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    Hiking Tours Ireland

    Our hiking tours will take you off the beaten track to Ireland’s wild corners and secret, local spots. From the Wild Atlantic Way to the Causeway Coast and the Ancient East, hike in amazing places like Dingle, the Ring of Kerry, West Cork, Connemara, Donegal, Northern Ireland, Wicklow, and the islands of Ireland.

    Browse our trips to find the perfect match.

    Expert Guides
    Small Group Travel
    Handpicked Accommodation

    Your Next Hiking Trip to Ireland Awaits

    With over 10 years of experience delivering hiking tours in Ireland’s most beautiful regions, we go far beyond simply handling logistics. From the stunning coastlines of the Wild Atlantic Way to the evocative wilderness of Connemara, our expert team know Ireland’s iconic landscapes better than anyone and is passionate about delivering a range of world-class hiking adventures to suit every ability.

    Our team will organise your walking adventure in its entirety, so you don’t need to worry about the planning. Crafted to showcase both Ireland’s most iconic destinations and its less-travelled hidden gems, our tours are built on years of deep personal experience and enhanced by our passionate guides. Our range of walking tours (which you can explore below) offers a variety of locations, experiences, comfort, and grading levels. Looking for luxury? Some of our tours offer deluxe upgrades. Looking to travel with like-minded women? Our women-only departures might be the perfect fit.

    Whether you’re a first-time visitor to our rugged coasts or a returning traveller, we are delighted to welcome you to Ireland and help tick every box on your hiking trip wishlist. Still have questions? Contact our friendly team by phone, email, or Livechat to chat through trip options and find your ideal adventure.

    Quality Assured Read More

    At Wilderness Ireland, we want you to love every minute of your holiday. In order to ensure exceptional comfort and friendly service on our small group hiking trips, we handpick each accommodation you stay in. Most of our trips are Classic standard, meaning your accommodation is 3 to 4 star – usually family-run hotels, charming guesthouses, quaint BnBs or even the odd historical manor! We do offer a Deluxe standard, which includes 4 to 5 star accommodations. We do offer a Make it Private option on all of our group trips, with the option to upgrade hotels.

    Our tours will include your guide, transport, transfers, ferries, as well as most meals and entrance fees or activities stated in the itinerary. Each day, you’ll partake in a guided hike through some of Ireland’s most stunning landscapes and coastlines. No need to worry about your luggage – carry only a daypack with what you need for the day.

    Group tours are perfect for single and solo travellers as you get the chance to join like-minded people, as well as for couples, groups of friends or families. However, groups can also choose our Make it Private option, meaning you can book a private version of our trips that includes only your group of friends, family or colleagues.

    Our Locations Read More

    While you can visit any part of the Emerald Isle on a tailor made trip, if you choose to travel on one of our small group tours, browse the tours in the following locations:

    Trip Grading Explained Read More
    Green Graded: Difficulty 1-3

    Green graded hiking trips are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy gentle to moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km (4-6 miles). Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

    Blue Graded: Difficulty 4-6

    Blue graded hiking trips are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. We walk at a good pace and you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will not always be on a path and the terrain underfoot can be rough and boggy, including boulder fields and mountain tops. Some of the daily walks will involve a mountain ascent of over 3,000ft / 900m high. Daily distances will be typically up to 16km (10 miles) but may be longer occasionally. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

    Red Graded: Difficulty 7-9

    Red graded hiking trips are suitable for fit and experienced hikers used to challenging routes and rough terrain. The terrain will be varied but include rough hill tracks, boggy ground, boulder fields and mountain tops. There may be ridge walks or short non-technical scrambling so a good head for heights is useful. Daily distances will be 15 – 20km a day and often include an ascent of a major peak up to 3,000ft / 900m high. Daily hikes are available in the itinerary.

    Our Hiking Holidays

    11 Hiking Trips

    Load More Departures

    First Time Visitors

    We love welcoming new travellers to Ireland and sharing our passion for its wild landscapes. Ask any one of us about our favourite trip or region, and you’ll get as many different answers as there are members of our team. From north to south, our beautiful, rainbowy, ancient island offers incredible places perfect for exploring on foot, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

    As a first-time visitor, you’ll likely have a few questions about our adventures and Ireland in general. Luckily, our friendly office team is always on hand to chat through any queries you may have, and we are happy to provide local insight and solid advice about anything from arrival airports to average temperatures, breakfast options, and bird life. Plus, once you arrive in Ireland, our guides will take care of every aspect of your trip, so there is no need to worry about accommodation, meals, trail choice or transfers. Whether it’s enjoying a traditional music session at one of our favourite little pubs or exploring a cliff-top trail that only the locals know about, – our aim is to make your journey with us as seamless, beautiful, and memorable as possible.

    Pre-Trip Planning and Customer Support

    Ok, I’m All Booked, But What Do I Pack? Read More

    Not sure what to pack? Not to worry – we have created a handy and comprehensive kit list for each type of trip – find the hiking kit list here. This list includes essential items, as well as recommended ones, that will ensure you have everything you need for an amazing hiking trip in Ireland. Ideally, if you can pack into a soft duffle bag, it makes life easier packing up our vans.

