Howth Cliff Walk (Dublin walks)
Howth is one of those rugged beauties that should not be missed when you are living in or visiting Dublin.
The peninsula is only 25 minutes (by DART/train) from Dublin City and is a dream for anyone who is craving a hike, swim or simply a walk along the promenade and a hearty meal in one of the many boutique restaurants and cafés.
One of the best things to do in Howth is to hike the Cliff Walk – hands down! Expect stunning coastal views, fresh air, rich bird wildlife and if you are lucky you can even spot some seals!
Distance:
Howth Cliff Walk is a looped, 11km long, walk. It takes about 3 hours to complete.
Difficulty:
Easy to moderate. There are a few inclines that will get your heart rate up, but nothing too major.
How to get there (via public transport):
Your starting point is Dublin Connolly Station in Dublin City. You cannot buy any tickets online, but the ticket machines in Connolly Station are super easy to use.
A return ticket to Howth costs €5.
Sit back and enjoy the 25 minute DART journey that will end at Howth’s harbour, the heart of the peninsula.
For DART times, see www.irishrail.ie
Getting on the Howth Cliff Walk trail:
The Cliff Walk starts at Howth’s DART station. As you get out of the station, you will see display boards with a map of Howth and all the different walks on it. There are five different walks to choose from.
Now it is only a matter of following the signs. All the trails are colour-coded, with the Cliff Walk being marked by blue signs.
What to expect:
The endless, myriad of blues of the Irish Sea is definitely what stands out and captures my heart from the Cliff Walk.
The trail loops around the edge of the coast and is an off-road cliff-side terrain.
There is no fence or wall separating you from the edge (which I love), but obviously this calls for caution when walking with children.
Hidden gem: The Tiny Hidden Beach
For me, this is the epitome of Howth’s Cliff Walk.
This beach is so hidden, you would almost miss it. As you are walking towards Howth Head on the Cliff Walk, there is a small path leading down towards the shore.
It is very steep, but I saw small children do this, so it is definitely accessible by small and tall!
At the bottom, you will find the most mystical pebble beach, surrounded by cliffs.
It is the perfect spot for a dip. The last time I went, I was lucky enough to swim with two seals!
Be aware that there are no lifeguards or lifebuoy rings at the Tiny Hidden Beach, so extreme caution is advised!
Public toilets:
I was positively surprised to see that there is a free public toilet, about halfway down the route. You will find it on the top of Howth Hill, called The Summit.
Here you will also find a car park and the bus stops here, if you wish to take it back as opposed to walking the entire loop.
Howth’s hidden gem: The Tiny Hidden Beach.
Fancy more walks around Dublin that are easily accessible via public transport? Try Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk or Poolbeg Lighthouse Walk.