The Ireland Way Hiking Trail

The Ireland Way Hiking Trail

The Ireland Way Hiking Trail
5
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles6 reviews
Excellent
5
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
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drbeatz
Drumcondra, Ireland47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2020
Great trail. Some parts of the southern section can be really challenging. I used an app called Hiiker to do it, which was pretty much a 100% necessity as some sections there is little or no signage and it can get a bit confusing. The book is also good.

I camped a lot of the Way by asking permission of farmers (mostly 😅). I think you need a top-notch tent to do it. I have a Zpacks Duplex tent, and you need that level and quality of waterproofing. I had a groundsheet as well that was a necessity. I used a combination of gators and trail runners, but I was happy enough to get my feet wet in places. I feel like I got pretty lucky with the weather for the most part but equally, I experience the 4-seasons in a day weather the odd time!
Written 2 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marsul
Cheltenham, UK108 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Couples
Some fabulous walks to suit all abilities. Make sure you are well prepared you can experience all four seasons in a day.......also remember not to exceed your limits, particularly if walking alone.....there are spots in the mountains when you will have no mobile phone cover and you might be a long way from help.
Written 14 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Corinne C
Seattle, WA8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2016 • Solo
I walked the Beara Breifne Way portion of the Ireland Way (Castletownbere to Blacklion) over 7 weeks in the spring and summer of 2016. It was a spectacular experience; a life changing experience. I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to walk it. However, for all but the most fit and ambitious, walking the Ireland Way is not an experience to be approached lightly. I would rate it 5 stars for the personal experience alone, but am reducing the rating due to the lack of supportive infrastructure (at the time I took the journey)

Some sections of the way are well waymarked, have places to stop/stay, and/or are relatively easy going. Other sections are quite physically challenging, with very long distances between facilities. In addition, at the time I walked the way, some portions were challenging to follow (missing or very 'ad hoc' waymarks). I know there are efforts to improve this, and the situation may be different even by now!

The conditions along the way vary by region, as it is maintained by different individuals and groups along its length. During many portions, I relied on the kindness and assistance of drivers who helped me get to lodging in the evening and back to the trail in the morning. Particularly in sections with fewer lodgings, this assistance was invaluable for me.

Also be aware that many sections of the Way are on paved roads (bring shoes that can handle pavement as well as water and uneven footing!) and through pastures, including those with sheep and, worthy of greater concern, cattle. Most of these fields belong to small farmers who have generously allowed hikers to cross their fields; exercise caution and respect.

Definitely do your research and if possible connect with people who have walked the Way if you are considering it. (There is an Ireland Way website managed by a very kind woman, and I wrote about my experience in detail on my blog, Single Step Journeywoman)

However, if you do make the choice to strike out in this adventure, you will be richly rewarded; it's a singular experience, and perhaps the best way I can imagine to experience Ireland.
Written 13 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

_kjmacpa
Arroyo Grande, CA1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2016 • Couples
My 25 year old daughter and I hiked the majority of the Beara Breifne Way with a "bus around" portion due to unavailable accommodations in the off season. We started in Castletownbere and ended in Black Lion. The entire trip was incredible in all ways and will never be forgotten! Some trail portions are a little lacking in markings and we were glad we had GPS with us, but this is not a complaint--just a "heads up." If you go make sure you have waterproof footwear as there is significant immersion when crossing boglands. I would also recommend "day-glow" visible clothing for visibility on the local and regional roads when the "trail" parallels them. Lastly, a "leave no trace" attitude will ensure that the farmers whose land you traverse will continue to support the trail system. It would not exist without their benevolence. This was a trip of a lifetime----the other was walking the Camino de Santiago.
Written 21 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Frariky
Waterlooville, UK26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2016 • Friends
In the last 2 years,I had the honour to hike and visit most of Ireland in 4 different times. I can say I really enjoyed "to dive" in the green Irish lands and blue sky of this magic country with a very efficient and organised tour. It has been very beautiful knowing new people from USA to Austria sharing the same interest in walking the Ireland Way Trail (small towns, green lands, lakes, friendly farmers, Irish pubs and food etc) in
an Irish way. The guidebook is excellent and looking forward for the book!
Feicfidh mé go luath thú !!!
Written 5 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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THE IRELAND WAY HIKING TRAIL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)