Dublin

Howth Peninsula Hiking Tour overlooking Dublin Bay

Badge of ExcellenceDublin, Ireland
Howth Peninsula Hiking Trip
  • 4 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Trek the coastal paths of the Howth Peninsula on this hiking tour. Follow your experienced adventure guide along the cliffs and through the woodlands of this area, stopping at scenic overlooks and areas of spectacular natural beauty. Listen as your guide's commentary takes you back through the millennia in Irish history, including tales about the Vikings, Normans, Druids, and Celts.
  • Hiking tour of the landscape of Howth
  • Learn about the history, legends, and culture of the area
  • Stop to rest and take photos at scenic viewpoints
  • Explore coastal sea caves (tides permitting)
  • Led by an expert trekking guide

What's Included

  • Local guide
  • Food and drinks
  • Transportation

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Bodega Coffee
    Howth Market, 3a Harbour Rd, Howth, Dublin, D13 T8Y7, Ireland

    Meet at 11.00am at Bodega at Howth Market across the road from the train Station.

Start time

11:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Dressed for trekking, meet your guide, who knows the area intimately, near Howth Harbour and set off for your tour of Howth.

Climb the hill up and out of the town, past Howth Castle, then continue through the ancient woodland. As you travel over the rustic trails and paths, listen to your guide's narrative about the history of Howth, including its legends and fables.

Reach Aideen's Grave, the magical portal tomb that is said to be a gateway to the underworld. Walk through the unusual jungle, imported to Ireland from the former Siam by Lord Howth centuries ago. In the woodland of the southern peninsula, trek through heathers and heath of Shielmartin Hill toward a dramatic coastal cliff. 

Stop for a rest at Red Rock Creek, then search out some coastal caves (tides permitted), where you can see some of the marine life that thrives below the waterline. 

Climb up the well-known cliffside paths to the Baily Lighthouse and up to Howth Summit. Walk back down into town via the old tramlines, returning to the harbor.

Howth Market

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cliff Path Loop

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sutton

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Martello Tower Sutton

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Baily Lighthouse

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Howth Summit

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Howth Adventures

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Minimum age is 12 years
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions; please dress appropriately
  • Service animals allowed
  • Comfortable and sturdy footwear is required
  • Near public transportation
  • Please note: Trails can be soft, even wet, and are generally not paved
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
William_B
The hike around Howth was beautiful and fun. It was about 9 miles with some hills - hiking shoes are helpful. The views were amazing. Our tour consisted of 7 people - 2 families of three and one single person. A great group with easy conversation. Dee is a wonderful guide! She’s friendly and local and very knowledgable. Her stories and enthusiasm made the hike even better. This was a hike she did regularly even before she was a top-notch tour guide. If you’re staying in Dublin, just hop on the DART to Howth. Easy trip and highly recommended.

