Hiking & Walking Ireland Tours & Trip Packages

Hiking & Walking Ireland Tours & Trips

2,367 Hiking & Walking trips. Tours from 446 tour companies. 11,276 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

39 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Ireland
Walking the Kerry Way and Killarney National Park
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Peaceful, beautiful walks in the south-west corner of Ireland
  • Killarney National Park: Ireland's oldest protected wilderness with Ireland's only herd of wild red deer
  • Panoramic views of glistening lakes and rugged mountains
  • A million shades of green as the road follows the contours of the land
  • 10,000 years of dramatic Celtic history

Themes

Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

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Walking and Cycling the Wild Atlantic Way
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Cycle through the stunning Gap of Dunloe
  • Boat trip from Ross Castle through the three lakes of Killarney to Lord Brandon's cottage.
  • Optional 2nd boat trip into Dingle harbour in search of Dingle's most famous resident 'Fungi' the Bottlenose Dolphin

Themes

Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Highlights of Scotland & Ireland
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4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cork, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness

Highlights

  • Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off City Bus Tour (24 hours)
  • The Complete Loch Ness Experience (ASA)
  • Glasgow City Sightseeing Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Tour - (24 hrs)
  • Dublin Big Bus Essential Hop-on/Hop-off - 48-hour
  • Blarney Castle
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Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline for the itinerary and the hotel choices were excellent."

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Classic Ireland
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1/5 Terrible
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cork, Dublin

Highlights

  • Want to stay longer? You can extend this trip up to a total of 9 days!
  • Dublin Big Bus Premium Hop-on/Hop-off - 48-hour
  • Blarney Castle
  • Ring of Kerry Guided Bus Tour
  • Cliffs Of Moher Admission

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline for the itinerary and the hotel choices were excellent."

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Dublin, Edinburgh & London
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4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Dublin, Edinburgh, London

Highlights

  • Want to stay longer? You can extend this trip up to a total of 10 days!
  • Dublin Big Bus Premium Hop-on/Hop-off - 48-hour
  • Edinburgh City Sightseeing Hop-on/Hop-off Tour (24 hours)
  • The Original London Sightseeing Tour (48-hour hop-on/hop-off)

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline for the itinerary and the hotel choices were excellent."

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Self-drive tour: West Coast Adventure
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Connemara, Dublin

Highlights

  • Visit the Aran Island Inis Oírr for a tour and lobster lunch.
  • Boat through Killary Fjord and hike back along the Famine Trail.
  • Horse ride on the beaches of Sligo while learning about the local history.
  • Sleep under the stars in a bubble dome.

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"It's hard to describe how lucky we are to have been able to work with Stephanie in planning our honeymoon to Japan. From the very beginning, Stephanie was friendly, flexible, and an absolute wealth of knowledge. We had several meetings with her leading up to our trip to come up with the perfect itinerary. Throughout this, Stephanie was mindful of our budget, without sacrificing anything. During our trip, Audley was available at all hours to help with anything and everything which was such a relief to know we had that resource available to us. I truly cannot imagine having planned this trip without all of Stephanie's guidance and knowledge- and cannot imagine taking another big trip like this without the help of Audley. Thank you again!"

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Ireland 4-City Getaway
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4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny

Highlights

  • Want to stay longer? You can extend this trip up to a total of 8 days!
  • Ring of Kerry Guided Bus Tour
  • Cliffs Of Moher Admission

Themes

Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline for the itinerary and the hotel choices were excellent."

Trip dates & details
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Hiking Ireland’s Coastal Northwest
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Belfast, Dublin, Galway

Highlights

  • Discover the gentle beauty of Glenveagh National Park, with its meandering paths and wildflowers.
  • Experience Galway, an iconic city of Ireland’s northwest.
  • Explore the unique landscapes and prehistoric stone forts of the breathtaking Aran Islands.

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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39 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Ireland
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Hiking & Walking Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
11,276  Reviews
See all Hiking & Walking tour reviews
Excellent
4,036
Great
953
Average
143
Disappointing
28
Terrible
16
E

Elizabeth

Apr 2024

Written on

Highlights of Albania

The scenery is beautiful with all the mountains and trees. Lots of interesting old buildings and ruins. I especially enjoyed meeting a local family where we were giv...

M

Margaret

Apr 2024

Written on

Highlights of Albania

Lovely country made welcome everywhere we went . Brilliant tour guide and good...

J

John Lamb

Apr 2024

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Highlights of Albania

Teddy is a knowledgable, professional and gracious leader. He is a joy to listen to and follow.

