48 best walks in Dublin and hikes near Dublin

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Are you looking for the best walks in Dublin? We’ve got you covered! Eric and I lived in Dublin for over 3 years and experienced many hikes in and near Dublin. As Dublin is located right on the coast, we loved going on hikes as dates as we were often surrounded by the sea, and beautiful beaches.

Ireland is one of the most romantic places we’ve been to and a lot of that beauty is accessible through the best walks in Dublin and hikes near Dublin city. Lots of people come to Ireland to visit Dublin over a long weekend and might not have the time to visit more of Ireland’s countryside such as the Dingle Peninsula.

Luckily, Dublin and its surrounding areas, like the mountains in Dublin, offer stunning walks and hikes! In this post, we have gathered the 46 best walks in Dublin and the best hikes around Dublin. 

Updated April 2023

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links meaning we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our opinion always remains honest.

Are walks in Dublin a good date idea for couples?

Eric and I had many dates in Dublin during the years that we lived there. Some of our favorite dates we had were spent walking and hiking around the capital! Here’s a few reasons why we think walks in Dublin are great things to do for couples in Dublin.

Proximity of romantic sceneries

The walks in Dublin offer prime spots to observe nature’s beauty without having to go very far from the city. This is great for couples who are looking to connect on a deeper level in lush and romantic sceneries without having to drive for three hours to get there. Some of our favourite walks that made us feel connected were the ones in the city by the canals. We loved walking there on a sunny day. The willow trees especially made us feel at peace and very relaxed.

Easy to access the beach

There are many walks in Dublin that actually lead you to the beach. This is perfect for couples who are looking to mix a hiking and a beach date together or even for a hike with a first date that you would like to prolong at the beach! The beach is wildly known as a great place for good conversations as well!

Focus on connection

The weather in Dublin, even during spring time, is quite unstable. This means that to go on a walk with your partner, you’ll have to layer up and wear mostly hiking clothes which aren’t always the cutest for a date! But this also means that you’ll get to focus on your partner and them on you beyond physical appearance which creates a deeper level of connection and conversation and can lead to a much more successful relationship.

Travel budget for the best walks in Dublin

Hiking near Dublin and walks in Dublin are relatively a low-cost activity so they are a great idea to discover this part of Ireland with a low travel budget. That said, there are some costs to factor in your travel budget so you don’t get any bad surprises! One of my 64 best budget travel tips is to indeed create a budget to be well prepared and not break the bank. This list of expenses will help you create that budget for your trip to Dublin and the area.

Budget for the best walks and hikes in Dublin

One of the best things to do if you are traveling on a budget is going on walks and hikes. Walks and hikes entail very low expenses as the hikes themselves are usually free. This is why 90% of the best Dublin walks listed in this post are free. I have, however, included a couple of nice walks in Dublin that are subject to an entrance fee (which is still under X€ ) only because they are definitely worth checking out. That said, if you  are on a tight budget, the majority of the best hiking trails in Dublin will definitely deliver when it comes to exploring the city and being swept away by amazing views!

Transportation budget for Country Dublin

When going on the best walks in Dublin, there are a couple of expenses to potentially take into account. The main one would be transportation. Although over half of the listed Dublin walks are accessible by foot directly from Dublin City centre, I have included a good number of hikes such as the Hellfire Club Walk, near Dublin that require some kind of paying transportation to get to them. For example, some of the best places to hike in Dublin are in the Dublin mountains. In Dublin, there are quite a few different ways of transportation available. 

First, Dublin has a decent bus system which is very convenient as tickets are usually only a couple of euros. Your fare is based on the number of stops you have to go through until you get off. If you are planning to stay for a few days, you can buy a Leap card in any small shops. Having a Leap card means that you can recharge your card without having to buy tickets everytime you take the Luas. You will have to tap your card either on the bus or at your stop both when getting on and off the bus. Leap cards have a limit on how much you can spend. When you pass that limit, the rest of your trips for the day are free. 

Although bus tickets are usually cheap, there are a few drawbacks to taking the bus in Dublin. Bus schedules are not extremely reliable and you might be waiting for your bus for about 30 minutes until it decides to finally arrive. Buses are also a bit slow especially if it is one of those lines with a stop every five minutes. It might take a while to get to some of the best walks Dublin offers but if you are not in a hurry then it might be a good option for you. Another drawback is that buses only accept the exact amount for your ticket in coins. They don’t accept bills and don’t give change back. So make sure that you are organised and have the exact amount for your fare in coins. You can check all the bus schedules and fares on Dublin bus website.

