Glendalough Monastic City, the end of Saint Kevins Way Ireland has a rich history of traditions, worship, and folklore. This deep well has created and inspired many a walk - be it purely the necessities of everyday life that become ritual, or a pilgrimage that takes walkers across the sea to see its completion. Over the past nine years, Ive walked four (or so) Irish routes and encountered many others that contain elements of pilgrimage, and have become fascinated by the sudden rise of more of these trails.Celtic CaminosThe Irish Camino Society has a list of routes that have been approved as trails to walk ahead of continuing on to Spain to complete a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The Camino Society Ireland is a voluntary organisation, founded in 1992 by returned pilgrims to give something back to the Camino and to future pilgrims. We offer an opportunity to all those interested in the Camino to meet and share practical information and experiences, especially with those intending to travel. We are non-political, non-profit, non-sectarian and non-denominational, encompassing all of Ireland and open to all. We foster an understanding and appreciation of the Caminos related history, art, architecture and music.Currently, they have 10 recommended routes all around the island of Ireland. If youre interested in walking one of these routes as part of completing a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, you will need to walk a minimum of 25km (all of these routes meet or exceed that), and then call into their office at St. Jamess in Dublin to collect an Irish Compostela, which certifies those 25km. Celtic Camino Routes 1. Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail, Mayo2. Tchar Phdraig, Mayo3. Kerry Camino, Kerry4. Sl r Sinsear, Kerry5. St. Finbarrs Way, Cork6. St. Declans Way, Tipperary - Waterford7. St. Kevins Way, Wicklow8. Bray Coastal Camino, Wicklow - Dublin9. Boyne Valley Camino, Louth10. Coalisland Camino, Tyrone (very new so not included in overview image) However, there are also the Pilgrim Paths of Ireland, which is another list of routes around the country inspired by the idea of walking as pilgrimage. While there are no specific distinctions between the two lists, the more time Ive spent with their trails, the closer I am to a vague overview. Pilgrim Paths of Ireland 1. Tchar Phdraig, Mayo2. Lough Derg, Donegal3. Brigids Way, Kildare4. St. Kevins Way, Wicklow5. St. Declans Way, Tipperary - Waterford6. St. Finbarrs Way, Cork7. Cnoc na dTobar, Kerry8. Cosn na Naomh, Kerry9. Dysert Pilgrim Path, Clare Pilgrim Paths of IrelandMy reading of the current list of the Pilgrim Paths of Ireland is that they are spiritual walks based on routes that were completed in penance (like the stations of the cross), or in the footsteps of a saint. These paths give me the impression of being more about the spiritual act of pilgrimage, and less about the enjoyment of a quality trail. However, a handful of these trails were developed decades ago as part of the Walks Scheme, and are legitimate, wonderful walks. The Celtic Camino Routes of Ireland is a more recent phenomenon, inspired by how walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain has transformed the concept of a walking holiday, and had such a distinct impact in Ireland. I dont mean to imply that these routes are less grounded in the history or the land they traverse - many also follow in the footsteps of famous Irish saints walking (like St. Kevins Way featuring on both lists), and some have been built off of records found of people sailing from there to Spain to complete their pilgrimages (such as the Boyne Valley Camino and the Kerry Camino). Ive typically found that the trails on the Celtic Camino routes insure there is a certain quality to the walking, and so more of these routes are developed to a Sport Ireland accreditation standard, while some of the pilgrim paths are descriptions of walking routes on roads with little signage.* So far, Ive done more Celtic Caminos than Pilgrim paths. And Ive a suspicion that some of the best routes might be the ones that have made it onto both lists. *There are, of course, exceptions to these generalisations; such as the Bray Coastal Camino has basically no way-marking, and just a PDF that describes the road directions (I think this is because the route follows roads with footpaths, so it didnt need to be formalised as such, which is a whole other thing); and I think theres been a push to make the pilgrim paths more official from the Heritage Council, Sport Ireland, and Rural Recreation Officers, and so better information has been appearing about the routes in the last 12 months or so. Trail OverviewsHeres a run down of the different routes, either reflecting on my own experience of the route, or the research Ive done on them so far. Im mixing the two lists below, as some trails are on both. Im starting with Mayo, and working my way clockwise around the island. 1. The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail, Co. Mayo Distance: 63km Duration: 2 - 3 Days Trail Grade: Easy - ModerateList: Celtic Camino RouteDescription: The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail is a 63km linear walk from Balla to Murrisk, in County Mayo. Passing through fields, boreens, and small sections of deciduous woodland, this trail links religious and ancient sites that all revolve around the worship of the mountain Croagh Patrick and the saint of the same name. The final section includes climbing onto the shoulder of the Reek, before the trail descends towards the village of Murrisk on the coast. Some walkers like to continue climbing the mountain before descending into the village, but this is not officially part of the route. Read the full write-up here | Watch the videoOfficial Trail Website | Sport Ireland Trail Overview Find the GPX on HiiKER | Buy the physical map from EastWest Mapping 2. Tchar Phdraig, Co. Mayo Distance: 35kmDuration: 1 - 2 DaysTrail Grade: Easy - ModerateList: Celtic Camino Route & Pilgrim PathDescription: Similar to the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail discussed above, the Tchar Phdraig finishes on the Reek. However, this walk begins at Ballintubber Abbey, almost 30km closer to the holy mountain. The two trails criss-cross each other as they both work their way west, with the Tchar Phdraig taking a slightly straighter route. To walk the route and obtain a pilgrim passport and pilgrim stamps, walkers are required to register with Ballintubber Abbey, and pay 30pp to walk as well as 5 for the passport. Find the GPX on HiiKER | Learn more from Ballintubber Abbey 3. Lough Derg, Co. Donegal Distance: 12kmDuration: 2 - 4hrs Trail Grade: EasyList: Pilgrim PathDescription: This one was such a surprise for me - I didnt know that there was a Lough Derg in Donegal (as I previously spent 3 days walking around another Lough Derg in Limerick), never mind that the lake has an island home to a large monastery (the Sanctuary of Saint Patrick) that people would go to on a multi-day pilgrimage. Up until 2020, completing the pilgrim route here involved travelling to the island and undertaking a spiritual retreat. However, they have now developed a 12km trail along the lakeshore, which:follows in the footsteps of the medieval pilgrims not to Station Island where pilgrims normally go today, but to the threshold of the larger Saints Island, which acted as its gateway several hundred years ago. The focus of the legendary St Patricks Purgatory, Station Island, was a deep pit in which those who spent a day and a night would allegedly be purged of their sins, experiencing both the torments of the damned and the delights of the blessed - Pilgrim Paths of IrelandFind the GPX on HiiKER | Read more on the Monastery Website | Sport Ireland Trail Overview 4. Coalisland Camino, Co. Tyrone Distance: 26kmDuration: 1 DayTrail Grade: EasyList: Celtic Camino RouteDescription: This is the newest Celtic camino route to come to the island of Ireland. This camino has been developed after members of the Friends2Talk mental health group walked in Spain and were inspired by their experience: Recognising the transformative impact such a pilgrimage can have on emotional and mental well-being, they envisioned creating a local Camino rooted in the landscape, culture, and history of Coalisland and its surrounding areas. With aid from The National Lottery Community Fund, Friends2Talk created the Coalisland Camino. - Coalisland Camino WebsiteI have not walked this route, however based on my research the first 7km follow the Coalisland Canal Walk, and the remaining 19km are all along rural roads. The group developing the trail have clearly put in a lot of work, as there appear to be at least 13 (maybe 18) stamps that you can collect along the way (some may only be available during organised group walks). There does not seem to be any way-marking on the ground, but there is a Google Maps route and written description of the walk on the website. Read more on their website 5. Boyne Valley Camino, Co. Louth Distance: 25km Duration: 1 DayTrail Grade: EasyList: Celtic Camino Route Description: Starting in Drogheda, the trail is shaped like a figure-eight. The route starts by heading west along the northern side of the River Boyne to Townley Hall Woods, the centre of the eight shape. This is where the trail crosses itself - continuing on you will now be on the south-west side of Townley Hall Woods. Once at Mellifont Abbey, you return through the village of Tullyallen and the northern side of the woods. Making it back to the trail junction, the route takes you along the south side of the River Boyne on the gorgeous greenway all the way into the centre of Drogheda. This is a very accessible walk, with no stiles, but some steps and forest trails. This figure-eight format means that you can split the trail into two 13km loops, which is great for anyone building up to walking longer days. It does feature more road walking than some might like, but when I walked the route, it really reminded me of walking Camino routes across Spain, which is a pretty good