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Hiking & Walking Tour Selection Trips

  • Make sure to bring your camera to photograph the diverse wildlife and beautiful scenery you'll see.
  • Check out 50+ tours to be in a group to explore the tours, but at a slower, leisurely pace.
  • Break in your hiking shoes you will be wearing for the trip well beforehand to prevent blisters.
  • Hiking tours vary in the fitness level required and there is a wide variety available to find what's right for you. However, it's always a good idea to start getting in shape beforehand by going on some local hikes or the gym to get your endurance up for your trip.
  • Apply sunscreen before your hike and reapply throughout. You have a better chance of being burnt the higher you go.
  • Research the weather in the area for the time of year you're going. Would you be okay doing the trip if it rains often?
  • Dress in layers, as the weather may change the higher up you go. Even in warmer climates, layers, especially fabrics that breathe well, help with sun exposure.
  • Bring a supportive backpack to carry your gear. Test the backpack out before to make sure it sits comfortably on your shoulders and back and doesn't rub.
  • Stock up on water and snacks to keep you fueled.
  • Check out the activity level and miles covered per day before picking a trip to make sure you will physically be able to handle it.
  • Be flexible. The weather cannot be predicted and your plans for the day may change.
  • Always a good idea to have a small personal first aid pack, though your tour guide will usually be well equipped. You never know if you'll need it for a fall or some other ailment.

Additional details

Best Time of Year to Plan a Hiking Tour

The best time of year to plan a hiking or walking tour depends greatly on the region, weather, and your preference. The tour companies on Stride offer  hiking and walking tours year-round, with many that specialize in winter hiking excursions. For instance, many national parks in the U.S. offer classic winter hiking routes, including The Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Yosemite National Park, and Yellowstone National Park, where you can snowshoe through a winter wonderland during the colder seasons.

In Morocco, you can experience the invigorating Mt Toubkal Winter Climb. You can also enjoy a Canadian Rockies Winter Adventure with action-packed outdoor itineraries guaranteed to impress. Don’t forget the enchanting winters in Scandinavia! If you’re lucky you will get a glimpse of the wondrous Northern Lights on your hiking trip.

Hiking and walking tours might be most common in the summer months, but those in areas that have hotter summers are perfect destinations for fall and spring travel (and will be less crowded in the off season). Again, the national parks and canyons in the U.S. are popular locations, especially Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. Iceland is another top destination for fall and winter hikes.

Top hiking locations in Asia during the fall and spring seasons include Bhutan, China, Japan, and Indonesia. South and Central America also have frequented hiking and walking tours during these seasons to help stay cool from the summer heat! Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, and Nicaragua are among the most popular destinations.

If you are looking for hiking and walking tours during summer travel, there will be an abundance of options listed on Stride. Most locations that offer hiking during other parts of the year, also offer hiking tours during the summer season. Just make sure to prepare with adequate breathable clothing, sunblock gear, and plenty of water, especially in locations that are traditionally very hot in the summer.

Hiking tour packing list suggestions

What to pack for a hiking trip can depend on the time of year you are traveling, but overall, your packing list will look quite similar regardless of season. Some important must-pack items are as follows:

1. Hiking backpack - This is an important item to have to carry things you may need along your hiking tours (water bottles, sunscreen, layers, etc.). You could also have it double as a carry on depending on the length of your trip! 

TIP: Be sure to break in your backpack well before the trip. Don’t buy a shiny new one and leave the next day. The material will chafe and get uncomfortable very quickly. Give your pack and your back and shoulders plenty of time to get used to one another first!

2. Weather-appropriate clothing - Jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell, and thermal underwear. Depending on the season, your clothing items may vary. Jackets and layers are always recommended, however. It can still get quite cold during the dawn or dusk times in regions where hiking is popular, especially in the desert and national parks!

3. Sturdy Hiking boots or shoes - Depending on the physical level and terrain of your hiking or walking trip, you may need hiking boots and even poles or other hiking gear. Always check with your tour guide and/or company prior to any hiking trips to confirm what type of equipment might be needed. And similarly with the backpack: always break in your shoes! This will avoid blisters and rubbing - your feet will thank you.

4. Plenty of food - Always carry snacks! (You backpack will come in handy for this). Depending on the length of your hiking tour, you may need more or less sustenance.

5. Plenty of water - This is very important! Always pack ample drinking water on hiking and walking tours (better to have too much than too little). The general rule for adults is 2 cups (about 1/2 liter) of water for every 1 hour of hiking.

