Family-Friendly Irish Hikes
Ireland is packed with epic trails that are perfect for family adventures. Whether you’re strolling through lush forests or taking in jaw-dropping views, these hikes are all about fun and making memories together.
In this post, we’re sharing some of our picks for the best family-friendly hikes across the country—so lace up those boots and let’s hit the trails!
Torc Mountain - Killarney, Co. Kerry
Only a 25 minute drive from Killarney town this trail is well marked and suitable for beginners and families. It will take you from woodland trail to stone steps to boardwalk. The zig-zag nature of the second half of the hike allows for a more steady climb leading to beautiful views. Due to the unpredictable nature of the weather around Kerry we advise being prepared with decent waterproofs and good hiking boots.
Type: Out & Back
Start: Torc Upper Car Park
Distance: 7-8km
Height: 535m/1,755ft
Time: 2-2.5hr (maybe more with the kids)
Terrain: Gravel path, woodland trail, boardwalk
Animals you might see: Mountain goats, Red deer, Birds
Views from the summit: Lakes of Killarney, Muckross House, Killarney Valley, McGillycuddy Reeks, Dingle Peninsula
Facilities: Free parking, dogs allowed on lead
What you need: Tick repellent, waterproofs, insulated jacket, hiking boots/trail shoes, water bottle/water bladder, food/snacks, rucksack, drybags
Top tip: Bug repellent is a MUST, tick repellent especially as there are a lot of midges and ticks in Killarney National Park! If you're bringing the dog, make sure to check them after the hike for ticks.
Add Torc Waterfall - Before or after your hike, you can park at the lower Torc car park on the N71 Killarney Kenmare road and walk a quick 5 minutes to the base of this beautiful waterfall. For a longer or more challenging family-friendly hike, start at the same car park, climb Cardiac Hill beside the waterfall, and continue to the Torc Mountain summit.
Visit the Killarney Guide website for more information.
Ticknock & Fairy Castle - Co. Dublin
This trail is a popular and easily accessible hike for all levels of ability. There are a few different trails you can take around this forest linking up with the Dublin Mountains Way and the Wicklow Way. The forest is shared with mountain bikers, dog walkers, trail runners and hikers alike. What better family-friendly day out than to explore a fairy castle?
Type: Loop
Start: Ticknock Forest Car Park
Distance: 6km
Accent: 245m/804ft
Time: 2hrs (maybe more with kids)
Terrain: Paved path, gravel path, woodland trail, stone trail, boardwalk
Animals you might see: Sikka deer, Red grouse, Red squirrel
Views from the summit: Dublin bay, Dublin City, Wicklow Mountains, Bray Head, Poolbeg Lighthouse
Facilities: Free car park, Trails Cafe (no toilet facilities), bike hire, dogs allowed on lead
What you need: Waterproofs, insulated jacket, hiking boots/trail shoes, water bottle/water bladder, food/snacks, rucksack, drybags
Top tip: On your descent from the fairy castle, take the pressure off your knees, aid in balance and stability and engage those upper body muscles with a pair of hiking poles.
Visit the Coillte website for more information.
Green Road Trail Glendalough National Park - Laragh, Co. Wicklow
Glendalough is steeped in history and awe-inspiring nature. The national park has a trail to suit every fitness level and is popular for a family-friendly day out. There are always chatty ducks on the lake to feed which the kids will love.
Colour: Green trail
Type: Loop
Start: Glendalough Upper Car Park or Lower Cark Park
Distance: 3km
Time: 1hr (maybe more with children)
Terrain: Paved path, boardwalk
Animals you might see: Mountain goats, ducks, lizards, Sikka Deer
Things to see: Glendalough upper and lower lakes, Monastic City
Facilities: 2 paid car park, toilets at both car parks, food trucks, dogs allowed on lead, Glendalough Hotel restaurant/cafe, wheelchair friendly, buggy friendly, information centre
What you need: Waterproofs, trail shoes/boots
Top tip: After its been raining, the boardwalk around the lower lake can be a little bit slippy. To ensure there's minimal falls, minimal tears and they're ready for any terrain make sure the kids have trail boots with good grip and support.
Add Poulanass Waterfall - When standing looking out on the Upper Lake, if you venture to the left over a wooden bridge you can find the trail alongside Poulanass Waterfall. It is marked as the pink trail.
Add the Miners Village - To the right of the upper lake you can take the Miners Trail, marked as the purple trail, down to the Miners Village where you'll pass St. Kevin's Bed and maybe a mountain goat with their kids!
For more information on Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountain National Park visit the National Parks website.
Stairway to Heaven (Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail) - Co. Fermanagh
A popular hike within the Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark offering vast views of the surrounding countryside, farmland, mountains and one of the largest protected blanket bogs in Northern Ireland. This trail is mostly flat boardwalk, with a steep climb up 450 steps at the end where the views are worth the effort. Make sure to pack appropriate layers and suncream as this is a very exposed trail.
