Hey guys,Welcome back to our blog.We hope you have been enjoying our Active Activities series and that you have been able to explore some of the hidden gems that we have shared with you in county Kildare. Don't forget to hashtag #KildareEXCAPE and tag us @excapestudios on Facebook and Instagram if you visit any of our spots, or have any favourites of your own that you'd like to share!For this weeks Active Activities, we're coming to you with something a bit different. For all of you that follow us from outside of the beautiful Kildare or those of you that would like to branch out further when it's possible, we are sharing some of our favourite stroll, walk and hike spots from none other than, county Dublin. 1. Ticknock
Ticknock is one of Dublin's most popular hiking spots, and it's pretty obvious why. The views over Dublin and the Irish Sea that you can experience here are incredible. Ticknock is less than half an hour away from Dublin City centre but prepare to completely immerse yourself into the wilderness on arrival.There is something for everyone in Ticknock. There are approx 10km of walking trails through forests and mountains, with some steep climbs as well as a tarmac road leading all the way to the top which makes it very accessible for families, children and those with a lower level of fitness. There are also many out and back loop walks which you can do, if you don't want to go too far!
The Blue Light Pub is situated right at the bottom of the Dublin Mountains if you fancy some Irish pub grub (or a sneaky pint!) after your walk, in a prime example of a typical hearty Irish pub.Ticknock is one of our favourites because it caters for all experience levels and abilities. There are so many options and no matter which one you choose, you are guaranteed some amazing views and a great opportunity to clear your head and get a great EXCAPE.2. Howth Cliff walkThe Howth Cliff walk is a moderate 6-10km walk which could take anywhere between 2-3 hours but believe us, you'll never want it to end! There is some easy road walking along the way combined with some more steep and rugged patches. Choose your footwear wisely and remember, this is a cliff walk so extra caution is needed, especially if you decide to bring the kids!
The Howth Cliff walk is only 25 minutes on the DART train from Dublin City, and starts at the DART (train) station in Howth village and follows the green arrows passing the Harbour, Marina and then along the cliff path as you climb to ‘The Summit’. Returning here along a path parallel to the outward route is a 6km loop walk but you can extend the walk to a 10km loop by heading towards the Lighthouse and returning on well worn paths with spectacular views along the entire walk. Some breathtaking flora and fauna to be seen here, have your camera at the ready!
The Howth Cliff Path Loop Walk is one of Irelands best coastal walks and is a beautiful seaside day out with many things to do and places to eat in the local area if you'd like to make an occasion of it for the family or friends! However, we would advise to avoid this walk in any wet or windy conditions.
3. Hellfire Club and Massey Woods LoopHell Fire Club and Massey Woods Loop is a 8.7 kilometer loop trail located near Tallaght, County Dublin, Ireland that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels.
This one is a little more on the 'spooky' side but not really, there is just a lot of history and many (maybe not so true) stories to go along with this route. The remains of the Hell Fire Club on the summit are a well known landmark in south Dublin. Explore the trails around the hill and the Massey Woods with a bunch of paths that allow you to explore the woods on the former Massey Estate.A huge mansion once stood here and has since been transformed into a popular forest walk. The Nature Trail followed in this section of the trip passes many fine examples of European, American and Asian tree species as it makes a circuit roughly following the path of the Owendoher River, which runs through the grounds. There are also numerous points of historical importance, including a ruined Bronze Age tomb and an icehouse.The forest around Montpelier Hill offers several km of trails. The Montpelier Loop Trail followed in this route makes a circuit around the hill and from here, you can enjoy some amazing view over the mountains, Dublin City and also Dublin Bay. Following this, be prepared to make the final climb to the site of the notorious Hell Fire Club!
We love seeing what you guys get up to outside of training so if you are out and about over the next couple of weeks, please tag us @excapestudios with your pictures and inspire us or someone else to go exploring!