Second, Dublin is equipped with two tramways called the “Luas”. The first line is called the red line and goes through Dublin the East to the West and the West to the East. The second line is called the green line and goes across Dublin from the North to the South and the South to the North. The Luas is quite fast and very practical. It is a bit more expensive than the bus though. Your fare is calculated based on the zone you are in and the zone you are going to. Make sure you select the right zone when buying your tickets as there are regular controls on the Luas every day. You can also use your Leap card on the Luas. The Luas is a great way to reach the start of some of Dublin hikes.

The last public transportation is the DART. “DART” stands for “Dublin Area Rapid Transit”. It is a railway system that goes from Greystones in County Wicklow to Malahide in the North of Dublin. The DART is relatively inexpensive and very practical, especially to reach the points of interest on the coast. There are several DART stations in the city centre. You can buy tickets directly at the station and check the schedule online. Whether you are trying to reach walks in Dublin south or walks in North Dublin, the DART can be an affordable way to do that.

If you would prefer relying on your own transportation to reach the best hikes near Dublin Ireland, you have several options. In the city centre, there are lots of taxi available. They are very convenient to reach places like the coastal walks Dublin offers of walks in South Dublin. You can also rent bicycles with the Dublin bikes system. 

As you might know, the weather in Ireland can be quite unpredictable so renting a car might be a better option. You can of course rent a car with the common rental companies such as Budget and Sixt. However, we recently rented a car with GoCar and the entire process was extremely smooth. We rented a car for two days and the total price was almost half of the price provided by the other rental companies. We were also able to book last minute and find a car near us. If you are going on a day trip form Dublin to try out some of the best scenic walks in Dublin, GoCar is something to look into.

Walking and hiking gear budget

Another expense to think about when going hiking in Dublin is the gear needed. Some of the best walks to do in Dublin or near Dublin will require hiking shoes, rain jackets and depending on the season fleeces and coats! If you are traveling on a budget, we would also recommend bringing your own meals. You can check out this guide of 50 hike lunch ideas for some easy, and cheap meals to bring with you!

46 Best walks in Dublin

In this section, you will find 46 best walks in Dublin, including walks in Dublin city and walks near Dublin. We have included only those that are easily accessible and close to Dublin so they make for great day trips from Dublin and city breaks!

The best walks in Dublin City centre

In this section, you will find the nicest walks in Dublin city, including hidden walks Dublin offers, and some popular walks North Dublin offers and walks South Dublin offers as well.

1. Grand Canal Walk, one of the best Dublin City walks

One thing we love about Dublin is that there are lots of green areas in the city. One of our favourite nature walks in Dublin is the canals on the south side of Dublin. 

The Grand Canal walk start in Grand Canal Dock and flow across the south of Dublin. There is a path on each side of the canal, with small bridges every now and then connecting each side and allowing for crossing. This walk is definitely part of the scenic walks Dublin offers without needing to get out of the city.

The walk along the canals is a peaceful walk and acts as a nice break from the bustling city. During your walk, you will be able to spot ducks, herons, and other birds. At the beginning of your walk, you will be able to see a small waterfall created by the level difference between the sections of the canals. As you walk further, you will be able to spot the Pampa grass, and some barges on the water. If you have ever been to the Netherlands, you would know that one of the top places in Amsterdam you should see is the canals and the river boats. Well, this section with the barges makes the canals feel like you are in Amsterdam for a minute which is pretty cool! One is even a restaurant where you can grab a bite and have a drink. This is one of the best places to walk in Dublin as both sides of the canals are for pedestrians only. The walk is also a few kilometers long so you will get plenty of steps in!

This is a great walk to do if you live in the city, don’t have a car and would like some peace and quiet for a couple of hours. A great time to do this walk is fall as the trees change colour and make everything more beautiful.

2. Grand Canal Dock

Grand Canal Dock is a one of the most popular walks in Dublin city centre as it is offers great views right in the city. I’d say it is probably in the top 10 walks in Dublin as it is one of the easy walks in Dublin anyone can do. The walk starts at the Brewdog on Hanover Quay in the East of Dublin and takes you around the Grand Canal body of water passed the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Square and the red poles. From the red poles, you have great views on Grand Canal and Charlotte quay. You can also grab a drink here from one of the many cafés available and keep walking to Charlotte Quay. From Charlotte Quay, you will have great views on the beautifully designed Marker hotel, the Theatre and the red poles.

The red poles actually lit up at the end of the day which makes Grand Canal Dock one of the best evening walks in Dublin.

There are also a few water sports practiced on Grand Canal such kayaking and water surfing. It is fun to watch people practice while walking around!

