Materials neededReplacement laces: If youre specifically replacing laces on Salomon shoes, make sure the replacement laces you buy are thin enough for the eyelets / loops on your Salomon. If youre changing other shoe brands, there tends to be more room to fit traditional laces, so you can buy alternative brands of locking laces (like Lock Laces). Scissors: for cutting off your old laces, and cutting the new laces down to size A lighter / controllable small flame (optional) View fullsize View fullsize Most lacing kits will come with their own simple instructions, so check if there are any obvious differences between what Im sharing and your own laces. Steps1. Cut off or unthread the old lace from your shoe. If it is just the mechanism thats broken you can consider cutting the very top of the lace so as to loose the least amount and reuse the existing lace. However, check the lace well to make sure that there arent any wear points, so that youre not re-doing this job in a few months time.2. Thread through the new lace (part C). From watching other peoples videos and reading reviews, this can often be the trickiest part for some, depending on how thin or narrow the eyelets are for the lace. If youve long loops to thread through, try applying pressure to the top or inside, to compress the shape and cause it to open slightly more. Others seem to find attaching a paper clip to the lace and pulling that through to be an easier option. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 3. Attach the new locking mechanism (part A). This will vary depending on the locking mechanism you have. The style that I bought, the replacement was very easy. Simply hold the device in the open position, and thread the lace from the bottom and out the top. The bottom on my set was the narrower end. I was able to hold the locking device with one hand, and thread the lace with the other. 4. Thread on the new lace stopper (part B). To prevent you loosening your laces so much that the locking mechanism comes off the end, there is a piece that joins or holds the ends of both laces. For me, this was a small piece of plastic that, when held upright, almost looked like a pair of shorts. Thread your lace through the individual legs / the smaller holes. I then loosely tied the laces just to keep the stopper on the laces. 5. Measure lace length before cutting. The recommended way for my lacing system was to put on the shoe, gently close the lace, and then leave approx. 10cm of extra lace of putting on and off the shoe.6. Cut lace, and tie stopper knots. I then cut my laces and tied small knots. Using a lighter, I very gently burnt the freshly cut ends of the laces to stop them from fraying in the future. Once at the desired length, I pulled tightly to secure them in the lace stopper. View fullsize View fullsize And now you have replaced your quick-release laces! Time to go forth and frolic, enjoy the trails once more. If youre a more visual learner, I have a YouTube video that documented this whole process. Other gear repairs and how tos: How to wash your down insulationHow to clean soft flasksHow to wash waterproofsHow to fit hiking bootsHow to pick a head torch

OverviewDistance: 15km Format: Looped trailTime: 3 - 5hrs, depending on how long you want to explore! Parking: We began our loop in Letter West at the Black Gate Community Centre. For parking, we went just slightly down the road to a small parking area that can fit 5 - 10 cars. If youre looking to start the walk from the eastern end, up in the pass between Caher mountain and Seefin, there is space for a few cars at the Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point.Trail difficulty: ModerateThis route is a combination of a few different trails - so while you are on a way-marked path the whole time, you need to maintain your own awareness of when you need to turn onto a different path. Along the ridge and other off-road sections the ground can be very boggy, with very little built trail underfoot.Read how we rate trails here.Trail quality: 5/5I love the Sheeps Head Peninsula and the incredible work thats been done to develop the trail network that encompasses the whole headland. Views: 5/5While the hills are technically small, they feel much larger than they are, and give fantastic views all around. Buggy/Wheelchair friendly: NoDogs allowed: NoWhen was I here: March 2026External links: The Route on HiiKERSimilar route on The Sheep's Head Way WebsiteThe long-form video on YouTube The Sheeps Head feels like a secret. The smallest of the peninsulas on the south-west coast, these hills are covered in trails that link together and spread like a net cast wide. Ive been here a few times; many moons ago to walk The Sheep's Head Way; for a long weekend to do my Lowland Leader Training; and for brief moments when on the way to visit far-flung friends. So when the opportunity arose to spend another day down there, I jumped at it. My reason for coming to West Cork was to visit Leika, The Wandering Goldsmith, who I was collaborating with to make the Sl Signet. All our planning and ideas had so far been done over texts and voice notes. Now I was going to get to see the ring in person, check out her workshop, and take some photos of the finished product out on the trail! View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize The loop we decided to do was one of Leikas favourites, and I was immediately sold