Type: Out & Back
Start: Killykeeghan Nature Reserve free car park, trail head paid car park
Distance: 11km/9km
Accent: 550m/1,804ft
Time: 2-3hrs (maybe more with children)
Terrain: Gravel path, boardwalk
Animals you might see: Red grouse, red deer, foxes, badgers, birds
Views from the summit: Atlantic ocean, Sperrin mountains, sprawling countryside
Facilities: Paid car park at trail head, Killykeeghan Nature Reserve free car park, dogs not allowed, toilets 1.5km away
What you need: Waterproofs, insulated jacket, trail shoes/boots, suncream, beanie hat/cap, rucksack, food/snacks, water bottle/water bladder
Top tip: You'll be getting the steps in on this trail, so avoid cotton socks! Cotton soaks up sweat and keeps it there leading to rubbing and eventually blisters. Keep your feet happy with merino wool or synthetic socks!
For more information visit Cuilcagh Boardwalks website.
Gougane Barra - Co. Cork
You'll probably recognize the iconic Church on the island pictured on the right, where St. Finbarr, patron saint of Cork, founded his early Christian monastery in the 6th century. You'll pass this Church on your way into the stunning Gougane Barra Forest Park. There are 6 trails ranging from short and multi-access to longer and more strenuous so you can pick the best one for your family! There are picnic and toilet facilities so if the weather is nice you could spend the whole day with the kids in the fresh air, enjoying nature.
Trail: Slí Dhoire na Coise
Colour: Dark Blue
Type: Loop
Start: Lower car park
Distance: 1.8kms
Accent: 57m
Time: 45mins (maybe more with kids)
Terrain: Gravel path, woodland trail
Things to see: River lee, Gougane Barra Lake
Animals you might see: Foxes, Pine Martins, Badgers, Birds, Otters
Facilities: Paid entry, car park, toilets, picnic areas, dog friendly
What you need: Waterproofs, trail shoes/boots, suncream, beanie hat/cap, rucksack, food/snacks, water bottle/water bladder
Other trails:
Slí an Ghaorthaidh (0.5kms, 30mins, multi-access, orange trail)
Sli na Laoi (1.3kms, 1hr, moderate, white trail)
Slí na Sléibhe (2.5kms, 2hrs, strenuous, red trail)
Slí an Choim Rua (0.5kms, 30mins, moderate, light blue trail)
Top tip: Have some hot food or fuel up with a cup of freshly brewed coffee in the forest by packing a handy camping stove and some lightweight cookware to keep your backpack light and keep the bellies full!
For information visit the Coillte website.
Belleek Forest Park Nature Trail - Co. Mayo
The Belleek Forest Park has beautiful woodland trails, Irish historical sites, flora, fauna and a fairy-tale castle! What more could you ask for, for the kids?
Colour: White trail
Type: Loop
Start: Belleek Woods Car Park
Distance: 4kms
Time: 1hr (maybe more with the whole family)
Accent: 74m
Terrain: Gravel path, woodland path
Things to see: River Moy, historical sites e.g. icehouses and hermitages, concrete ship SS Crete Bloom, Knox-Gore monument, Sir Knox-Gore grave, Famine built wall
Animals you might see: Foxes, Hares, Pine Martins, Red Squirrels, Hedgehogs, Birds
Facilities: Dog friendly, free car park, picnic sites
What you need: Waterproofs, trail shoes/boots, beanie hat/cap, rucksack, food/snacks, water bottle
Need a wheelchair or buggy friendly option? Try the red trail - A multi access trail, 1.7kms long, following the River Moy.
Top tip: We all hate it when we take that one step too close and the squirrel runs away or the bird flies off so let the kids catch a glimpse of nature up close with a pair of binoculars.
For more information visit the Coillte website.
Mahon Falls - Co. Waterford
Only 40 minutes drive from Waterford City this trail is easy to find, straightforward to follow, great for any time of the year, with rewards of a gorgeous 80m high waterfall in lovely surroundings. An easy family-friendly day out!
Type: Out & Back
Start: Mahon Falls Car Park
Distance: 3kms
Time: 40mins (maybe more with children)
Accent: 48m
Terrain: Gravel path
Things to see: Mahon falls, River Mahon, beautiful scenery
Animals you might see: Sheep, birds
Facilities: Free car park, dogs allowed on leads
What you need: Waterproofs, trail shoes/boots, suncream, beanie hat/cap, rucksack, snacks, water bottle
Top tip: If the typical Irish rain sets in, keep your valuables safe and dry by popping them into a drybag or waterproof pouch before throwing them into your backpack or jacket pocket. They're also great for throwing wet gear in after your hike so nothing else gets wet or muddy!
Visit the All Trails website for the Mahon Falls trail route and hiker pictures!
Have any other family-friendly hikes you love? Share them with us on our socials and we'd love to add them to our list!
