Field guide
Running and hiking near Dublin: parks and trails
Find practical information for running and hiking near Dublin. Details on the Howth cliff path loop and walks in Wicklow Mountains National Park.
For a coastal trail run or hike with a set distance, the Howth cliff path offers a 7.8 km loop. It is accessible from a railway station and has a moderate difficulty grade.
Wicklow Mountains National Park provides hiking options measured by time, not distance. The walks at Glendalough, such as the Mining Walk, require suitable hiking footwear for varied terrain.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wicklow Mountains National Park | Not listed | Not listed | suitable hiking footwear (boots/trail shoes) |
| Howth cliff path | 7.8 km | Not listed | Rough in parts |
Wicklow Mountains National Park
In the Glendalough area of the park, visitors can take the Mining Walk, which lasts from 2 to 2 and a half hours. The walk to the site itself takes 30 minutes and is described as gentle. The route features the old mining ruins of the Miners’ Village.
Suitable hiking footwear, such as boots or trail shoes, is recommended for the walk. The park also offers other scheduled events, like a Mindfulness Walk of approximately 2 hours and a Bumblebees Talk and Walk lasting 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Place type
- National Park
- Specific area
- Glendalough
- Mining Walk duration
- 2 to 2 ½ hours
- Walk to site duration (Mining Walk)
- 30 minutes
- Bumblebees Talk and Walk duration
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Mindfulness Walk duration
- Approximately 2 hours
- Recommended footwear for Mining Walk
- suitable hiking footwear (boots/trail shoes)
- Walk to site difficulty (Mining Walk)
- gentle
Sources: Wicklow Mountains National Park: Mining Walk, Sunday 9 September 2018 (npws.ie), Bumblebees Talk and Walk in Wicklow Mountains National Park (npws.ie), npws.ie (npws.ie). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Howth cliff path
The Howth – Cliff Path Loop is a 7.8 km trail on Howth Head. The route has an ascent of 130 m and is graded as moderate. The terrain is rough in parts, so walking boots are recommended for this path.
The loop starts and finishes at the Howth Railway Station. The trail is marked with a green arrow on a white background. The path provides views of Lambay Island, Ireland's Eye, and Dublin Bay. Grey seals may be visible from the cliffs.
- Trail name
- Howth – Cliff Path Loop
- Location
- Howth Head, Howth, Co. Dublin
- Loop length
- 7.8 km
- Ascent
- 130 m
- Terrain
- Rough in parts
- Difficulty grade
- Moderate
- Start point
- Howth Railway Station
- Finish point
- Howth Railway Station
Sources: Howth Head Walks (fingal.ie), Howth (sportireland.ie). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Running and hiking the Howth Cliff Path Loop
Before you go
- Parking at the Upper Lake car park in Glendalough costs €4.
- A complete ban on fires and BBQs is in effect in Wicklow Mountains National Park.
- Booking is essential for free park events, and dogs are not permitted at them.
- The Howth cliff path is rough in parts, and the Glendalough Mining Walk requires hiking footwear.
- Follow the green arrow on a white background to stay on the Howth cliff path loop.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.