when I saw it took in the ridge line of Caher mountain. I divide the ridge line of the headland into three sections: Easterly section: from Knockboolteenagh to Glan Lough (223m)Mid section: Glan Lough to Kilcrohane, taking in Seefin summit (345m)Westerly section: Kilcrohane to Letter West, taking in Caher mountain (338m), known as the Peakeen Ridge WalkThis third option is what we walked, starting in Letter West outside of the Black Gate Community Centre. Leaving the info board, its straight into an uphill climb along a short section of paved road. We then crossed over a large stile onto the hillside, and walked up onto the ridge heading NE. The waymarking in the area is extensive. There are so many different loops, linear walks, and thru-hikes that you can follow. There are so many in fact, that its easy to not pay attention for a moment, and continue along a trail you didnt mean to follow. We were primarily following the black and orange waymarkers to make this loop. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Sitting so westerly, the ridge can be quite exposed, and being an early March morning we had a few showers blow through, the wind a constant companion while we walked. Looking north the skyline is filled by the Beara Peninsula, as well as Bere Island and Whiddy Island. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize When you reach the small road through the minor pass, head left and left again at the first turn in the road, heading for the Mass Rock and the Horse Shoe Road (Sheeps Head Way signpost). After a few hundred metres the tarmac recedes and the path becomes wilder. Nice and sheltered by the hillside, this path still offers fantastic views with more accessible walking than the ridge trail. Im pretty sure one or two of my favourite stone waymarkers are along this section. The handmade elements of the trail infrastructure here really add a sense of constant care and love by the local community. After a couple of kilometres, you reach the Horse Shoe Road. While a road that cars can drive, it is almost more grass than tar in many places, and is very quiet. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize As you walk along the Horse Shoe Road, youll come to the Cahergal trail junction. You have several options to make it back to Letter West. We stuck to the Horse Shoe Road, which takes a wider loop around but is easy walking. However, you can take the right-hand trail heading up the hillside, climbing up and meeting the trail from the very start. This is a kilometre or so shorter than the road.Making it back to the car, we managed to get packed away before the next rain shower hit. Fingers numb and cheeks flushed with wind burn, my heart was full as we drove back to Clonakilty. This was something of a perfect day out. Thanks so much to Leika for hosting me and sharing the trails - I really enjoyed getting to take photos of our ring, and see one of my favourite places again. Further exploringCheck out all of the trails organised by county here.The Sheeps Head Way Website has incredible resources for all the trails on the head and in the wider area. Other trails in the area: The Sheeps Head WayBaltimore Beacon ViewpointLough Hyne & Knockomagh TrailThe Beara WayGougane Barra Forest ParkFavourite Local Coffee / Food Options:Brew, SkibbereenONeill Coffee, SkibbereenDrip Coffee, RosscarberyWazzy Woo, Clonakilty

Meeelrea (Maol Ridh) is the highest point in County Mayo - and in Connacht as a whole. A summit often shrouded in clouds, this mountain has both approachable slopes and sharp cliffs, offering many different levels of adventure. For this write-up Im focusing on the more approachable climb from Silver Strand. This mountain is 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 in the hard end of the list, along with the likes of Carrauntoohil and Benbaun. 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). Overview: Distance: approx. 9km round tripElevation gain: 862mFormat: Out and backTime: 3 - 5+ hoursStart / End / Parking: Climbing from the Silver Strand side means approaching the mountain from the NW. Driving out to this remote area, youll end up reaching the very SW tip of Clew Bay, before following signs south along the coast towards The Lost Valley. This road slowly becomes a single lane boreen, that ends at Silver Strand Beach. The start point for this hike is approx. 1km before the beach, at a wide bend in the road, grid reference L764 688.I parked in the lay-by beside the farm track you walk up to get onto the mountain. Theres only space for one or two cars. This is an active farm, and also one of the only wide passing points on the road, so you cannot block any gates, or prevent people from being able to pull in to let tractors pass. If youre coming as a group, dont want to park your car in the ditch, or theres no space when you arrive, continue down the lane to Silver Strand Beach Car Park, where theres a large car park (Google Maps link). Its a 10 - 15 minute walk from the car park back to the start point. Trail difficulty: Moderate - DifficultThe route Im describing for this climb is the easiest of the routes for this mountain, and so can make the mountain feel less than it is. Whats key to remember in the Irish hills is how, when its all going well, it can feel extremely safe. Mweelrea is somewhere that you can muddle through and be fine, or fall and have a very bad day. The first