© Fáilte Ireland/Tourism Ireland
Discover Ireland's unspoilt nature in its national parks
Hiking Collection by Irland
13
Tours
29:09 h
58.8 mi
7,575 ft
National parks are the epitome of unspoilt nature and make the nature lover's heart beat faster. Ireland – known throughout the world as the ‘Emerald Isle’ – has six beautiful national parks that invite you to explore mountain ranges, coastlines, lakes and forests. Often quite small in size, these areas offer diverse habitats and landscapes rarely found anywhere else in the world.
We’ve selected 13 walking Tours that offer you the widest possible range of natural treasures and experiences within Ireland's national parks.
Ballycroy National Park is home to one of the largest rainforests in Europe. Here, you discover a landscape of extensive bogs and river habitats.
If you're more into heights, you can try the walking routes in Connemara National Park. There, a 440-metre-high (1,440 ft) mountain awaits you, as well as high moors and heaths. Wicklow Mountains National Park, the largest national park in Ireland, also has mountains with spectacular views to thrill you.
Glenveagh National Park is the second largest national park in Ireland. Its role as a nature reserve is significant, with a variety of landscapes ranging from densely wooded lakeside valleys to mountain peaks, where different vegetation zones have developed. You can discover this beautiful nature on two Tours.
Killarney National Park is not only the most popular national park, but also the first national park to be designated as such in Ireland. You can explore its landscape of fairytale forests, wild mountain rivers and picturesque lakes via three Tours in this Collection. Finally, fascinating karst landscapes with phenomenal rock formations await you in the Burren National Park.
All Tours are designed as circular walks, so you don't have to worry about how to get back to your starting point. In addition, the national parks are well connected to the regional bus network if you are travelling in Ireland without your own car.
Dublin is the easiest airport to fly to from abroad but there are some connections to regional airports Kerry, Shannon, Cork and Ireland West Airport Knock. You can find a current flight schedule at ireland.com/plan-your-trip/travel/getting-to-ireland.
So, what's stopping you? Come and discover the unspoilt nature of Ireland.
On The Map
Tours & Highlights
- Intermediate03:406.60 mi1.8 mph900 ft925 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On this approximately ten kilometer circular route you will get to know the special features of the Ballycroy National Park. Sturdy shoes and good surefootedness are a must.
The start and finish point is the picnic area at Brogan Carroll Bothy. From here you hike counterclockwise on the Letterkeen Loop…
by Irland
- Easy00:291.18 mi2.5 mph0 ft25 ftEasy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
How about a little trip to Ballycroy National Park? The Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail invites you to explore the stony bay of Claggan Mountain on a small tour.
From the parking lot you start the small round tour on a wooden plank path. This leads you safely along the coast without even getting your feet…
by Irland
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- Easy00:371.33 mi2.2 mph175 ft175 ftEasy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Sruffaunboy Walk, which is just over two kilometers long, gives you a first impression of what awaits you in Connemara National Park.
From the parking lot, the path first leads you past the tea room and the picnic area. It's easy uphill until you have a fabulous view of the 400 meter high Diamond…
by Irland
- Intermediate02:184.33 mi1.9 mph1,125 ft1,125 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Diamond Hill Trail is a popular circular route, as it leads to the highest point in the region, from where you get a great panoramic view of the national park region.
For you, the almost seven-kilometer circular route begins at the visitor parking lot, diagonally across from the Old Monastery Hostel…
by Irland
- Intermediate03:528.40 mi2.2 mph1,000 ft1,100 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Old Kenmare Road is a great hiking trail for getting up close and personal with the highlands of Killarney National Park. The diversity of nature will inspire you on the way. You will overcome some hills, but the great views of the surrounding landscape are worth every effort.
Your tour begins at…
by Irland
- Intermediate03:257.77 mi2.3 mph600 ft600 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Muckross Lake Loop takes you around 13 kilometers around Muckross Lake. The start and finish point is near the Muckross House.
Passing the Muckross House, you can admire the stately garden and park. The complex also includes an arboretum that you pass by. As soon as you have passed it, there are wonderful…
by Irland
- Intermediate02:534.86 mi1.7 mph1,125 ft1,125 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the almost eight kilometers long hiking trail you will be led to the top of the Torc Mountains with a spectacular panoramic view. This trail is one of the most popular hiking routes within Killarney National Park.
The Torc Mountain Trail begins and ends at the Upper Torc car park. The first few kilometers…
by Irland
- Easy00:481.93 mi2.4 mph50 ft50 ftEasy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
On two interlinked hiking loops, you will get to know the Burren National Park for just under three kilometers. The start and finish point of this hike is the parking lot, which is located directly on the L1112. There is also a bus stop here.
At the beginning of your tour you can get a first picture of…
by Irland
- Intermediate02:314.72 mi1.9 mph475 ft475 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On this beautiful circular hike you will explore the fascinating karst landscape of the Burren National Park. Exciting rock formations, wonderful views and an exciting, rocky path await you. The terrain is a bit demanding, but the stamina is not stressed too much at 150 meters above sea level.
The round…
by Irland
- Intermediate03:175.87 mi1.8 mph975 ft975 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the just over nine kilometers long circular route, the spectacular Glendalough Valley awaits you with a small waterfall, great views of the valley and a fascinating ruin of a former mining settlement.
Right at the beginning of your tour you have to master a steep climb, but the effort is worth it…
by Irland
- Intermediate02:164.86 mi2.1 mph675 ft700 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Glendalough is a valley that lies in the Wicklow Mountains. It is best known for its monastery settlement, which you will get to know on this approximately eight-kilometer hike through the valley. In addition, you will master a small ascent, but where a great view of the Glendalough valley awaits you…
by Irland
- Easy00:361.42 mi2.4 mph75 ft75 ftEasy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
If you are visiting Glenveagh National Park for the first time, this two-kilometer circular route is an ideal introduction tour to get to know the national park.
The start and finish point of this short hike is the parking lot, which is located directly at the Glenveagh National Park Visitor Center. From…
by Irland
- Intermediate02:275.58 mi2.3 mph425 ft425 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
On this beautiful nine kilometer tour you can expect great views of the lake Lough Veagh and the stately country house Glenveagh Castle with its beautiful castle garden from the Victorian era. The terrain is mostly flat, only at Glenveagh Castle you have to climb a few meters on the way to the castle…
by Irland
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Collection Stats
- Tours13
- Distance58.8 mi
- Duration29:09 h
- Elevation7,575 ft
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