50 Best Family Hikes in Ireland

Jump right in and discover Ireland with the whole family

Experience the beauty, mystery and adventure of Ireland's most enjoyable hikes, vetted for child suitability and fun, along with useful tips and advice for parents (and guardians, grandparents, aunts and uncles too).

Keen for their son to experience all that the great outdoors has to offer, the authors carefully selected walks covering a wide range of different landscapes, including mountains, sea cliffs, sandy coastlines, karst limestone, rivers, lakes, woodlands and boglands. New discoveries and hidden gems wait on every page, and each hike is enhanced with a charming local myth to be enjoyed along the way.

Fully illustrated with bespoke maps, this beautiful and practical record is your indispensable gateway to the perfect family holiday or day out!

The Walks

The West

• 01. Benwee Cliffs, Co. Mayo
• 02. Downpatrick Head, Co. Mayo
• 03. Croaghaun cliffs, Achill Island, Co. Mayo
• 04. Benbulbin, Co. Sligo
• 05. Caves of Kesh, Co. Sligo
• 06. Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo
• 07. Mweelrea, Co. Mayo
• 08. Mám Ean, Co. Galway
• 09. Diamond Hill, Co. Galway
• 10. Black Head Loop, Burren, Co. Clare
• 11. Mullaghmore, Burren, Co. Clare

The South

• 12. Great Blasket Island, Co. Kerry
• 13. Bray Head, Valentia, Co. Kerry
• 14. Caherdaniel Loop, Co. Kerry
• 15. Carrauntoohil, Co. Kerry
• 16. Torc Mountain, Killarney, Co. Kerry
• 17. Dursey Island, Co. Cork
• 18. An Cailleach Béara, Co. Cork/Co. Kerry
• 19. Coumshingaun, Co. Waterford
• 20. Mount Leinster and Slievebawn, Co. Carlow/Co. Wexford

The East

• 21. Lugnaquilla, Co. Wicklow
• 22. Spinc Mountain, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
• 23. Mullacor and Derrybawn, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
• 24. Great Sugarloaf, Co. Wicklow
• 25. Djouce, Co. Wicklow
• 26. Bray Head, Co. Wicklow
• 27. Tibradden via Ticknock, Co. Dublin
• 28. The Bog of Frogs Loop, Howth, Co. Dublin
• 29. Clogherhead Walk, Co. Louth
• 30. Carnavaddy, Cooley Mountains, Co. Louth
• 31. Slieve Foye, Cooley Mountains, Co. Louth

The Midlands

• 32. Iron Mountain, Co. Leitrim
• 33. Mullaghmeen Forest, Co. Westmeath
• 34. Lakeland Trails, Co. Westmeath
• 35. Croghan Hill, Co. Offaly
• 36. Glenbarrow Loop, Slieve Blooms, Co. Laois/Co. Offaly
• 37. Giant's Grave to Silver River Gorge, Co. Laois/Co. Offaly
• 38. Silvermines Ridge, Co. Tipperary
• 39. Brandon Hill, Co. Kilkenny

The North

• 40. Slieve League, Co. Donegal
• 41. Glencolmcille to the Sturrall, Co. Donegal
• 42. Mount Errigal, Co. Donegal
• 43. Dunseverick Castle to the Giant's Causeway, Co. Antrim
• 44. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Co. Antrim
• 45. Fair Head, Co. Antrim
• 46. Cave Hill, Belfast, Co. Antrim
• 47. Slieve Donard, Mourne Mountains, Co. Down
• 48. Slieve Binnian, Mourne Mountains, Co. Down
• 49. Slieve Gullion, Co. Armagh
• 50. Cuilcagh: Stairway to Heaven and Summit, Co. Cavan/Co. Fermanagh