin Pier.

7. Beara Way, Cork

152 kilometers (94 miles) The mountainous Beara Peninsula probably has everything you could wish for when you go hiking in Ireland. Mountain lakes, peat bogs, rugged coastal areas, colorful villages and even stretches of forest trails! The islands of Bere Island and Dursey Island are also often added to the Beara Way route, which leads to an extremely versatile and varied hike!

Highlight:  The cable car to Dursey Island, a sparsely populated island off the tip of the Beara Peninsula, offers especially beautiful views. This is Ireland’s only cable car, so quite an experience!

We hope that you enjoyed this guide to Hiking in Ireland: 7 most beautiful multi-day walking routes. If you’re interested in hiking any of the Ireland walking trails mentioned above, just get in touch.

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Guided Walking Tours Ireland

Kerry Way guided walking holiday

This holiday, based in the South West of Ireland in Glenbeigh and Killarney, Co. Kerry, gives you the ideal mix of culture and moderate walking.

Connemara, Aran Islands and the Burren Guided Walking

The essence and variety of the West of Ireland is captured on this three centre-walking trip visiting Clare, the Burren, The Aran Islands & Connemara.

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Donegal and Antrim Walking Tour

The Donegal and Antrim Walking Tour is based on the spectacular North coast of Ireland.

Ireland’s best guided walking tours

Welcome to the best guided walking/hiking tours that Ireland has to offer. Discover Ireland’s spectacular walking trails and scenic locations by joining one of our many guided walking holidays on our Island. We have chosen our favourite areas where we can show off the best of the best, not only for the walks themselves but also for their natural scenic beauty, wonderful landscapes, history, flora and Fauna and of course people.

We invite you to experience our Ireland and allow our experienced and passionate guides share their intimate knowledge of the regions you travel through. Stretching along the Atlantic Coastline from the Hills of Donegal, to the Cliffs of Moher, the wild rugged Dingle Peninsula and the Kingdom of Kerry, we have organised a wide selection of guided scheduled walking tours for you to enjoy.

We like to keep our group sizes smaller and more intimate so that you can feel the freedom to explore at your own pace, yet with the support and expertise of our guides and services. (Average group sizes 8-12 people with a maximum of 16).

Choose the walking tour that best suits your interests, length of stay and level of fitness, from easy to moderate. You will discover the most scenic and culturally rich regions of Ireland while having a chat with the locals or listening to the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. You will have opportunities for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean, horse-riding along golden beaches, join in a local traditional music session or sing-song. Watch a local Gaelic football or hurling match – our national sports, and maybe have a go yourself (times permitting!). Taste the scrumptious local foods – homemade soda bread, typical Irish dishes such Irish stew and bacon and cabbage. Gorgeous after a satisfying day out hiking!

We want to share our passion for the beautiful island of Ireland and give you the holiday of a lifetime. We have over 24 years’ experience bringing people around our favourite part of the world and we love what we do. Trust us to show you why.

Please choose from any of the below walking holidays. We look forward to welcoming you.

Tour Details

Walking Grades All our walking trips are classified as easy to moderate

One Boot – Mild Up to 4 hours of physical activity each day. Distances of 3-6 miles (5-10 km). Generally flat ground, good paths, surfaced by-roads or beaches. Some gradual ascents on track that may be stony.

Two Boots – Moderate Up to five hours of physical activity each day. Distances from 8-11 miles (13-18 km) with gradual ascents up to 1,300 ft/400m. On track (can be stony) generally but with some open moor/bogland.

Three Boots – Challenging Up to 6 hours of physical activity each day. Distances up to 11 miles/17.5km with ascents up to 1,800 ft/550m. More walking/hiking off-track than for moderate walks.

Guided Walking Tours

Self-guided walking tours, guided cycling tours, self-guided cycling tours.

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8-Day Guided Wild Atlantic Way Walking Tour: North-West (Ireland North-West)

A guided walking holiday on the wild atlantic way.

This walking tour of the Wild Atlantic Way North-West takes in two of the most magnificent counties that Ireland has to offer: County Galway and County Mayo. As we travel along the highways and byways of the North-West coast of Ireland, you will encounter quaint villages and lively towns where you can enjoy lots of traditional music and craic. You’ll also take in spectacular views of the wild Atlantic Ocean and the green and beautiful rolling countryside. 

