| Hiking and trekking |
|
Hiking and trekking - Notice board
|
Hiking and trekking - Orienteering
|
|
|
| For mountain rescue dial 999 |
 Hiking and trekking - Trekking
There are many excellent hiking ways around the country. Since the opening of
the Wicklow Way in 1980, which is the country’s first waymarked way,
many other have followed and nowadays there are over 30 of them. Hiking
has become a very popular activity. Waymarked ways are variable in
length, for example the Cavan Way is only 26km long, while the Ulster
Way is 900km long. There are still more waymarked ways to come as the
country’s aim is to have them all |
linked together.
If you are considering a hike, you will have to take into account the
rain, which can be a very annoying companion when walking, as the soil
will get slippery and orientation can become a problem. You will also
need appropriate equipment, including a compass, reliable maps/guides,
and good hiking shoes. Paths are usually marked with a yellow sign, but
often signs are hidden or just disappeared. You can contact the
National Waymarked Ways Advisory Committee on 01-2407717 or visit
www.irish-waymarkedways.ie for more information in the Republic of
Ireland. For Northern Ireland, contact the Countryside Access and
Activities Network on 028-90381222).
Eason’s bookshop in Dublin has many excellent walking guides on offer.
If you are planning a hike of more than one day, it is advisable to
purchase a detailed topographic map from EastWest Mapping (fax
054-77835 or e-mail eastwest@eircom.net). A number of operators offer
organized hikes:
Go Ireland (call 066-9762094 for information or send an
email to goireland@fexco.ie, or visit www.goireland.fexco.ie)
South West Walks Ireland (call 066-7128733 or send an
email to swwi@iol.ie, or visit www.southwestwalksireland.com)
Joyce’s Ireland (call 01275-474797 or send an email to
joyce@joycesireland.co.uk, or visit www.joycesireland.com) is based in
the UK. |
| PS : Waymarked ways in Ireland include:
Beara Way (196km) – Goes around the Beara Peninsula in
West Cork. Burren Way (35km) – Goes across the Burren area
in county Clare.
Cavan Way (26km) – Goes between Blacklion to Dowra
Northwest of county Cavan.
Dingle Way (168km) – Goes around the Dingle Peninsula in
county Kerry.
East Munster Way (70km) – Goes between Carrick-on-Suir in
county Tipperary to Clogheen in county Wexford.
Kerry Way (214km) – Departing and ending in Killarney in
country Kerry, this waymarked way will take you around the county.
Mourne Trail (106km) – Southeastern portion of the Ulster
Way, it goes from Newry to Strangford and Newtownards.
Slieve Bloom Way (77km) – Goes across counties Offaly and
Laois, forming a complete trail through the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
South Leinster Way (100km) – Goes from Kildavin in county
Carlow to Carrick-on-Suir in county Tipperary.
Ulster Way: Northeastern Section (165km) – Departing from
the suburbs of Belfast, it includes the Glens of Antrim and the
Causeway Coastline.
Ulster Way: Donegal Section (111km) – Goes from Pettigo in
county Donegal to Rosscor in Northern Ireland.
The complete Ulster Way is a 900km trail through the six
counties of Northern Ireland plus Donegal.
Wicklow Way (132km) – Goes from South Dublin City to
Clonegal in county Carlow, through county Wicklow. |
|
|
