Cork, a stone's throw from the island's south coast in the Atlantic Ocean, is an ideal starting point for those enjoying themselves. Outside events. Around the country's second largest city (125,000 inhabitants), there are plenty of great outdoor experiences to enjoy. Notable is the Lough Hine trail near the village of Skibbereen, which is 5 to 6 km long depending on the route chosen: the circuit around the salt lake of the same name or the route through the surrounding hills and forests. Killarney National Park in County Kerry and Ballyhoura Mountain Park with nearly 100km of mountain bike trails are also in the Cork area.

Night Kayaking Trip

Those who prefer water to dry land can opt for a night kayaking tour that offers Atlantic sea kayaking under a starry sky, and the bioluminescent plankton light in the water. An experience that can only be described in one word: magical!

Athletes will climb the island's highest peak, Carantooh at 1038 meters. Cronin's Yard, a 25-minute drive from Killarney, is the perfect starting point for this excursion. The route taking the Devil's Scale is the most popular, but also the most demanding. It involves a 12km hike and takes four to six hours depending on fitness. The section that gives this route its name is indeed short but steep, with climbing sections: perfect for those looking for a little challenge.

For more varied hiking, nothing beats the Beira Peninsula, which plunges into the Atlantic in the southeast of the island. The Beara Way circuit is well-marked for 152 km and allows you to discover ancient cromlechs (stone circles) among forests, lakes and rock formations. This beautiful peninsula can definitely be discovered on day trips, especially from Berehaven Lodge in Kappagaukee. Lovers of exceptional accommodation surrounded by nature will benefit from an incredible view of the sea and neighboring islands.

On the west coast, the Kerry Way (214 km) and the Northern Dingle Way (179 km), which run through the Iveragh and Dingle peninsulas, are other unrivaled attractions and form part of the Irish trail network.

However, in general, even on well-marked routes, it's a good idea to bring a map or GPS to make sure you're on the right path. Recommended apps are Komoot and Outdooractive which list various routes in Ireland.

600m high cliffs

In the northwest of the country, Slieve offers hiking along the League Cliffs in County Donegal. The cliffs rise up to 600 meters above the Atlantic. They are less well-known than the famous Cliffs of Moher, but less popular as a result. It is an hour's drive from Donegal town. For this 6 km round trip hike on the Pilgrim's Path, we start from Banglas Viewpoint. The trail is initially easy and well-marked, but becomes steeper to the top of the cliffs, offering a spectacular view of the entire coastline. Those who need more than that — and those who don't suffer from vertigo — go for the one-man pass. There they will find a narrow mountain path dominated by cliffs.

Northern Ireland is not spared

In terms of impressive rock formations, more humble Northern Ireland has nothing to envy its southern neighbours. The Giant's Causeway on the North Coast is made up of 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns born 60 million years ago from volcanic activity. This beautiful site is part of UNESCO World Heritage. Multiple itineraries are offered Hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers A chance to discover the region's hidden coves and incredible geography. It's a three-hour drive from Dublin. 90 minutes from Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Reminder: In Northern Ireland, distances are indicated in miles and in the Republic of Ireland in kilometers. The currency in Belfast is the British Pound, not the Euro.

Another not-to-be-missed highlight: the Gobbins Cliff trail at the end of the Islandmagee peninsula, overlooking the strait that separates Northern Ireland from Scotland. It can only be visited through organized tours. At a distance of 3 km, the path passes 23 bridges and several tunnels, passing through dizzying cliffs, sometimes the tour usually lasts two and a half to three hours, you must register in advance.

Go on

Swiss flies daily from Zurich to Dublin, twice a week to Cork and three times a week from Geneva to Dublin. Until mid-September, Edelweiss flies twice a week from Zurich to Cork. Aer Lingus flies daily from Zurich to Dublin. To get to Belfast, it's best to fly to Dublin and take a bus to Belfast in about two hours.

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