Reviews

5.0
238 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 238 reviews
A great day trip from Dublin
Drew_B, Feb 2024
What a great day. Sean was an excellent guide, with lots of interesting history about the region. Scenery was gorgeous.
super informative and fun
Donna_A, Jan 2024
Dee was a wonderful guide!I ended going a on private tour with her and I learned so much about the Howth area and culture.This was a mildy challenging hike with an amazing reward.I had the best time ever and would recommend Dee and Howth Adventure to everyone!
Fabulous Howth hike with Dee
William_B, Nov 2023
The hike around Howth was beautiful and fun. It was about 9 miles with some hills - hiking shoes are helpful. The views were amazing. Our tour consisted of 7 people - 2 families of three and one single person. A great group with easy conversation. Dee is a wonderful guide! She’s friendly and local and very knowledgable. Her stories and enthusiasm made the hike even better. This was a hike she did regularly even before she was a top-notch tour guide. If you’re staying in Dublin, just hop on the DART to Howth. Easy trip and highly recommended.
Best Coastal Hike in Howth!
Aija_A, Oct 2023
The guide Paul was excellent in his knowledge of the area and flexible in making sure I got the best hike for me. This Coastal Hike gave me a good insight into Ireland and some of it's people. I was truly impressed!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hi Aija, " Best Coastal Hike" sounds great . Thanks for the great review , and thanks for coming out to share our own little headland in Ireland. Is mise, le meas, Shane
Very beautiful scenery...
Frank_R, Aug 2023
Very beautiful scenery and great information from tour guide Afram. Be prepared for a toes down vacation! Would do it again
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hi Frank, I will pass on your kind words to Affric. I dont understand what a "toes down vacation means ? Is mise, le meas, Shane
Sean was amazing. So full...
Hanna_A, Jul 2023
Sean was amazing. So full of knowledge and a really great storyteller. My kids just loved it - ages 12 and 16.
Highlight of our trip!😊
JennyMarie_S, Jun 2023
Awesome experience with our amazing guide, Dee! Glorious blue skies and views all day. Easily the highlight of our trip to the Dublin area. We are experienced hikers but having a guide made all the difference. Dee made the hike what it was, an informative and thrilling telling of the history and culture of the area and took us through less traveled trails. She was knowledgeable and kind and knew the flora and fauna of the region well. She was very accommodating and made sure everyone was comfortable during the hike. Remember the importance of proper footwear and bring enough water, food and snacks. It is a full half day experience. We highly recommend Howth Adventures!😊
A nature bath and adventure in Howth
Kristen_D, May 2023
Shane and Loki took us up and down green hills dotted with wildflowers, over rocky beaches and through sea caves exposed to the low-tide, and through the charming village of Howth. Along the way we learned of the forest, Vikings and druids, plants, trees, birds, and everything else there was to know about the coast and peninsula. Shane was an amazing conversationalist and told the best stories. We highly recommend this tour and would 100% go again!
Favorite adventure
Ravyn_C, May 2023
If you really want to experience the real beauty of Ireland then join Loki, Zach and Debbie on a heart healthy adventure along the coast of Howth. The untouched beauty is unlike anything you will experience. This adventure will test your abilities and guaranteed to make you feel like you can conquer the world!
Beautiful walk with good company
Nathalie_D, May 2023
The meeting spot is very easy to find. Zach was our guide and Loki, the dog, came with us. Zach gave us information about the history of Howth and Ireland itself. Loki is very cute and well trained and she even knew when she had to pose for a picture. The level of walking/hiking in our group was very different but Zach really tried his best to let everyone feel included and gave some easier en more difficult options along the route. I really liked the local feeling. It was a very relaxing day, beautiful nature, nice talks and we tried a local beer at the end.
The best of our Ireland trip
Amy_K, Apr 2023
Honestly the best excursion of our trip to Ireland. Zach and Loki are utterly fantastic. Zach is a true joy being a local and knowing everyone in Howth. He was able to get us to the best sights and views with fun history and lore. It was wonderful we had a fit group so we could do more difficult portions of the trail and he took the extra time with us to do that. Loki was a beautiful ham, posing in all the pictures with us. Overall one you don't want to miss.
This was the best part of...
Tara_C, Mar 2023
This was the best part of our trip to Dublin! This is a great way to get out of the city and see the countryside within 50 minutes of Dublin! Zack and Loki were our guides and showed us some of the most breathtaking views to be seen. Zack was great guide, who went at a pace that suited all in our group (7 total). He was very informative, accommodating and overall wonderful person. Highly recommend Howth Adventures for anyone travelling to Dublin!