indicator to me! Read the full write-up here | Watch the video Find the GPX on HiiKER | Official Trail Website | Sport Ireland Trail Overview 6. Bray Coastal Camino, Co. Wicklow - Dublin Distance: 30+kmDuration: 1 - 2 DaysTrail Grade: EasyList: Celtic Camino RouteDescription: The Bray Coastal Camino is one of the less well developed routes from the Celtic Camino list. Starting on the Bray seafront, theres a general description of a route in the PDF overview (linked below) that takes you up along the coast of Dublin City, all the way into the docks and back along the River Liffey, until you arrive at St. James's Gate and the Camino Societys office. There is almost no way-marking, apart from a couple of camino shells placed haphazardly throughout the total distance. Possibly one of the reasons that theres not a more formal route is that the whole way follows roads with footpaths. Despite these possible negatives, I am still excited to walk this myself, and have been collecting a list of places to stop at to collect stamps. PDF Overview of the Route | Learn more from the Camino Society 7. St. Kevins Way, Co. Wicklow Distance: 26kmDuration: 1 - 2 Days Trail Grade: Easy - ModerateList: Celtic Camino Route & Pilgrim PathDescription: 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 borne a beautiful walking trail.Read the full write-up here | Watch the video Find the GPX on HiiKER | buy the physical map from EastWest Mapping | Sport Ireland Trail Overview 8. Brigids Way, Co. Kildare Distance: 152kmDuration: 6 - 9 DaysTrail Grade: easyList: Pilgrim PathDescription: Brigids Way seems to be the least developed route on this list. It is entirely along roads (including National roads), has no way-marking and no accreditation. This trail has been developed by a group who want to explore the spiritual side of walking, and have linked together many sites associated with or named after St. Brigid. They run group events along the route they have put together. I look forward to the possibility of this being developed into a more formal trail. Official Website 9. St. Declans Way, Co. Tipperary - Co. Waterford Distance: 117kmDuration: 4 - 6 Days Trail Grade: Easy - ModerateList: Celtic Camino Route & Pilgrim PathDescription: St. Declans Way has been on my to do list since 2019, and by all accounts it is a really nice trail! Taking you from Cashel to Ardmore, this walk crosses the Tipperary Heritage Way and the East Munster Way, climbing the tail end of the Knockmealdown Mountains before finally reaching the coast at Ardmore. The official website writes that St. Declans Way has been developed as: a modern route which follows a number of ancient pilgrim pathways including St. Declans Road, Casn na Naomh (path of the saints), Bthar na Naomh (road of the saints) and the Rian B Phadraig (track of St. Patricks cow). The route was first described in detail by Canon Patrick Power in 1905. Ardmore Enterprise Co-operative produced a wonderful map brochure in 1994 which is still in circulation. The brochure lists 64 sites of historic, natural and archaeological significance along St. Declans Way. The route shown was also described by Siobhan Lincoln of Ardmore in her book Along St. Declans Way.find the GPX on HiiKER | Sport Ireland Trail Overview | Official Website 10. St. Finbarrs Way, Co. Cork Distance: 36kmDuration: 1 - 2 Days Trail Grade: ModerateList: Celtic Camino Route & Pilgrim PathDescription: St. Finbarrs Way is one of the older pilgrim paths that I know about - it was actually one of the original six pilgrim paths that was officially developed as part of the Walks Scheme (which is something that I can usually use as a guide to know that this will be a good trail). According to the Sheeps Head Way website (which has so much information about trails all over West Cork), the history of walking to St. Finbarrs hermitage in Gougane Barra has been around for centuries, with local tradition recalling that St. Finbarr arrived at the Top of the Rock in the sixth century and admonished the people to return to Christ, after which he made his way to Gougane Barra.While the Sport Ireland overview isnt extensive, what it does say rings loud; St. Finbarr's Way provides two days of outstanding scenery, fascinating heritage and folklore, and a truly breath taking descent into the ancient hermitage of Cork's most famous Saint. I am really looking forward to getting to walk this trail sometime soon. find the GPX on HiiKER | Sport Ireland Trail Overview | Sheeps Head Way Website 11. Sl r Sinsear, Co. Kerry Distance: 29kmDuration: 1 - 2 DaysTrail Grade: Easy - ModerateList: Celtic Camino RouteDescription: This route follows much of the Kerry Way from Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen, with a couple of minor detours, and so I have walked much of it, even if I wasnt aware of its existence at the time. This area is beautiful; walking along stretches of open hillsides and with stunning views of the coast and the Dingle Peninsula.As far as Im aware, there are no specific way-markers for this route, and so you need to pay close attention to the route notes (linked below), so you know when to detour off from the Kerry Way. Read the Kerry Way write-up | Watch the Kerry Way video find the route notes here 12. Cnoc na dTobar, Co. Kerry Distance: approx. 8km total and 690m of elevationDuration: 2 - 4hrs Trail Grade: ModerateList: Pilgrim RouteDescription: So technically Ive already done this route when completing the Vandeleur-Lynams Mountain Project (on day 45). Along a boreen heading to Coonanna Harbour, theres a small, rustic carpark on the right. From here, there are signs and stations of the cross all the way up to the summit. The path underfoot is rough - made from the passage of people rather than built for walking. On a good weather day, the views are gorgeous. While now a more Christian-focused pilgrimage, there are centuries of history associated with this mountain.Watch the video (Vandeleur-Lynams Reel) find the GPX on HiiKER | Read more on the Pilgrim Paths website 13. The Kerry Camino, Co. Kerry Distance: 60kmDuration: 3 DaysTrail Grade: EasyList: Celtic Camino RouteDescription: The Kerry Camino follows the first three stages of the Dingle Way. The story goes that Saint Brendan (born along the North Kerry Way)travelled from Dingle and across the seas to spread Christianity, eventually reaching North America. Pilgrims in the past would also sail from Dingle to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago, so Dingle is a fitting place for the Kerry Camino.What was most noticeable from the very start of the walk, was that the Kerry Camino has added extra infrastructure to the trail in the forms of extra signage, benches, and stamping stations - of which you need a minimum of 8 stamps to get a certificate at the end in Dingle. Read the full write-up here | Watch the videoFind the GPX on HiiKER | Buy the physical map from EastWest Mapping | Official Trail Website | Sport Ireland Overview for the Dingle Way 14. Cosn na Naomh, Co. Kerry Distance: 18kmDuration: 1 DayTrail Grade: EasyList: Pilgrim PathDescription: Cosn na Naomh (the Saints Road), is by all accounts a lovely walk inland from Ventry to the base of Mount Brandon on the Dingle Peninsula. Sport Ireland writes that: Cosn na Naomh is one of Ireland's most fascinating and beautiful old pilgrimage roads. It presents no major challenge, even for the casual walker, as it only climbs one hill and otherwise weaves its way gently up and down from the beach at Ceann Tr (Ventry) to the foot of Brandon Mountain. The scenery is spectacular with a constant vista of sea or mountain and often both.However, I have also read that (similar to the pilgrimages around Croagh Patrick), while the route doesnt officially go up to the summit, it intends to leave that option open to you. A few years ago at a MountainViews Gathering I listened to a fascinating talk all about the long history of pilgrimage associated with Mount Brandon (and how much it became a huge local industry, with locals working as guides and running hostels, reminding me somewhat of what Spain is like these days). What might make an interesting loop would be to link this with the Dingle Way and make a long-weekend loop around the western end of the peninsula.Find the GPX on HiiKER | Buy the physical map from EastWest Mapping | Sport Ireland Trail Overview 15. Dysert Pilgrim Path, Co. Clare Distance: 8kmDuration: 2 - 3hrsTrail Grade: EasyList: Pilgrim PathDescription: I have not walked this route, but I have walked the Mid Clare Way, which I think shares some small sections. I found the written directions for this path extremely hard to line up with any maps I was looking at, so whether the route is 8km, and where it goes exactly, is unclear to me. However, in this general area there are some incredibly old churches, round towers, and high crosses that I think are worth a visit if that is something youre interested in, such as Dysert ODea Church or Quin Friary. Read more on the Pilgrim Paths Website The Kerry Camino, Dingle Reflections on the trails: Routes that are on my To-Do list:St. Finbarrs Way, Co. CorkBray Coastal Camino, Co. DublinSt. Declans Way, Co. TipperaryCosn na Naomh, Co. KerryTchar Phdraig, Co. Mayo My favourites that Ive walked:St. Kevins Way, Co. WicklowBoyne Valley Camino, Co. LouthThe Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail, Co. Mayo As you can see, theres a real mix between all these routes - some are trails with history, others are new passion projects by locals. Wherever you end up, I think you will have a memorable experience. Excluding the Bray Coastal Camino, any routes that I mention that do not having their own way-marking: I would recommend holding off on walking until the routes have been vetted and approved for walking. All access to land in Ireland is built on permissive access agreements, and takes a lot of work from Rural Recreation Officers and Local Authorities. Let me know if there are other pilgrimage routes that youve come across (eg. I know theres a Mass Path route across the Sheeps Head Peninsula) and would recommend me exploring!

