Not many people know that Ireland is more than Saint Patrick’s Day and Guinness beer, don’t get me wrong… those two are amazing, but there’s a lot more to this country. Ireland is packed with stunning green landscapes, an interesting history and one of the most vibrant cultures in the world. In fact, the country folklore has inspired many movies, and fantasy histories and guess what? There’s no better way to explore and immerse yourself in those rich lands than by doing a walking holiday in Ireland.
The best part is that, on this adventure, you set the pace, you choose the stops, and you decide what and how to explore this amazing country.
1. Choosing Your Route
The first thing you need to do is choose where in the country you want to walk. Fortunately, Ireland is packed with a ton of trails that can serve a huge number of different people. There are some classic trails and other trails that are world-renowned.
The perfect example of an amazing walking holiday in Ireland is the Dingle Way. This is an iconic trail that loops around the coastline of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. It offers great sea views, coastal villages, and a terrain that’s not really challenging.
On the other hand, you have the Kerry Way, which is another major trail in the country. This trail is located on the southwest side of the country and takes you across mountains, peninsulas and lakes. The full hike takes about 11 hours in total to complete, and you get the chance to stay in iconic towns like Killarney.
Another popular option for a walking holiday is the Wicklow Way. This one is a lot closer to Dublin, which is a major tourist hub. This trail is packed with woodland, farms, hills and valleys. Perfect for those who want to stay close to the city.
You’ll want to pick a route that fits your interests: coast or inland? Mountains or gentler terrain? Big distances or relaxed pace?
2. When to Go & What to Expect
Now, it’s time to start planning the actual journey, and the first thing you need to decide is the season. The weather in Ireland is packed with surprises, so deciding on a good season is a must.
For example, Spring (April-June) and early autumn (Sept) tend to be the sweet spots. During those seasons, you will have particularly decent weather, fewer people around than midsummer, and good daylight hours.
The thing is that you need to be prepared to face rain. Summer and midsummer can be sunnier but also a lot busier, and the weather still changes fast.
In Ireland, the weather loves surprises. You can easily have sun, rain, mist, and a ton of wind in a single day. So, don’t overestimate this and prepare accordingly.
Tip: Make sure you check local conditions each day in the morning. This way, if heavy rain or a storm is predicted, you can easily adjust your plans instead of being surprised.
3. Preparing Your Logistics
When it comes to logistics for a walking holiday, it’s not always a walk in the park. Since those kinds of holidays involve multi-day hikes, which means that you will be out there walking for days, and staying overnight in several different towns and accommodations, you would need to plan and book accordingly.
Thankfully, there are agencies dedicated to those types of holidays, and OrbisWays is one that has stood out a lot. The agency takes care of everything, from booking all the different accommodations to moving your luggage from town to town (a must, this way you only walk with a backpack), as well as 24/7 support, and detailed guides.
This makes it one of the best approaches to a walking holiday. Those services and packages let you focus on the trails and enjoy the experience without worries, which is the most important aspect of the holiday.
Conclusion
A successful walking holiday in Ireland starts with deciding on the route. I really recommend going for one of the popular ones like the Dingle Way. Then, start deciding on the best time to go, research the route you decided on, the general area and see what other people are saying. This way, you ensure a great holiday, and with the help of a specialised agency like OrbisWays, you can make the most o