The first town we visit on our Wild Atlantic route is Clifden, where we will spend two nights. A vibrant town on the very edge of Europe, Clifden is known as the “Capital of Connemara”, with a population of just under 3000.

From here, we carry on walking the Wild Atlantic Way through Connemara National Park and on to Killary Fjord and into the county of Mayo. We will venture through the town of Westport and onto the magical island of Achill.

Achill Island is the largest island off the coast of Ireland (24km x 19km) with a population of just under 2700. The island is made up of rugged mountains, sea cliffs, peat bogs, and — of course — warm hospitality. We will be spending two nights on this magical island. While we are on the island, we will Visit one of the sites of the filming of ‘The Banshees Of Inisherin’.

The Northern Wild Atlantic Way Walk

Our final adventure takes us further north following the Wild Atlantic Coastline to the Erris Head Peninsula. A designated Special Area of Conservation, situated on the North-West corner of County Mayo, Erris Head Peninsula was voted the Best Place to Go Wild in Ireland 2014.

The peninsula offers breath-taking beauty, a rugged and dramatic coastlin of wind-swept towering sea cliffs, white sandy beaches, and one of the largest areas of blanket bog in Ireland.

For an alternative route, check out our Southwestern Wild Atlantic Way Guided Tour. If you’re not set on walking the Wild Atlantic Way with us, you can explore our other guided walking tours of Ireland for more inspiration. You may also want to browse our self-guided walking tours of Ireland if you’d prefer to go on your own schedule.

Do feel free to get in touch with any questions at all. We love to chat about the many routes and marvellous destinations with walking tours!

Our Guided Wild Atlantic Walk (NW)

Prices / dates, price:  €1,669 per person sharing saturday to saturday, single supplement: + €425                              , tour dates 2024:.

Saturday, 11th May to Saturday, 18th May   – Sorry, this tour is now full

Saturday, 28th September to Saturday, 5th October – Sorry, we have no more single rooms available on this tour; we do have doubles and twins available.

Tour Dates 2025: 

Saturday, 10th to Saturday, 17th May

Saturday, 27th September to Saturday 4th October

Tour Grade: Easy

Accommodation: Family Operated  Guesthouses & Country  Hotels

Included / Excluded

• All accommodation is approved and all rooms are en-suite.
• Meals to include: 7 breakfasts and 6 evening meals.
• All transport to include pickup and return to Dublin Airport.
• All transport to and from walks.
• Killary Fjord Boat Tours
• Picnic Lunches
• Dinner on day 2.

North-West Wild Atlantic Way Walking Holiday Itinerary

We will pick you up at Dublin Airport (Zone 16-Coach Park) at 1:30 pm and transfer you to Clifden. The travel time to our destination is approximately 4-hours, including several stops along the way.

After checking into your accommodation, we will take a short walk to explore the town and its many shops and pubs. Clifden is a lively town, packed with places to see and things to do. We guarantee you won't be bored here!

Overnight: May Tour: Clifden September Tour: Clifden

Our Wild Atlantic walking tour officially starts off with a visit to the uninhabited Omey Island. An enchanted island that lies 600 metres off-shore, on the western edge of Connemara in County Galway, is accessed at low tide across a causeway.

The island is made up of mostly granite and covered with sand blown in from the wild Atlantic Ocean. Because of its good drainage, you will find many varieties of wildflowers growing in the short grass.

In the early 7th century, St Feichin founded a monastic settlement on Omey; the ruins of his church can be seen to this day.

Our walk starts on the mainland, just outside the village of Claddaghduff and takes us across the causeway to the island. We will walk the island in a clockwise direction, taking in the ruins of St Feichin's Church and holy well and the beautiful landscape the island offers. Overnight: May Tour: Clifden September Tour: Clifden

Distance : 7.5 km/4.6 miles,  Ascent : 120 m/393 ft

Today, our adventure walking the Wild Atlantic Way sees us leaving Clifden and driving North to Connemara National Park. Here, we will take a short tour of the national park's visitor centre and exhibition on the Connemara Landscape, followed by a short low-level walk on one of the park's magnificent nature trails.

A short drive from the park takes us to the village of Leenane, where we will do a 90-minute boat tour on Killary Fjord. You will get an in-depth history of the fjord, it's legends, and folklore as you travel along, taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, rising from the glittering waters, with frequent shifts in light and shadow that create different colours on the peaks and valleys.

