Next month I'm taking my first trip to Ireland (two weeks). I would like to take a several hour long hike, preferably along unpaved, fairly rugged terrain (Ireland's equivalent of Path of the Gods along Italy's Amalfi Coast).
I'd appreciate your suggestions; links to IG, Flickr or other online images of your Ireland hike are welcome. Thanks.
We've had good luck with this website in the past:
http://www.irishtrails.ie/
http://www.wildatlanticway.com/stories/hiking-and-walking/5-exhilarating-hikes-on-the-wild-atlantic-way
You can hike the Gap of Dunloe as well.
And be sure to ask the locals where they suggest.
Lovely country, lovelier people. Enjoy your two weeks.
Sean,
I've gone on three hikes in Ireland.
I have a great recommendation: Croagh Patrick. I climbed it in 1997. Here is some background: http://www.croagh-patrick.com/visitorcentre/need-know. The mountain trail is unpaved and fairly rugged (and a even bit dicey in a few spots, but just a few).
Croagh Patrick is in northwest Ireland near a town called Westport in County Mayo. It's the holy mountain of Ireland. The story is St. Patrick prayed for the souls of the Irish on its summit for the biblical 40 days and 40 nights. He chose it for prayer because it had been used for pagan bonfires previously. There is a chapel on the summit. The mountain is only 2,500 feet high. I climbed it in 2.5 hours. The mountain almost perfectly conical. On a clear day, the views of Clew Bay are stunning. If you do this climb, make sure you see Rockfleet Castle on the opposite shore of Clew Bay.
I've also hiked two 100-mile long trails, including the Wicklow Way (http://www.wicklowway.com/) in eastern Ireland. It starts (or ends, depending on direction) from Dublin's Marlay Park, a city park. It's pretty rugged and unpaved. The best section is around Glendalough.
Also, I've hiked the Dingle Way (http://www.dingleway.com/) in southwestern Ireland. It's slightly better than the Wicklow Way, because of the drop-dead views of the Atlantic Ocean and Dingle Bay, but remote. It's mostly along unpaved paths. The best section is around Mount Brandon, which the trail crosses, on the north coast. The Dingle Way is packed with thousands of Irish antiquities. It's the real Celtic experience.
In addition to all this, I've heard good things about the Kerry Way (http://www.kerryway.com/), which is immediately south of Dingle on the Kerry Peninsula, and the Western Way (http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Western-Way---Galway/37/).
Hope this helps. Cheers.
Robert, Claudia & Craig, thanks to each of you for your replies.
Using all of your input, I'm trekking through the Dingle Way and climbing Croagh Patrick. I'm also looking at extending my trip a day or so to hike either Mt. Errigol or Slieve League in Donegal.
If anyone can recommend one location over the other, please do.
I continue to be impressed with this RS travel community. Smart AND civil?! You folks may yet restore my faith in people on the internet. Which is to say, thanks again for the thoughtful input.
Sean,
I am in Dingle right now and yesterday did a great hike with Kevin O'Shea and met his wife Claire. Kevin is a local and knows these trails and mountains and Claire has helped arranged lodging, ect. You can find them at Celtic Guided Walking tours with Kevin O'Shea and by going to trip advisor. You may not need someone like this but it made my time in Dingle so memorable because I understand more of what I was hiking and the mythology of the land, mountains and sea. Simply outstanding. The weather has changed everyday and basically every couple of hours.
Enjoy ,
Kathy
Sean,
I'm thrilled you're planning to walk the Dingle Way. It was among the most enjoyable things I have ever done. Here is an organization, Ireland Walk Hike Bike, that provides a number of services, including on the Dingle Way: http://www.irelandwalkhikebike.com/ .
Let me know if you have questions about the trek.
Cheers, Craig