6. Sun Protection - Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. Even if the sun is not out, there is still a chance of sun exposure and sunburn, so keep yourself safe and comfortable by protecting your skin on hikes!

7. Illumination - Flashlight, lanterns, and headlamp. Depending on the region and time of year, lights might be helpful to bring on your hiking tour. Check with your tour guide and company to see what they recommend.

8. Navigation - Map, compass, and GPS system. Although most tour guides will be equipped with these items, it is always a safe idea to have them for your own personal use as well. If you ever partake in a self-guided hiking tour, these will definitely come in handy to ensure a safe and fun hiking trip.

9. First-aid kit - In case of any injury that might occur on the hiking trail, it is always smart and safe to have a first-aid kit on hand. Again, tour guides most often have these tools, so check with them to confirm prior to your walking or hiking tour.

What are the fitness expectations for hiking tours?

One of the significant benefits of choosing a hiking or walking tour on Stride is that you can find an option for any physical level, whether you are an avid and advanced hiker, or you prefer more casual, leisurely walking tours. Hiking and walking tours range from very easy to extreme on Stride. The majority of hiking tours listed (1,000+) are moderate.

Easy hikes consist of low elevation, low intensity, and shorter distances. Extreme hikes typically consist of higher incline, longer durations, and more vigorous routes and terrain. If you are interested in hiking and walking as only part of your holiday, you can find both easy and difficult physical level options that are paired with other excursions, however, it is the more extreme physical levels that are primarily focused on hiking and trekking alone.

See all Easy Hiking Tours »

See all Moderate Hiking Tours »

See all Strenuous Hiking Tours »

See all Extreme Hiking Tours »

Hiking vs. Trekking: What’s the difference?

When distinguishing between hiking and trekking, the biggest difference between the two terms is the intent and rigor. Hiking can range from easy to strenuous, but the primary intent is leisure, most prominently on man-made and marked trails.

Trekking, on the other hand, is seen as more intense, off-the-beaten-path type of hiking. Here trails are often less frequented, routes are more challenging, and travelers are more experienced, pushing their physical and mental capacity along with their endurance.

Trekking tours are more often focused primarily on the routes, many being paired with camping and multiple-day hikes and excursions. Make sure to clarify with your tour guide and company whether your trip is a trekking or hiking tour, to make sure you are adequately prepared!

Safety on Walking Tours

If you choose to embark on a hiking or walking trip, no matter what part of the world, we highly recommend a guided tour. Going on a hiking tour is one of the best ways to get up close and personal with a country and its natural sights. It also helps with safety. Walking tours often take travelers into isolated places where it may be hard to find help, and easier to get lost. By going on a guided hiking tour, it is guaranteed that you will be with an expert who knows the area well, and you will never be alone in case of an emergency. 

Preparation is also a big part of being safe on a hiking tour. If you are planning on visiting Nepal, for example, you should prepare with the right kinds of clothing, be realistic about the kind of endurance that may be required, and read up on the possibility of altitude sickness. 

Hiking Tours in South America

Most hiking and walking tours in South America emphasize its unique natural scenery. Patagonia, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and the Amazon rainforest are the most popular destinations offered.

Patagonia

Patagonia is a region comprised of Argentina and Chile. It is known for its beautiful natural scenery in the form of mountain ranges, glaciers, lakes and forests. In Argentina, Patagonia hiking tours note that Tierra del Fuego National Park and Los Glaciares National Park are a top attraction. While in Chile, most tours make sure to include Torres del Paine National Park. Most hiking tours through Patagonia involve lots of camping, exercise, and other outdoor excursions.

Peru & The Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is the trail taken in order to reach numerous ancient, archaeological sites in Peru. The most popular of which is Machu Picchu. The trail itself displays a beautiful array of natural scenery from cloud forests to mountain ranges. The journey to the top, although challenging, is proven to be well worth it with its stunning views of ancient ruins surrounded by lush greenery.

Because of its growing popularity among travelers worldwide, planning ahead is a must. The Peruvian government limits the amount of travelers on the trail each day, so make sure you book a tour to Machu Picchu far in advance.

The Amazon

Hiking tours of the Amazon Rainforest are most common in Brazil, which houses about 60% of this jungle. The Amazon is the largest and most biologically diverse tropical rainforest in the world. Because of its sheer size, taking a guided tour is always highly recommended. Guided tours provide insightful knowledge about this truly unique jungle and its inhabitants. They are also very aware of the terrain and always make sure to take the proper safety precautions.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 2367 trips to Hiking & Walking and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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