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Ballybunion Cliff Walk
I may be biased (actually, I am biased), but Ballybunion Beach in north Co Kerry has to be one of the best beaches in Ireland. It is stunning.
And what better way to take it in than the cliff walk overhead.
Park in the town of Ballybunion and head down towards Ladies’ Beach (the one to the right as you face the sea). Go down on to the beach and follow the trail up the side of the cliff.
Once on top, follow the trail around. It is very gentle and the views are super.
There is a road at the end that will loop you back around into the town, but I recommend turning around and coming back the same way to take it all in again. It is roughly 45 minutes out and back from the start of the trail.
Hook Head
Hook Head has another beautiful walk by the sea, this time in south Co Wexford.
It is another nice gentle walk for all the family, with just a couple of walls to be hopped over along the way.
Starting at the lighthouse on Hook Head and going behind it, follow the grassy trail along the shore.
It is about 3km long and is an out and back trail. So 6km all in. The walk is gentle and relaxing.
At the end of the path is Slade, a small village with a harbour. There are bathroom facilities here.
Howth Cliff Walk
Alongside the fabulous views of Dublin Bay, one of the best things about the Howth Cliff Walk has to be the various different routes you can take.
There are several paths that make this walk longer and harder or shorter and easier.
The purple route is the longest at 12km and takes about three hours. The red, blue and green routes are 6km, 7km and 8km respectively. There is also a shorter Howth Summit Walk.
Regardless of what path you take, there will be plenty of beautiful views. This walk is more difficult than the two outlined above.
A small amount of roadside parking is available on the way up to the cliff walk and there is also parking in Howth itself.
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