If you want one of the best coastal walks near Dublin without travelling halfway across the country, the Howth Cliff Path Loop is very difficult to beat.

Starting in the fishing village of Howth, the trail climbs above the Irish Sea and follows dramatic clifftops with views towards Ireland's Eye, Lambay Island, Dublin Bay and the Baily Lighthouse.

And the best part? You can get there directly from Dublin City by DART.

The official Cliff Path Loop is rated moderate, takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, and involves around 130 metres of climbing. Depending on the route information you follow, the loop is listed at roughly 6–7.8km, so allow a little extra time if you're stopping regularly for photos.

Howth Cliff Path Loop at a Glance

Start / Finish	Howth DART Station
Distance	Approximately 6–7.8km
Time	Around 1.5–2 hours
Difficulty	Moderate
Ascent	Approximately 130 metres
Waymarking	Green arrows
Terrain	Harbour paths, roads and rugged cliff paths
Best for	Coastal views, photography, day trips from Dublin

Getting to Howth

One of the biggest advantages of this walk is public transport. The DART runs directly between Dublin City and Howth — the journey takes roughly half an hour depending on where you board. Once you arrive at Howth Station, you're already at the starting point. No parking, no designated driver, and no worrying about finding the car after you've finished eating half the seafood in Howth.

If you're driving, Howth is approximately 15km northeast of Dublin City Centre. Parking is available around the village and harbour, but spaces can disappear quickly on sunny weekends. On busy summer weekends, taking the DART is often considerably easier.

The Route

Howth Harbour

The first part of the route takes you through Howth Harbour. Fishing boats, yachts and seafood restaurants line the waterfront, while Ireland's Eye sits just offshore. Grey seals are regularly seen around the harbour and occasionally appear remarkably close to the piers. You might be tempted to stop for fish and chips immediately — show some restraint. You haven't actually done the walk yet.

Climbing Towards Balscadden Bay

From the harbour, the route heads uphill along Balscadden Road. You'll pass above Balscadden Bay, a small beach tucked beneath the cliffs. From here the walk begins to feel considerably more rural, despite being only a short distance from Dublin City.

The Cliff Path

Once you join the cliff path, the houses disappear behind you and the Irish Sea opens up ahead. The trail follows the eastern side of Howth Head past rocky cliffs, heather-covered slopes, gorse, hidden coves and coastal heathland. On a calm sunny day, the water can look surprisingly blue. On a stormier day, waves crash against the rocks below and the whole landscape becomes considerably more dramatic. Both versions are worth seeing.

Ireland's Eye and Lambay Island

One of the first major views is towards Ireland's Eye — the small island just offshore from Howth Harbour, home to large seabird colonies including gannets, guillemots, razorbills and cormorants. Boat trips to Ireland's Eye operate from Howth during the warmer months. Further out to sea you'll also see Lambay Island, privately owned and famous for its wildlife — including an unusual population of wallabies. Yes, wallabies, off the Dublin coast.

The Baily Lighthouse

One of the most recognisable sights along the route is the Baily Lighthouse, sitting dramatically on the southeastern edge of Howth Head. As you walk around the cliff path, you'll gradually get better views of it below. It's one of the most photographed sections of the entire walk.

Howth Summit

Eventually the Cliff Path Loop turns inland and climbs towards Howth Summit — the highest part of the loop. On a clear day you may be able to see Dublin City, the Poolbeg Chimneys, the Dublin Mountains, the Wicklow Mountains, Dalkey and Bray Head. From the Summit, the green route works its way back towards Howth village along paths and residential roads.

Route Map

The Four Howth Walking Routes

There are four main marked loops around Howth Head:

Green — Cliff Path Loop: The route covered in this guide. Around 6–7.8km, roughly 1.5–2 hours, moderate difficulty. The best option for most first-time visitors.

Blue — Tramline Loop: Follows part of the cliff trail before returning to Howth along the route of the old tramline. Another good moderate option.

Red — Black Linn Loop: Longer route continuing around the cliffs and crossing higher sections of Howth Head. Expect roughly 8km and around 2.5 hours.

Purple — Bog of Frogs Loop: The longest and most challenging of the four. Choose this if you want a proper half-day hike rather than the shorter tourist loop.

Wildlife

Howth Head is a fantastic place for wildlife watching. Depending on the season, you may see grey seals, gannets, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, cormorants, kestrels and dolphins. During spring and summer, the cliffs become especially busy with birdlife. Bring binoculars if you've got them.

Spring and summer also bring wildflowers — yellow gorse and purple heather can make the cliffs look spectacular. The gorse produces a distinctive coconut-like smell on warm days.

Practical Tips

Difficulty: Officially graded moderate. Some climbs and rough sections, but you're not tackling a mountain. If you're comfortable walking for around two hours on mixed terrain, you should be fine.

Footwear: Proper walking shoes or hiking boots are ideal. The path can become muddy and slippery after rain. In dry summer weather, sturdy trainers may be enough.

Children: Older children who are comfortable walking several kilometres should manage it. However, there are genuine cliff edges along the route — young children need very close supervision.

Buggies: The main cliff trail is not suitable for ordinary buggies or wheelchairs.

Safety: Stay on the established trail. Do not climb barriers or walk towards unstable cliff edges for photographs. Be especially careful in strong winds, heavy rain, fog or icy conditions.

What to bring: Waterproof jacket, water, comfortable walking shoes, phone, portable charger, small snack, binoculars and sun cream in summer.

Best Time to Visit

There isn't really a bad season. Spring brings wildflowers and increasing seabird activity. Summer offers long evenings and generally better conditions. Autumn heather colours and fewer crowds make it a brilliant time to visit. Winter brings quieter trails and dramatic seas, but shorter daylight hours and rougher weather. If we had to pick, late spring or early autumn would be difficult to beat.

After the Walk

It almost feels wrong to complete the Howth Cliff Walk without eating something afterwards. Howth is famous for seafood — fish and chips, seafood chowder, fresh fish, mussels, oysters and prawns are all available around the harbour. On a sunny day, plenty of people grab takeaway fish and chips and eat around the waterfront. Just watch the seagulls. They are professionals.

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Start / Finish: Howth DART Station, Howth, County Dublin Distance: Approximately 6–7.8km Time: Around 1.5–2 hours Difficulty: Moderate Public transport: Excellent — DART from Dublin City Centre