![\"Mountain](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-the-wicklow-way.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n1. The Wicklow Way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Wicklow Way <\/strong><\/a>was Irelands first national waymarked trail, and much is owed to the pioneering rambler, J.B Malone for its existence. Mountain Ways Ireland recommends walking the route from South to North, starting in Clonegal, Co. Carlow the route in its entirety runs for 132 km ( 83 miles) and ascends 3,500 metres. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first sections meander along country roads and gently rolling hills before giving way to the granite massif of the Wicklow Mountains. The way, for the most part takes you around and through these forests and hills, finding hidden glacial valleys with great historical significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Garden of Ireland as county Wicklow is known hides in one of her hidden glens the superb monastic city of Glendalough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pass above Irelands highest waterfall before finally reaching the Dublin Mountains and dropping down through beautiful old parkland to reach Irelands thriving capital city, Dublin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights on this trip include: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The looped route which starts in Tralee traces the coastline of The Dingle peninsula<\/strong><\/a> for 179 km (111 miles) and ascends 2,900 metres overall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The terrain is very varied from road to moorland to farmland and rugged clifftop paths. Beach walking makes up a significant part of the way, more than 20 km. With one or two exceptions The Dingle way follows a relatively low-level route but at the same time skirts around some stunning mountain scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The way passes through many villages some of which are active Gaeltacht communities where you can hear the native Gaelic in everyday usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also known as The Kerry Camino, a logbook can be stamped at certain stations along the way just like on the Camino de Santiago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights on this trip include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Antrim Glens & Causeway Coast Way<\/strong><\/a> is one of the gems of the North. The linear route which incorporates both The Moyle way and The Causeway Coastal Route takes in around 100 kms and can be extended further by visiting Rathlin Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The terrain is varied from forest paths, mountain glens sweeping to the sea, asphalt road, open moorland, farmland and rugged clifftop paths. There is a small but beautiful stretch of beach walking along white park bay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Apart from the Moyle Way section which does involve an overall ascent of 850 m (split over a couple of days) The Causeway Coast Way follows a relatively flat route. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The way passes ruined castles and iconic places like the Carrick- a – Rede rope bridge and unique geological landscape of The Giants Causeway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a ferry out to visit Rathlin Island, its upside-down lighthouse and impressive bird colony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights of this trip include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Beara Way<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>is one of Irelands best kept secrets. It is a looped walk on a narrow peninsula jutting out into the Wild Atlantic. The walk is approximately 160 km long with its main trailhead in the lovely village of Glenariff, Co. Cork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is possibly one of the most unspoilt walks in the south of Ireland. Set against the famed Bantry Bay, the colourful villages of Allihies, Eyeries and Castletownbere are really picture book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This historic part of the country with its bronze age megaliths is the homeland of the old Irish O\u2019Sullivan Beare Clan.The walk covers two counties of Cork and Kerry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights of this trip include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Burren Way<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>begins in Liscannor and runs for around 114 kms .It crosses a unique Karst limestone landscape and when you reach the famous Cliffs of Moher and gaze out on the vast Atlantic ocean beyond you really do get that sense of standing in a place that has next stop \u2013 America !<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flora, Fauna, history and heritage really abound here. The cracked limestone pavements of the Burren create unique environmental conditions where rare wildflowers flourish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a real pocket of archaeologically significant remnants from Neolithic Dolmens to Iron age Stone forts and early Christian sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The views from the high point of Mullaghmore are magnificent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A mix of quiet country road, paths, forestry tracks and ancient cattle droving routes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights on this trip include: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n An area synonymous with John Fords, Hollywood brand of The West of Ireland. You can almost touch that Ireland of yester – year, the world of John Wayne and Maureen O Hara from the Quiet man. Ford chose this area for good reason. This 114 Km route crosses through stunning, remote and wild Irish landscape. This is home to the Tribe of The Seas,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lofty mountain ranges of the Twelve Bens and The Maamturks stand sentinel over a wild remote landscape of bogs and small loughs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Great Famine of the mid nineteenth century absolutely decimated this area and the tragic story of Doolough epitomises what happened here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Western Way<\/a><\/strong> runs from Oughterard in Co. Galway to Westport in Co. Mayo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Towards the end of the walk stands the iconic Croagh Patrick,a spiritual mecca for the Irish from Pagan times through to early Christian and right up until today. Beautiful Clew Bay with its plethora of \u2018sunken drumlin islands\u2019 lead us into the historic town of Westport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This vibrant town in County Mayo is famed from far and wide for its music, old world Irish pub culture and fine restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights on this trip include: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Kerry Way <\/strong><\/a>at 210 km is one of the longest and finest walking trails in Ireland. A looped route that starts and finishes in Irelands premier tourist destination of Killarney. High mountain passes, remote valleys surrounded by high mountain peaks, beautiful old broadleaved forests, mountain lake and small quaint villages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Killarney has arguably been the tourist capital of Ireland from the turn of the century and further back. The Kerry way is one of the most challenging long distance trails in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The walk follows forest tracks, old historic green roads that people have trekked for millennia. Ogham stones, Iron age forts and early Christian sites line the route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights on this trip include: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of Ireland\u2019s youngest established waymarked trails so retains the unspoilt character. This peaceful narrow peninsula<\/a><\/strong> is looped with a 100 km long trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are stone circles, standing stones, ring forts, a Napoleonic signal tower and early Christian sites so a landscape that has been stamped by many cultures over thousands of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was the landowners themselves who put this route in place, you can be sure of a warm Irish welcome at every turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The real gem here is the tranquillity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights on this trip include: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Mountain](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-the-dingle-way.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n2. The Dingle Way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"steps](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-antrim-glens-causeway-coast.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n3. The Antrim Glens and Causeway Coast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Colurful](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-the-beara-way.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n4. The Beara Way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Karst](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-the-burren-way.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n5. The Burren Way and Aran Islands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Assleigh](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-the-connemara-way.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n6. The Connemara and Western Way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Winding](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-the-kerry-way.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n7. The Kerry Way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nSome of the towns and villages that the route passes through include Kenmare, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, and Caherdaniel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"gravel](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-the-sheep-head-way.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n8. The Sheep’s Head Way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-the-mourne-cooley-gullion-way.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-oysters-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-pint-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/01.wibble.space\/mountainwaysireland-com\/2019\/06\/blog-9-best-routes-trad-session-1024x576.jpg\")
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