3. Phoenix Park, the largest city park

Phoenix Park is one of Dublin gems and a must-see when visiting Dublin. It is also one of the best Dublin nature walks in the city. It is located in the West of Dublin, opposite from the port. It is easily accessible by foot, cycling, car or Luas. The Luas station you need to stop at is Heuston station where you can also find washrooms available. Parking is available throughout the park either on the main road or on small parking lots on the side. There is a small café right at the entrance if you want to grab a snack and a drink. Sometimes, there is also an ice cream truck by Papal Cross.

Phoenix Park is bigger than Central Park in New York making it a heaven of nature and the perfect place to catch a Dublin City break! Walks in Phoenix Park Dublin are some of our favourite ways to spend our weekends! They are definitely some of the best walks Dublin city centre has to offer.

The park offers one long walk that goes across and lots of smaller trails on the site. The trails are surrounded by trees, high grasses, and everything is well maintained making it perfect for a stroll. Phoenix Park is also home to a lot of small and larger forests which makes it one of the best forest walks in Dublin city centre. When entering Phoenix Park, you will see the zoo on your right, the homes of the President of Ireland and of the American Ambassador further down. 

One of the main attractions of Phoenix Park is finding the Phoenix Park deer. Finding the deer can take a bit of time and will definitely make you walk around quite a bit! During your walk, don’t forget to stop at the Papal Cross for stunning views of the park.

Phoenix Park is definitely one of the top walks in Dublin!

4. The Dublin river walk, one of the nicest walks in Dublin

One of Dublin’s main features is the Liffey River. It flows across Dublin from West to East or East to West depending on the tide! Try looking at it at different times of the day and you will notice it is not always flowing towards the same side!

The city of Dublin built boardwalks all along the Liffey in the city centre, creating one of the best walks in Dublin to discover the city: the Dublin river walk. This is one of the most scenic walks in Dublin as it allows you to see every important landmark that borders the river. Start your stroll all the way down in the IFSC on the North side of the Liffey. From there, walk passed the Convention Centre and the Samuel Beckett Bridge, the famous big white suspension bridge. Then keep going and you will soon arrive to the Custom House, one of Dublin’s historical building. Afterwards, you will come across the famine statues, telling part of Dublin’s and Ireland’s history. On your walk towards the city centre, you will also come across O’Connell Street, and some of Dublin best views.

Whatever you do or look at, always keep an eye on the water as sometimes there is one seal that comes up the river! He comes up pretty close to the edge of the boardwalk allowing us to see him pretty well! Don’t forget to use one of our river captions to share your photos with the Liffey sunsets on Instagram.

This is also a great walk to do during Christmas so you can see some of Dublin’s Christmas decorations!

5. Ha’Penny Bridge

The Ha’Penny bridge walk is quite a small walk but one worth mentioning anyways. The Ha’Penny bridge is the famous white bridge located near the Temple Bar district and right across form Merchant’s Arch. It is a pedestrian only bridge which offers stunning views on the city centre and the Liffey. It is one of the great night walks in Dublin as you can see the city lit up from the bridge. To make it longer, you can pair it with the walk along the Liffey and get quite the tour of Dublin’s city centre!

6. Ringsend Park and Sean Moore Park walks

Ringsend Park is located in Ringsend, only a few minutes away from the IFSC and easily accessible by foot. It is a quieter park with a few paths available. I would not specifically recommend this park for tourists. However, if you live in Dublin and are looking for a bit of a quieter and less famous park in Dublin, I definitely suggest you give Ringsend Park a chance! There are lots of locals coming to this park and on the wekeend, you will be able to watch the Irish play Irish football. If you are looking for nature walks in Dublin, these two are great as you’ll be exposed to trees, flowers, and squirrels!

Sean Moore Park is located right by Sandymount. It is a very green park and although it is on the way to Sandymount strand, one of the best beaches in Dublin, it remains pretty quiet even on the weekend. 

To make your walk longer, you can of course pair the two! 

7. Iveagh Park, one of the best nature walks in Dublin

Not everyone wants to be hiking Dublin like a mad man! Sometimes, you’re just looking for some nice walks in Dublin to relax and get some air. Iveagh Park is one of the hidden walks Dublin has to offer and therefore also offers some of the best and easy walks in Dublin. It is located a bit outside of the city centre in South Dublin but remains easily accessible by foot in no time. 

From outside, it looks like there isn’t even a park. However, once you are passed the walls, you will find a waterfall, a fountain, lots of greenery, a maze and a rose garden. The rose garden is particularly pretty in the spring and makes Iveagh Park one of the best place for romantic walks in Dublin.

