23 Hikes In Dublin & Near Dublin Too! [Scenic + Fun ] ( 2023)

Here is a list of 23 hikes in Dublin, Ireland. Some of the walks in Dublin have also made their way into this list – for most of us, a walk can be a hike! LOL.

As you explore this list, you will also find the best hikes near Dublin.

 Here is a guide to top trails, hiking and even camping your way through the city. There are detailed photos and reviews from yours truly. 

All areas are within easy access and self-guided. 

I’m Aisha – I have been an ambitious and determined hiker for many years – having done some hikes in New Zealand and also walks in Dublin

Let’s crack open this list of best day hikes in Ireland (some overnight ones too) and I’ll present to you 23 hikes catered to ALL levels. 

23 Hikes in Dublin

1. Cliff Path Loop

2. Bray To Greystones

3. The Spinc And Glenealo Valley Trail In Glendalough

4. Kyle Loop Tinahely

5. Ticknock

6. Tibradden Woods

7. Poulanass Waterfall Walk

8. The Hellfire Club

9. Carrickgollogan

10. Howth Cliff Walk

11. The Great Sugarloaf

12. Lough Ouler

13. Lough Tay To Lough Dan

14. Ballinastoe Forest

15. Derrybawn Woodland Trail

16. Slieve Foy

17. Slieve Gullion

18. Loughcrew Cairns

19. Lugnaquilla

20. Marlay Park To Knockree

21. Glenmalure To Tinahely

22. Tinahely To Clonegal

23. Tinahely – A, B & C Loop Walks

Affiliate Link Disclosure:

Some of the links here are affiliate links, and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. I hope you find the information here useful! Thanks!

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1. Cliff Path Loop

Remember doing those Dublin walking tours self-guided? Here we start with Howth Village – considered one of the best hikes near Dublin. 

The trail takes a hiker along the harbor onto the Nose of Howth before leading them to the beautiful top with an unobstructed view of Lambay Island. 

Time taken: 2 hours

Distance: 6km

Difficulty level: Easy

Distance from Dublin City: 17km via R105

2. Bray To Greystones

Similar to the above, this is one of the best walking trails in Ireland. 

Bray to Greystones are both in County Wicklow and it is certainly one of the most popular attractions in Bray. 

You can tell ‘em, friends, about this and start a Whatsapp group called BEST HIKES DUBLIN (or perhaps HIKING NEAR DUBLIN – I’m not sure why it’s in caps LOL!)

The highest point on the walk is 100m above sea level and views of the Irish Sea.

Time taken: 1.5-2 hours

Distance: 6km

Difficulty level: Easy

Distance from Dublin City: 51.5km via M50

3. The Spinc And Glenealo Valley Trail In Glendalough

Located in County Wicklow as well, Spinc and Glenealo Valley Trail in Glendalough is a tough climb but has mindblowing views once you climb to the top! 

When descending, you will come through a blanket bog and down a rocky trail to Miners Village.

Time taken: 3.5 hours

Distance: 9.7km

Difficulty level: Strenuous

Distance from Dublin City: 73.5km via M50 and R755

4. Kyle Loop Tinahely

Looking over the village of Tinahely, this has to be the longest and toughest walk! There are stretches where you can’t find another soul and then there are junctions where groups of people have gathered (I’m assuming those are fantastic photo-taking spots).  

Open mountains and forests.

Time taken: 6 hours

Distance: 20.7km

Difficulty level: Strenuous

Distance from Dublin City: 92.4km via N81

5. Ticknock

This is about a half-hour journey from Dublin city center. 

Depending on pace, this is a fairly moderate walk and it has this stunning Ticknock Fairy Castle right at the top.

Time taken: 1.5 – 2.5 hours

Distance: 20.7km

Difficulty level: Moderate

Distance from Dublin City: 30km 

6. Tibradden Woods

The Tibradden Woods is 320m above sea level. Beautiful Scots pine, Japanese and European larch. Old pine trees have been planted here since before 1910. 

The site is a registered National Monument.

