One of the best things about Dublin is it’s proximity to both mountains and the coast. Taking a long walk isn’t just a great workout for your body and heart, it’s also an ideal way to refocus your mind, practice mindfulness and help to relieve stress by giving you a single aim – to get where you’re going. It’s also a handy way to catch up on the latest podcast or audio-book.
We’re spoiled here in Dublin by the number of beautiful walks a short distance away. Here are our favourite walks close to our North Dublin accommodation.
1. Great South Wall Walk – 20 mins drive to start point
One of the more popular walks in Dublin, the Great South Wall walk is one of the more scenic coastal parts of Dublin offering views across the Irish Sea. It’s an easy-going flat walk which should take you around 60-90 minutes depending on your pace and is an ideal spot for a picture of the iconic Poolbeg Lighthouse. This walk takes you 4km out into the middle Dublin Bay along the Great South Wall. It gets very windy so dress appropriately as it’s sure to blow the cobwebs off!
2. Clontarf Coastal Walk – 15 mins drive to start point
Another gorgeous coastal walk close to your north Dublin accommodation is the Clontarf coastal walk. Start your stroll on the Clontarf Promenade and make your way to the old bridge and onto Dollymount beach to tread the sands and collect shells if the tide is out. You’ll enjoy stunning views across the bay and it’s also a great place for a jog no matter the weather. This relatively quiet walk is off the main road and you can stretch it out as long as you’d like. It’s one of our hidden gems.
3. The North Bull Island – 20 mins drive to start point
Bull Island is an island located in Dublin Bay, sandwiched between Howth and Dublin, giving excellent views of both as well as the Irish Sea. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and paradise for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts or lovers of a scenic walk.
The Island is accessible via a wooden bridge by foot or by car and when there you can enjoy the beach, sand dunes, marshlands and grassy verges, just be careful not to get stuck! Spring and summer are ideal for spotting butterflies and native flora in addition to the resident land birds. It’s an excellent place to escape from city living without leaving the city.
4. Cliff Walk Howth Head – 20 mins drive to start point
Another popular walk on the edge of North Dublin is the cliff walk in Howth, with stunning views over Howth Head, a peninsula 15km northeast of the City immortalised in James Joyce’s Ulysses.
From the cliffs, make sure to keep an eye out for Lambay Island, Ireland’s Eye, Howth Castle, The Martello Tower and the Bailey Lighthouse. The walk will take approximately two hours, depending on the speed and ability of the walker and there are no steep climbs to worry about. Stop on your way back for a gorgeous seafood lunch in Howth, one of the jewels of Ireland’s coast.
5. Albert College Park – on Campus
If you don’t have time to leave campus and enjoy a scenic walk, you can still get your steps in with a stroll around Albert College Park. After a visit by Prince Albert in 1853 the existing college on the grounds was renamed Albert College leading to the name Albert College Park.
Local residents recall the extensive orchards once there but these days all we have left are some fine specimen trees from bygone eras. The original park building and centre for agricultural studies originally on the grounds, Cuilίn House, is now a protected structure and sits in the heart of the Park. The park is ideal for staff, students and visitors to DCU Rooms and campus, especially on a warm summer’s afternoon.
These are just the tip of the iceberg of Dublin’s gorgeous walks, many of which can be jogged or cycled too.
Author Bio: Katie McGarr is one of the passionate writers for DCU Rooms, a cheap accommodation in Dublin for frugal travelers who’d love to experience the astonishing beauty of the city on a budget. This travel buff enjoys writing and sharing articles about money-saving hacks on accommodation, airfare, dining, and getting around the city.