Iveagh Park is usually very calm and is never as crowded as some of the more known parks in Dublin. Iveagh Park is a great place to have a romantic date and for a low budget romantic Dublin City break. 

8. Merrion Park

Merrion Park is located in the South of Dublin and is a great alternative to St Stephen’s Green Park which can be extremely packed during the weekend.

Merrion Park is one of the nice places to walk in Dublin as it offers a walk across the Park with wide spaces, tall trees and quite a few statues such as the Oscar Wilde statue. Sometimes, you will be able to see an art exhibition right outside the park which can be something interesting to look at while on your walk.

9. Herbert Park

Herbert Park is one of our favourite walks in Dublin! It is a large park located in the South of Dublin with big ponds, long paths, and even a food market on the weekend. There are a lot of different paths you can take at Herbert Park and you can easily spend two hours walking around! It is a great place to get some good walks in Dublin!

10. Bushy Park 

Bushy Park is located in the South of Dublin in a neighbourhood called Terenure. It is a 40min drive by car or bus from Dublin’s city centre or and hour and a half walk. 

It is quite a large park that offers lots of different paths. While walking, you will be able to see some ponds and trees but also skateparks and football pitches. It is a great place for a break from the city without breaking the bank!

11. Tymon Park walk

Tymon Park is located in the Southwest of Dublin by Tallaght. It is a 300 acres park which is split in the middle by the M50 motorway. The park is crossed by the Poddle river and counts two lakes. It is also rich in wildlife with birds and lots of different trees such as maple trees and willow trees. Tymon Park features some of the nice walks to do in Dublin.

The walk at Tymon Park is about 6km long from the Wellington Lane car park. It takes you to the O2 millennium sculpture. On your way, look for the beautiful views on the Dublin Mountains and your surroundings. Keep walking until you’ve passed the lakes and you will soon be back to the car park.

There are washrooms available on site.

12. Dartmouth Square Park and neighbourhood

Dartmouth Square Park is a small park in the South of Dublin. It is one of our favourite walks in Dublin as it is located in a very nice and traditional Irish neighbourhood. This is one of the great walks in Dublin to discover the city outside the touristy areas. I recommend that you walk through the park and then around the neighbourhood. There are lots of churches in the area and the architecture of the houses here is very interesting. This is a part of Dublin, you won’t find in the usual touristy spots. 

13. St Stephen’s Green Park

The walk through St Stephen’s Green Park is probably everyone’s go-to walk in Dublin. St Stephen’s Green Park is a famous park located at the end of Grafton Street in the South of Dublin. The park has ponds, well maintained flowers and grass, a cute gardener house and lots of space to walk and have a picnic. In the summer, the park is packed on the weekend but the rest of the year, it is the perfect place for nice walks in Dublin city centre.

Parking can be a bit difficult here but you should be able to find some space on the streets nearby. There are toilets available at St Stephen’s Green mall right next to it.

14. The Dodder Walk

The Dodder Walk is one of the great walks Dublin offers and that we definitely recommend! It starts on Fitzwilliam Quay by Grand Canal Dock and takes you all the way to Bushy Park. The walk follows the Dodder River and takes you passed the Aviva Stadium.

This walk is more than 8km long but you can turn around at any point. If you go all the way to Bushy Park, you will have passed beautiful waterfalls, weirs, lush ponds, and parks. On your way, you will be able to observe wildlife including birds, squirrels and herons!

15. Temple Bar District, perfect for evening walks in Dublin

There are lots of walks in Dublin area but one that you must not miss is the Temple Bar walk. Walking around the Temple Bar District is definitely one of the things to add to your Dublin bucket list. The Temple Bar District is part of Dublin’s history and will immerse you into the Irish pub culture. You can spend as much time as you want here by walking around the architecture and the different pubs. Of course, the Temple Bar pub is a must-see with its typical architecture. While in the Temple Bar District, check out Merchant’s Arch as well!

The Temple Bar walk is one walking tour Dublin Ireland is famous for and is also one of the best evening walks Dublin offers. At night, Temple Bar is safe as it is packed with people and it’s also lit up and full of life at that time fo the day!

16. Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Royal Hospital Kilmainham Formal Gardens 

The Irish Museum of Modern Art is located in the West of the city, right across from Phoenix Park. It is only a 30 minutes stroll from the city centre and is a great outing when looking for green spaces in the city. 

The entrance is free both to the park and gardens and to the exhibitions. You might still need to book a ticket online to reserve a slot during the time that capacity is limited.

The park is of a decent size and there are a couple of paths you can walk on. In addition to the park, the IMMA offers beautiful and well maintained flourished Royal Hospital Kilmainham Formal gardens. On the weekend, you might find a band playing live music in the gardens. 