Today's final part of our journey takes us through the Connemara Mountain and into County Mayo, finishing our day on Achill Island.

Overnight: Achill Island

Distance  6 km/3.7 miles,  Ascent : 210 m/688 ft

The first settlers arrived on Achill Island approximately 5,000 years ago. Since then, the island has witnessed a checkered past, some of which we will see evidence of on our walk today.

Our Wild Atlantic walk starts a short distance from our accommodation and sees us visiting one of the island's many Megalithic Tombs, positioned on the lower slopes of Slievemore Mountain. From here, you will have stunning views across to Keel Lough, Trawmore, and out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Our adventure continues along the base of Slievemore to a deserted village that has between 90 and 100 derelict stone dwellings scattered for 1.6 km along the side of the mountain. Here, we will spend some time exploring the ruins and listening to some of the histories that this village has to offer.

Our homeward journey takes us down into the village of Keel, across Trawmore Beach, and back to our accommodation. Overnight: Achill Island

Distance : 9 km/5.6 miles,  Ascent : 120 m/393 ft

Before we depart Achill, we will visit Colm Farrel's house on Keem Bay, on the western end of Achill Island. It was here that some of the filming was done for the making of the movie, 'The Banshees Of Inisherin.

From Achill, our journey north takes us to Ballycroy National Park. The park has approximately 11,000 hectares of wild Atlantic blanket bog, covering a vast uninhabited and unspoilt wilderness dominated by the Nephin Beg mountain range. It is home to the last intact active blanket bog systems in Ireland and Western Europe.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre and Exhibition before proceeding to our final accommodation in County Mayo. Overnight: May Tour: Belmullet September Tour: Geesala,

Distance : 6.5 km/4 miles,  Ascent : 180 m/590 ft

This is probably one of the most spectacular sea cliff walks that you are going to find anywhere in Ireland: Benwee, An Bhinn Bhuí (Irish for 'the yellow cliff').

Our walk starts in the small village of Carrowteige and takes us South-West to reach Dún Ceann Tire (Beach). Here the trail turns North-West to take us along the dramatic cliffs that overlook Broad Haven Bay and the wild Atlantic Ocean.

We will also take in the Children of Lir sculpture along the way. The well-known legend tells the story of children who were turned into swans and condemned to wander the countryside for 900 years.

Our trail turns inland and takes us through some wide open countryside and back to the village of Carrowteige. Overnight: May Tour: Belmullet September Tour: Geesala,

Distance : 10.5 km/6.5 miles,  Ascent : 180 m/590 ft

Our final day on this Wild Atlantic Way walking holiday takes us on a wonderfully refreshing walk along Cross Beach. From the moment we set foot on Cross Beach you will know you are in a magical place of great beauty, a place that has inspired poets and artists through the centuries. 

The afternoon is free for you to explore the town of Belmullet, do that last-minute shopping or relax in your hotel room with a good book. Overnight: 

May Tour: Belmullet September Tour: Geesala,

Distance : 9 Km/5.6 miles,  Ascent : 50 m/164 ft

After a hearty breakfast, we will depart for Dublin Airport, arriving between 14.00 & 15.00 hours

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GUINNESS STOREHOUSE

Welcome to the home of guinness.

If you want to truly immerse yourself in the unique history, heart and soul of Ireland’s most iconic beer, there’s only one place to go – its home. The Guinness Storehouse contains seven unforgettable floors of sights, sounds and sensations in a building that has been brewing beer for over 250 years. Hopping with entertainment, this experience takes you on an immersive experience from grain to glass. From the artful brewing process to the iconic Guinness advertisements that have become pillars of Irish culture throughout the globe, there are so many special things to see. The 9,000 year lease signed and sealed in 1759 by Arthur Guinness himself is so impressive, it’s hard to find something even more special to top it. But there is.

VISIT THE STOREHOUSE

Exceptional Restaurant Experiences At The Guinness Storehouse

Plan Your Visit To Ireland’s Biggest Visitor Experience

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THE GRAVITY BAR

Doubled in size in 2020, it provides you with unparalleled 360-degree views over one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A high point in Dublin, Gravity Bar must be experienced to be believed. With so much to see and do on the floors beneath it, it’s also the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy your complimentary pint of Guinness.

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