Best Hiking Trails in County Dublin: A Comprehensive Local's Guide

Dublin County offers some of the most diverse hiking experiences in Leinster, with trails that span from coastal paths overlooking the Irish Sea to rugged mountain routes in the Dublin Mountains. Unlike many other Leinster counties, Dublin uniquely combines urban proximity with wild landscapes - you can be standing on a mountain summit with panoramic views just 30 minutes from the city center.

The county's hiking routes have historical significance dating back to ancient times, with many paths following routes used by the Vikings and early Christian monks who established settlements throughout the region in the 9th and 10th centuries.

Most Popular Dublin Hiking Trails

Ticknock Forest & Three Rock Mountain

This 7km loop trail offers some of the most spectacular views over Dublin Bay and the city. The forest section provides shelter on windy days before opening up to exposed mountain terrain.

Visitor Information: Best visited on clear weekday mornings to avoid weekend crowds. Allow 2-3 hours for the full loop. The parking lot fills quickly on weekends, so arrive before 10am.

Unlike the more manicured Powerscourt trails in Wicklow, Ticknock maintains a wilder feel while still being accessible. Check out Dublin Mountains Partnership for trail maps and updates.

Howth Cliff Path Loop

This dramatic coastal trail circles the Howth Peninsula with stunning views across Dublin Bay. The 10km loop takes you past Howth Lighthouse, Ireland's Eye island, and along rugged sea cliffs.

Visitor Information: Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds. The full loop takes 3-4 hours, but you can shorten it at several points. Bring layers as the exposed cliffs get very windy.

While Killiney Hill in south Dublin also offers sea views, Howth's dramatic cliffs and heather-covered slopes provide a much more dramatic hiking experience.

Hellfire Club & Massy's Estate

This trail combines spooky history with excellent hiking. The route up to the infamous Hellfire Club (a ruined hunting lodge with dark legends) offers panoramic views before descending through the beautiful woodland of Massy's Estate.

Visitor Information: The 5km route takes about 2 hours. Best visited in morning light for photography. The site can be eerily quiet on weekday afternoons - perfect for those seeking solitude.

Carrickgollogan & Lead Mines

This shorter hike packs in fascinating industrial heritage along with excellent views. The trail passes the historic lead mines chimney before climbing to Carrickgollogan hill for panoramic views across south Dublin.

Visitor Information: The 4km loop takes about 1.5 hours. The site is rarely crowded even on weekends. Coillte Outdoors manages this site and provides excellent information.

Dublin Mountains Way

For serious hikers, this 43km waymarked trail traverses the entire Dublin Mountains from Shankill to Tallaght. While most people tackle it in sections, completing the entire route gives you bragging rights few Dubliners can claim.

Visitor Information: Each section takes 3-5 hours. Spring and autumn offer the best conditions as summer can be surprisingly hot on exposed sections, while winter brings snow to higher elevations.

Hidden Dublin Hiking Gems

Broadmeadow Estuary Coastal Path

This lesser-known coastal trail near Malahide offers a completely different hiking experience. Unlike the more popular Hill of Howth trails, this flat route takes you through a protected wetland ecosystem teeming with birdlife.

The locals know to time their visit with the incoming tide when the variety of wading birds is most impressive. During winter months, you might spot Brent geese that fly all the way from Arctic Canada.

Seahan Mountain Circuit

While tourists flock to nearby Kippure, locals head to Seahan Mountain for solitude and equally impressive views. This challenging 8km circuit takes you through boggy terrain to the summit with its ancient burial cairn.

Ask any local about the "Featherbeds" section and they'll regale you with stories of cars getting stuck in the bog during severe weather. The mountain has been used as a navigation point for centuries.

Tibradden Wood Ancient Forest

This beautiful woodland contains some of the oldest trees in County Dublin, with specimens dating back over 200 years. The 2.5km looped trail passes a prehistoric burial site and offers unexpected mountain views through clearings.

Local school children still participate in an annual tree planting program here that began in 1939 – look for the small plaques identifying which local school planted which section.

