Dublin has some beautiful walks, including some that are a great way to see the most important sights in the city. But if you’re up for a longer hike in fresh air and no traffic to dodge, consider heading out of the city limits. Here are some suggestions that will take you from an urban beat to a truly rural retreat.
Walk the Liffey
The most natural walk in Dublin would be along the Liffey. The river defines and divides Dublin, and it was also the reason why the Vikings established a major trading post and later an entire city here. The Norsemen sailed from Dublin Bay and made their home near Dublin Castle, in Dubh Linn, the Black Pool. Why not follow in the wake of the Viking when exploring the city? You can start at the Eastlink Toll Bridge, near Point Village or the 3 Arena, and then work your way upstream to the peaceful War Memorial Gardens. This route will take you past many attractions (besides the strange coffee to cool off). And there are numerous places where you can get back to public transportation. For a complete description of a walk through Liffey, use this guide.
Get off the beaten path along the Royal Channel
Experiencing Dublin along the banks of the Royal Canal is a stroll through urban variety. If you start near the Five Lamps (north of Connolly station), you will go under the bleachers of the huge Croke Park stadium, you will see the poet Brendan Behan feeding pigeons (his statue, anyway), you will walk on the right side From the massive walls surrounding Mountjoy Prison, follow the canal through industrial areas, and finally cross the M50 orbital highway in just one part of a spectacular multi-level crossroads, railways, and canals. A good place to stop would be near Blanchardstown, here you can get some retail therapy or catch a bus back to the city center. For a full description of the Royal Canal Walk, use this guide.
Get a taste of art and culture on the Grand Canal
Dublin’s third great waterway would be the Grand Canal, which defines the south side and begins at the docks of the Grand Canal, an area recently massively rejuvenated with the spectacular Daniel Libeskind-designed Bord Gais Energy Theater. From there, you can simply follow the old towpaths along the Grand Canal through a much fancier area than the Royal Canal on the north side. Notable are the numerous small locks and the poet Patrick Kavanagh lounging on a bench near the canal (again, like a statue).
Get views of the bay and the lighthouse
Head to the port of Dun Laoghaire. Here the East Pier leads to the lighthouse and offers great views of Dublin Bay and the coastline. The longer West Pier is overlooked more than often by pleasure seekers, due in part to its worse state of repair, but a walk is rewarding, especially for the opportunity to see the harbor and lighthouse from an entirely different perspective.
Just east of Dun Laoghaire harbor, another walk can be a great alternative (or addition) on a sunny day. Follow Queens Road and park to Sandycove. There you’ll find the Martello tower dedicated to the memory of James Joyce, complete with a museum that volunteers keep alive. Right next door is the famous Forty Foot bathing place.
Explore some Irish history at Phoenix Park
Dublin has a host of parks in the city center that you can enjoy, but to get a true taste of nature you should head to Phoenix Park. This extensive urban park is crossed by roads and paths and takes a few days to be fully explored. It includes glimpses of wildlife, such as large herds of deer, and some man-made attractions that often hide a bit. The Fort magazine overlooking the Liffey was once Dublin’s main weapons and ammunition storage area. And Ashtown Castle, a tower house from the Middle Ages, is right next to some impressive gardens and the visitor center. If you head to the visitor center, you can also get tickets to visit Aras an Uachtaran, the official residence of the President of Ireland, on weekends. If you’re more of a sports fan, cricket and polo matches are held in Phoenix Park. And if you’re thirsty, Ireland’s oldest pub, the ‘Hole in the Wall’, is right next to the park.
See the magnificent gardens at St. Anne’s Park
St. Anne’s Park, between Dublin and Howth, is totally different from the almost natural design of Phoenix Park, mainly because it is a very landscaped park and was once the private property of the Guinness family. Today it is open to the public and is a great place to explore, with fresh air blowing in from nearby Dublin Bay. There are famous rose gardens, activity areas, and even a wooded area with some imaginatively recreated classic buildings near a lake. A great place to spend a family day. As for wildlife, you will find plenty of squirrels, if you mind looking into the trees.
Walk among the dead
If you’re up for an expedition into history, you can’t go wrong with a few hours exploring Glasnevin Cemetery. The museum is a good manual and offers guided tours as well, but the huge area is open to visitors for free. While the graveyard layout resembles that of a maze (it’s often impossible to get from A to B in any kind of straight line), you won’t get lost if you stick to the main paths.
Take a map from the information desk to find specific graves. The grave of Michael Collins, for example, is easily found, but that of his archrival Eamon de Valera is hidden in plain sight. The pride of the place corresponds to two of the greatest Irishmen of the 19th century. Charles Steward Parnell opted for a homeless burial in a mass grave, and the site is now marked by a massive rock. In contrast, you will find Daniel O’Connell’s last resting place (in a crypt open to visitors) beneath the largest round tower ever built in Ireland, so large that architecture consultants would not vouch for its stability, but still it stands, despite fire damage a few years ago.
Hit the beach on Bull Island
Dublin is literally a seaside city, but to explore the sea proper, you have to go further. A favorite place for Dubliners to spend a few hours tanning, kiting, and hiking would be Bull Island, which is halfway to Howth. This large dune was created by accident when the Bull Wall was built to protect Dublin Port. The accumulated sand slowly formed Bull Island to the east of it. Now, it is a nature reserve and a great place for an invigorating walk.
Take a scenic walk down the cliff
For spectacular views, Howth Cliff Walk should be at the top of your list. Anyone in good physical condition can attempt this moderately easy hike, provided sturdy, non-slip footwear is worn. (The unpaved road is definitely not for sandals.) The path is easily identifiable, and you’ll get splendid views of Dublin Bay, the Wicklow Mountains, Dublin itself, and the venerable Baily Lighthouse on its headland.
Stroll between two cliffside villages
Another cliff walk leads from Bray to Greystones, following the coast over the main rail link to Wexford. The path takes you under the cliffs on the inland side, and you may see some goats along the way. Both Bray and Greystones offer pubs and homey settings, so you can enjoy the hike, rest, and then come back again. Or you can just follow it in one direction and take the DART to your starting point.
Venture the Wicklow way
And if you really want to get away from it all, the Wicklow Way is one of Ireland’s best known and most popular routes. It starts on the outskirts of Dublin at Marlay Park, going down to Clonegall via Knockree, Laragh, Glendalough, Glenmalure, Drumgoff, Aghavannagh, Tinahely and Shillelagh for a total length of 127 kilometers. This is obviously not an easy afternoon hike – to do the entire stretch, you will have to budget for a week. The trail is generally manageable by anyone with hiking experience, even though there are strenuous parts. And you will need a map, despite the markers.
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