Hiking from the City

Spring is finally in the air!

This month’s blog is all about exploring the great outdoors!
Embrace what Dublin has to offer when it comes to hill walking and other outdoor activities.
If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for the day, why don’t you try something different? A refreshing walk or a hike is sure to revitalise you.
Step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to a new and exciting alternative. There are different hikes and walks that cater for all levels of fitness, so you’ll be sure to find something that will suit your ability.
With organised tours leaving from the city on a daily basis and the option of heading out on your own, the following post will give you some guidance on planning your next outdoor adventure.

Tours

If time is limited and you would like your trip organised for you. We have found a great tour group called ‘Walk about Wicklow’, this company offer half day hiking tours leaving from Dublin's city centre. They offer guided walks of the hills overlooking Dublin with a stop at a mountain pub for lunch. For more information, check out their website here.

Out on your own 

Looking to explore independently? Ticknock Hill is a favourable option among tourists and locals alike. Ticknock Hill is located south west of the city in the Dublin Mountains. The route is only 12k from Camden Court Hotel and is accessible by public transport. The number 16 bus stop is about a minutes walk from the hotel and will bring you to Ballinteer. From here you can walk 30 minutes until you reach the forest entrance; there is also a car park in the forest if you wish to drive.

This is a great walk for all ages and abilities as it has tarmac all the way to the top which makes it easy for prams and children. The views from the top are amazing especially watching the sunset on a summers evening! You can see Dublin’s landscape in its entirety. You can also venture up further onto 2rock were the terrain gets a little tougher but worth making the trek to the Fairy Castle at the top. This area showcases a collapsed tomb dated back to the Bronze Age, which local folklore would have us believe fairy’s still occupy it. When the hard part of the hike is over you can always sneak down the back of the hill to the famous Blue Light Pub situated in Barnacullia. The pub is about a 20 minute walk from the top. The pub offers live music, an outdoor heated seating area and views of Dublin City that can’t be beaten.
Oh and most importantly the Guinness here is said to be one of the best in Dublin!

Well so say the locals...

Biking.ie 

If the thrill seeker inside of you is looking for something a bit more extreme biking.ie is a great place to start.
Situated also at Ticknock hill, this company has everything you need for beginners and expert level bikers.
They offer bike rental for those who want to tackle the trails on their own and also guided tours and lessons for those who are not so familiar with mountain biking.
Check out their website for more information here.