This is definitely one of the best walks in Dublin!

17. St Anne’s Park 

St Anne’s Park is located between Raheny and Clontarf in the North of Dublin, right across from Bull Island. It is one of the walks outside Dublin city centre but is easily accessible via public transport or car.

St Anne’s Park is the biggest park in Dublin after Phoenix Park with over 240 acres of land. It has lots of different pathways which makes it a great place to have a walk. One of the walks is St Anne’s Park Loop. It is almost 6 km long and starts at the southern end of the park. It takes you to a small river, a rose garden and more. It ends at the Mount Prospect Park entrance. You might want to schedule your walk on the same day as the Food market which is opened every weekend from 10am to 5pm.

The pathways of the park are easy and perfect for a romantic stroll as you won’t get sweaty or muddy.

There are a couple of places you can park around St Anne’s Park: on Clontarf Road, or on Mount Prospect Avenue. You can also park on the streets nearby.

The park has public toilets available and a café to grab a drink and a snack. 

18. The National Botanic Gardens

The National Botanic Gardens are one of Dublin’s gems. They are located in the North of Dublin in Glasnevin. The gardens display plants and flowers from all around the world. Entrance is free and you can easily spend a few hours here walking around and taking in the nice views. 

19. Marley Park

Marley Park is an 86 acres park located about 40 minutes by bus from the city centre in the Rathfarnham neighbourhood.

The walk throughout the park takes you across forests, ponds,  the Marley House and the Little Dargle River and it feels a little bit like the countryside. 

20. Irish National War Memorial Gardens

The Irish National War Memorial Gardens are located right across from Phoenix Park and near the IMMA. It was built to honour the 49 400 Irish soldiers who died during the first world war.

Although it might be a bit weird to recommend a walk through a war memorial, this one has lots of flowers and trees and is a peaceful place, full of history. If you are interested in Ireland’s history, then this might be one of the best walks in Dublin for you

21. Glasnevin Cemetery, one of the best walks in Dublin for history

The Glasnevin Cemetery is located right by the National Botanical Gardens. Again, it might sound like a bit of a weird idea to recommend a walk through a cemetery. However, this walk is about history and the stories the cemetery has to tell.

The cemetery is also quite impressive with high stones and about 1.5 million burial sites! On your walk, you will see victorian monuments, stone Irish crosses, and graves of famous people.

22. Poolbeg Lighthouse walk, one of Dublin coastal walks

The Poolbeg Lighthouse is the red lighthouse you can see when strolling on Sandymount beach. It is a very windy spots so I recommend you wear a good wind jacket at least!

There are two walks to the Poolbeg lighthouse and both are coastal walks in Dublin. One is about 2 hours long and starts in Sandymount. The other one is shorter and starts from Pigeon House Road. Count about 45 minutes for this one, also known as the Great South Wall Walk.

From Sandymount, you can either walk or ride a bicycle along the beach and then on the pier. Once at the lighthouse, you will have beautiful views of Howth Head, Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire. On clear days, you might even be able to see the Wicklow Mountains in the South. 

23. To Sandymount beach, one of the best coastal walks in Dublin

Sandymount beach is one of the best beach walks Dublin has to offer, especially because of how close it is to the city centre and how easily accessible it is. The walk from the city centre is very nice and definitely one of the best walks in Dublin especially for locals. 

This walk starts at the Point in the East of Dublin. Cross the Tom Clarke bridge for amazing views on the city and on the Samuel Beckett Bridge. Then, walk across Ringsend and Sean Moore parks. You will then arrive to Sandymount beach. You can walk on the beach as the sand is quite packed. However, if the tide is high, the beach will be covered completely. You can then walk on the promenade above the beach. From the beach you will have great views on Dublin Bay. 

24. Street Art tour

While in Dublin, why not go on a Street Art tour? Here is a quick free Dublin walking tour of the best street art pieces in Dublin.

To see our first street art spot, start at the Custom House and go across the bridge. Here you will find the Matt Talbot statue. Right across from this statue is one of the best street art spots in Dublin. Artists have painted beautiful portraits that look just like photos!

 The second spot is one that’s a bit hidden from the crowds. When at the Brewdog on Hanover quay, head to Grand Canal Dock. All the way in the back passed Airbnb, you will find a small bridge. Cross the bridge and keep going into the small alley. Then you will arrive into a section by the river with a wall of street art. Depending on the season, the art can be Halloween or Christmas themed. On Sunday morning, if it is a nice day, you might catch artists painting. 