Madeira is a tiny portuguese island, adrift way out in the Atlantic, in the outermost region of the european union. This small archipelago has become one of the most iconic outdoor meccas in Europe, and has been on my bucket list for many years.However, this fame has come with a price - and if I was going to Madeira, I wanted to get a chance to experience its wild beauty from the lesser travelled trails. Which is how I ended up back on a Trails & Roots camp this summer.And so one day of travel and a Ryanair flight later, I woke up in the city of Funchal, under azure blue skies, surrounded by good coffee and the rustle of lizards scurrying for cover. The first day is almost like orientation. All the campers arrive at our home for the week - a sprawling house and gardens, the kind I only expect to see in period movies or on a guided tour, much less sleep in myself. Once were assigned our rooms and have finished exploring the grounds, its time for a yoga session to get us limbered up and ready for the days ahead.Little do you realise that this is the start of falling into the daily rituals that bookend the otherworldly experiences that are the trails.. Hours and hours of climbing and descending single track paths, filling your time so thoroughly that days begin to feel like weeks. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize But Im getting ahead of myself - its night one, and after our incredible group meal, Heather appears with her calendar for the week, and our first day of trails is filled in. We discuss the route, gear, and breakfast times. That night, its the grand finale of the madeira firework festival, and I stand on the balcony with people Ive just met, watching the sky light up like nothing else.Lets get running. Our second day has a breakfast call of 6am, followed by 18km of the eastern sea cliffs. Daniel, our local legend and guide, tells us about Madeira and its incredible number of micro climates - we will only experience a selection of them on this trip. The volcanic rock here is rugged with red undertones, the trails having an almost arid feel. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize On day 3 our breakfast starts at 5:45, with the bus leaving at 7:30am. Being based in the Quinta in Funchal, each morning we have our own bus that brings us to and from the trail heads, meaning that all of our runs are point to point, getting to experience as much of the island as possible. For some, the twisting roads were nausea inducing, but for me, I feel like I spent most of that time staring out at the magic shapes that the mountains bent themselves into.Departing the bus, our next run took us along stunning lavadas to reach the 600 year old forests of fanal, famous for the perpetual mists and eerie trees. This is a very popular area, but thanks to our guides we came and went with only moments passing through the crowds. Again, this is why I came to Madeira with Trails & Roots - their local guides know the island better than the back of their hands, changing routes each year to offer the best experiences. I feel like we were ghosts in the mist, entering and leaving along our own quiet paths.We finished this day on one of the black sand beaches that are natural to Madeira, swimming in the sea, and eating a picnic while we dried off in the sun. Sitting there, electrolytes in one hand and a cookie in the other, my brain honestly found it hard to believe that the incredible sea cliffs, disappearing off into the distance, were real. The longer I stared, the more waterfalls I noticed, more wisps of cloud weaving with the trees, more green life spilling over into the ocean. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Our fourth day had the earliest alarm - we were heading to the trails for sunrise. And not only that, we had some of the first permits for the incredible PR1 to Pico Riuvo, the highest summit of Madeira. Even our guide Daniel was giddy with excitement that morning - this was his first time back on this trail since it had closed two years before from a wildfire. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize We hiked into our viewpoint for sunrise, bathing us and the ridgelines around us in a heavenly red glow of morning light.This was possibly our most technical day of trails - mostly due to the exposure and sheer steepness of the routes - which famously dont really come out on camera. So just believe me, it was like magic. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize What I havent mentioned so far, is that I came to trail camp with a hip injury - a week before I could barely walk. Some physio sessions and strong pain killers later, I decided Id come regardless, and if all I was able to do was take in the scenery and lounge by the house pool, then thats what Id do. Madeira is gorgeous whether or not you can run.Thankfully, my body held out for three of the five long runs, before it called a halt to my antics. And so for the final two days, I did small sections of the route solo, either returning to the bus start point, or being dropped close to the end of the route and walking down.I include this mostly to mention that its a normal part of these camps for some people to take a day off, or switch up how much they can do once theyre here. On day five, it was all about the tunnels and waterfalls, the route feeling like a tropical rainforest. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Day six was a descent through the ecological park above Funchal, finishing in the village of Monte. I got dropped five or so kilometres from the end, getting to take in a small bit of the park, and the summit of Pico Alto. I chose this section of the route because it was my Birthday, and ever since 2018, Ive visited a new summit to celebrate the day. I hiked in and called Carl at home, sharing the trail with him and the views out over the city. I cant finish this write-up without mentioning the food. Not only are the runs bespoke - all your meals are cooked by the most lovely, talented chefs. Our head chef for this camp was Greta, and I hope she knows just how mind-blowing the food was. Deconstructed lasagnes, reimagined madeiran food that had us all drooling, and a lemon tart that I will think about for the rest of my life. It was fine dining every night, with dishes magically disappearing as each course came and went. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize And a final mention for the house. I've never sat below such a grand chandelier while listing to a training workshop (shout out to Zandy for all the advice he shared across the week), our walked around as grand a study. It felt old and beautiful, but also human - the penciled in height markers of generations of this family caught my eye as I walked to the bathroom one evening, and made me imagine the many people who walked these halls before me. This has been made in collaboration with Trails & Roots! Thanks to Heather for organising a fantastic trip, and for facilitating me coming to camp to document the adventure once more. Trails & RootsTrails & Roots is a small, passion-driven Irish business founded by Heather Gordon.Heather organises & leads group trail running holidays in some of the world's most beautiful mountain destinations - from the iconic trails of Chamonix to Madeira's dramatic coastal paths, Slovenia's alpine peaks to Thailand's hidden jungle gems. Each Trail Camp is thoughtfully crafted to combine guided mountain runs, innovative cuisine created by the Trails & Roots Head Chefs, and a community of like-minded adventurers to share the experience with.Come for the Trails. Stay for the People. Come back for the Food.Check www.trailsandroots.com or@trailsandroots on Instagram Further ExploringIf you're interested in similar kinds of adventures, I also went to Thailand with Trails and Roots back in January 2025. Read my write up here, or watch the video version here.

The National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC) began as part of Irelands National Outdoor Recreation Strategy Embracing Irelands Outdoors, which was launched in November 2022, to encapsulate 2023 - 2027. As one of the speakers said during her presentation this year, for fear of death by steering committee, Im mostly going to be reflecting on my takeaways from the event, while sharing with you a couple of photos from the incredible Marble Arch caves that I got to explore beforehand (as truth be told, we all know what the inside of a conference room looks like). View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 1. The lens with which I see the Irish landscapeThe Irish landscape has been romanticised since long before we existed as an independent nation, and so tourism of our outdoors was never really a decision we made, but something that we took as a silver lining from the harsh realities of colonial impact.However that does not mean we had, within our own cultural identity and experience, a history of outdoor recreation. Going up the mountains was, until very recently, a niche pastime - or something you had to do as someone who worked the land. And I can say this with some authority, as even though Im only in my early 30s, the change weve gone through in the last 12 years is huge, never mind the previous decades (I also wrote my master thesis about it). In my short time living in this outdoors-focused space, Ive seen my fair share of intrepid project developments, and shiny new launches. Several of them I was hopeful for, but many of them I ended up disappointed by. Sometimes we prioritised the creation of new over the maintenance of what we already had. Sometimes, something good was created, but not rolled out or promoted on a country-wide scale, and so would fade away to be forgotten. And then sometimes, a project was slowly being crafted by many large groups and organisations, only to have someone completely unaware of how to go about development barge through with their own vision and cause catastrophe through ignorance. Each county had a different way of building trails and developing outdoor infrastructure. It became a mental gymnastics exercise remembering which area was managed by which department across different regions. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Which is all a lot of context for me to be able to say - something feels different this time. I missed the first NORC in Sligo, but spoke on a panel at Limerick last year, and came purely as an attendee this year in Cavan. As Ive driven home both years, Ive had the same feelings.2. Turning that lens on the nowIts hard to pinpoint the exact changes. I think its partially that, in this post-covid space, weve finally recognised the importance of our outdoor spaces on a legislative level. Our wilder outdoor places took a hammering during COVID, and while that high intensity recreation has now levelled off, I suspect it will never dip back down to what is was before. As someone who already spent a lot of time outside, it felt like during COVID all of the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and others in the outdoor sector were just trying to manage the volume of people going outside, and keep them (and the habitats) as safe as possible. Now that theres been some time to breathe, those at a higher governmental level (hello Dept. for Rural, Community Development and the Gaeltacht), are backing the work of those on the ground. Not only is everyone working to sing off the same hymn sheet - theyre now all being given the same music to work with too. I know so many wonderful, passionate people working to make the Irish outdoors a better place for recreation and conservation, and all they have needed were the backing and guidelines to build from.Things arent perfect - I think a lot of these individuals are still doing the jobs of five people, and that sentiment was reflected during the consultation workshop that Outscape ran at the conference. Schemes that are currently pilot programmes (like the Outdoor Recreation Officers) are wanted across all 26 counties; and trail crews like the teams who worked on Croagh Patrick and the Wicklow Mountains are seen as a necessity for both accessibility and conservation island-wide. 3. Looking forwardsOne of the final comments I heard in this workshop was someone asking, who is the target of the strategy, and how are we going to look at communicating what we have, to those who its being made for?This is an important question. How do we expand our cultural mindset so everyone has a good baseline when it comes to responsible recreation? How do we make the shift from consumers, to stewardship? Communication at the end of a long project is often the hardest part, as the slow dissemination through media and conversations is not easily measured.Which is partially why Im here. Let me tell you some of the progress to date from this work, and how you can get involved in shaping your outdoors.Every county has developed a County Outdoor Recreation Strategy, with 20 counties at the stage of Outdoor Recreation Committees, and at least 3 counties having completed their county level plans.Find links to County Outdoor Recreation Plans (CORPs) at the bottom of this article. E.g.: The launch of Sligos Plan: https://www.independent.ie/county/sligo/sligo-launches-irelands-first-outdoor-recreation-plan/a/150067772.html The Outdoor Recreation Officer pilot has launched, is running in 6 counties, and as I already mentioned, is being eagerly watched by all.Three new areas will be included in the Mountain Access Project (more below the CORPs), as well as a three year pilot of the Uplands Recreation Scheme introduced for the Reeks.The amendment to the Occupiers Liability Act now features more definitions for a distinct category of Recreationist, as well as a Voluntary Assumption of Risk, protecting land owners and hopefully encouraging more understanding towards those of us looking to explore the outdoors.How you can now help shape your outdoor spaces is to look up where your county (or the area you go for recreation) is in its development of a county outdoor recreation plan. Depending on what stage they are at, there may be forums you can attend, or submissions you can make. Having attended forums and stakeholder strategies in the counties around me, I can promise that you attending is a good thing for everyone. These plans need people to attend, to give input and feedback, to highlight how your sport or activity exists in that area.As Helen Lawless said in her piece for the Mountain Log; your knowledge of Irelands outdoor places can really add value to this process. The County Outdoor Recreation Plans are being developed through a collaborative process [and] as participants in outdoor recreation may travel from outside the county to avail of cliffs, caves, mountains or other amenities, the process should be inclusive of both the local community and those that regularly visit the area.At the time of writing, most counties should be getting close to establishing a Stakeholder Forum. This is somewhere for all interested people and organisations, including clubs that are active in the county, an opportunity to have their voice heard and to receive updates on what is happening in the county. - Helen Lawless (Helen also provides great recommendations in the form of a list of things to consider in relation to development when attending different meetings). Live illustration of the conference created by Ruth Graham I left the conference feeling hopeful and inspired. I left ready to learn more, and excited to try and distill things down in a way I can share online. Below youll find links to (or info about what stage theyre at) all the different county plans, and other interesting reads. County Outdoor Recreation Plans: Links to completed, draft plans, or related articles to the County Outdoor Recreation Plans (CORPs), as off 15th July 2026. Longford: published plan for 2025 - 2030Louth: have combined their Outdoor Recreation Plan with their Play Policy and Local Sports Plan to create one Active Louth project, which is not at its final stages of development. Mayo: published plan for 2026 - 2030Meath: CORP at final stagesMonaghan: published plan for 2025 - 2030Offaly: publish plan 2025 - 2029Roscommon: like Leitrim, they developed an Outdoor Recreation Strategy in 2023 before the existing format for CORPS was established.Sligo: published plan 2026 - 2030Tipperary: completed but not launched yet.Waterford: published plan 2025 - 2030 Westmeath: is being finalised with hopes of launching shortlyWexford: the public consultations for Wexfords CORP happened in March 2026, so a final plan is still a while away.Wicklow: published plan 2025 - 2030 Carlow: published plan 2025 - 2030Cavan: published plan, but broken link to PDFClare: Publicly visible draft of plan Cork: currently has a tender out for the development of their CORP (published June 2026)Donegal: published Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 - 2029 Dublin - Fingal: County Outdoor Recreation Plan 2025 - 2030Dublin - south: Because Dublin is a city, its less clear how / whats applicable. There is the Dublin Mountains Partnership Strategic Plan 2022 - 2026. Galway: is currently at the consultation phase, with 5 public consultations scheduled for this August 2026. Kerry: currently at the initial development stage of their CORPKildare: they had public consultations last year, still working on the CORP development.Kilkenny: is completed, but hasnt been launched yet.Laois: has completed their plan, and are awaiting final reports. They are hoping to launch is Autumn 2026.Leitrim: Leitrim had an existing outdoor recreation scheme that they are seeing out before considering a new one. Limerick: published plan for 2025 - 2030 The Mountain Access Project & Upland Recreation SchemeThe Mountain Access Project was launched in 2008 to work on developing access to upland areas for recreation. As far as Im aware, up until recently, the Reeks were the primary pilot area for this scheme (also an area of Galway, who have since decided to not continue with the scheme). In 2024, the Dept. RCDG put out a call for applications for new areas to apply. While I dont know conclusively which areas applied or have been successful, I have found a Comeragh Mountains Outdoor Recreation Strategy and Action Plan.These guidelines from Comhairle na Tuaithe for Mountain Access Projects is both easy to read, and really informative. The Reeks in Kerry have moved onto a different branch of the Mountain Access Project - the Upland Recreation Scheme. Only announced at the start of this year, this is a 3 year pilot that will fanincally support the landowners in managing recreational access, as well as fund the development and management of upland paths by the Helping the Hills programme for 2 years. Recently, I brought some friends hiking in the Reeks for the first time, and they were shocked to learn that these mountains are privately owned. They know that most land and upland areas in Ireland is private, but they had falsely assumed that these mountains were part of the national park. Over 64,000 people access these mountains every year, and I hope that a scheme like this will only have positive outcomes. The goal of the two-year Helping the Hills work programme is to provide training in upland path development, build the capacity of organisations to address path erosion in upland areas, and to capture and share learning from recent projects. The Helping the Hills Network was chosen as it consists of stakeholders active in upland path management. Mountaineering Ireland will take the lead responsibility for delivery of the programme. Reference links & Related Reading:National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC) Resources 2026: https://linktr.ee/embracingirelandsoutdoors Embracing Irelands Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/policy-information/embracing-irelands-outdoors-national-outdoor-recreation-strategy-2023-2027/Sport Ireland - Embracing Irelands Outdoors PDF: https://www.sportireland.ie/sites/default/files/media/document/2022-11/Embracing%20Irelands%20Outdoors.pdf Ellie Berry, On Foot: Introduction: https://www.ellieberry.com/blog/2021/on-foot-thesis-intro Photography and Ireland by Justin CarvilleOutscape and the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy for Ireland: https://out-scape.com/work/national-outdoor-recreation-strategy-for-ireland/ Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces 2 million in funding to develop Outdoor Recreation at a County LevelFunding of over 400,000 per year is also being made available by the Department of Rural and Community Development for new Outdoor Recreation Officer posts in 6 Local Sports Partnerships Clare, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Sligo and Waterford.This is part of a 3-year pilot programme which is being delivered in collaboration with Sport Ireland. These officers will provide expertise and guidance to the outdoor recreation sector in the county and will co-ordinate the development and the delivery of the County Outdoor Recreation Plan in their county.https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/press-releases/our-rural-future-minister-humphreys-announces-2-million-in-funding-to-develop-outdoor-recreation-at-a-county-level/ Croagh Patrick - Helping the Hills video (2023) from Mountaineering Ireland: https://youtu.be/YvClSrPBXxs?si=JN233JIMT7CKzPbFSugarloaf Trail Restoration Project, WicklowThe Sugarloaf Project is a long-term environmental initiative focused on conserving one of Irelands most iconic landscapes. Rather than creating a path for convenience, weve built it to protect the mountain the path is a happy coincidence of sustainability. Through sensitive planning, restoration, and upland path building, the project reduces the spread of human impact, enhances biodiversity, and ensures this landscape can thrive for generations to come.https://www.sugarloafwicklow.ie Updates to the Occupiers Liability Act: https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1995/act/10/revised/en/html#SEC4Sligo launch of their Outdoor Recreation Plan: https://www.independent.ie/county/sligo/sligo-launches-irelands-first-outdoor-recreation-plan/a/150067772.htmlGuidelines for Development: County Outdoor Recreation Plans from the Dept. RCDG: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/county-outdoor-recreation-plans-guidelines-for-development.pdf Mountain Access Project (MAP) https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/publications/mountain-access-project-map/ Climbing Cuilcagh & the stairway to heaven, my write up of a romanticised mountain

