This amazing 10km Malahide to Portmarnock walk is just lovely. The route joins two fantastic coastal towns with seaside paths for pretty much the entirety of the trail. The walk packs quite a punch with historic castles, amazing sea views, beautiful sandy beaches and plenty of options for places to stop for food and drinks.
We were lucky enough to have fab weather when we completed the Malahide to Portmarnock walk. However, I can just imagine this being a spectacular walk in all weather conditions. That’s one of my favourite things about sea walks, the reflection of the weather always fascinates – especially when it is wild and blustery.
Details of the Malahide to Portmarnock Walk
- Type of Walk: One way from Malahide Castle to Portmarnock with a train back to Malahide Village.
- Distance: 10km plus another 1km to walk from Malahide train station back to the Castle.
- Time Required: We spent just under 3 hours walking this route. Then a little bit of time waiting for the train in Portmarnock (usually a train every 20 minutes or so). The train journey itself takes just under 10 minutes to reach Malahide. Finally, a short 15 minute walk back to Malahide Castle to complete the journey. So altogether, just over 3.5 hours.
- Elevation: 94m – given the trail is along the coast, we had very little hills or inclines along the way.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate – you need to be able to walk 11km along a mostly flat route.
Where to Start the Malahide to Portmarnock Walk
You can do the Malahide to Portmarnock walk in either direction. I highly recommend starting from Malahide. In particular, starting from Malahide Castle. My reasoning for this recommendation is:
- If you are driving, you will find plenty of free parking available.
- Malahide Castle is a beautiful attraction in its own right. If you have time, you can spend a few hours after the walk taking in a castle tour, the mesmerising Butterfly House, the Botanic Gardens, or even just wander the grounds and follow the Fairy Trail.
- You have nice options for coffee and food in the beautiful setting of Malahide Castle.
Check out malahidecastleandgardens.ie for more details.
Beginning the Malahide to Portmarnock Walk
I had a solid crew with me for the Malahide to Portmarnock walk. On the trail was my Mam and Aunt Noreen – two stylish sisters who were instrumental in my Carrauntoohil challenge earlier this year.
Both are stalwarts of Wild Irish Walks hikes. Most recently, the three of us had completed the Blessington Greenway together. I have also completed walks with them individually. Lovely trails such as the Wicklow Way from Marlay Park to Enniskerry with Noreen (check out this article on the crazy weather we had to endure). I have done amazing walks too with my Mam taking in lovely sites in the beautiful Westmeath such as Belvedere, Mullaghmeen and the Seven Wonders of Fore.
We parked up in Malahide Castle just before 10am on a sunny Monday morning. After grabbing a quick coffee we set out on our way.
Map of the Malahide to Portmarnock Walk
I’ve created a map on alltrails.com outlining the route.
Starting out from Malahide Castle
Leaving the castle, we followed the signs directing us to Malahide train station. We admired the lovely wooden sculptures as we headed towards R106.
On reaching the road, we crossed over at the Model Railway Museum entrance. Turning right, we headed past the train station and into Malahide village.
Malahide Village and Marina
The village itself is very pretty and well looked after. We turned left at the Ulster Bank and moved down the road past the famous Gibney’s Pub. While too early for us to stop for a drink, Gibney’s is a lovely spot to spend an hour.
We continued downhill and towards the Marina. Then we passed through the imposing arch and into the Marina village – an area of nice houses and apartments in an amazing location.
We followed the road in a clockwise direction before reaching the Marina itself. Rows and rows of colourful boats bobbing up and down on the tranquil water greeted us.
With blue skies above us, this made for a lovely view.
The Start of the Coastal Walk
We had walked 2km at this stage. The next 6km would provide glorious sea views as the trail stretched out along the coast in front of us.
Our route passed by Malahide Green (which offers some nice benches to sit down and take in the views) before arriving at a dedicated walking path for us to follow at the 2.5km mark.
The path offered beautiful sea views and intermittent shade from overhanging trees as we moved along it for a couple of hundred metre or so.
First Beach Walk
Just after the path merges with the Coast Road, we took the option to take a path to the left and on to the beach.
For the next 800m or so, we walked along the beach. Beach walks are always beautiful. I’ve written about some lovely ones such as Curracloe or Rosslare Strand previously. With beautiful blue skies above us, the beach walk in Malahide looked really idyllic.
Leaving Malahide and on to Portmarnock
We cut back from the seafront at the 3.5km mark, across a grassy bank and back on to the coast road for a short period.
We passed a multitude of options to tip down to the lovely sandy Malahide Beach along the way. If you have time, these are fantastic opportunities to sit and relax on the sand for a while.
We continued forward however along another walking path that runs alongside the coast road. The path extends for about 2km with views over rocky outcrops across Dublin Bay.
Portmarnock Beach
We reached Portmarnock beach after about 6km of walking. I found the next 2km thereafter just sublime. We wandered along the sandy beach and just took in the beautiful scenery.
The beach is one of the best in Dublin and a real treasure to have on our doorstep.
Leaving the Beach
A lifeguard hut marks the turnoff just before the 8km mark where we went to the right and back inland. After 500m or so we reached the Portmarnock Beach South Car Park. The car park has public toilets which is good to be aware of if needed.
From there we turned right and along the Golf Links Road towards Portmarnock Village.
Towards Portmarnock Train Station
We reached the village after 9km of walking and turned left. This brought us away from the main centre of Portmarnock. We were aiming for the train station which is little further out from the centre.
Back on footpaths alongside the R106, we walked for about 600m before taking a right turn. Despite moving away from beaches and coastal paths, this section of the walk is still quite nice as we admired the marshland and Sluice river to our left.
Returning on the Train
We turned right when we came to a T junction and this brought us to Portmarnock train station. The last 500m or so to the station passed by houses and apartment blocks.
We didn’t have to wait long for a train to come and we were glad of a rest and sit down on the short journey back to Malahide.
Completing the Malahide to Portmarnock Walk
We quickly got our bearings after alighting in Malahide and retraced our steps back to Malahide Castle.
Overall, I really enjoyed this fantastic walk – with lovely weather and good company, any walk can be enjoyable, however the beautiful 10km coastal walk really added to a fantastic day out.
We completed our journey with a nice lunch in the Avoca in Malahide Castle and headed for home. What a lovely few hours we had.