Beautiful views
Kimisha_B, Mar 2023
Great hike with Beautiful views. Zach and Loki gave us the perfect day! Hiking shoes highly recommended
Zach & Loki were great...
Frank, Mar 2023
Zach & Loki were great tour guides! We saw lots of Howth that you wouldn't see touring on your own and everything was amazing. Zach even made us a reservation for us to eat afterwards so they were ready and waiting for us. Definitely recommend!
Incredible hiking Adventure!
Catherine_P, Mar 2023
It was an amazing tour and experience. Zach is extremely knowledgeable of the area and the history. The views were amazing! It is about a 7.5 mile hike and he customized it to the group. It was so awesome in that amount of time to see so much. It is easy to get there from Dublin. Well worth the trip!
Highly Recommend
Tiffany_N, Mar 2023
The views were gorgeous. Zach & Loki took us off the "regular" paths - it was something we couldn't (and wouldn't) have done on our own. Too easy to get lost. It was lovely exercise with every turn being a new unbelievable vista.
Highlight of our trip.
Virginia_A, Jan 2023
Never imagined how fantastic this hike would be. The local guide Shane and Loki made it more enjoyable. Learning about and seeing this part of the country was amazing. My son and I will always remember this. Thank you Howth Adventures!!!
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thanks Virgina, I have to say , Loki and I had at least as great a day with you and Grant. Tracking down and identifying the earliest signs of spring, snowdrop by rhododendron and the extending daily light is the best fun, and uplifting too. I look forward to meeting you both again, somewhere over the rainbow. Thanks for coming and thanks for the fine review. Is mise le meas, Shane
Awesome adventure in Howth 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Lara_H, Oct 2022
This hike was everything we could have dreamed of & more. Zack & Loki were amazing guides providing a plethora of local history & folklore. The views were breathtaking to say the least! Although you can do this in sneakers we would recommend a slightly more stable shoe as you navigate the gorgeous terrain. We highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Nov 2022
HI Lara, "Everything we could have dreamed of and more" eh . That'll cheer Zack and Loki up allright. Good advice on the footwear too, and we can also share the Panoramic eBike Tour or The Voyage with Howth ADventures if you dont fancy wearing out your footwear. Is mise, le meas, Shane
Nice hike in Howth
Allison_A, Sep 2022
The Howth hike was very enjoyable. We were part of a small group of 6, led by an experienced local guide, Conor. We wanted to be out in nature and see the coast and this was a fun way to do it. We chose the longer 4 hour hike, and it went a bit longer (probably because I was a bit pokey). The hiking does have a few areas where the path is steeper so be prepared, this is not a flat walk. The scenery is breathtaking, esp as you leave the wooded area and get out into the open and walked the cliffs! Conor gave local history, sang a song, recited a poem, really enjoyed his tour. Choose a 3 hour hike if you haven’t hiked in a while, we were happy but tired after 4. Lots of places to eat after your hike.
Response from Host, Sep 2022
Hi Allison, I hope everybody who is thinking of coming out with us reads your review. Some will know they need to be on The Dublin Hiking Tour at 4 hours plus (The Howth Safari) and others will know the Coastal Trail is the one for them. Is mise, le meas, Shane
If you love the great outdoors and an awesome workout
Ilana_S, Aug 2022
Paula (and her dog Holly) were amazing guides!! There were only three other people on the hike, so it felt like an intimate experience with friends to see the most spectacular scenery. Paula lives in Howth, so knows the trails exceedingly well. She mixed in a lot of Irish history with her own personal stories about living there, which made for a really fascinating day. She kept checking in with our group to make sure we were doing well and made sure we always got the best views of every spot. The four hours were filled with different, shockingly gorgeous scenery. Just when you thought you saw it all, there was something even more interesting around the corner. You do need to have a good fitness level, but being obsessed with working out, this was the perfect day for me. After the hike, the four of us hikers went out to a restaurant Paula had recommended. The food was incredible and it was just great meeting new people from various countries! Thanks for an amazing day!!
Response from Host, Sep 2022
Hi Llana, That's a perfect review. Paula and Holly are great and sounds like you got everything we hope to share, including the follow on evening in Howth . Thanks for coming out, giving us the opportunity and sharing your experience. Is mise, le meas, Shane

From $53.77

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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