Where golden shorelines, wooded hills, and harbour towns create Ireland’s gentlest walking landscapes.
Ireland’s South and East Coast blends soft sea light with historic charm — a landscape of sheltered bays, clifftop paths, forested slopes, and quiet beaches shaped by centuries of tide and settlement. From the UNESCO-listed Copper Coast to the harbour loops of Dublin and Wexford, this region offers some of Ireland’s most accessible and relaxing walking holidays.
This is walking country made for ease and presence. Sea air meets forest shade, headlands open to wide coastal views, and colourful villages offer cafés, seafood, and a calm sense of arrival. Whether you’re following a rugged cliff path or a leafy lane into town, every journey feels unhurried and quietly refreshing.
Ireland’s South and East Coast is equally rewarding for outdoor adventures — from sea kayaking and coastal cycling to swimming in sheltered coves and exploring lighthouses, coves, and scenic headlands.
It’s also ideal for cycling holidays, with quiet backroads, greenway sections, seaside loops, and gentle gradients connecting historic towns, beaches, and coastal viewpoints.
And when the day softens, you’ll find independent places to stay close to beaches, trails, harbour promenades, and forest walks — from seaside B&Bs and boutique guesthouses to traditional inns in towns like Dungarvan, Tramore, Howth, Wicklow, and Wexford.
A UNESCO Global Geopark, this spectacular coastal route links Tramore and Dungarvan along cliffs, sea stacks, coves, geological formations, and historic mining ruins. One of Ireland’s most dramatic yet peaceful coastal landscapes.
A classic loop trail around the Howth Peninsula, offering sweeping views, steep cliffs, seabird colonies, and glimpses of Baily Lighthouse. Easy to access, perfect for half-day walking.
A scenic coastal link connecting Arklow to Wicklow town, with wooded slopes, harbour views, and an onward connection to the Wicklow Way — one of Ireland’s premier long-distance trails.
Ireland’s South and East Coast offers walking that feels like a deep breath — bright, spacious, and gently grounding. Let the light guide your steps, and the coastline shape an unhurried, memorable trip.
Walk coastal trails, visit harbour towns, explore lighthouses, relax on beaches, enjoy seafood, go sea kayaking, or cycle quiet country lanes.
The Copper Coast between Tramore and Dungarvan, the Howth Cliff Walk, and the Arklow–Wicklow coastal link into the Wicklow Way are top choices.
Coastal hiking, sea kayaking, swimming, cycling, paddleboarding, and exploring geological and cultural heritage sites along the shoreline.
Late spring to early autumn offers the best mix of calm seas, long days, and mild weather. Winter brings quieter trails and dramatic sea views.
Yes. Several tour operators offer self-guided walking holidays with maps, accommodation, and luggage transfers, allowing you to explore at your own pace.