In hiking circles, you’ll often hear the phrase, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” It’s a nice sentiment, encouraging people to get outdoors regardless of the forecast. After our recent Temple Hill walk in the Galtee Mountains, though, I’m now convinced it has absolutely no basis...
I think the Slieve Bearnagh hike is my favourite mountain summit trail in the Mournes. That’s saying something given the very strong competition from Slieve Donard and Commedagh, as well as Slieve Binnian. However, I think the Slieve Bearnagh hike just shades it for me. One of the main reasons...
As middle age looms, I am knee-deep in my attempt to climb the 40 highest mountains in Ireland. To be honest, ticking off all of these summits before I turn 40 is proving to be a massive logistical effort. I now realise why climbing so many mountains may not appeal...
I’m based in Dublin so a lot of my hiking and walking takes place in and around the Wicklow Mountains. I feel blessed to have such a beautiful part of the world right on my doorstep. For many of these Wicklow hikes, I drive through the picturesque village of Roundwood...
This guide to the best walks in Derry aims to give you some inspiration for your next visit. My first ever trip to Derry combined a friend’s stag do with the Fleadh Cheoil music festival being held in the city. As you can imagine, I didn’t get to see a...
The Slieve Binnian Loop is a really popular walking option in the Mourne Mountains. The route proves challenging yet not overly long. The well defined paths and trails mean no tough slogs through heavy heather and gorse. Plus, the really great thing about the Slieve Binnian Loop though is that...
I love this Glenbarrow Loop Walk — what an absolute gem of a trail. The highlight is undoubtedly the glorious waterfall. You have the option of visiting it at either the start or the end of the walk, depending on which direction you take. I’m always in favour of saving...
Knockanaffrin Mountain ranks as the 33rd highest mountain in Ireland. At 755m, it is also the third highest peak in County Waterford, behind Knockmealdown and Fauscoum. The hike itself is relatively straightforward, with excellent views of the surrounding rolling countryside, neighbouring mountains, and occasional glimpses of shimmering mountain lakes. There...
I’ve previously written a guide to buying hiking boots, focusing on what to look out for when choosing a new pair. However, for the first time in over a decade, I recently found myself in the market for boots again. This article looks specifically at the option I chose —...
I love the Mournes. This mountain range in the north-east of Ireland is within a couple of hours’ drive from Dublin, which makes it ideal for long day hikes without needing an overnight stay. I’ve written before about Slieve Gullion, the highest point in neighbouring County Armagh. This article focuses...