Event Calendar

Spring Events

Dublin Mountains Walking Festival (April) This weekend festival offers guided hikes across the Dublin Mountains with local experts sharing insights about flora, fauna, and history. The annual dawn hike to watch the sunrise from Three Rock Mountain is particularly popular.

Howth Maritime Festival (May) Combine your coastal hike with this celebration of Howth's seafaring tradition. Local fishermen offer boat tours around Ireland's Eye island while seafood stalls serve fresh catches at the harbor.

Summer Events

Tibradden Midsummer Night Hike (June) This magical guided evening hike includes storytelling at the ancient stone circle. Locals bring picnics to watch the sunset from the mountain.

Marlay Park Summer Concert Series (July-August) After hiking in the Dublin Mountains, many walkers finish their day at these popular outdoor concerts in Marlay Park, which serves as the trailhead for several routes.

Autumn Events

Dublin Mountain Fungal Forays (October) These expert-led walks focus on identifying the incredible variety of mushrooms and fungi found in Dublin's woodlands. Booking essential as they always sell out.

Hellfire Club Halloween Night Tour (October) Brave the spooky histories and local legends with this night hike to the Hellfire Club. Not for the faint-hearted!

Winter Events

Winter Solstice Dawn Gathering (December 21) Join locals at the ancient stone circle on Montpelier Hill to mark the shortest day of the year - a tradition connecting modern Dubliners with their prehistoric ancestors.

Christmas Day Sea Swim & Cliff Walk (December 25) After the famous Forty Foot Christmas morning swim, many Dubliners continue the tradition with a bracing hike along the nearby Killiney cliff path.

Family-Friendly Hiking Options

Corkagh Park Nature Trails

These gentle 1-2km loops are perfect for families with young children. The trails feature interactive nature identification posts and a wonderful butterfly house open during summer months.

Age Suitability: Perfect for ages 3-10, with paths suitable for all-terrain strollers.

Barnaslingan Wood "Scalp" Trail

This moderately challenging 3km trail features fascinating rock formations that children love to explore. The "Scalp" is a glacial feature with massive boulders perfect for supervised climbing adventures.

Age Suitability: Best for ages 7-15 who enjoy scrambling and exploring.

Massey Woods Fairy Trail

This enchanting woodland walk features fairy doors, tiny houses and bridges that delight younger children. The 2km loop is manageable for little legs while keeping them engaged throughout.

Age Suitability: Magical experience for ages 3-8.

Phoenix Park Biodiversity Trail (All-Weather Option)

When rain threatens, head to this mostly sheltered 4km trail through Phoenix Park's less-visited western section. The trail passes through woodland areas where you're likely to encounter the park's famous wild deer herd.

Age Suitability: Suitable for all ages, with sections accessible by wheelchair and stroller.

Local Business Highlight

The Blue Light Pub

This traditional hillwalkers' pub sits at the foothills of the Dublin Mountains and has been serving tired hikers for generations. Their Irish stew is legendary among mountain walkers, best enjoyed with a pint of Guinness by the turf fire.

Many hikers don't know that the pub got its name from a lantern that was hung to signal to smugglers that it was safe to land their contraband along the coast below.

Hiking in County Dublin

County Dublin's hiking trails offer an incredible diversity of experiences within a surprisingly compact area. From coastal paths with wheeling seabirds to mountain summits with panoramic views, Dublin's trails connect modern hikers with thousands of years of human history in the landscape.

What makes Dublin's hiking scene truly special is how these wild spaces exist right alongside one of Europe's most vibrant cities. You can stand on a mountain summit in the morning and enjoy world-class museums by afternoon - a combination few European capitals can match.

Now, check out our guide about the best hiking spots in County Carlow.

🎯 For Locals

Want more hidden gems, ready-made weekend plans & insider picks? Order one of these quick upgrades (coming soon):

• 📍 Weekend Itinerary Packs – Themed trips with maps, food stops & hidden gems. (e.g. Romantic Wicklow, Rainy Day in Dublin)
• 📍 Hidden Gems by County – Bonus picks not in this guide, organized by region.

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