Five hikes near Dublin that don't require a car
While those of us who live in Dublin are lucky to have the largest upland area in the county on our doorstep, accessing the heart of the mountains by public transport isn’t easy. So here is a list of five great walks on the foothills, coast and canals near the city that can be reached by bus, train or tram.
The five hikes below all start relatively close to the city, and are reasonably short (under four hours) and not too difficult. They are also all linear walks, rather than loops, which exploits the fact that you don’t need to return to where you parked your car.
The Transport for Ireland website has a very useful journey planner tool.
The Blue Light
#1 Lambs Cross to Johnnie Fox's
Distance 6.75km Height Gain 310m
This hike manages to include two pubs and a steep climb up and over Three Rock Mountain.
The Walk
This walk starts in the Dublin suburbs at Lambs Cross in Sandyford. You pass the school and start the steep climb up Slate Cabin Lane before turning onto Woodside Road which offers great views over the city as you gain height.
Walk on the left side of the road so that you are on the outside of the tight bends. Eventually, you pass the Blue Light pub, a short distance later you turn off the road and follow a steep rocky track that hairpins up the slope of Three Rock Mountain. You then meet a good track which leads through the pine forest to the top of Three Rock and another excellent view.
You then follow the Dublin Mountain Way south across the shoulder of Two Rock Mountain and drop down through The Gap. The former golf course is now a mountain bike park and they also have a cafe that does great food. You can also have a sauna there!
Once down on Glencullen Road it’s only a few minutes to your destination – Johnnie Fox’s – the well-know pub that claims to be the highest in Ireland. A busy spot, popular with tourists, it’s a lovely place to sit outside on a summer afternoon, or in the bar beside the fire on a winter’s evening.
Transport
The start at Lambs Cross can be reached by the 44b from town, the 114 from Blackrock DART station.
There are two options for getting home. The 44b runs only on weekdays so isn’t that useful. A better option is the shuttle bus operated by Johnnie Fox’s that leaves after closing time each evening, dropping passengers back to the city centre.
Looking along the coast to White Rock beach
#2 Dalkey to Bray along the coast
Distance 6.65km Height Gain 110m
This is a pretty easy walk connecting the DART stations in Dalkey and Bray. It requires a low tide!
The Walk
From the DART station in the pretty village of Dalkey the walk starts by heading south, passing through the outskirts of the village to the top of Dalkey Hill. The last stretch follows the path of an old narrow-gauge railway called the Metals that was used to transport granite from the quarry down to the pier in Dun Laoighaire.
After enjoying the view across the Bay to Dalkey Island and south to Bray Head follow the path southwest to the saddle between Dalkey and Killiney Hill. You then descend down to Vico Road and continue down steep steps to White Rock beach.
From here on the walk is dead flat as you are following the shore south.
NOTE check the tides here, it needs to be low to be able to follow the beach under the cliffs on the final section into Bray Harbour.
Heading south from White Rock, skirting around a rocky outcrop brings you to Killiney Beach. At the far end of the beach you cross the Shanganagh River as it enters the Irish Sea. You can then choose to stay on the beach or follow the path above through Shanganagh Park. Ultimately, you have to follow the shoreline for the last section to Bray Harbour. Remember, this is tidal!
The beach leads to Bray Harbour and the legendary Harbour Bar, a great place to stop for a drink or something to eat (check out the Fish Bar Spice Box!) before getting onto the DART.
Killiney Hill with Vico Road, Dalkey Island and White Rock in the background
Transport
Both the start and finish of this walk are on the DART line which makes life very easy. Check the live map here.
The Harbour Bay in Bray
Dalkey Quarry
Hazelhatch
#3 Hazelhatch to Sallins via the Grand Canal
Distance 14.3km Height Gain 40m
A long walk along the canal, but very flat!
The Walk
From the train station it’s a short walk south for 800m to reach the Grand Canal at Hazelhatch Bridge. McEvoy’s pub is well positioned overlooking the waterway, which is always busy with houseboats.
Heading southwest on the towpath leads south to Alymer Bridge. A short distance later you come to the 13th Lock and just beside this is Cliff at Lyons which has a nice coffee shop.
A long straight section on an excellent surface leads into the village of Sallins, which has plenty of places to eat and get a drink. The train station is just a short distance to the south.
This walk is also ideal cycle and it’s possible to take bikes on the train outside of rush hours.
Transport
Access the start from Hazelhatch train station, which is served by the Grand Canal – Portlaoise commuter train and a number of InterCity trains including: Dublin-Cork/Galway/Limerick/Waterford.
The finish in Sallins is on the same line so it’s easy to return to your car at Hazelhatch or get home.
The Scalp and the Leadmines
#4 Cabinteely to the Scalp
Distance 8.7km Height Gain 260m
This hike followa a mix of quiet backrods and forest paths from the Dublin suburbs to the border with County Wicklow
The Walk
From Cabinteely village you follow Brennanstown Road, before turning left onto the much quieter Lehaunstown Road. This leads over the LUAS tracks (you could alternatively start the walk here, getting off the LUAS at the Laughanstown stop) before passing the 6th-century Tully Church and crossing over the M50.
A short climb leads onto another quiet lane. You then turn left and then right onto a track that brings you uphill to Rathmichael Graveyard, this hidden gem has some amazing stone carvings that are well worth seeking out.
You then enter Rathmichael Woods and climb steeply, passing the remains of an ancient hillfort.
Leaving the wood you turn left onto Puck’s Lane before turning right onto a steep rocky track that leads to the summit of the Leadmines, which is marked by the iconic stone tower. From here there is an excellent view over the city and towards the Dublin Mountains.
Descending now you enter Barnaslingan Wood, following a nice path to the excellent viewpoint over the rocky gorge known as the Scalp. A short descent leads to the end of the walk on the Enniskerry Road.
The Scalp and the Leadmines
#5 Bray to Kilmacanoge
Distance 11.3km Height Gain 410m
The hike features two short, but steep climbs over Bray Head and the Little Sugarloaf.
The Walk
Find your way to the seafront in Bray and follow the promenade south to the foot of Bray Head. It’s a steep climb to the cross at the summit, but you will be rewarded with a great view across Dublin Bay and, on a clear day, as far north as the Mourne Mountains.
From the summit follow gravel tracks across the open hillside with the view of the Wicklow coast opening up as you make your way south. Eventually you meet the end of lane that leads to the busy Bray-Greystones road. Cross this and follow Templecarig Road into Belmont Demesne.
Following the main track into the heart of the estate, where there is a cafe, you then follow the Belmont Way up and over the shoulder of the Little Sugarloaf. From the high point of the trail it’s possible to make a short, steep diversion to the summit where there are great views over the city.
The rocky path descends to meet Kilfenora Road which leads down to the finish in Kilmacanogue village.
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