The last spot is called the Love Lane and is located in Crampton Court in Temple Bar. Definitely one to check out!

25. Fairview Park

Fairview Park is a small Park located in the North of Dublin, behind the IFSC. It is a quaint park that follows part of the Tolka River. Fairview Park is close to Clontarf and easily accessible by foot from Dublin city centre.

26. Clontarf Promenade

The Clontarf Promenade is located in the North of Dublin in the town of the same name. It is a lovely boardwalk that goes along the bay. It is well maintained with grass and Yuka trees on the side. There is a lane for pedestrians and a lane for bicycles so you can also ride your bike here. If you follow the promenade until the end, you will eventually get to Bull Island.

The best Dublin Mountain walks (about 1 hour drive to starting point) 

This might come as a surprised but there are indeed mountains in Dublin. To be more precise, the Dublin mountains are located about an hour south of Dublin city centre. Although for some of us these mountains might look more like hills (especially if like us, you are use to Canadian mountains), the walks in the Dublin mountains are some of the best walks around Dublin.

Below, we have gathered the best walks in Dublin mountains including some of the best hikes near Dublin.

27. The Hellfire Club Walk, one of the best hiking trails in Dublin

The Hell fire Club Walk is one of the best forest walks Dublin mountains offer. It does get crowded on the weekend but for good reasons! From the top, you get an amazing panoramic view of the city of Dublin. The walk is also called the Montpellier Loop trail. You can park right at the start of the trail. From there, go up into the forest. The climb is a bit steep but short so it only takes about an hour to get to the top. In addition to the view, you will also find a haunted house at the top. 

28. Cruagh and Massey woods, famous hiking trails Dublin offers

The Dublin trails known as Cruagh and Massey woods are located 16km in the south of Dublin making it one of the best hikes around Dublin. It is close to the Tibradden Wood walk and the Hellfire Club Walk in case you still have some energy for another walk.

This walk is 4km long and takes you through the woods and the Irish countryside making it one of the best forest walks Dublin features. It takes about an hour to complete and is one of the easy walks near Dublin. This walk is perfect if you are looking for a quiet stroll and a romantic picnic in one of the best forest walks near Dublin.

29. Ticknock, one of the best Dublin hiking trails

Ticknock is one of the good hikes near Dublin and gets pretty busy during the weekend. It has some of the best walking trails near Dublin. In Ticknock, you will find several trails to hike on which are rated as moderate. At the top of Ticknock, you will find three large rocks from which you will have sweeping views of Dublin, Wicklow and the bay. We are going over one in particular in the next point. 

Ticknock is also a great place for lots of mountain adventure sports such as bouldering and mountain biking. 

Ticknock is accessible by car only and you will find free parking on site.

30. Ticknock Fairy Castle Loop, one of the best hikes Dublin offers

Hiking Dublin mountains does not have to be hard! One of the most popular mountain walks Dublin offers is the Ticknock Fairy Castle Loop. This walk takes you to the top where you will have amazing views of Dublin City. The walk itself is rated as moderate although it is quite steep with lots of ups and downs on the way to the top. The Ticknock walk takes about 2 hours to complete.

31. Lead Mines Peak and Carrickgollogan forest walk

The Carrickgollogan forest walk is also called the Lead Mines Peak walk and is about 2km long. It will take you about 40 minutes through the woods to reach the summit. From the summit, you will appreciate the breathtaking views on Dublin’s coast line and Wicklow countryside. This is one of the best Dublin mountain walks to come watch the sunset with your other half! You will also find some ruins at the top. The length of this hike along with the incredible views over Dublin it offers make it one of the best hikes in Dublin if you are looking for a quick but beautiful getaway.

This is one of the easy hikes Dublin offers. It starts at Carrickgollogan Forest Entrance car park. From Dublin, it will take you about one hour to get there by car.  

32. Bohernabreena Reservoir

The Bohernabreena Reservoir is located in the Glenasmole Valley about 15km in the South West of Dublin. If you are searching for “scenic walks near me”, this is one of them! There are actually two reservoirs on site. The main walk is the Upper Reservoir Loop. The walk goes into an 8 shape around the reservoirs and is surrounded by trees and views on the hills. This is one of the mountain walks near Dublin that lets you observe lots of birds and herons. 

This loop is around 8.5km long and takes about 90 minutes to complete. It is directly accessible from the car park. It is not as crowded as some of the other ones and makes up for the perfect romantic getaway from Dublin by bringing a picnic during a nice sunny day!