Overview: Distance: approx. 12km round tripElevation gain: 746mFormat: Out and backTime: 4+ hoursStart / End / Parking:I parked on the Lettershanbally Trail Head (google maps link) on the R344 outside of the Glencorbet valley. Theres space for up to 10 cars, if some strategic planning is done. If youre looking to approach from the Glencorbet valley, this is the recommended parking spot as of June 2026. The locals of Kylemore ask hikers not to park further into the valley due to congestion and blocked access occurring. Trail difficulty: Moderate - DifficultThe first half of this route follows a dirt track up the valley, and the second half is wild, open mountainside. This becomes a difficult rating for me because of the prolonged rocky, steep sections, and mountain terrain without clear paths. An ability to deal with mountain hazards, steep ground and scree is essential.Read about trail grading in Ireland here.Trail quality: 5/5I dont know if having a trail quality section for this mountain is appropriate, as while the lower half of the route uses a wide track in through the valley (there is a river to ford), the upper half of this route is not a trail and contains open mountainside and loose rock. This requires experience on moving on loose rock, as well as confident navigation skills for if there is cloud cover or bad weather blows in. Views: 5/5I love Galway and all the mountains you find here. I love the rugged nature of the Bens, and the wild, windy landscape is inspiring. You wont always have views in these mountains (the weather changes too fast for it ever to remain one way for long), but the moments you have are breathtaking. Buggy/Wheelchair friendly: NoDogs allowed: No - this route features farmland and possible livestock. When did I walk this route: June 2026External resources: Learn more about this summit on MountainViewsMountainViews is always my first stop when it comes to info on summits around Ireland.EastWest Maps: the most detailed maps youll find of Ireland, heres a link to the Connemara Mountains Sheet.Find all the County High Points of Ireland listed here Its a beautifully sunny Friday afternoon as I drive across Mayo and down through Killary Fjord to the start of my hike. This is truly one of the best parts of the Irish summer - if you finish work early enough, you can escape and fit a whole day of hiking into the long evenings. I pull into the small car park at the entrance to Lettershanbally Forest and quickly pack my bag. Its 4pm as I set off up the road. The first 10 minutes or so is along the R344, which is quite a busy road. Keeping eyes and ears open, I only have to step in a handful of times before I turn off onto the small boreen that leads you into the Glencorbet valley. Another 500m down the boreen, and as the lane turns right, I turn left onto the wide rocky track. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize For the next approx. 2km I follow this fairly straight track along the valley floor. I settle into an easy pace as I meander along the riverside. However, as I round a slight bend, Im pulled up short. Its time to cross the river, but there is no bridge. I look at the EastWest map of the area, and sure enough, a ford is marked here (but not marked on the OSI). I could walk back along the river and see if theres a section with suitable-looking stepping stones, but I hadnt really noticed any on the way in, so I peel off my socks and wade in. The cold water is almost pleasant in the warm sun. The water goes as high as my upper calf (although its worth remembering that I am quite short). Drying my legs and feet with the ends of my trousers, I continue on along the old road. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize At the end of this lane, I found myself in a small yard. The way that felt like the way the farmer intended walkers to take, was to actually head downhill, and use the gate towards the river. This is the only gate that wasnt locked or similar. Taking this gate means you can loop down towards the river and then around the fenced sheep pens. Always leave gates as you find them and/or follow the signs on them. Ill always be very grateful to the landowners who give access to the hills. From here, it is open mountainside to the summit. The first half is still grassy, and very steep. Looking at the maps, I chose the streams I wanted to stay between as I climbed up to the col between Benbaun and the 457m spot height to the NE. There are plenty of sheep trails and soil creep to give the illusion of a true trail. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize The second half of this climb is made up of the loose rock that the bens are famous for. Its about 1km and 280m of climbing left to the summit, but I try and forget about either as I slowly zig-zagged my way through the steep scree. Just as I reach the broken trig point, clouds start to stream in from the sea. The speed that they pour over the shoulder is breath-taking, and I watch them fly past as I eat my snacks. My brother rings me, and I shelter in the piled up rocks and enjoy the novelty of both feeling completely disconnected from the rest of the world, while talking to someone many hours and hundreds of kilometres away. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize As I descend, a heavier bank of clouds settle in above me. I quickly pick my way back down, revelling in having the mountain completely to myself. As I begin to reach the col once more, a stunning rainbow lights up the Gleninagh River in the valley south of mine. I take more photos than makes any sense, in love with the colours and evening light. The re-tracing of my steps is as exact as it can be without a trail underfoot, and soon enough the ground is levelling out once more. I meet a frog or two in the wet grass. I take off my wet shoes and socks for one more river crossing - at this point there was plenty of bog in the shoes that taking them off probably wasnt making much of a difference. In the summer months Im happy enough to accept the wet feet if it means I can wear the trail shoes that Ive come to love (as always, assess your own feet and footwear for what you need yourself). View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Its as Im almost back to the boreen, the main road in sight up ahead, that the heavens open and decide to lash on me for the remainder of my walk back to the van. It almost felt like a karmic re-balancing, taking payment for the beautiful weather Id enjoyed all evening on the mountain itself. Its approaching 10pm as I slide open the door and climb in out of the wet - hanging layers haphazardly to hopefully dry out before my weekend of shadowing mountain skills courses. Im content as I eat my lunchbox dinner and plan my nights sleep. Its hopefully obvious from the text above, but this mountain is not an easy stroll. Its one of the wilder places you can visit in Ireland, and deserves respect. If youre someone completing the County High Points List, this mountain is firmly in the hard end of the list, along with the likes of Carrauntoohil and Mweelrea. If youre new to the hills, Id strongly recommend finding a local mountain leader to take you (send me an email if you need a recommendation). Further exploringOther trails in the area: Diamond Hill - Galway Day HikeThe Western Way Galway - Long Distance TrailThe Hymany Way - Long Distance TrailMm an - Galway Day Hike (google maps)I dont have a specific write up for this walk, but its a lovely short hike that takes in a section of the Western Way as you climb up to a pass in the Maumturks (one of Galways mountain ranges). Its approx. 4km total out and back. Viewpoints and beaches to visit: Dogs Bay is one of my favourite Irish beaches (google maps)Pine Island Viewpoint (google maps)This isnt a trail, but a very popular viewpoint from the general area The Connemara National Park Visitor Centre (same location as the start of the Diamond Hill hike above)Coffee/food options: I nearly always stop into Roundstone for a coffee when Im in this areaHostelsBenlettery HostelOtter Hostel at Killary Adventure

For nine years, Ive walked and documented Irelands incredible trails. Thousands of kilometres and just as many hours, Ive spent my life in the Irish elements, falling in love with our amazing landscapes and habitats. And now I want to share it with you.In 2024 I became a Lowland Leader, which means Im qualified to bring groups out on the tracks and trails Ive grown up on. This summer, Im starting small with my own series, and hopefully I might see you on one of them.A big goal of mine for these hikes is to create a space to meet new people and make friends with people who want to spend time outdoors! 1. Beginner Hike: Howth Head TrailsAccessible from Dublin City via public transport, Howth Head offers so many options for a morning walk. Beginner Group Hike: Howth Head 15.00 Come for a laid back morning walk along Howth Head. Meet others and make friends with people who want to spend time outdoors! Details: Date: 12th July 2026Meeting time: 9:15amDuration: approx. 3hrs Pace: relaxed! Trail Grade: Easy - BeginnerMainly on easily identifiable paths, with good underfoot conditions. This is a beginner friendly walk! Weather permitting, we will be taking in the gorgeous views from Howth hill and the cliffs. All walks are led by qualified and insured leaders. Feel free to email me with any questions - ellie@toughsoles.iePublic Transport:The timing of this hike has been set to give participants time to get the bus from Dublin City Centre: find the Dublin Bus Route 6 timetable here. Add to cart When: Sunday 12th JulyWhere: Howth HeadMeeting time: 9:15amDuration: approx. 3hrs Pace: relaxed! Trail Grade: Easy - Beginneron easily identifiable paths, with good underfoot conditions. Learn more about trail grades here.Public transport: Dublin bus route 6This is a beginner friendly walk to enjoy the fantastic trails around Howth Head at a leisurely pace. Hopefully with good weather will let us also see the great views out over the Irish Sea. Total group size will not exceed 10 people. Tickets 15 per person. 2. Beginner / Intermediate: Wild Nephin National Park Loop Group Hike: Wild Nephin Loop, Mayo 25.00 Explore some of Irelands wilder trails in Wild Nephin National Park! along this 12km adventureDetails: Date: 1st August 2026Start Time: 10am Start Location: Letterkeen Trail Head (Google Maps)Distance: 12kmApprox. Duration: 3 hoursAll walks are led by qualified and insured leaders. Feel free to email me with any questions - ellie@toughsoles.ie Add to cart Along this 12km adventure well experience the desolate beauty and wildness that still exists in Ireland, as well as finding some of Irelands only bothies.Date: 1st August 2026Start Time: 10am Approx. Duration: 3 - 4 hoursTrail Grade: Easy - ModerateLearn more about trail grades here.This route is inspiring whether you're new to the trails, or a dab hand at the hills. The Wild Nephin National Park is a stunning setting. Group will be kept small to minimise impact to the natural landscape. Tickets 25 per person. 3. Intermediate: St. Kevins Way, Wicklow St. Kevin's Way - Wicklow 36.00 St. Kevins Way is a gorgeous 26km trail that winds its way through the heart of Wicklow. Details: Date: 11th JulyStart time: 9am at the Glendalough Upper Car Park (Google maps)Finish time: approx. 6pmIncluded in the ticket price is an Irish Camino Passport, car parking at Glendalough, and shuttle bus. This is a full day event, and all attendees will need to bring a packed lunch and lots of snacks.All walks are led by qualified and insured leaders. Feel free to email me with any questions - ellie@toughsoles.ie Add to cart St. Kevins Way is a gorgeous 26km trail that winds its way through the heart of Wicklow.Date: 11th JulyStart time: 9amFinish time: approx. 6pmTrail Grading: Easy - ModerateThis is a waymarked route with some road walking, as well as more informal paths, rougher, boggy and more uneven terrain.Learn more about trail grades here.Included in the ticket price is an Irish Camino Passport, car parking at Glendalough, and shuttle bus. This is a full day event, and all attendees will need to bring a packed lunch and lots of snacks. What makes this trail difficult is not the underfoot terrain, but the length of the day. Tickets 36 per person. 4. To Be Announced: Boyne Valley Trails Festival 2026Date: mid-september Trail grading: easy-moderateDetails will be updated once events are announced - all I can say for now is that I am so excited to get to come back to the Boyne Valley Trails Festival again this year for some more fantastic hiking. For the most up to date info, check out the Boyne Valley Trails Website. Important notes:Plans in the Irish outdoors are subject to our wild weather and the sustainability of the habitat - Ive already changed one hike location due to recent fires. This is to give the habitat adequate time to recover this summer, and to make sure that we have the best possible experience.Pre-booking is essential. My permits for events and safety planning are based on specific numbers of attendees. If youve any questions, please email hello@toughsoles.ie .Checking the Tough Soles Events Page is the best place to find up-to-date information on upcoming events.