Time taken: 2 hours

Distance: 2km

Difficulty level: Easy

Distance from Dublin City: 33km via M50 

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7. Poulanass Waterfall Walk

A straightforward short stroll. 

Don’t let the incline at the start put you off and don’t exert yourself too much from it. After coming down from the waterfall, it will lead you into lush woodland.

Time taken: 45 minutes

Distance: 1.6km

Difficulty level: Moderate

Distance from Dublin City: 73km via M50

8. The Hellfire Club

Not going to lie – this is slightly bit spooky but for you thrillseekers! A.K.A Montpelier Hill, here is a series of short forest trails. 

Fun fact for hikers – In a BBC article, you can find ancient burial sites to a satanic meeting place over here (reported to happen around 1725). 

Time taken: 45 minutes

Distance: 1.6km

Difficulty level: Moderate

Distance from Dublin City: 73km via M50

9. Carrickgollogan

A very interesting walk – there is a chimney at the end of it. When you exit the woods, you will come through to open fields and there is that chimney!

Time taken: 40 minutes

Distance: 2km

Difficulty level: Easy

Distance from Dublin City: 413km via M50

10. Howth Cliff Walk

Here is the shortest route for the walk – where you start at the Howth Summit car park and take a stroll down Bailey Lighthouse.

Time taken:1.5hours

Distance: 1.5km

Difficulty level: Easy

Distance from Dublin City: 17km via R105

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11. The Great Sugarloaf

This hill is isolated from the other hills and has an amusingly conical shape which makes it look like it’s more than 501km height above sea level.

There is even a landmark stop for all those on their way to the monastic city of Glendalough.

Time taken: 4 hours

Distance: 14km

Difficulty level: Moderate to Hard

Distance from Dublin City: 51km via M50

12. Lough Ouler

This is possibly the most romantic hike, especially if you are looking to do it with a partner.

When you reach the top, you get a helicopter view of Ireland’s heart-shaped lake.

Time taken:3 hours

Distance: 10.1km

Difficulty level: Moderate

Distance from Dublin City: 53km via M50

13. Lough Tay to Lough Dan

For Lough Dan: Also known as the Guinness Lake 😀 which is located along Sally Gap Drive and has fantastic views of the black water (I immediately spotted the resemblance to my favorite pint!).

Time taken:17 minutes

Distance: 10.1km

Difficulty level: Easy

Distance from Dublin City: 76km via Wicklow Way

Finally a trail with a designated bike path! 5km from Roundwood, the forest gives you amazing views of the Wicklow Mountains. When you ascend, you’ll find yourself back in your car park. A relatively easy walk.

Time taken: 1.25 hours

Distance: 5.2km

Difficulty level: Easy

Distance from Dublin City: 57.1km via M50

15. Derrybawn Woodland Trail

Coming down from Poulanass Waterfall and before heading up into Derrybawn Mountain, this is the Derrybawn Woodland Trail.

Time taken: 2 hours

Distance: 7.3km

Difficulty level: Easy

Distance from Dublin City: 76km via M50

16. Slieve Foy

Beautiful Slieve Foye looks over the stunning beauty that is County Louth. Be prepared to be wowed by the mountain views and forestry roads. You can also find cafes and pubs at the end of the trail.

Time taken: 2.5 hours

Distance: 9km

Difficulty level: Strenuous

Distance from Dublin City: 103km via M1

17. Slieve Gullion

A very popular hiking trail of clean woodland paths and views of the Ring of Guillion, the Mourne Mountains, Armagh Drumlins, and Cooley Peninsula. Be prepared as there are no facilities for this trail and some parts can be hazardous, especially after bad weather.

Time taken: 4.40 hours

Distance: 13.7km

Difficulty level: Strenuous

Distance from Dublin City: 102km via M1

18. Loughcrew Cairns

Loughcrew Cairns is a concentration of 30 passage tombs in the most prehistoric cemetery in Ireland. Located around three hills within County Meath. 

