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Are you planning a hiking holiday in Ireland? Explore the Dingle Way, Kerry Way and Wicklow Way with tips, highlights and routes for an epic nature escape.
Known for its dramatic coastlines and rolling emerald green hills, Ireland is a true walker’s paradise. Here you’ll find some of Europe’s most beautiful hiking trails, whether you’re planning a day trip into nature or a week-long adventure. Today we take a look at the latter with the most popular long-distance routes Ireland has to offer.
The Dingle Way
The Dingle Way is perhaps the best known of all and is hard to beat when it comes to incredible scenery and Gaelic heritage. This trail will take you between 6 and 10 days depending on the route you choose and will take you on a journey around the beautiful Dingle Peninsula.
During this hike you will visit numerous Viking Age archaeological sites, Ireland’s longest sandy beach, Ventry Harbor & Pier (one of the deepest in Ireland), Cape Ceann Sibéal, the infamous Star Wars filming location, and Connor Pass, Ireland’s highest mountain pass.
The Kerry Way
Nearby is the Kerry Way, another very popular route that holds the proud title of Ireland’s longest marked footpath. The Kerry Way includes 5 to 11 day tours and takes you around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. Since this is a more demanding variant, you should expect some mountain climbs. However, the view is worth the physical exertion.
As well as the mountainous landscapes, you’ll also undertake rocky coastal hikes and walk ‘boreens’ or ‘little paths’ in Irish. You’ll also stop at a number of charming coastal villages and enjoy an authentic local meal.
The Wicklow Way
If you’re new to long distance walking, the Wicklow Way is a great place to start. Starting in the capital Dublin, the route covers approximately 79 miles and takes approximately 10 days. It is a highly accessible trail that still allows you to experience the essence of Irish nature.
The Wicklow Way takes you through the wooded valleys and glacial lakes of the Wicklow Mountains, including the historic monastery of Glendalough. Some of the historical sites you will visit date back to the 6th century and showcase Ireland’s deep heritage.
Plan your hiking holiday in Ireland
Organizing a long-distance walking holiday in Ireland requires a lot of thought as you not only need to plan your itinerary but also book accommodation and other necessary services in advance. Without good local knowledge it can be a challenging task.
If you’re unsure about doing this on your own, Orbis Ways is a specialist agency offering both guided and self-guided walking trips across a wide range of routes, including the three above. All you have to do is select your dates and preferences and we’ll take care of the rest: putting together your itinerary, booking quality accommodation, arranging airport pickup, arranging luggage transfer and much more.
A journey through the Emerald Isle
The lush green landscapes of Ireland are truly difficult to compare and the best way to explore them is simply by walking through them. Whichever of these popular routes you choose, you can be sure that this incredible country will leave a lasting impression on you, not only through its nature and history, but also through its warm culture.
