Kay2

My husband has decided he wants to go to Ireland. We usually do half our vacation "sightseeing" and part doing day hikes through parks, countryside or villages to enjoy nature and the outdoors. We have done this based in the Cotswolds in England, Murren in Switzerland, Cinque Terre in Italy, etc.

I've been to Ireland once and did the Gap of Dunloe. That's the sort of thing I'm looking for.

Where have you hiked (preferably using a bus or train hub)? I'm looking at Dingle and/or is there something near Cashel or Kilkerry? That way we would combine sightseeing and hiking in one or two hubs.

Any books or websites you would recommend with detailed day hike information?

wilees

I guess one of the famous ones is Croagh Patrick. We did not do the walk but I wished I had. Seemed like a special place.

How long is "day hike" to you?

rosetravels

Hi Kay,
We've done lots of hiking in Ireland and there's a great Lonely Planet guide "Walking in Ireland." They list some fantastic,off the beaten path kinds. My husband is a geologist and WAY into hiking.

Our favorite base in Ireland for hiking was Westport as we hiked Croagh Patrick, Achill Island, Clare Island and my husband hiked Mweelrea. We also liked Donegal and hiked the Slieve League & Errigal. My husband did the latter hike twice as he really liked it.

You might want to get the book and then think about what area would work best for you. I know many initially look to Dingle/Cashel & they're beautiful, but you might want to consider Mayo or Donegal - they're spectacular and less visited.

Kay2

Thanks for the tips. I'll look for the LP book. I've already spotted several of your suggestions' websites.

Day hikes for us are up to 10-12 miles, depending on terrain.

Prefer easy and moderate walks, hills, forests, and forest rather than strenuous climbs up mountains or ocean cliffs.

Prefer circular routes and access by taxi, bus, train or foot to automobile.

One of the reasons I mentioned the south of Ireland is that I would like to reduce amount of time spent in transit from sightseeing area to hiking area. Our trips are always short due to work requirements, so I try to pick two bases per trip.

I'll talk to him to see if there is more sightseeing he would like to do Mayo or Donegal.

rosetravels

Hi Kay,
Couple more tips while I'm thinking about it: be sure to take waterproof hiking boots. Some of the hikes are in bogs. Even the steep slope of a mountain may be boggy and you sort of navigate from tuft of grass to tuft of grass. We hiked to the top of Mt Errigal one Sunday and it was fantastic. Coming down, my last leap to my final tuft, it wasn't really grass and I sunk to my knees. My husband made the great mistake of falling over laughing...

When you get your walking book, be sure to check out the Mweelrea hike in Mayo. It was my husband's favorite and his photos were stunning.

I thought the sightseeing in Mayo/Westport was wonderful and the music scene and pubs in Westport were our favorite. But I also love Donegal and Kerry. Good luck choosing!

carolsc

I too am interested in walking/hiking the west and northwest areas of Ireland.

With respect to the Lonely Planet Walking Guide, it is several years old. One of the Amazon reviewers remarked on this. Before ordering it, I wonder if anyone has any other guide suggestions.

Thanks.

carolsc

ter2000

Try this website - www.walkireland.ie .

I can recommend the Wicklow Way - www.wicklowway.com and also the Tain Way (directions on the Walk Ireland website).

Bring plenty of waterproof gear!

Kay2

I had seen the discoverireland website, but hadn't seen the walking link. Thanks. It gives good overviews, maps, etc. throughout the country for us to consider.

rosetravels

Hi Carole - I wouldn't worry about the walking book being old. It's just a hiking guide with trailheads and maps. I don't think it has much else but it's great for what it is.

Kay2

With more investigation, I see that some walks I thought were impossible are just "difficult" without a private car. I see that Glendalough, for example, does have the St Kevins bus twice a day from Dublin that also passes through Bray, so we might consider a place like Bray for a day or two (has a bus from the airport), then bus over to Glendalough for a couple, then back to Dublin, from where we can reach Kilkerry and/or Cashel. Would keep our sightseeing and walking in more confined area than traveling all the way to Dingle or the west/northwest coast.

Anyone been around the Bray area? I do see raves about the Wicklow Way and Glendalough.