    Where will your luggage be stored during your trip? While you’re in Ireland with us, your luggage will be kept safe at your accommodation or securely stored in the van during transfers. The only thing you need to bring with you each day is a small day bag large enough for your water, snacks, extra layers, camera and phone, and packed lunch.

    In Ireland, we have a saying that we can get all four seasons in one day. Due to our location in Ireland, the weather is lovely, cool, and fresh, but it can also be changeable. It’s best to be prepared with a variety of layers and include raingear, sunglasses, and, yes, sunscreen. Temperatures are generally mild, ranging from 7° to 21° Celcius (and 45° to 70° F). As Alfred Wainwright famously said, ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.’

    How do I Get to Ireland? Read More

    Ireland has three major international points of entry: Dublin Airport on the east coast, Shannon Airport on the west coast, and Belfast Airport in Northern Ireland. Additionally, smaller airports like Kerry, Knock, Derry, Cork, and a second Belfast airport offer flights to destinations in the UK and Europe.

    For those travelling by sea, ferry services connect Ireland to the UK and Europe, with routes serving Dublin, Belfast, Larne, Rosslare, and Cork. If your journey involves Belfast Airport, transiting through London, or travelling within Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK), an ETA will be required – find more details on our FAQ page.

    Read more about travel to and within Ireland on our comprehensive travel page.

    The Start of Your Trip – Where Do I Meet My Hiking Guide? 
 Read More

    Ireland’s public transport connections make getting around the country relatively easy. All our guided group hiking trips begin and end at a train station or in a city centre, which makes the start and end of any adventure relaxed and stress-free.

    Exactly where and when to meet your Wilderness guide is stated on your chosen hiking trip page under the “Trip Details” section and reiterated in correspondence with your travel consultant before your adventure begins.

    Before and After Your Trip – Stay, See Guides Read More

    Our friendly sales team, who are always on hand to answer any queries, will happily provide you with Stay, See guides for various destinations across Ireland. These guides highlight our recommended accommodations and must-see attractions, ensuring you experience the very best each location has to offer.

    These documents, impeccably researched and designed to make your journey that much smoother, are perfect for making the most of your time before and after your adventure with us.

    Destination Experts

    The ancient, wild nature of Ireland can be felt in the land, sea, and sky. The Emerald Isle’s enduring and irresistible appeal is anchored in its diverse natural wonders. On a hiking tour in Ireland, our travellers are immersed in elemental landscapes rich in history and infused with myth.

    Not sure which region of Ireland you would most like to visit? With so many wonderful places to explore, deciding where to go can be tricky. From scree-sloped summits to wave-washed beaches, Ireland offers a wealth of landscapes that are ideal hiking tour terrain. Find out more about some of our best-loved destinations below, and remember, our Adventure Consultants are always pleased to provide advice or inspiration via email, phone, or live chat.

    Sustainability and Responsible Travel

    If our reviews are anything to go by, how we operate our vacations proves that it is possible to travel responsibly without compromising the traveller’s experience. Our hiking itineraries are designed to minimise our carbon footprint, support local communities, and protect the wild places we visit so they can be enjoyed by future generations.

    What Do We Mean By Responsible Travel?

    Travel allows us to visit beautiful, wild places and connect with different cultures around the world. As travellers, we can travel more sustainably by making well-informed choices. We accept that flying to a destination may be the best available option, but once we’ve arrived, we think about staying longer, choosing back-to-back tours, and making our journeys count once we arrive. By choosing Wilderness Scotland, Wilderness Ireland, or Wilderness England, you’re choosing a world-leading travel company fully committed to sustainable travel.

    Our Sustainability Goals

    Our vision for 21st-century travel decisively aims for a more sustainable future. We have taken an industry-leading position on climate change and are one of only a handful of companies committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the first global science-based standard with the aim of achieving true net zero.

    Iconic Sites and Hidden Gems

    Our holidays reviewed in your own words...

    Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

    That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

    LB

    Lorraine Borland

    Hiking & Island Hopping - Cork & Kerry

    Age: 70 - 80
    Country: New Zealand
    Trip Date: 31/08/2024
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

    The Bottom Line

    Great! I look forward to my next hiking trip with Wilderness ireland.

    DL

    Dawn Laine

    Hiking - Kerry & Clare

    Age: 50 - 60
    Trip Date: 07/09/2024
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

    The Bottom Line

    Oh my gosh! I hardly know where to begin. Everything about the County Clare & County Kerry trip was amazing. Our guide, Declan, was awesome. His knowledge of the area was brilliant, and his enthusiasm was contagious. Each place we visited was magical in it's own way. The hikes were perfect. The lodgings were great. The food was delicious & so fresh. I really didn't want the trip to end. Thank you for this beautiful experience. I'm looking forward to more!

    MU

    Mallory Ursul

    Hiking & Island Hopping - Ireland's West Coast

    Age: 30 - 40
    Country: United States
    Trip Date: 05/10/2024
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

    As Recommended By...

    You'll be in good company on a Wilderness Ireland Trip. Some of the biggest and best known names in the business have recommended us.

    Los Angeles Times
    National Geographic Adventure
    Vogue
    Men's Health
    USA Today
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