Whether it's bucketing down rain or gloriously sunny out, there's a hike for everyone in Ireland - and a post-climb snap is always a winner in your Sunday social media dump.
But if you're new to hiking and have been wanting to lace up your hiking boots for a while, where do you start? And if you've been at it casually for a bit, what do you need to level your hiking up? What sort of equipment do you need? What are the best practices when it comes to safety and etiquette?
Mel McDermott, Galz Gone Wild walking group and Liam Feeley, CEO Mountaineering Ireland, joined Today with Claire Byrne to share their advice on getting into hiking.
Feeley said that for those wanting to up the stakes with their weekend hikes, thinking about safety and equipment is a must. A good set of boots, a proper rain jacket and plenty of warm gear for changeable conditions are a solid starting point.
Breaking in new boots can be a daunting task in itself, but Feeley suggested wearing them around the house before taking on the hills.
Upskilling in your orienteering skills can be worth looking into, he added. "You can learn very quickly some basics that will keep you safe", he said, pointing to a number of in-person courses by Mountaineering Ireland on hill skills, mountain skills and more.
Having run hikes since 2017, Galz Gone Wild has racked up plenty of steps over the years, and with no call-outs for rescue made in all that time, founder McDermott said their safety record is something they pride themselves on.
There's one piece of advice the team always starts with, McDermott said: "The number one thing we always say to people is check the weather. We live in Ireland; we know that we have interchangeable weather. It can be raining one minute and then sunny the next."
McDermott added that many trails aren't signposted, "so once that fog and mist comes down, you could be in a bit of a problem".
Ensure you know your route well, and to help with this Mountaineering Ireland is launching a new module to their courses to better help people navigate hiking trails safely. "People are out there, they're using their phones, so let's adapt to that. Not everybody is going to be confident or confident yet using a map and compass", McDermott said.
The module will allow users to download a map to their phone for each hike they take on, ensuring they know how to navigate it.
"While it's always good to have the traditional skills of a compass and map, people don't use them anymore, especially when they're getting into it", Feeley said.
So you have your kit and your route sorted, but where do you find a hiking community?
To start off, Feeley recommended going with an experienced friend to get a feel of the activity first with someone more seasoned. He also suggested getting in touch with smaller hiking and walking clubs through Mountaineering Ireland.
If you want to make it a family affair, Feeley is emphatic about family hikes, and added: "In a day of technology, it's such a brilliant way to get away from it all, get out into the beautiful Irish countryside and bring your kids along on a little adventure."
"What we would say is you have to be a little bit more careful when you've your children. Have a plan A and a plan B, and maybe a plan C on how to get them back to the car. Have yourself equipped properly so you can look after yourself, but also have your children [equipped]."
Finally, he said, "pick a trail that they're skipping back to the car wanting more, that you're not dragging them back to the car".
Read Mel McDermott's recommendations for hikes below:
- The Green Road Walk, Glendalough, Co Wicklow - 3km, ~ 50 minutes, buggy- and wheelchair-friendly.
- The Glenbarrow Eco Walk, Co Laois - 8.5km, 3 hours, carpark and cafe on site.
- Benbulben Forest Walk, Co Sligo - 5.5km, 1.5 hours
- Gougane Barra Forest Park, Co Cork - multiple walking routes
