Take a hike
How about putting your best foot forward and taking that well deserved hike?
Start with the Dublin Mountains Way (DMW) – it’s named one of the most scenic routes in the world.
You know you are on the right road when you hear it was listed in the 2015 edition of 1001 Walks You Must Experience Before You Die.
The walk is 43km of trail from moderate to challenging. Begin at Shankill and end at Tallaght. The DMW can be divided into three sections: Shankill to Threerock, Threerock to Hellfire and Hellfire to Tallaght.
The first thing you’ll see is Bohernabreena Reservoir - where most of South Dublin city’s water comes from. If you look really hard you will also be able to make out the legendary Hellfire Club, the nickname given to Montpelier Hill.
It’s a very safe walk with a number of volunteer groups patrolling the mountains to make sure everyone feels comfortable. That includes the volunteer rangers and the Mountain Meithel Group.
The Mountain Meithel Group have recently been building tracks near Ticknock, Massey’s Wood, The Scalp, Cruagh and Fairy Castle.
The high point is at the landmark lead mines at Carrigollogan, with spectacular views. The entire route is now fully waymarked with the standard yellow walking man symbol. The sections where the Wicklow Way and the Dublin Mountains Way run alongside are signed ‘DMW’ and ‘WW’.
Dublin Mountains Loop Trail
This is a 19.6km loop trail near Woodtown, South Dublin. It’s a favourite for its great forest setting and it works well for most levels of fitness.
The trail is a real step back in time where you can walk in the footprints of the Neolithic (late Stone Age) and Bronze Ages. The trail also takes in the circular route around the northern fringes of the mountains.
If you keep an eye out you might get a chance to see the wedge tombs, which because of their shape – wide at the entrance and then narrowing and sloping towards the back – are unique in the culture of Ireland.
The Wicklow Way
This is around 130km long and crosses the Wicklow Maintains from Marley Park in Dublin, to Clonegal in County Carlow. It is one of the most popular walks in Ireland and is usually split in seven sections.
The scenery is stunning and includes the Powerscourt Waterfall and Lough Tay – also known as the Guinness Lake, or Glendalough.
The Cliff Walk Bray
If you like to be beside the seaside, then get to Bray and take in the magnificent 7km Cliff Walk stretching to Greystones. Its attraction is in the magnificent views and in its suitability for all walkers.
You begin your walk on the bandstand on the Bray Promenade and follow through up to Bray Head, and step into a wonderland totally brimming with wildlife and colourful flowers. You can also begin your journey at Raheen Park, taking a kilometre off your walk.
Keep an eye on the surfaces which can vary in places. If you are lucky you will see the well camouflaged common lizard. If you are even luckier you will see dolphins, black harbour porpoises and basking sharks.
The DMW is one of 14 Irish trails listed by Fáilte Ireland including the Antrim Hills Way, the Burren Way, the Causeway Coast Way, Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail, the Dingle Way, Grand Canal Way, Great Southern Trail, Keenagh Loop Walk, the Arigna Miner’s Way, St. Finbarr’s Pilgrim Walk, the Táin Way, the Tipperary Heritage Way, the Wicklow Ways and the Kerry Way.