Access to hiking routes in Ireland
All land in Ireland is in private or State ownership; as the State owns less than 20% of Ireland’s land area, most hiking takes place on privately-owned land. There is no legal right of access to the Irish countryside.
The Trails on the National Trails Register are all waymarked and the landowners have given permission for access. Details of these routes can be found on the Get Ireland Active website. These trails provide a great start if you're new to hiking, or you’re going to a part of the country that you’re not familiar with.
Hiking or hillwalking routes, are normally unmarked as route-finding is just one of the skills required to be safe in mountain terrain. On popular mountain routes a path may have developed on the ground from repeated footfall. You should be mindful that the path may not go all the way to the top, or there may be multiple paths on the mountain.
Access has not been agreed with the landowners on most walking routes in Ireland’s mountains; we enjoy these routes with the goodwill and tolerance of the owners. All hikers share in the responsibility to maintain that goodwill by engaging with landowners and acting responsibly. Remember too that you are responsible for your own safety.
If you don't have the skills yet to find your way on the mountains, consider doing a Mountain Skills course, or going out with a club or other group as that will give you access to people with experience. There are also Mountain Leaders who provide guided walks in some mountain areas across Ireland.
Finding a hiking route - the Mountainviews.ie website provides useful information on mountain routes, including starting points. Mountaineering Ireland's Irish Peaks book and other hiking guidebooks are also a great resource.
Other options for getting information on where to hike include contacting a local Mountaineering Ireland Club, the Rural Recreation Officer in the county, or contact a Mountaineering Ireland's Staff Member.