Hiking in Ireland: What to know?

Cobh’s colorful architecture, Dublin, and the magical Wild Atlantic – Ireland pretty much stands for everything that’s vibrant, unique, and magical. Quite naturally, Ireland tours have become quite popular because of the splendid opportunities they provide to wanderlust souls. Hiking is probably one of the best ways to explore the place and a hiking trip is also a sure way to enrich your body and mind. There are a number of hikes in Ireland for you to enjoy. Some of the best ones include Glencolmcille Tower Loop, Sheep’s Head Lighthouse Loop, and Bothy Loop. 

You should know that hiking or trekking is not something that any amateur can do. If you start going on a trail without the proper supplies then you are likely to face problems later on the trail. So, it is better to be thoroughly prepared. When it comes to preparing for a hiking tour in Ireland, there are 2 essential aspects to know about.A trip to Ireland must include some of the great things you can visit in Dublin.

Firstly, planning on the itinerary early on is essential, especially if enjoying a hike is not the only thing you have in mind for your trip.  For example, the county of Cork has is home to some of the most scenic trails in Ireland, including the Old Head of Kinsale Loop Walk. After you explore the beautiful area, you can take a Cork to Dublin train and head to the capital of the country, where you proceed to check out Trinity College and Jameson Distillery.

Secondly, you have to pack your bags accordingly, keeping the essential things to carry in mind (double-checking everything is never a bad idea).

Below are a few tips which you should keep in mind while going on a hike, they are as follows:

• Water– The first thing that you should do is make sure you have enough water with you while you’re going on a hike.  One thing that happens to most amateur hikers is that they get fatigued a lot early on in the trail. Drinking water periodically makes sure that you will feel refreshed and have enough strength to enjoy the hike, not just survive it.
• Food – The next thing that should be kept in mind is packing the kind of food that will give you a lot of energy in order to successfully complete the trail. The kinds of products you should bring are dried fruits, granola bars, nuts, chocolates – they don’t take up much space in the backpack, aren’t heavy, and are loaded with calories you need during the experience. 
• Rain– As this is Ireland we’re talking about, heavy rain is to be expected. You should always be prepared for rain. But rain shouldn’t have to ruin your hiking trip. You should bring waterproof clothing with you so that your experiences wouldn’t be ruined by wet clothes. Another thing to keep in mind is that you should keep your rucksack or any other bag that you’re carrying covered with a rain cover. You can also choose to put a bin liner on your bag along with putting a waterproof outer covering to make it even harder for water to get in and ruin your day.
• Wear a towel as a scarf– You can choose to wear a towel like a scarf to ensure that rainwater doesn’t flow down from your neck and into the clothes you’re wearing.
• Don’t stay out after dark– It is not recommended that you stay outside after it is dark. So you should check how long the trail is and make sure that you have enough time to reach the end of your trial before it gets dark outside.
• Footwear– When choosing footwear, you should make sure that you’re absolutely comfortable with the pair of shoes you’re wearing. Even a little bit of irritation on your feet can become agonizing after a while.  You shouldn’t wear cotton socks when you’re hiking as cotton captures moisture and keeps it in for a long time. When choosing a pair of shoes, you should make sure that they’re light and also provide support to your ankle.

Keeping all that in mind, your hike in Ireland should go without a hitch.