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Dublin to Howth Half-Day Guided Hiking Trip by Car or Ferry
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From €385 per person
Howth is one of those places every visitor to Dublin should get to. It’s a fishing village perched on a headland north of the city, with coastal walks, sea air, and views across Dublin Bay that stop you in your tracks. This half-day tour pairs a private 5-star licensed guide with your choice of how to get there, so the experience fits your pace.
By private car (4.5-hour option): A private car picks you up and drops you off at your Dublin accommodation - the fastest and most convenient way to reach the village. Once in Howth, your guide leads you up to Howth Head Peak, the highest point on the peninsula, on an easy walking route adapted to your pace. Along the way you’ll spot wild birds, see the famous King George IV’s Footprints, and hear the legend of Puck’s Rocks. Your guide covers the local fauna, flora, and the history of Dublin Bay as you climb. At the top, the views across the bay and back to the city are worth every step.
By ferry and DART (6-hour option): This route takes a little longer but adds a lot. You cruise one-way from Dublin out through the Docklands, passing Kish Lighthouse, Dalkey Island, the Bull Island wildlife reserve, Lambay Island, and Ireland’s Eye before arriving at Howth Harbour. After the hike with your private guide, you return to Dublin by DART rail. One-way cruise tickets and a one-way train ticket are both included in this option.
Both options include the guided hike to Howth Head Peak with your private 5-star licensed guide.
The car option runs for approximately 4.5 hours; the ferry and DART option is approximately 6 hours. The hike to Howth Head Peak is an easy-to-moderate walking route, adapted to your group’s pace. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
The ferry option is special if the weather’s on your side. Passing Dalkey Island and Ireland’s Eye on the way out to Howth gives you a sense of Dublin Bay that most visitors never get. If you’re torn between the two options and the forecast looks decent, go for the ferry.
Wear layers regardless of the season. The top of Howth Head is exposed and the wind comes off the Irish Sea with no warning. Even on a sunny summer day, you’ll want something to pull on at the summit. A waterproof layer is sensible any time of year.
Ask your guide about the Howth Abbey ruins. The peninsula has more history than the hike alone covers, and a good guide will point out what’s worth a second look as you move through the village before and after the climb.
Leave time to eat in Howth after the hike. The harbour is lined with fish and chip shops and seafood restaurants, and the crab claws are particularly good. It would be a shame to get the DART straight back without sitting down for a plate of something fresh off the boats.
The DART back into the city is lovely in itself. The rail line hugs the coast all the way from Howth to the city centre, so you get one more pass of the bay on your way home. Sit on the sea side of the carriage.