DUBLIN - From County Antrim to Galway, from Mayo to Cork there is a wide and varied network of hiking trails that allow you to discover the most beautiful corners of Ireland.
Here is a selection of the 10 most scenic walks to do with your camera or smartphone, ready to immortalize them as travel postcards.
Causeway Coast Way
is considered one of the best coastal walks in Europe: it winds for 53 kilometers between Portstewart and Ballycastle, in County Antrim, passing the world famous Giant's Causeway, the path of the giant with the strange rock formations.
For a shorter excursion, it is recommended to take the road, always very scenic, from Portballintrae to the Causeway.
In County Galway
Diamond Hill
is a 7km loop within the spectacular Connemara National Park.
The route takes the visitor to the top of a mountain which takes its name from the sparkle of light that is reflected on its rocky surface.
From above the view is spectacular with the ocean on one side and the Twelve Ben Mountains on the other.
In the hills overlooking Belfast the
Divis and Black Mountain Ridge
tracks
are up to 7 kilometers long and offer spectacular hikes with stunning views over Ulster counties and even Scotland.
The trails pass through a patchwork of pastures and moors, wildlife and archaeological remains.
In County Wicklow the ancient monastic site of
Glendalough
offers 9 trails of varying length and difficulty.
Two, in particular, are the perfect hike to see everything the area has to offer, including great views of the mountain lakes: the 9-kilometer-long Spinc Ridge and the Glenealo Valley Trail.
The highest peak in County Down's Morne Mountains offers the
Slieve Donard
, a wonderful 5-kilometer hike to the top.
The route crosses the forest, open mountain areas and waterfalls.
The reward for the long climb is a breathtaking view to the sea.
Slievemore Loop
is one of the trails on Achill Island, a rugged island in County Mayo where much of the landscape has remained as it was centuries ago.
The track stretches for a length of 4.5 kilometers and along the way passes a megalithic tomb, an ancient cemetery and a deserted village.
Known as the local "Stairway to Heaven", the
Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail
is a hike that takes place along a wooden boardwalk that traverses the wilderness of Cuilcagh Mountain, County Fermanagh.
You walk through an area that has eight million years of geological history to the summit, where there is a breathtaking view of the Fermanagh Lakeland.
The
Cavan Way
is a 26-kilometer route, perfect for a day trip to the Hidden Heartlands, a pristine land in the heart of Ireland.
The track starts from the village of Dowra and travels along country lanes and quiet roads until it reaches the magical Shannon Pot, the source of the majestic River Shannon.
In County Cork Ballycotton
Cliff Walk
is a coastal path that runs for 8 kilometers from the village of Ballycotton to Ballyandreen Beach.
During the journey, which has numerous steps, suggestive panoramic corners can be admired.
Carrauntoohil
in County Kerry is a very challenging hike with breathtaking views, including the central peak of Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountain range.
It takes 4 to 6 hours to reach the top, but the incredible view over the lakes of Killarney pays off any effort.
