It’ll be no surprise to anyone that I love hiking with my dogs, Willy and Myla, and I am always on the lookout for dog friendly hikes. To help you and your buddy get out on the trails I have put together a list of some of the best dog friendly hikes near Dublin. I have also added a suggestion for a food stop for after each hike as well.
Before you go hiking with your dog, it is important to check in advance if the trail is dog friendly, as a lot of trails in Ireland cross private land, and are home to other animals such as sheep and goats, that are easily frightened by dogs (including dogs on a leash).
If your dog is new to hiking start with the easier, shorter trails to help them build stamina and avoid injury.
When you find a dog friendly trail, make sure you are a responsible dog owner and keep your dog on a leash at all times. A lot of dogs go missing when out hiking when left off the lead.
I have given approximate drive times to each of the hikes from Dublin City Centre (St. Stephen’s Green), obviously traffic will cause the times to vary.
Here is a list of what I bring with me for a day hike with my doggies,
- Harness and Leash
- Collapsible water bowl & water
- Collar with name and your contact number
- Reflector band, or flashing light for harness
- Poo bags (something to carry used bags in as there are usually no bins on the trail)
- Dry towel for after
- Tick remover
- Jackets (depends on your dog and the weather)
- Doggy snacks/ nutrition
Let’s talk ticks,
Ticks are very prevalent in the mountains of Ireland. It is essential to check your dog (and yourself!) for ticks after a hike, and remove any that you find. Your local pet shop will sell tick removers.
Devils Glen, Waterfall Loop, Wicklow
Time from Dublin City: 40 minutes
Start Point: Devils Glen Car Park
Distance: 5.2km
Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Route Type: Looped
Elevation: 125m
Parking: Yes
Approx. time: 1hr 45m
Eat: Joly’s Garden Centre does amazing coffee and food
This is a well-marked loop. Follow the red arrows, and direction signs for the Waterfall Loop.
This forest is huge so make sure you do follow the markers, and keep a tight hold of your dog’s leash!
Crone Woods, Maulin Loop, Wicklow
Time from Dublin City: 35 minutes
Start Point: Crone Woods Car Park
Distance: 7.7km
Difficulty: Moderate
Route Type: Looped
Elevation:335m
Parking: Yes
Approx. time: 2 hours
Eat: Off the Beaten Truck is in the carpark sometimes. Alternatively try Ohso or The Bear Paw in Enniskerry.
Photo Step By Step here.
This is a well-marked route, follow the red discs with a footprint.
Stop at the Ride Rock viewpoint for a pic with your doggy and to get one of the best views of Powerscourt Waterfall from up high. Do be careful as there is a significant drop at this viewpoint.
Note: This looped trail turns off the main route just after this viewpoint so keep alert.
Ticknock, Fairy Castle Loop, Dublin
Time from Dublin City: 25 minutes
Start Point: Ticknock Forest Car Park
Distance: 6 km
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Looped
Elevation: 230m
Parking: Yes (145 spaces, open 6am-10pm)
Approx. time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Eat: Trails Café, Ticknock
Photo Step By Step here.
This is a well-marked trail, follow the green waymarks.
A great hike to get the best views over Dublin bay and Pool beg towers from afar. Watch out for mountain bikers who also use parts of this trail.
Cruagh Woods, Sli na Slainte Loop, Dublin
Time from Dublin City: 30 minutes
Start Point: Cruagh Woods Car Park
Distance: 5km
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Looped
Elevation: 100m
Parking: Yes (44 spaces – April to September 7am-9pm/ October to March 8am-5pm)
Approx. time: 1 hour
Eat: Timbertrove Cafe
This is a well-marked trail, follow the Sli na Slainte waymarks.
Howth Cliff Path Loop, Dublin
Time from Dublin City: 38 minutes
Start Point: Howth Village, East Pier or at Howth Railway Station.
Distance: 6 km
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Looped
Elevation: 140m
Parking: Yes
Approx. time: 1 hour 15 mins
Eat: POG, Howth
This is a well-marked trail, follow the green arrows. This loop does include a portion of road so if you want to avoid this opt for parking at the Upper Howth Cliff car park opposite the “Howth Hub” on google maps and doing an out and back from here to the lighthouse (Baily Lighthouse).
Hell Fire Club Forest Loop, Dublin
Time from Dublin City: 25 minutes
Start Point: Hell Fire Club Car Park
Distance: 4.9km
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Looped
Elevation: 200m
Parking: Yes (April to October 7am-9pm/ November to March 7am-5pm)
Approx. time: 1 hour 15 min
Eat: Timbertrove Cafe
This is a well-marked trail, follow the green waymarks. It can be very busy on the weekends as a hot spot for families. The derelict Hellfire Club building is a big attraction on this trail, perfect for spooky season.
Upper Lough Bray Loop, Wicklow
Time from Dublin City: 42 minutes
Start Point: Lough Bray Car Park
Distance: 3.5km
Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Route Type: Looped
Elevation: 140m
Parking: Yes (small)
Approx. time 1 hour 15 minutes
Eat: Catalyst, Bray
Photo Step By Step here.
This trail is not marked however there is a distinctive trail which loops around the Lough. The trail can be taken ether direction, but if you want to go up the steep section take the trail on anti-clockwise.
My Dogs favourite spot for a hike, It's pretty Boggy in sections so bring a towel for the backseat of your car.
Note: The Upper Bray Loop is dog friendly (on leash), but the Lower Loop goes through private land and dogs are not allowed.
Djouce via JB Malone Monument, Wicklow
Time from Dublin City: 48 minutes
Start Point: J B Malone Car Park
Distance: 7km
Difficulty: Moderate
Route Type: Out and Back
Elevation: 340m
Parking: Yes (small)
Approx. time: 2-2.5 hours
Eat: Turquoise Café (There is a market here on Sundays)
Following the yellow way marker signs for the Wicklow Way, along the boardwalk for the majority of the hike, approx 2.9km into your hik ethe boardwalk turns right, this is where you step off and leave the boardwalk to take a rocky steep trail to the summit.
There is a larger free car park at Lugalla, if this one above is too busy, it will only add approx. 3.5 km in total and it will instead bring you via Ballinasloe woods following the Yellow Wicklow Way markers.
Spinc and Glenealo Loop, Wicklow
Time from Dublin City: 1 hour
Start Point: Glendalough Upper Car Park
Distance: 9.7km
Difficulty: Moderate-hard
Route Type:
Elevation: 400m
Parking: Yes (€4 parking fee, 8am-10pm)
Approx. time: 2.5-3 hours
Eat: Wicklow Heather
Photo Step By Step here.
Follow the white waymarks on this trail. It’s also great to do this trail clockwise to come down via the Glenealo rock pools.
Sugarloaf Summit, Wicklow
Time from Dublin City: 36 minutes
Start Point: Great Sugarloaf Car Park
Distance: 2.7km
Difficulty: Moderate
Route Type: Out and Back
Elevation: 200m
Parking: Yes (fills up quickly at weekends)
Approx. time: 45 min
Eat: Killruddery Grain Store (There is a market here on Sundays)
Photo Step By Step here.
Follow the distinctive trail to from the car park to the summit. This summit can be surprisingly windy as it’s very open surroundings, check mountain forecasts website to check the wind speeds before heading off.