Sligo is an incredible county for hiking - if youre looking to get outdoors and explore, the north-west is consistently underrated. Today, Im sharing 16 walks and hikes around Sligo that Ive really enjoyed, and why I think youll like them too. These hikes are divided into the kind of area they traverse (eg. coastal or forest), and within that are listed from easier to harder. Have I missed somewhere? Let me know! Coastal Walks 1. Raghly LoopThe Raghly Loop is a lovely place to head for a sunset walk. With stunning views of the Sligo coastline, this modest trail is a lovely place to relax away from busier areas. This trail is very accessible - underfoot it is either a well maintained gravel path, or old laneways. Distance: 3.6kmFormat: Looped TrailTime: 30 - 90 minutesWho is it for: someone looking for a gentle walk with nice views and sit spots along the wayread the full write-up here | watch the video | find the GPX on HiiKER 2. Aughris HeadThe Aughris Coastal Walk is a lovely 4km looped trail accessible for all the family. Take in the history of the small headland through the many inboards they have installed along the trail - covering promontory forts, WWII lookout posts, holy wells, and the surrounding mountains. The trail is well kept and waymarked, with no climbs or descents. There are a few kissing gates along the way, so not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs. Distance: 4kmFormat: LoopedTime: 45mins - 90mins (depending on route, fitness, and how long you want to take in the views)Who is this trail for: History enthusiasts or anyone looking for a gentle stroll. read the full write-up here | watch the video | find the GPX on HiiKER 3. Killaspugbrone Coastal Loop Killaspugbrone Loop is easy to miss when standing on the busy footpaths of Strandhill. But spy the tidy infoboard, follow the purple arrows, and youll find yourself wandering along a rocky shore with small planes swooping overhead. Find the ruins of a centuries old church and learn the strange folklore of St. Patricks visit to the area. While the trail is fairly flat as it is a headland loop, the ground underfoot can be quite uneven and broken along some of the rocky beach sections. Distance: 7kmFormat: Looped trailTime: 1.5 - 2hrsWho is it for: anyone wanting to stretch their legs along the coast. The trail is easy, but a little rougher underfoot. Possibly a good one for any plane enthusiasts as the trail curtails the bottom of Sligo Airport runway, offering fantastic views.read the full write-up here | watch the video | find the GPX on HiiKER Forest Walks 4. Hazelwood Hazelwood is a gorgeous woodland just outside of Sligo town. The forest is on a headland that juts out into the lake of Lough Gill, and so as the trails gently meander, viewpoints and follies emerge from the foliage around every bend. As its close to Sligo I often meet other people there, but I still find it peaceful. Distance: 3kmFormat: looped trailsTime: 45mins - 90 mins Who is it for: those looking for a gentle stroll through mixed woodland. Great for families - and a nice spot for birders, as I heard quite a few on my last visit. read more details on Sligo Walks | download the Coillte Map | find the route on HiiKER 5. Benbulben Forest WalkBenbulben is one of Irelands most distinctive mountains, surrounded by cliffs and ringed in mythology. This forest walk is a family friendly trail that gives you the best views you can get of this peak. With three different route options, you can go as far as you like, with get vantage points over to Donegal. The two highlight sections for me were the very northern corner for views of the cliffs, and the twisting trail through the southern edge of the mixed woodland.Distance: 6kmFormat: Looped trailsTime: 1 - 2 hrs (depending on route and fitness)Who is this trail for: those who want to see the incredible cliffs that Benbulben is famous for, without having to scale the mountain itself. All of the routes are gravel trails, with benches spaced out around the forest. read the full write-up here | watch the video | find the GPX on HiiKER 6. Slish WoodAcross the lake from Hazelwood youll find Slish Wood, hugging the shoreline and climbing up onto the hills behind it. There are two options here - you can complete the forest loop (4km), or continue on along the lakeside and onto boardwalk to the Isle of Innisfree Jetty (8km out and back). Another lovely lakeshore stroll, this is the first of the forest walks with a climb (if taking in the upper trail of the 4km loop). Personally, I would walk out the whole way to the Jetty as the boardwalk section just after the forest is lovely as it crisscrosses the hillside above the lake.Distance: 4 - 8kmFormat: 4km looped; 8km out and back (can incorporate the loop of the 4km on the way back).Time: 1hr - 3 hrsWhos it for: By sticking to the lower paths this is still a very approachable trail for all fitness levels. If you are looking to incorporate slightly more challenging or heart-raising sections, you can take in the top loop and the further boardwalk while still being on accessible terrain. read more on the Sligo Walks website | download the Coillte Map | find the route on HiiKER 7. Union WoodUnion Wood is a small forest that sits between the villages of Collooney, Ballysadare, and Ballygawley, with a mixture of old native woodland, and more recent active forestry. This place is teeming with wildlife - as well as walkers, cyclists, families and trail runners. With trails from 4 - 12km, in this woods youll find a trail for everyone.Distance: varies by trail, average 5kmFormat: LoopedTime: 1 - 3 hrs, depending on route, fitness, and how often you stop to take in the views. However, I quite liked how the info board at the main car park answered this question: Union wood is a place you can easily spend a half day in, so we wont tell you how long each trail takes. That will be up to you, your level of fitness, or how soon you want to go home.Who is this for: there are trails here for nearly everyone, whether on pedal or foot. Stay to the low trails if youre looking for a gentle walk, or head up to lough Loman if youre looking for a more energetic hike. It is somewhere that is always busy no matter the day of the week, so not for someone seeking solitude.read the full write-up here | watch the video | find the GPX on HiiKER 8. Devils ChimneyThe Devils Chimney name in Irish is Sruth in Aghaidh An Aird, which roughly translates as stream against the height. The Irish name reflects the fact that when a strong southerly wind blows, the water can sometimes be blown back up over the cliff-face, looking like its defying gravity. The hills in this area are known as the Dartrys. The most famous of their peaks is Benbulben, a table-top mountain of cliffs and a plateau summit. However, Benbulben isnt the only visually striking hill in the range. So many of these hills undulate in ways you would never expect, making them look far more lofty than they are. In true Dartry style, this trail is short but steep, twisting and turning with the erratic flow of the land.Distance: 2.5 kmFormat: Out-and-back / Looped Time: 30mins - 90minsWho is this for: if you love a waterfall and twisting forest trails, and are looking for somewhere more peaceful than Glencar Waterfall further up the valley, this is for you. read the full write-up here | watch the video | find the GPX on HiiKER Upland Walks 9. Knocknashee Knocknashee is a small hill in the middle of Sligo and the eastern edge of the Ox Mountains. This local walk highlights the great places you can find in your own back yard. Distance: 2km round tripElevation gain: 100mFormat: Out and backTime: 30 - 90 minsWho is this for: a short walk, this is for someone looking for a quiet place to enjoy an evening stroll, taking in the views of the undulating terrain of Sligo. The climb is not long but it is steep, and so highlights an unusual tightrope of suiting a walker with good knees, but also someone not looking for a long or serious hike. Might be an enjoyable outing for families.read the full write-up here | watch the video | find the GPX on HiiKER 10. Caves of Kesh The Caves of Kesh feel otherworldly, and yet are just a hop skip and a jump up the hillside. While the trail up is vert steep, its approx. 750m from the car park to the caves. As you climb, it feels like youre not making any progress - until suddenly it levels out after a few switchbacks, and gently rolls towards the entrance to the largest of the caves. Once up, the paths linking the different caves are a little narrow and muddy, so I always wear boots when stopping by. Distance:1.5km - 3km (depending on how much wandering you do between the caves). Format: Out and backTime: 20 mins - 60 minsWhos it for: The caves are a great add-on to a day trip to the area. I personally really like visiting for sunset, as the views and light is gorgeous. I think they will be most appreciated by those who love history and folklore, but are an enjoyable exploration for everyone, as long as youre happy getting your shoes muddy. read the full write-up here | watch the video | find the route on HiiKER 11. CarrowkeelSomewhere that I usually refer to as being part of Roscommon, the Carrowkeel megalithic complex of tombs is actually on the Sligo side of the border, and offer great views of the surrounding hills, lakes and farmland. The valley is sharply U-shaped, offering surprisingly hilly-feeling terrain for somewhere less than 300m tall. Distance: 5km Format: out and back Time: 1 - 2 hrs Whos this for: History and archeology fans will find the many tombs spread across the two hilltops incredible - while walkers will appreciate the uniqueness of the valley and the wild boggy hillsides. By following the Miners Way signage (mentioned more below), you can explore a bit more of the surrounding area. read the Miners Way write-up here | watch the video | Read more on the Sligo Walks website 12. Lough Talt LoopNestled in the Ox Mountains, the Lough Talt Loop channels the desolateness of the west of Ireland. Taking in grassy lakeside paths, old roads, and gravel forest trails, there is a lot of variety on this newly developed trail. Distance: 8km round tripElevation gain: 100mFormat: loopedTime: 2 - 3 hoursWho is this for: a quiet corner of the north-west, this trail is for those looking for some solitude. The trail is a long-feeling 8km, so its not a short wander. read the full write-up here | watch the video | read more on the Sligo Walks website 13. Knocknarea Knocknarea is one of Sligos most iconic peaks. Sitting on the south-west corner of the bay containing Sligo Town, this hill is small but mighty. 