Ireland Hiking Tours

You've probably heard whispers about two iconic National Waymarked Ireland trails: The Dingle Way and The Kerry Way. Both offer otherworldly landscapes, rich histories, and a hearty dose of Irish hospitality. But which one is right for you? Click here to find out...

Ireland packs a lot into a relatively small island - dramatic coasts, quiet rural roads, long-distance trails, lively towns, and big scenery, ideal for exploring on foot. For travelers comparing Ireland tours who would prefer their Ireland vacation to be more active and flexible, Macs' self-guided hiking Ireland options are ideal.

With 20+ years of experience and expertly planned self-guided trips, Macs Adventure makes hiking and biking in Ireland feel easy. We arrange handpicked stays, luggage transfers, and route guidance in our app, so you can travel at your own pace with 24/7 support and the freedom to enjoy the journey.

Our Ireland hiking tours begin in the early spring, late March and April, which sees fewer travelers, mistier weather but plenty of green vistas and blossoms. The most reliable weather however can be found in the summer months, along with warmer temperatures.  And unlike Scotland - midges are not a problem in Ireland. The rich colors of autumn can be seen in September and early October, making this a special time to go, even if the chance of mist and rain is a bit higher.

What is included in your Ireland tour packages?
Most trips include accommodation, daily breakfast, luggage transfers on hiking trips where available, route guidance in the Macs Adventure app, and 24/7 support.

Are these guided or self-guided Ireland tours?
Our trips are self-guided. You travel independently while we take care of the planning and support. You navigate our curated itineraries with our award-winning app and enjoy hand-picked lodgings.

What are the best Ireland trips for first-time visitors?
The Dingle Way, Kerry Way, Ireland’s West Coast (aka The Burren Way), and Causeway Coast are all great starting points, depending on whether you want classic coastal hiking, village culture, or a mix of iconic sights and quieter trails.

Do you offer Northern Ireland tours?
Yes. We offer self-guided hiking trips in Northern Ireland, including the Causeway Coast and Antrim Glens.

Can I book an Ireland Drive & Hike vacation?
Yes. Our Best of Ireland Drive & Hike trip is ideal if you want more flexibility and broader regional coverage.  Unlike other self-guided drive tours, we pack in plenty of hikes along with sightseeing and down time.

When is the best time to visit Ireland for hiking or biking?
Late spring through early fall is usually the most popular period, with long daylight hours and good trail conditions. And bonus- unlike Scotland, midges are never an issue in Ireland.

What is a hidden gem tour for a quieter hiking experience?
The Beara Way is one of Ireland's best kept hiking secrets - it sees far fewer hikers, and it offers coastal, mountain and inland pastoral landscapes that take you through small villages and heritage towns.

What tour is closest to Dublin?
The Wicklow Way starts less than an hour from Dublin by car, and 2 of our Wicklow Way itineraries included time in Dublin, including our 5 day short break. The Wicklow Way winds through the Wicklow Mountains, glens, forests and meadows and is home to Ireland's oldest National Park and National Trail.

Irish pubs are famous throughout the world, and most major cities now have an Irish pub/bar. However, an authentic Irish pub is not full of people with green hats with shamrocks dangling from them!

Who goes to the pub: In the late 17th century, the ‘Public House’ was a place for working men to drink. It's now a hub for the local community and everyone, including children are welcome. It’s common for an Irish family to take a baby baptism party for a drink at the pub after church. The Irish love getting together and having a chat over an informal pint.

The ‘Craic’: Pronounced ‘crack’, this very Irish saying translates to ‘What’s been going on with you, tell me a story about your day’. You go to the pub to hear the craic.

Buying rounds: The landlord of the pub is also normally a friend and will know all the locals. You order at the bar, and no tip is expected. If you’re with a group, you’ll take turns in buying drinks for the table. But you can’t leave before it’s your round!

Guinness: A pint of The Black Stuff. It’s unlikely that you’ll find an Irish pub which doesn’t sell Guinness. First brewed in Dublin in 1759 and is now brewed worldwide – however naturally it always tastes better in it’s homeland! 

The music: Small groups of local musicians will often play in the pub. It’s a casual affair with the musicians sitting in the corner drinking pints whilst playing. Impromptu music with a singsong and the tin whistle is less common, but this is the magic of small-town pubs when friends get together.

Food: A few pubs will serve food, but not all. However, you’ll aways be able to get a small pack of salty peanuts and a bag of ‘crisps’…don’t ask for chips as might end up with a portion of fries!

Sláinte: Cheers

Shellfish - Being an island nation, it’s no wonder seafood especially shellfish is popular. Lobster, crab, shrimps and mussels can be found on most menus in the summer, and in September oysters come into season. Food festivals such as the Galway Oyster Festival (September) and the Dublin Bay prawn festival in Howth (May) are a joy for foodie visitors.

Soda Bread - The basic ingredients are always the same, baking soda, buttermilk and flour. However, every Irish family has a different recipe which can include adding seeds, bran or oats and making it sweet with honey or dried fruits. Always eaten sliced with butter.

Stew - A good plate of hearty Irish stew is a one-pot meal with potatoes, onions and traditionally mutton, but usually lamb these days. Carrots are sometimes added, and it’s left to simmer and reduce for a thick delicious warming meal coming in from a rainy day!

Colcannon and Champ - Both these dishes are potato based, and it’s unlikely you’d have both on your plate at the same time. Champ is mashed potato with spring onions, butter and milk. Colcannon is the same but also includes cabbage or kale.

Boxty - Another potato dish, Boxty covers the full range of potato dumplings, potato pancakes and potato bread. Usually, it’s grated potato mixed with mashed potato and then cooked in different ways for the various types. It’s often eaten with eggs and bacon for breakfast or with smoked salmon for lunch.