33. Tibradden Wood Walk

The Tibradden Wood Walk is a 40min drive away from Dublin. It is located between Cruagh Mountain and Kilmashogue Mountain. The walk is about 2.5km and takes about 2 hours to complete through the woods and passed the prehistoric burial cairn. At the top, you will be treated by amazing views on the surrounding areas.

The walk is decently moderate and there is a large parking lot by the start of the walk.

34. Fernhill House and Gardens

The Fernill House and Gardens are located in the newest public park in Dublin. The estate is dated back from the 1700s and is one of the best walks around Dublin.

The estate has well maintained gardens, a stream with bridges, waterfalls, ferns, and beautiful oaks and sequoias. It takes about an hour to visit the grounds which are easily accessible by car with a carpark close by. We recommend you check the opening times online before your visit as the grounds are not always opened. 

35. Dublin Mountains Way

If you are looking for more hikes around Dublin, check out the Dublin Mountains Way which offers some of the best Dublin hikes. The Dublin Mountains Way is a scenic walk that connects Shankill to Tallaght through the Dublin Mountains in the south of Dublin City. The route is about 42km long and is way marked for all of the different walks. It has some of the best hiking trails in Dublin. Most people would only walk it for one of the sections such as Glenasmole to Tallaght. 

Nice walks around Dublin (1 hour max by public transport)

36. Howth pier

Howth is one of the most popular cliff walks Dublin area offers. It is easily accessible as it is about 20 minutes away by DART (the train) and tickets cost only a few euros. The Howth DART station is right by the harbour making it even more easy to get to. There are lots of things to do in Howth from visiting the market to trying the local seafood and visiting the castle. However, one of the best things to do in Howth is walking the pier to the lighthouse for one of the best walks near Dublin. Starting from the beach, the pier takes you all the way to the lighthouse with views on the harbour, the town, and the sea.  

37. Howth Head cliff walk, one of the best coastal walks near Dublin

Howth Head is another coastal walks near Dublin that people who live in Dublin like to do. It is also called the Howth Head Cliff Walk.

There are three different walks you can do on the Howth cliff walk with different lengths and difficulties. 

Starting from the DART station, you can walk to the beach and then start the steep climb to your right along the coast. Keep walking to the summit. Once at the summit, you can choose to turn around or keep walking to your right to loop back to the carpark. The longest route takes about 2.5 hours. To shorten your walk and making it a bit easier, you can drive to Howth summit and start from there. 

38. The Bog of the Frogs

The Bog of the Frogs is another of the popular walks in North Country Dublin. It is essentially the same as the Howth cliff walk but much longer. It takes about 3 hours to complete. Following the directions of Howth Head, once at the summit, keep walking along the coast instead of turning right to loop back to the carpark. Then at Red Rock, turn right. This one is tougher ,longer and requires better fitness than the other previous two. 

39. Burrow beach, one of the best beach walks Dublin offers

Burrow beach is located in Sutton and is a 1.2km long golden sand beach. It offers sweeping views of Ireland’s Eye, an island located in the East of Ireland. It takes about 45min to walk Burrow beach, one of the great walks near Dublin. We recommend that you arrive early or take public transportation to avoid parking problems. 

40. Portmarnock, one of the most scenic walks near Dublin

Portmarnock is one of the best beaches near Dublin and doubles as one of the best walks around Dublin. It is easily accessible by DART from Dublin making it one of the most popular walks near Dublin. From Portmarnock’s DART station, walk towards the town and at the crossroad in the town, turn right towards the beach. From the DART station, count about 30-40 minutes walking. 

Portmarnock beach is a 5km long golden sand beach that offers amazing views on Ireland’s Eye and Howth. It is a great destination for a Dublin City break!

41. Portmarnock beach to Malahide

Another one of the best walks near Dublin is the walk from Portmarnock beach to Malahide on the coast road. It is a 10 km long walk although you can turn around at any point! This is a great one if you are looking for country walks near Dublin or Dublin coastal walks.

42. Bray to Greystones cliff walk, one of the best coastal walks in Dublin

The Bray to Greystones cliff walk is one of the best Dublin coastal walks and you have probably already heard about it. But we can’t make a list of the best walks in Dublin without including it anyways. Bray and Greystones are both easily accessible by DART for a low cost and they also both have parking available.

They are both seaside towns and the walk takes you from one to the other along the coast. The trail overlooks stunning views of the sea and of the towns. If starting in Bray, the beginning of the trail offers amazing views on Bray beach and the boardwalk. 

As the distance from Bray to Dublin city centre is only an hour by DART so it is definitely a beautiful walk to plan on a sunny Sunday !

