Hill Walk Howth Head

Walk : Howth Head, Eire 5 sign, Ben of Howth, Muck Rock, Sheilmartin Hill, Howth Castle grounds – hillwalk (bordering on moderate, some minor scrambling)

Meeting Point/Time: Howth Public Car Park, West Pier (9am) LINK HERE 

Public Transport: The train leaves Skerries at 8:20am, change at Howth Junction, arrive Howth 9:04am.

Walk Start Time: 9.15am 

Route: Howth Head, Eire 5 sign, Ben of Howth, Muck Rock, Sheilmartin Hill, Howth Castle grounds

Distance: 10km

Height: 240m

Duration:  4 hours (including breaks)

This is a hillwalk (bordering on moderate) that requires a little scrambling on some descents, but very doable. Hiking poles will be very useful on some descents, also hiking boots for ankle support.  Please check with the leaders if you have any questions before deciding to register for this hillwalk.

Leader’s Note:  We last did this hillwalk in January.  We’ll start at the public car park (free parking, link to google maps above) the west pier walking towards the east pier (where there are toilet facilities).  We will have an initial climb to start the walk, following the Bog of Frogs loop taking the lower cliff path along to the Baily Lighthouse viewing point, then to the upper cliff path and we’ll get to see the recently restored EIRE 6 sign on Howth’s east mountain.  From the Summit car park we will pick up on the Black Linn Loop making our way to the Ben of Howth and then onto Muck Rock.  From there we will descend onto the boardwalk crossing the golf club (in the opposite direction we usually take) and we will ascend Sheilmartin Hill that has seen gorse fires in July last year.   The views from Sheilmartin Hill are breath taking.  We will back track over the golf course and then make our way up to the viewing point in the grounds of Howth Castle.  Then we will walk through the enchanting woodlands, through Deer Park and Howth Castle and back to the West Pier. This is a lovely route taking in at least four breath taking viewing points with 360 views.  You won’t be disappointed with this hillwalk!

Please Text the leader by Friday 19^th August if you intend going on the walk.  For ease of communication a WhatsApp group will be set up for the group coming on this walk. If you do not wish to be included please let the leader know when registering your interest in the walk. 

Enjoying views from Sheilmartin Hill to south County Dublin