two third of this route is a long, slow, boggy climb in a somewhat straight line up the mountainside. The top third is along the exposed ridge, which Ive only ever experienced with strong winds and low clouds. An ability to deal with mountain hazards, steep ground and navigation is essential. Read about trail grading in Ireland here.Trail quality: 2/5Once you step onto the open hillside, there are several worn paths through bog and grass. Some of these paths are made by walkers, some by sheep, and all are changed by the water running down the hillside. Be aware that the path your following might not be leading you to the top. The summit requires confident navigation skills for is regularly cloud cover, and bad weather often blows in. Views: 3/5If you get a clear summit, the views are incredible. One of the drawbacks of approaching from Silver Strand when there is cloud cover, is that you only have one view for the whole hike. The area as a whole is beautiful.Buggy/Wheelchair friendly: NoDogs allowed: NoWhen did I walk this route: September 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 their maps of Connacht.The route on HiiKERFind all the County High Points of Ireland listed here Mayo is one of my favourite places. Theres a remoteness to the mountains that I love, and I find its emptiness a haven. No matter which side youre climbing from, driving out to Mweelrea is beautiful. Its a showery Friday morning in early September when I find myself on the slopes of this mountain once more. Starting from the farm lane (Grid Reference: L764 688) its an easy walk up to the gate onto the hillside (always keep closed as signage instructs). As I walk out Im greeted with the bleating of a few dozen sheep, some sounding expectant, as if I'm bringing a surprise bag of food - others dash off as if theyve never seen a human before. From here, you can see the whole mountain ahead of you - and pretty much your whole route if the weather is right. Looking left and somewhat north-eastwards, youll see the dramatic edge of Ben Bury and the other Bens that make up the NE ridge line. On a cloudy day like mine, they can look like the more immediate, impressing mountains. However, today Im heading to the very small bowl thats south-east of me, which will lead up onto the col north of Mweelrea. As I mentioned above, once you step onto the open hillside, there are several worn paths through bog and grass. Who made the path first, the walker or the sheep, well never know - and the rain doesnt care to know. As we move through the Irish seasons, and more water hits our hillsides, the run-off water will always take the path of least resistance, often channeling through a foot path. This can make some minor paths look far more used and substantial than they are. I noticed more than one path deviate off on an unusual contour on my way up. Mostly, this is a long-winded warning not to get too content looking at your feet, and take in your surroundings as you move up the slopes. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize The wind was at least enjoyed by the crows, who swooped and dived on the gusts. A blessing or a curse, the winds were westerly the day I was there, and so as I looked out behind me to the sea, I could see the heavy showers approaching. As I reached approx. 500m evolution, I met two walkers coming down the hill, who were as surprised to see me as I was to see them. We swapped the usual brief greetings, and then continued on in our respective directions. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Making it up onto the col between Ben Bury and Mweelrea, the wind howled through. The conditions underfoot here turn more solid, wet bog swapping out for loose stone. Heading a few degrees off of south, this is the more dangerous section of the climb. Directly out east, to your left, are cliffs. The summit area is quite rounded and wide, with a small pile of loose stones stacked to mark it. Sitting on the leeward side of this tiny mound, the shelter was unexpectedly good. I ate a quick snack, appreciated the elements, and retraced my steps down the mountain. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize This is not the only time Ive visited this faraway peak. The first time I climbed Mweelrea was the summer of 2023, as I worked my way around Ireland on the Vandeleur-Lynams Project. I summited it, and the other peaks that make up the ridge here, in very similar conditions. That day I had the wonderful company of my friend Ciaran, who joined Carl and I for a full week of this mountain adventure. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize However, the moment that will stay with me forever was a view of this mountain from the evening before. I was climbing Ben Gorm and the others across the valley. I hadnt done many of the summits in Mayo before, and so I didnt realise I was witnessing the best conditions over on Mweelrea - better than I could ever wish for. I had spent the morning on the other side of the fjord, doing the long walk in for Leenaun Hill in heavy, muggy weather. It was shaping up to be an extremely wet and stormy summer, but in that moment I was only trying to move through some oppressive heat. That evening, we picked up Ciaran and moved around to the north side of Killary. It was a cloudless day, and as the sun began to dip, gentle fingers of clouds crept in from the Atlantic and reached up over the shoulders of mountains. The colours of the sky, the textures of the clouds, and the shadows of the mountains created a painting no phone camera could ever do justice. Looking back on that evening, I now know how special a moment I was witnessing - and only a little bit regret that I wasn't across the valley for such a magical moment. