The Ireland Way®

A spectacular trail, this is Ireland’s longest coast to coast hiking route, running the length of the island from Castletownbere on the rugged coast of County Cork in the south, to Ballycastle, County Antrim, in the north. Passing through fourteen counties the 1000km trail links the newly developed Beara-Breifne Way with the Ulster Way and takes around 45 days to complete. Along its twenty stages, you will travel through seven mountain areas, cross farmland, bogs, and moors, walkthrough wild woods and discover dramatic coastlines. Considered to be a trail of medium difficulty, a reasonable level of fitness is required to accomplish this epic hike. Some parts of the southern section in particular are physically challenging and have long distances between facilities. Passing over remote mountainous areas, it is not always possible to have a mobile phone signal so be prepared to feel cut off at times. The total elevation gain on the trail is 42917 feet. Being a fairly new trail, it suffers in places, from a lack of infrastructure; some sections of the trail have plenty of accommodation, other parts are lacking or it is far off track. Accommodation, which should be booked beforehand and especially so in the summer months, mainly consists of B&Bs and hotels, there are just six hostels on the trail and only a few campsites. This is why many hikers chose to wild camp, although the landowner's permission is required before pitching your tent and setting up. Also, because the trail is still being developed, there are certain sections that are not fully waymarked and this can lead to confusion, so it is advisable to carry a GPS and a map to ensure that you are still on track.Conditions of the trail also vary by area; the path is maintained by volunteers and groups along its entire length and the terrain is variable, some sections are on paved roads, others on very uneven terrain. Many parts of the way pass over private farmland, so be respectful, these small scale farmers have generously allowed hikers to pass freely through their grazing pastures of sheep and cattle. Keep a close lookout for bulls, which may also be grazing and should never be underestimated. Exercise caution and stay close to the perimeter in case a quick exit is required! It is for these reasons that dogs are not allowed on the trail.The best time to walk the Ireland Way is during the summer months of June, July and August when the weather is warmest and driest. December, January and February are the coldest months and March, April and May are generally the wettest, although whatever time you choose to walk it be prepared for very changeable and wet weather. If camping, a good waterproof tent and groundsheet is a necessity if you are hoping to wake up feeling dry, refreshed and ready to go in the morning!