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. Distance: 8km Format: LoopedTime: 2 - 3hrs Whos it for: Ive 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. Depending on how challenging an outing youd like, you can pick different car parks and trailsread the full write-up here | watch the video 14. Truskmore Truskmore is the County High Point of Sligo and Leitrim, and is the highest point in the Dartry Mountains. This lovely peak is part of the same plateau range that is home to the more famous mountain, Benbulben - which will hopefully conjure up the right mental image of cliffs and dramatic sweeping landscapes that this small mountain is nestled within. Distance: 10kmDifficulty: Easy - ModerateIf you follow the mast road up to the summit of Truskmore, it is an easy route.If you follow the route that we describe, it is a moderate hike. The trail up onto the plateau is distinct, however once up onto the main plateau, there is no trail to follow, and involves some bog navigating. Learn more about trail and hillwalking grading here.Whos it for: if not using the mast road, then this is a hike and requires some hill experience and knowledge of how to use a map. The Dartrys are stunning hills, and are less travelled than many other ranges in Ireland, so there are few worn paths linking summits and access points (like you might find in Wicklow). Our chosen route for this hike was to start at the Eagle's Rock viewing area car park, and follow the old miners zig-zagging trail up onto the mountain plateau. From there, we followed the stone wall towards the towering mast station that sits atop Truskmore itself.Please Note: this area (the Glenade valley) has had on-going access issues. At the time of hiking, to the best of our knowledge access to Truskmore via this route was accessible. This may not always be the case, and its important to check beforehand. There is currently no recognised access route to the dramatic free-standing rock pillar, Timpaun Mr. read the full write-up here | watch the video Long Distance Walks 15. Sligo WayThe Sligo Way is a trail that will take you through the lowland forests of poets, winding up to windy hillsides and desolate lake shores. It passes through many of the forests that I mentioned above - such as Slish Wood, Union Wood, and Lough Talt Loop. Distance: 75kmFormat: Linear trail from Dromahair - Lough TaltTime: 3 Days Who is this route for: a walker looking to experience the inland hills of Sligo, away from the busier areas. There are few resources (like shops and accommodation) located directly on the trail, and so will require some pre-planning. read the full write-up here | watch the video | find the GPX on HiiKER 16. Miners Way & Historical Trail A real hidden gem of the north-west, the Miners Way takes in the counties of Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. Again, it takes in one or two of the places mentioned above (Carrowkeel), as well as showing off other incredible spots that Ive not singled out here. Distance: 120+kmFormat: A strange figure-eight shaped trail, lends itself to choose your own adventure when planning how far you want to go. Time: 1 weekWhos it for: someone looking to find the hidden forests, unseen lakes, and generally under appreciated midlands of Ireland. There are no lofty peaks along this long distance route, but there are plenty of wild places nonetheless. read the full write-up here | watch the video | find the GPX on HiiKER And so ends my list of great walks and hikes all around Sligo. For more inspiration and information, check out the Sligo Walks website.Find an overview of trails by county all over the country here.

OverviewDistance: 8km Format: Looped trailTime: 2 - 3hrs, depending on how long you want to explore! Parking: Lough Talt Car Park, on the south-east corner of the lake with ample space for 10+ cars. Lough Talt Trail - Forest Car Park, on the northern corner of the trail, where the route takes in some Coillte forests. Small, only room for a couple of cars.Trail difficulty: EasyThis a waymarked route with blue arrows. You walk along the lakeshore, small country roads, and forest trails. Read how we rate trails here.Trail quality: 4/5This is a new trail, so the terrain underfoot is quite good. My only complaint is that the different terrains come in single long sections, as opposed to mixing and blending. Views: 4/5The Ox mountains are pretty desolate place, and I feel like this trail captures the desolate-ness without being too difficult. Buggy/Wheelchair friendly: Yes-ish. The south-east forestry section has some very steep trails, and there are one or two wooden wooden staggered barriers and kissing gates. Dogs allowed: Unknown - keep dogs on lead. When was I here: March 2026External links: Sligo WalksOur long-form video on YouTube I pulled into the south-east car park on the first truly sunny day of 2026. Lough Talt is nestled away in the Ox Mountains, and somewhere Ive not been in almost nine years. The last time I was here was with Carl, finishing the Sligo Way. It was our 10th trail out of all 42 National Waymarked Trails, and we were so tired by the time we sat not too far from the shoreline that my main memories are the gale-force-gusts, and the feel of the sun on wind-brunt cheeks. This time, after an hour of driving through glorious sunshine, I was giddy with excitement - almost bouncing as I hurriedly packed my bag in the car park. Im glad that it remained a beautiful day, as my packing was so hurried that I actually forgot my rain jacket in the van. I walk this trail clock-wise, and in reverse to how the info-boards explain the trail. Also: the info-boards state that this trail is 8km (true) and takes an hour to walk (untrue). Unless youre here to run, budget 2 - 3 hours. The first section of this trail is along the lakeshore. This wide track was graciously dry, but I can imagine it getting damp underfoot during other weather. This was the most popular section of the trail, and I met several other people out for a wander. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize At the far end of the lake (approx. 3k), the trail then climbs up through some famine cottages, before passing more modern, lived in homes to reach the main road. As I stepped out I was mildly concerned, as this road is one of the few that bisect the Ox Mountains. However, the drivers I met were nice, and it was quite a short walk down to the church. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize After 100m or so, the trail turns off the main road and is back onto small lanes. At the turn, theres a wall of brown signs (brown signs being used for heritage / tourist information). This cluster of houses is the end point of the Sligo Way. Up behind the signs, there is a small white church. To the left of it, I found an open toilet, which was an incredibly welcome bit of infrastructure. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize From here, our road walking stretch begins. This trail does have one small drawback: in my experience, the best trails vary their surfaces often so that you never tire of one thing underfoot. Due to the nature of the land here, this trail is very neatly divided into three sections - the lakeshore walking; the road walking; and the forest walking. The highlight of the road walking for me was that the drain at the side of the road was absolutely filled with frog spawn. I swear, it looked like Sligos whole allocation of frogs were living in this very ditch. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize After another approx. 3km the trail turns off the small bog road and into some freshly built forest trails. There is a small car park here too, if you just wanted to go for a wander in the woods. While it is for the most part a mono-plantation, the trail infrastructure is great, with lots of lovely bridges, benches, and twisting paths. As you approach the far end of the forest, the trail gently climbs a sloping hill. As you make it to the top, the views out over Lough Talt are gorgeous, and the picnic benches become all the more plentiful! The other side of this hill is far steeper, and so the descent is short but steep. Reaching the road, theres one more staggered barrier to pass through, and youre onto the main road once more. As I already mentioned above, I once again had no issues crossing, but its quite blind (especially if youre walking with kids). View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Overall, this was a lovely trail, and I had a gorgeous day out. More often than Id like, Im walking trails in bad weather, and I have to work to imagine what the trail would be like in more mild conditions to give it a fair evaluation. When I reached the end of this walk, I almost felt conflicted in the other direction. I was so excited to be out in the sunshine once more (admittedly, still wearing all my winter weight base layers), that I was just ecstatic all day. Sligo has so many trails, Im consistently impressed that they are still developing new ones. Further exploringCheck out all of the trails organised by county here.Other trails in the area: Knocknarea & Queen Maeves TrailKillaspugbrone Loop WalkAughris Head Coastal WalkKnocknashee WalkUnion WoodCaves of KeshFavourite Local Coffee / Food Options:Tempo Cafe, BallysadareNook Cafe & Restaurant, Collooney (great vegan options)Lovage Gatelodge Cafe, BoyleRover Coffee Lab, Sligo (Coffee)