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Further exploringFind all the County High Points here, and all the trails by county listed here.Other trails in the area: The Western Way: MayoThe Western Way: Galway Croagh Patrick Heritage TrailLetterkeen Loop, Wild Nephin National Park The Bangor Trail, Wild Nephin National Park Keenagh Loop: Mayo.ie info Viewpoints and beaches to visit: Silver Strand for a post mountain swim Doo Lough Valley Viewpoint - one of my favourite Wild Atlantic Way viewpoints (Google Maps)Old Head Beach and Bertra Beach for more stunning beachesFavourite Local Coffee / Food Options:The Misunderstood Heron, MurriskThis Must be the Place, Cafe in Westport Melodys Bew, coffee horse-box

In the north-west of Ireland, you will find wild mountains being left to nature, with narrow trails winding over ridges and wrapping around hillsides. Youll find silence, and then the thousand tiny sounds of nature will fill your ears. OverviewDistance: 10 - 12km Format: Looped trailTime: 2.5 - 5hrs, depending on how long you want to explore! Parking: the primary parking for this loop is the Letterkeen Trail Head (Google Maps link). If youre visiting and its busy, there is another car park about a 15 minute walk away: Sragrevagh Trailhead (Google Maps link). Letterkeen can suffer from overcrowding, so if youre coming as a group (especially in the summer) carpooling is advisable. Trail difficulty: Easy - ModerateThis is a waymarked route with purple arrows. You walk along riverbanks, stony valley floors, forest trails and woodland. Read how we rate trails here.Trail quality: 5/5This has long been one of my favourite trails. The terrain underfoot is great - with no road walking, and only a short while on forestry access tracks towards the end.Views: 5/5For a trail that only reaches a high point of 311m, the views of the surrounding mountains are fantastic. Buggy/Wheelchair friendly: NoDogs allowed: Yes - keep dogs on leadToilets: There are permanent port-a-loos installed at the Letterkeen Trail HeadWhen was I here: July 2026External links: National Parks WebsiteFind the route GPX on HiiKEROur long-form video on YouTube The Letterkeen Trailhead is somewhere Ive visited many times; most notably, when walking the Western Way back in 2018 (with extremely bruised soles and skin that had been eaten alive by the intense midgies that Mayo is infamous for) and last year in March 2025 to walk the Bangor Trail with my friend Pauline. To come back and film some of the day hikes that the NPWS have developed has been on my to-do list for far too long. And so on a mid-July morning, I pulled into an almost-empty trail head car park. My main fear as I opened the van door was the already mentioned munching insects. However the mild threat of rain that hung over the area seemed to be keeping the worst away, and so I began to pack my bag quickly and get on trail. The route is listed as 12km on all the signage, but I think its closer to 10.5km. However, if its your first time visiting the park, its worth budgeting some extra walking in your legs in case you see view points you want to explore. The Letterkeen Loop is the longest of the four looped walks that leave the main car park. At the trailhead there are also permanent port-a-loos, and the Brogan Carroll bothy. This is the first true bothy I ever experienced in Ireland, and as far as Im aware, was the first one to be renovated/created. Its a simple, single stone room with a map of the park, a notice board with shuttle bus details and other things worth noting for walkers passing through. The old famine cottage was renovated by Mayo County Council and An Taisce thanks to donations by two Irish-Americans, John Brogan and Barry Carroll. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize All the trails here are way-marked in one direction. Beforehand I wouldve said Im not a fan of this idea - but it means that your experience of the park feels more empty than it might be. If youre all walking in the same direction, your only chance to overlap is when someone takes a long enough break. So as I set off on the path out of the car park and over the wooden bridge, I was pretty much alone. The path meanders around some gorse and along the riverside, narrow enough that it feels like it gets more sheep traffic than human. The river gully is deep, and in summer the ferns stand tall along the banks. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize After maybe a kilometre, the trail makes its way from the twisting riverbanks and widens into a stony path. At the 1.5km mark, blue arrows point into the forest, marking the turn off for the 5km Bothy Loop. There is an imperceptible uphill to this valley, and as you look ahead and see the small rise ahead, you can see the trail cut across the top of it. This climb feels a little more serious, but is still pleasant and gives great views back down the valley. Along this stretch youll also come across weathered way-markers from the Bangor Trail - the little green walking man almost consumed by the grey lichens. After youve passed the 4km mark, youll encounter another turn off to the right with a red way-marker: this is the Lough Avoher Loop. If the climb you just did was as much climbing as youre able for today, take this turn off. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Only a few hundred meters ahead is the Lough Avoher Shelter. This is one of two such Adirondack Shelters in the National Park. Mountain Meitheal (Irelands volunteer trail building organisation) adopted this style of shelter and have built several around the country along different trails (learn more here). I love these little huts, and had planned for this to be my lunch break. Arriving in the height of the summer season, there was more rubbish left behind than Ive previously seen, but not terribly mistreated. Ten days later I was back with a group, and we removed what was there. Overall, I feel like the people who visit this area respect the Leave No Trace or Pack it in, Pack it out mentality, because its a little harder to get here than most places, and fewer people know it exists. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Leaving the shelter, the trail consistently climbs. Quite quickly, the tree line changes from being a tall presence hugging the path, to swishing branches below. The lake of Lough Avoher peeps through the branches. The trail here actually hugs the park boundary, although youd have no idea apart from the line drawn on a map. For the 2km after the shelter, the ground is a little more boggy than before, and the trail dips in and out of the forest. Soon, the path comes to the highest point of the loop, a 311m spot height with no name that I know of. The views all around are beautiful, even on the hazy day that I was there filming. Descending from here, there is a more substantial forest section. There are some fallen trees inside the forest which look a little dramatic, but overall its still very passable. This section can also be muddy and slippy. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Popping out of the other end of the forest, the little ridge line of Aroher Hill feels almost tall and imposing ahead of you. But the trail turns left, and brings you down onto the easy-going forestry track that the Western Way also follows, back to the Letterkeen trailhead. On the way youll pass other designated camping locations, an etherial elk*, and the steady flow of water once more. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize * Tenaya is a life-sized willow sculpture of an Irish Elk by artist Brendan Farren. The Irish Elk, Megaloceros giganteus, was a species of giant prehistoric deer that it is thought to have gone extinct some 8000 years ago due to human hunting and the changing climate.The sculpture was commissioned by the National Parks & Wildlife Service to commemorate the twinning of Wild Nephin National Park with Yosemite National Park in May 2024, and installed along the Letterkeen Looped walk in Wild Nephin. It is named after Tenaya, the last leader of the Ahwahnechee native people in the Yosemite Valley. Indeed the Nephin Beg range of mountains is, I think, the very loneliest place in this countryROBERT LLOYD PRAEGER Further exploringThis area is truly quite remote, so some of my recommendations below are for Mayo in general:Other trails in the area: The Western Way: Mayo (multi-day hike)The Western Way: Galway (multi-day hike)Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail (multi-day hike)Keenagh Loop: Mayo.ie info (day hike)Favourite Local Coffee / Food Options:The Misunderstood Heron, MurriskThis Must be the Place, Cafe in Westport Other media: Stephen Reids video of the Bangor Trail includes some great research on the history of the area

I love the power of the outdoors. I love the headspace it gives, the inspiration and beauty you can find, the physical challenges it offers, and the time you can share with loved ones and friends. When I spend more time outside, I feel like my time is richer - days stretch to feel like weeks. Its this love for time outside that started Tough Soles in the first place. Carl and I wanted a place to document the Irish outdoors, and help others get out there too. To understand the Irish outdoor community more, I want to start an annual survey to see what were all doing, where were going, and what might help more people to sustainably access nature in the future. The first Big Irish Outdoor Survey is live, and running until the end of September 2026 Fill out the survey here Whether youre on the hills every weekend, or only get out a couple of times a year to your favourite lake, Id love to hear from you. This is fully anonymous.We're not collecting names or emails. Skip anything you don't want to answer, for any reason. There are 20 questions in total, across 5 sections. For any further info: Send me an email, or message me via instagram. For Editors:Tough Soles is a collaboration between Ellie Berry and Carl Lange. The couple first walked 4,000km along every National Waymarked Trail in Ireland between 2017 - 2019. In 2023, Ellie climbed all 275 mountains on the Vandeleur-Lynam List in 51 days, setting a new national record at that time. In 2026 they premiered a short film about Vandeleur-Lynam Project, made with Outsider.ie. Tough Soles continues to document the Irish outdoors, with the goal of inspiring others to find their place in nature.

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.