43. Killiney Hill, one of the best hill walks Dublin offers

Killiney Hill offers amazing 360 degree panoramic views on Dublin, the ocean and the mountains and is therefore one of the best hill walks near Dublin. It is one of the best views over Dublin and the surrounding areas and the walk up to it is actually quite easy although uphill. 

To get to Killiney Hill, take the DART to Dalkey, and then go up the hill and follow directions to Killiney Hill. Keep walking up the park and follow directions to the obelisk. 

The park is a perfect for a picnic on your way back down. If you prefer, you can walk all the way down to Dalkey town centre and eat at one of Dalkey’s restaurants. 

44. Dalkey, one of the nice walks near Dublin

Dalkey is a small seaside town near Killiney in the south of County Dublin. It costs about €2-3 to get there by DART. The walk around Dalkey is a very nice and peaceful one. You can walk through the city centre passed the castle and then to Sorrento House and park for amazing views on Dalkey island and Killiney hill.  If you still have it in you, make your way to Bulllock castle and back to the town. 

45. Dun Laoghaire, one of the walks close to Dublin

Dun Laoghaire, pronounced Dun Leery, is a seaside town located in the South of Dublin and accessible by DART in about 30 minutes.

It is famous for the long walk on the Pier which takes you to the lighthouse and offers amazing views on both the sea and the port. If you are looking for some fresh marine air, this one is one of the best walks near Dublin.

46. Malahide, one of the coastal walks near Dublin

Malahide is a cute town in the North of Dublin and easily accessible by DART as well. One of the most famous feature of Malahide is Malahide castle. There is a small entrance fee that gives you access to a guided castle tour, but also to the fairy trails, and walks in the gardens. 

On site, you will find everything you need including a shop, food, washrooms, and parking.

47. North Bull Island Loop

North Bull Island is located in Clontarf across from St Anne’s park, 10 km north of Dublin and is one of the lopped walks Dublin offers. It is connected to the mainland by the Bull Wall and home to Dollymount beach, one of the best beaches near Dublin. No one lives on the island. 

On the island, you will find a loop walk which takes you along the coast road and then back to the Bull Wall. On your walk, you’ll be able to observe birds and wildlife. 

Parking is available along the Bull Wall which isn’t tidal so you won’t have anything to fear for your car. Bull Island gets quite windy so we recommend you wear layers and a goo wind jacket. 

After your walk, you can stop in Clontarf for a bite or come back to Dublin to try some of the best pubs in Dublin. 

48. The Wicklow Mountains, take Dublin hiking to a new level

This post would not be complete without including both walks in Dublin and Wicklow. Wicklow is known as Dublin’s garden and for good reasons. The Wicklow Mountains National Park is located in the South of Dublin in county Wicklow. There are lots of things to do in the Wicklow Mountains especially if you are looking for walks and hikes around Dublin. Highlights include Lough Ouler, a heart-shaped lake, and the Spinc. 

What to Wear for the best walks in Dublin

The weather in Dublin changes all the time. honestly, it’s impossible to ever predict what the weather is going to be like. If your weather app indicates that it is going to rain for the next week, it’s probably wrong. Since living in Dublin, we have found that we usually see the sun on part of the day or at least the week. The temperature also varies quite a bit. You might wake up with a warmish temperature and find it freezing in the afternoon. Don’t ask us why! Between the wind, the sea and the tide, it’s just how it is.

The best way to be prepared is to wear layers. In the colder months, you will want to bring a warm coat, a scarf, hat, and gloves! 

When going on some of the best walks in Dublin, you will also want to be equipped appropriately. In the city, you will be fine wearing city shoes, although make sure they are comfortable if you plan on walking a lot. Dublin might be a smaller capital but it is still big.

In the countryside, you will want to wear appropriate walking or hiking shoes. Remember that it rains often here so the trails are usually at least a bit muddy. Good walking shoes will prevent any fall!

Dublin and  its surrounding areas also get quite windy. A good rain jacket with a hood will save you from the wind and the rain (forget about the umbrella). 

Where to stay near the best walks in Dublin

There are quite a few nice places to stay in Dublin’s city centre. If you are planning on spending a lot of time in the city, then places like the lovely Bonnington hotel and this centered hotel are great options.

If you are planning to spend more time on the coast or in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, places like The Meetings B&B or beautiful Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort are perfect. 

Where to grab a bite after the best walks in Dublin

One thing you can find everywhere in Dublin is good food! From traditional Irish breakfast to delicious Asian cuisine and perfect Brunch places, our guide of the best restaurants in Dublin will help you find the perfect place for you and your budget!

Any questions on the best walks in Dublin? Drop them in the comments or on insta and we will get back to you asap.