OverviewDistance: 2kmTime: 1 hour or so, depending on how long you want to explore! Parking: There is roadside parking for approx. 8 carsTrail difficulty: EasyThis trail is well built and hugs the hillside as it switchbacks its way up to the summit. This is a steep climb, with several well placed view points for a break if you need. Read how we rate trails here.Trail quality: 5/5I really liked how well the trail was built. The infrastructure blends well with the natural environment. Views: 5/5A really lovely spot, with impressive views for a smaller hill. Buggy/Wheelchair friendly: No Dogs allowed: YesWhen was I here: March 2026External links: Our long-form video on YouTubeKnockomagh Wood Nature Trail Leaflet (PDF) Recently I was down in Cork visiting The Wandering Goldsmith to work on our Sl Signet. Having driven to the other end of the country, it felt only right to go and see some places that have been on my to do list for a long time. The first stop was to see the Baltimore Beacon, one of Irelands most iconic maritime beacons. Windswept and speckled with sea foam, I then headed east along the rugged coast to see the special SAC of Lough Hyne, and to climb Knockomagh Hill behind it. Parking along the small roadside car park, the signage clearly points out the start of the trail. Its one of those lovely moments where you step off the road and are immediately greeted with a lovely path underfoot. The trail wastes no time, with the climb beginning from the offset and not really stopping until you get to the top of the hill. There are plenty of switchbacks, with benches and viewpoints out dotted along as rest points. A few minutes into the climb youll pass the ruins of McCarthys Cottage - once the home of wood ranger McCarthy, who worked for the local large estate. The only remnants of their family garden is the large yew tree growing in the remains of the lean-to building. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize In my eyes, part of the charm of this woods is found in the sessile oak, our national tree and one that grows somewhat twisted - making any woods its part of immediately feel old to me. This small woodland became a nature reserve in 1989, eight years after Lough Hyne was designated as Ireland's (and indeed Europes) first Marine Nature Reserve in 1981. Its estimated that Lough Hyne became a saltwater lake about 4,000 years ago - and is still fed by the sea when the tide comes in and floods down Barloge Creek, a stretch known as the rapids. Because the lake itself is small, the salt water is kept warmer than anywhere else in Ireland, creating a habitat youll find nowhere else. Its uniqueness was first recognised in 1886, and since then scientist from all over the world have come to study the lough. It is now one of the most-studied sites of its size in the world.Because of its Special Area of Conservation status, I didnt swim in the lake. However, apparently it is a popular dipping and kayaking site in summer. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Theres something about nature reserves developed in the 80's. I think because this area was busy (both with scientific laboratories and general tourism), that the reserve had strong paths built throughout that feel inspired by the way the national parks in the USA were built into the landscapes. The stone steps are shaped to feel like they almost grew out of the ground. Another example of this in Ireland is Gougane Barra Forest Park, which is from the same era. I personally love this kind of design, and treasure it whenever I find it. Further exploringCheck out all of the trails organised by county here.Other trails in the area: Baltimore Beacon ViewpointThe Sheeps Head WayPeakeen Loop, Sheeps HeadGougane Barra Forest ParkThe Beara WayFavourite Local Coffee / Food Options:Brew, SkibbereenONeill Coffee, SkibbereenDrip Coffee, RosscarberyWazzy Woo, Clonakilty

Baltimore Beacon is an unusual outpost jutting out into the Atlantic from the rugged cliffs of west Cork. Come explore this unique landmark with me OverviewDistance: Starting from Baltimore village: approx 3.5km total out and backStarting from the very small car park at the end of the road: 600m total out and backTime: 10 - 60 minutes depending on how long you want to explore! Parking: Large car park in the villageTiny closer car park (room for approx. 4 cars)Trail difficulty: Easy (-ish)Walking out from the village is all small lanes, until the last 300m. From there, there is a worn path that can be steep and slippy underfoot. There is no way-marking. Read how we rate trails here.Trail quality: 3/5No official trail really underfoot, but the ground was stable when I visitedViews: 5/5A really lovely spot to sit and look out at the surrounding islands and cliffs. Buggy/Wheelchair friendly: No Dogs allowed: NoWhen was I here: March 2026External links: Our long-form video on YouTubeSport Ireland Outdoors Recently I was down in Cork visiting The Wandering Goldsmith to work on our Sl Signet. Having driven to the other end of the country, it felt only right to go and see some places that have been on my to do list for a long time. The first stop was to see the Baltimore Beacon. The Baltimore Beacon is a large, white-painted stone pillar that sits on a prominent viewpoint above the water between the mainland and Sherkin Island. Standing at 15m high, its a tapered pillar with a red ball on top, and unlike anything Ive seen along the Irish coastline (although apparently it is one of at least 20 such structures out there).Visiting in mid-March on a stormy weekend, I was alone as I pulled into the tiny car park at the top of the lane out from the village. I let the rain shower pass, and then stepped out into glorious sunshine with a biting wind. Walking out from this tiny car park, its only 300m or so to this huge pillar. Beacons like this have to be somewhat unique, so that when sailers spotted them they would know where they are. Apparently, one of the names its known by is Lots Wife - after the biblical woman who turned into a pillar of salt. While wandering around this viewpoint several other people came and went, despite the strength of the wind and earliness in the season. I stayed and watched one or two small boats resolutely push through the choppy water, the gulls diving along the cliffs, and the sea foam blowing up around me so it fell like snow. At this early point in the year, this was a peaceful place to stop by to drink in both the views and my coffee. I can imagine that during peak summer times it could be overly busy. Something of a snap and go viewpoint, I feel conflicted in whether I recommend visiting. Our outdoor spaces suffer enough from high footfall in photogenic places, which this certainly is. In these high-use areas, being aware of our impact is key - strive to leave nothing behind and take care of the environment. Is a simple walk to a pretty place, and if that interests you then I hope youve a wonderful time. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Further exploringCheck out all of the trails organised by county here.Other trails in the area: Knockomagh Hill (Lough Hyne Viewpoint)The Sheeps Head WayPeakeen Loop, Sheeps HeadGougane Barra Forest ParkThe Beara WayFavourite Local Coffee / Food Options:Brew, SkibbereenONeill Coffee, SkibbereenDrip Coffee, RosscarberyWazzy Woo, Clonakilty

The Sl Signet, by Tough Soles & The Wandering Goldsmith Inspired by Irelands National Waymarked Trails, the Sl Signet Ring is created for those who have fallen in love with the rugged beauty of the Irish landscape. Designed in collaboration with Tough Soles, who have completed every single one of the national waymarked trails, the ring features the trail marker that has accompanied them along their 4,000km journey. Each ring is handcrafted in Sterling Silver in my small workshop in Ireland. Created for hiking enthusiasts and travellers alike, its is a lasting symbol of miles walked, memories made and connection to Irelands beauty. To pour back into the outdoor community, 10% of the profits from each sale are being donated to Mountain Rescue Ireland. Order Here My dreams came true last year, when talking to Leika (The Wandering Goldsmith) and realising that she would be just as excited as me to make something together, inspired by Irelands incredible trails.The Sl Signet is inspired by "Elvis" - long term readers may remember this nickname for the little man who way-marks all of our National Way-marked Trails. This was a collaborative design process, discussing different jewellery formats, what would suit a broad demographic, and me learning a lot about metal densities, quenching affects, and everything else Leika was able to explain to me. I am so happy that we settled on a signet ring. Made of solid sterling silver, this ring feels durable and capable of accompanying me on many adventures into the future. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize To celebrate our creation in person, we went and walked the Peakeen Ridge Loop on the Sheeps Head Peninsula, a stunning 15km loop with many gorgeous hand-made waymarkers too.