We’ve put together a list of Ireland's hikes, walks for the kids and places you can go that are buggy-friendly too! From Belfast to Cork and Mayo to Dublin - your weekend with the family is ready to go!
Gruffalo Trail, Belfast
An awesome and FREE activity that will keep your wee ones happy and occupied, the Gruffalo Trail in Colin Glen is a sculpture park dedicated to the characters of The Gruffalo children’s book by Julia Donaldson. There’s a Visitor’s Centre, cafe and you can even get a guided tour if you’re so inclined!
Derrynane Coastal Circuit and Fairy Trail, Co. Kerry
The grounds of the Derrynane National Historic Park (ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell) are now a great place to take the kids and have a wander, with an 8km loop walk that you can drift into and out of at your own pace. Don’t miss the Fairy Trail as well (‘discovered’ in 2010 though apparently, the fairies have been there for 1000’s of years) which is located within the grounds of Derrynane House!
Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk, Co. Wicklow
Accessible by DART, the Bray Head Cliff Walk is a gorgeous amble for a Sunday afternoon. This is a great walk if you have older kids in the family and want to get a bit of fresh air in their lungs. The full walk is around 2 ½ hours, the views are incomparable and there a plenty of options for a pre- or post-stroll coffee and bite!
Shannon Blueway, Co. Leitrim
A smorgasbord of paddling, walking, and cycling routes, the Shannon Blueway has lots of options for the young and the young-at-heart alike! Hire canoes and paddle the Blueways, bring your bikes and go for a family cycle or simply pop your shoes on and take a walk! If you’ve got a bit more time, Make Life Richer and plan a full weekend with the troops!
Howth Cliff Walk, Dublin
The still-working fishing village of Howth, just a short train ride away from the centre of Dublin, is a glorious spot to bring the family. Take in the views across Howth Harbour to Lambay Island, Ireland’s Eye and around the Howth Head to the Baily Lighthouse. There are a couple of loop walk options to choose from and make sure you stop in the village for a coffee and some Fish & Chips post-walk!
Stairway to Heaven, Co. Fermanagh
This one is occasionally steep and quite a long walk at around 6 hours, but if you have some older kids in the family, this is a great full-day option and the views at the end are spectacularly worth it. Formally known as the Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail, you’ll be feeling the burn by the end of the walk, but the sense of accomplishment will make it all the more worthwhile and your teens will (eventually) thank you for getting some fresh Irish air back in their lungs!
The Carrowteige Beach Loop, Co. Mayo
A beautiful and casual coastal cliff walk, the Carrowteige Beach Loop is a quiet 1 ½ hours and a good option for the whole family. If you’re an extra active bunch, then you could go with the Black Ditch Loop instead, which is twice the time at around the 3-hour mark. If you’re heading out when the weather’s warm, then make sure to take your togs with you for a quick dip!
The Waterford Greenway, Co. Waterford
The Waterford Greenway is a fantastic option for little ones, mid-sized kids and kids-at-heart alike. You can walk it or cycle it and there’s a couple of great spots to stop for a snack and a coffee along the way. The full Greenway is 46km and is totally doable with the fam, but there’s no pressure to complete the whole thing if you’re short on time, or are just looking for an hour or so of outdoorsy-ness!
Malahide-Portmarnock Coastal Walk, Dublin
Perfect for solo wandering, family ambling and designed to accommodate buggies, this is 4km or gorgeous coastal scenery, only a short drive from the centre of Dublin. The Malahide-Portmanock Coastal Walk can be extended by tacking on extra trails like the Robswall hike or by nipping down to the wide, golden sand beach. Head into Malahide proper for a quick bite before or after!
There are so many options across Ireland for some team walking - let us know if there’s any we’ve missed that are tried and tested with your kin!
