From the mountains and glens to the loughs and canals, there’s a whole host of outdoor options to keep those feet moving. In fact, Ireland can offer a great diversity of walks across a range of exciting themes, including coastal, island, mountain and hill, bog and moorlands, historical, archeological and even the wonderful world of mythology. 

Everywhere you go, you’ll be surrounded by the physical beauty of the island and will never find yourself too far from much-needed amenities. 

Walkers can interact with local communities and savour the relaxed pace of life in rural Ireland. And if you’re not sure where to start, there’s a plentiful selection of linear walks available across the countryside. 

If you are looking to up the speed a little bit there are lots of sublime cycling routes winding through some of the most superlative scenery the country has to offer. 

The magical extra ingredient that Irish cycling holidays can offer is our network of countless little leafy lanes and quiet rural roads, almost completely free of traffic, which thread through the unspoiled countryside. Many of these small roads have an ancient lineage dating back hundreds of years. 

Around Northern Ireland you’ll find The National Cycle Network, which consists of over 770 miles of four high quality, signed cycle routes from Belfast to Ballyshannon, Ballycastle to Ballyshannon, the Kingfisher Trail and the Loughshore Trail. 

Wherever you cycle, you are guaranteed to find scenic beauty, a varied landscape, wayside history, friendly villages, the Irish tradition of generous hospitality and the warmest welcome in the world.

Our top 5 Top recommended Walking and Cycling tracks are as follows:

Dundalk to Drogheda (Cycling)

This 54 km long route is easy to cycle and takes in lovely coastal scenery. It starts in Dundalk and travels at first through the manorial village of Castlebellingham before heading on to the seaside village of Annagassan, which was originally founded by the Vikings. The route continues on to the pretty village of Clogherhead before bring you to the seaside village of Baltry. The journey is then completed when arriving in Drogheda where you are able to finish of the trip with a visit to the “Beaulieu” stately home of considerable architectural importance.

Dromore Wood Loop (Walk)

Situated in the southeastern extremity of the Burren region of County Clare, the Dromore Wood Loop walk is set amongst a nature reserve rich in flora and funa diversity as a result of its river, lakes, flooded meadows, limestone pavement, peat, reed beds and woodlands. The reserve has an added historical and archaeological treat in the form of the 17th century O’Brien Castle, which is still standing by the lake edge, the site of Cahermacrea Castle, the site of Kilakee Church, two ring forts and a lime kiln. The trail is an easy 2hour self guide.

Sheep’s Head Loop (Walk)

With wild picturesque scenery and fantastic coastal views, the Sheep’s Head Peninsula is one of Ireland’s treasures. There are no roads to the tip of the peninsula, so the only way to unearth its charms is to travel on foot making this a special walk. The short loop is an easy 2hour trail that leads you past rocky outcrops to the lighthouse at the tip of the headland. For those more energetic the long loop is a moderate to difficult trail taking up to 6 hours, but the effort is well rewarded with dazzling inlets, coves, blow holes and sea arches along the way. Climbing to the top of a gentle 239m-high Ballyroon Mountain you will pass a ruined 17th century signal tower as you go, with the summit providing spectacular views over both sides of the peninsula.

Muckross Lake Loop (Walk)

Located in the Killarney National Park the Muckross Lake Loop walk is a moderate trail of between 3 – 5 hours in distance starting and finishing at Muckross House, the walks involve a minimal of climbing and include visits to the beautiful formal gardens and historic buildings of the 19th century Muckross Demesne. Quiet green paths take you away from the Estate and down to small beaches and rocky coves of Muckross Lake, where you can watch heron hunt for food. Entering the moss and fern carpeted Reenadinna Wood it’s worth watching out for red squirrels and the majestic red deer. At the western end of Muckross Lake is the 200-year-old Dinis Cottage. You can grab refreshments here before heading behind the Cottage to a short path leading to the where Killarney’s Upper Lake flows down to join the lower loughs.

Rivers and Cathedrals Tour (Cycling)

The region covered by the Rivers and Cathedrals cycle route in County Kilkenny crosses great sweeps of open farmland, bounded to the east and south by broad rivers. In the past chieftains endowed the area with abbeys and cathedrals in such places as Jerpoint, Holycross, Cashel and Kilkenny. Cashel, a massive outcrop of rock, was a royal place and stronghold in Celtic times and is now the site of some of Ireland's finest architectural remains. Kilkenny, with its ancient cathedral, is a thriving modern city. The route encircles three ranges of hills where the highest climb is 240m. The Castlecomer hills, to the north, have one of Ireland's few coal mines while at Dunmore there is a cave open to visitors. On the slopes of Slievenamon there are decorated Celtic crosses.