Classic Dublin & Northern Ireland - Hiking
Country
Ireland
Region
Dublin & East Ireland, Belfast & Northern Ireland
Theme
Classic
7
Days
6
Nights
Accommodation
3* / 4*
Dublin, Belfast and much, much more in between.
This journey links Ireland’s east coast and northern edge through a sequence of walks that move from city cliffs to mountain parks, industrial heritage and exposed coastal paths. Beginning in Dublin, the route traces how landscape and history intersect around the Irish Sea, before crossing into Northern Ireland and following the coast north. Urban walking, national parks, island trails and geological landmarks are balanced across the week. We’ve built in time to truly understand each place on foot, without rushing between them, and the 7-day tour builds naturally towards the dramatic vistas of the Antrim coast.
Highlights
- Cliff walking on the Howth Peninsula
- Hiking the Spinc above Glendalough’s lakes
- City and hill walking around Belfast
- Visit to the Titanic Museum
- Walking the Antrim Coast Path and the Giant’s Causeway
- Island walking on Rathlin Island
Handpicked Accommodation
The Bushmills Inn Hotel, Bushmills
A former coaching inn dating back to the early 1600s, The Bushmills Inn combines thick stone walls and open fires with understated comfort.
Why we chose it
The inn’s atmosphere suits early starts, weather-led days and relaxed evenings once the walking is done.
The Malone Hotel, Belfast
Located in Belfast’s tree-lined university quarter, The Malone Hotel sits within a Victorian townhouse with modern interiors.
Why we chose it
The position works well for hill walking directly above the city and for evenings spent exploring Belfast on foot.
The Trinity City Hotel, Dublin
Set just behind Trinity College, this centrally located hotel occupies a collection of historic buildings adapted into a contemporary city base.
Why we chose it
Its location allows easy access to Dublin’s main cultural sites while remaining walkable and compact.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Dublin and the Howth Peninsula
Meet your guide in Dublin and head north to the Howth Peninsula for a coastal walk that provides a striking introduction to Ireland. The clifftop path circles the headland, offering open views across Dublin Bay and out towards the Irish Sea. Howth has been a fishing village for centuries, and the harbour remains active today. In the afternoon, return to the city for a relaxed walk past some of Dublin’s best-known streets and landmarks. The day closes with dinner together and a first Guinness, easing into the rhythm of the week.
Day 2 – The Wicklow Mountains
Leave the city behind and travel south into Wicklow Mountains National Park. At Glendalough, walk the Spinc route, which climbs above the Upper and Lower Lakes on a well-built trail. The monastic settlement here was founded in the 6th century by St Kevin, and its round tower remains one of the best-preserved in Ireland. Waterfalls, hanging valleys and elevated viewpoints give the walk a strong sense of scale without technical difficulty. Return to Dublin in the afternoon with time free to explore independently.
Day 3 – Dublin to Belfast via Cave Hill
Transfer north into Northern Ireland, arriving at Cave Hill Country Park on the edge of Belfast. The walk to the summit follows forest paths and open slopes, with views widening steadily over the city. The hill is thought to have inspired Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, with its profile resembling a sleeping giant when seen from certain angles. After checking in, take a short orientation walk through Belfast, introducing the city’s layout and recent transformation, before dinner together.
Day 4 – Divis Mountain
Today’s walk takes place just outside the city on Divis and the Black Mountain. From the summit, views extend across Belfast Lough and, on clear days, across the Irish Sea towards Scotland. This upland area was once heavily impacted by industrial activity and later restored, becoming one of Northern Ireland’s most accessible high viewpoints. In the afternoon, visit the Titanic Museum, built on the site where the ship was designed and constructed. The evening is free to explore Belfast’s effervescent food and music scene.
Day 5 – To Bushmills on the Antrim Coast Path
Travel north to the Antrim coast for a longer day of walking. The Antrim Coast Path links sections of cliff, grassland and rocky shoreline, revealing a coastline shaped by volcanic activity. Visit the Giant’s Causeway, formed around 60 million years ago by cooling lava, before continuing on to Dunseverick Castle, once a stronghold of early Irish kings. The day’s walking finishes in Bushmills, where the only thing guests need to worry about is their drink order.
Day 6 – Sláinte! Toasting the journey at the Bushmills Distillery
Start early for Ballycastle, where a ferry crosses to Rathlin Island. The island’s walking routes follow quiet lanes and clifftop paths, with seabird colonies offshore and wide views back to the mainland. Rathlin’s upside-down lighthouse is the only one in the world positioned at the base of a cliff rather than the top. After returning to Bushmills, visit the village’s famous whiskey distillery, officially licensed in 1608, making it the oldest in the world. A final dinner together rounds off the journey.
Day 7 – Departure from Belfast
After breakfast, transfer to Belfast where the tour comes to an end. Say farewell or continue your travels independently.
Itinerary Designer
This route shows how close Ireland’s cities, hills and coasts really are. Walk a clifftop in the morning, stand above a working city by lunchtime, then finish the week where the land drops straight into the Atlantic.
Will
Featured Experience
Walking the Antrim Coast
Walking between the Giant’s Causeway and Dunseverick Castle should be on everyone’s bucket list. A stretch of coast where geology and history are closely intertwinned.