Hiking in my own neck of the woods is a treat for me. However, I was particularly grateful to have the opportunity to hike while visiting Ireland. I took a short train ride on the DART from Dún Laoghaire (which I was excited to know how to pronounce thanks to my love for the book Outlander
The Trail
The trail starts with a steady climb to the cliff top. The initial views of both Bray behind you and the sea to your left are utterly stunning! You’ll be walking a gravel path that is well-defined.
The path meanders along the cliff top, above the railway line for approximately 6 kilometers. Various kinds of seabirds are teaming along the cliff face. Brilliant Irish green covers both sides of the trail. Beautiful wildflowers and other vegetation provide pops of color throughout.
Amenities
Be sure to use the facilities before you head out because there are no amenities for the entire length of the trail. The hike is easy to moderate, and having some water along for hydration is a good idea. A good rule of thumb is 1/2 to 1 quart of water per hour of hiking – and this one will take you about 1 1/2 to 2 hours depending on how often you stop to take in the sea air.
At the end of the trail lies the town of Greystones – with lots of shops, cafes and pubs to enjoy. If you prefer to hike in and out you can enjoy lunch here before returning to Bray on the trail, or you can take the train back to Bray to get a different perspective of the coastline you’ve just walked.