Time taken: 1 hour

Distance: 33km

Difficulty level: Easy

Distance from Dublin City: 80km via M3

19. Lugnaquilla

This right here is the scenery you get when you reach the top (and don’t worry – your camera is plenty good to take a shot like this!). In times like these, you can forget your worries about your unreasonable KPI-hungry boss or the guy who doesn’t reply to texts. 

This flat-topped plateau is the highest mountain in Ireland, outside of Country Kerry (Missy Lug comes in at spot 11). A word of warning – don’t hero up and do this hike alone, it’s pretty steep and we want you, a fellow hiker, to be safe. 

Time taken: 5-6 hours

Distance: 15km

Difficulty level: Strenuous

Distance from Dublin City: 80km via M50 and the R755

20. Marlay Park to Knockree

One of the most renowned walks internationally starts at Marlay Park in Dublin. will realize everything has gone deafeningly quiet – you are up at Wicklow Uplands!

The first climb to Slieve Maan is the toughest followed by the last climb Ballyteigh before descending to Moyne and onto Crossbridge. All in takes about 5 days. 

Time taken: 8 hours

Distance: 33km

Difficulty level: Strenuous

Distance from Dublin City: 78.9km via M50 and R755

21. Glenmalure to Tinahely

We are back to the County Wicklow hikes but trust me, these are the tougher (and longer) ones – mental perseverance and grit are crucial here. Very soon, you will realize everything has gone deafeningly quiet – you are up at Wicklow Uplands!

The first climb to Slieve Maan is the toughest followed by the last climb Ballyteigh before descending to Moyne and onto Crossbridge. All in takes about 5 days. 

Time taken: 8 hours

Distance: 33km

Difficulty level: Strenuous

Distance from Dublin City: 78.9km via M50 and R755

22. Tinahely to Clonegal

The trial goes through many rolling hills and quiet country roads until leading you to the County Carlow border and baam! You will find yourself in quiet and stunning Clonegal.

Time taken: 8 hours

Distance: 32.4km

Difficulty level: Strenuous

Distance from Dublin City: 88.6km via N81

Photo Credit: Tinahely Loop Walks Scenery – Tripadvisor

23. Tinahely – A, B & C Loop Walks

Of the last Wicklow trials, here you will find three points – Tinahely Railway Walk, The Wicklow Way, and around Muskeagh Hill. More suitable for an experienced walker as it is a strenuous walk. 

Time taken: 6 hours

Distance: 22.4km

Difficulty level: Strenuous

Distance from Dublin City: 92.4km via N81

FAQs On Hikes In Dublin

Where Is The Best Hiking In Ireland?

The best hiking in Ireland are as follows: 

• Slieve Guillion, Co Armagh
• Glenariff Forest Park Scenic Trail, Co. Antrim
• Diamond Hill, Co Galway
• Achill Island, Co Mayo
• Glendalough and the Spinc Cliffs, Co Wicklow

Is Glendalough A Hard Walk?

Glendalough can be a hard walk but I would say it is in between moderate to challenging route. You should allocate 4 hours and 36 minutes to finish the route. It is a rather sought-after trail for backpacking and running. 

How Difficult Is Howth Cliff Walk?

Howth Cliff is not considered difficult. It is a short route – it is an easy walk that will take about 1.5 hours and is approximately 1.5km.

Is There Good Hiking In Ireland?

Of course, there is good hiking in Ireland! Due to weather conditions, Ireland is a fantastic place to hike, and it can be all year round. 

The beauty of Ireland’s countryside or hiking spots is too much to put just in one post. 

I genuinely believe the best hikes in Dublin are hands down Ticknock, Carrickgollogan, Tibradden, and oh…how can I forget, the Howth Cliff Walk. 

I would suggest going with the easy hikes first, and aim to go on dry mornings as some of the slopes can be a little slippery and you don’t want to land on your bum! 

In the list above, there are city walks, forest walks and hikes on Dublin “mountains” – fun fact, Dublin Mountains are hills as they aren’t high enough to meet the criteria to claim mountain status!  Can you believe that?!

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