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Ellie on the summit of Cnoc na Toinne in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Co. Kerry There are so many great trails in Ireland - too many to choose from! Whether youre looking for open mountains, or accessible meanders, I have a recommendation for everyone this year. All of these trails are single day hikes, and some can also be split into shorter sections. Ive listed these trails roughly from easier to harder, and reference our hillwalking and trail grading ratings for each trail, which you can learn about here. 1. The Boyne Valley Camino Location: Drogheda, Co. LouthDistance: 25kmTime: 6 - 10 Hours The Boyne Valley Camino is a fantastic, accessible trail that loops around Drogheda in a figure-eight. The highlights of this trail are the ways it connects to the local history, and truly mirrors the experience of walking a camino route in Spain. Starting in the centre of town, you walk a mixture of small roads and forest paths for the day. There are stamps to collect en route, just like a traditional Spanish camino, and there are plenty of spots along the trail to stop for breaks. Start / End Point: Information board beside St Peter's Church, Drogheda (here on google maps)Trail difficulty: EasyRead the full trail write up hereWatch the full trail video on YouTubeIf 25km in one go is overwhelming, this trail can be divided into two halves thanks to its shape, leaving you with a 12km and 13km loop. This trail is for those looking for easy walking and lots of history. It is not for someone looking for wilderness or technical terrain. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 2. Lough Meelagh Loop Location: Co. RoscommonDistance: 11kmTime: 2 - 3hrs The Lough Meelagh Loop is a section of the local long distance trail - the Miners Way & Historical Trail. Now that I live in the north-west of Ireland, I have to advocate for the beautiful walking you can find here! One of my favourite elements of this route is the fact that it takes you through so much old, deciduous forest. This area of the country is littered with lakes and pockets of plant life that other areas have lost.Start / End Point: Looped route from Knockranny Woods Car Park (google maps here)Trail Difficulty: Easy Read the full trail write up hereWatch the full trail video on YouTubeThroughout this walk youll be following small woodland trails, grassy lakeshores, and twisting Irish roads. This trail is a prime example of making the most of what the landscape has to offer, and really immerses walkers into the surroundings.Fitting well within the easy trail definition, there are styles, mucky sections, and rough ground underfoot. If you happen to find yourself in this corner of the world, this is a great way to pass an afternoon. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 3. Knocknarea & Queen Maeves Trail Location: Co. SligoDistance: 8kmTime: 90mins - 140mins Knocknarea is one of Sligos most iconic peaks. While there have been walking routes around and across Knocknarea for years, it was in 2015 when the current trails were put in place. The route is now known as Queen Maeves Trail; named after the legend that the huge cairn and tomb on the summit of the hill is her resting place. An Irish warrior queen from over 2,000 years ago, she was the Queen of Connacht, and the myths that surround her are as wild as the west coast landscape.Start / End Point: Looped route from Sligo Rugby Car Park (google maps here)Trail Difficulty: Easy Read the full trail write up hereWatch the full trail video on YouTubeIve walked and run this route several times since moving to the North-West of Ireland, and its still one of my favourite spots to go for a couple of hours of energetic walking. On a sunny day, I love how the light plays through the trees, lighting up the vibrant mosses near the bog-bridge. Once out onto the hillside the path returns to grass and gravel, the ascent slowing as the trail makes the final few hundred meters across the plateau summit to Queen Maeves Tomb - the massive cairn that you can see from miles around. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 4. The White Loop Glendalough (The Spinc Trail) Location: Co. WicklowDistance: 9kmTime: 90mins - 140mins The Glendalough White Route is a 9km looped trail that starts at the Upper Lake in Glendalough, taking you along the valley floor, through the Miners Village, up the top of the valley and across The Spinc boardwalk. Possibly one of Irelands most famous mountain valleys, Glendalough is an incredibly beautiful place to visit.Start / End Point: Looped route from the upper glendalough car park (google maps here)Trail Difficulty: Easy Read the full trail write up hereWatch the full trail video on YouTubeAt the upper lake the info board for all the trails, and the first markers for this trail, are outside of the small white building that is home to the info centre. From here you head around to the Miners Road, which runs along the north side of the lake. The road is closed to traffic, and the sand-coloured compacted gravel is reminiscent the mining that happened back in the 1800s. This stretch is relaxing, raised slightly above the lakeshore and lined with scots pine, it twists gently with the folds of the valley wall. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 5. St. Kevins Way Location: Co. WicklowDistance: 26kmTime: 6 - 8hrs St. Kevins Way is an ancient path, said to follow in the footsteps of the Irish saint as he travelled through Wicklow to find a remote corner of nature for his hermitage. Reputedly born in 498AD, there is little that can be said for definite on his life, but he has inspired many tales in this area, and born a beautiful walking trail.Start / End Point: Linear trail from the village of Hollywood - Glendalough Monastic City. Trail Difficulty: Easy Read the full trail write up hereWatch the full trail video on YouTubeCovering everything from roads and boreens to forest trails, raised boardwalk, and open foothills, this route takes you on all the best kinds of surfaces Irish hiking has to offer! This is a well way-marked trail, using a twist on Irelands traditional yellow walking man way-marker by having a yellow saintly figure as the path finder. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 6. The MacGillycuddys Reeks Location: Co. KerryTrail Difficulty: Easy - Strenuous Unlike my previous recommendations, this recommendation is for an area as opposed to a specific trail. The MacGillycuddys Reeks (simply known as the reeks) is the mountain range home to Irelands tallest peaks. But not only are they the tallest - they are also beautiful. There are so many trails around Kerry and the Reeks - check out the map below to find inspiration of trails: The two routes Im highlighting are: Cronins Yard Looped WalkDistance: 8kmTime: 120minsTrail Difficulty: Easy Start / End Point: Looped route from Cronins YardMore info: Sport Ireland Outdoors, and Sport Ireland Map.This National Looped Walk is the perfect way to experience the mountains, without climbing any! This trail takes you up through Hags Glen, the valley most people walk trough to climb Caurantoohil, Irelands highest mountain. It starts and finishes in Cronins Yard, where youll find the most wonderful family who run a cafe, car park, campsite, and glamping! If youve any questions about the mountains, they are the ones to ask. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize The Coomloughra HorseshoeDistance: 13kmTime: 8hrsDifficulty: Strenuous Start / End Point: Looped route from Hydro Road.More info: Kerry Mountain Rescue info page. For more experienced parties the complete Coomloughra Horseshoe which includes Irelands three highest peaks is an option. This takes in the spectacularly exposed knife-edge of the Beenkeeragh Ridge, but this is only for those with a head for heights and should not be attempted at all in windy conditions. Allow 6 hours for the Caher-Carrauntoohil-Caher trip and 8 hours for the full horseshoe. - Kerry Mountain RescueThe Coomloughra Horseshoe is an absolutely stunning mountain traverse, taking in many of Irelands highest peaks. It is the first route that Ive shared on Tough Soles that falls into the Strenuous grade/difficulty, and should not be attempted lightly. However, if you have the mountain experience, it is an incredible experience, with narrow ridge crossings and spectacular views. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize There are so many incredible hikes in Ireland, and Ive tried to curate a bit of a mix in this post. Some routes are ones youve probably heard about - such as the Spinc in Glendalough - which is the perfect example of somewhere that is famous for its beauty, and rightly so. Including loops like Lough Meelagh in Co. Roscommon, Im hoping to highlight some of the lesser known spots for anyone looking for the quite solitude that we sometimes need in nature. Wherever you end up in 2025, I hope you get to experience the connection and peacefulness that Ive found in the Irish hills.