Salt Air and Slow Steps: Ireland’s Dublin Coastal Trail
Sometimes, the best way to know a place is to trace its edges. Along Dublin’s eastern boundary, where the land meets the sea, a trail unspools like a ribbon, threading through fishing villages, cliffside paths, and quiet shores that feel far from the city’s hum.
The Dublin Coastal Trail invites you to move slowly, listen carefully, and let the salt air write its stories upon your skin. Here, the wind smells of seaweed and memories, and every stop tells a story. This is Dublin, not as a cityscape, but as a shoreline.
What Is the Dublin Coastal Trail?
The Dublin Coastal Trail is a curated walking, cycling, and public transportation-friendly route that stretches about 40 miles along the capital’s scenic coastline.
It connects the northern village of Skerries with the southern slopes of Killiney, weaving through a dozen seaside towns and landmarks in between.
Whether you explore it by train (on the DART line), rent a bike, or simply lace up your walking shoes, this route is easy to access and astonishingly varied.
Designed as a sustainable way to enjoy Dublin’s natural and cultural beauty, the trail is clearly signposted in multiple languages and has a lot of flexibility, perfect for short strolls, full-day outings, or leisurely weekend wanders.
Why Visit?
This trail is a bit like an unfolding love letter to Dublin Bay. One moment, you’re watching grey seals bob in the harbor.
The next, you’re sipping coffee beside a Martello tower or sensing the hush of sea birds over a salt marsh. It’s ideal if you love wild edges and warm welcomes, moments of solitude and shared joy.
Along the way, you’ll see castles, bookshops, harborside fish stalls, and beautiful cliff views. It’s a coastline that will rewards your curiosity and linger in your memory for a long time to come. Together, let’s unpack some of the stops along the way so you can choose your own adventure.
Skerries
Skerries is where the trail begins in the north, and it sets the tone with salt-tanged elegance. This harbor town is known for its colorful boats, long beaches, and the working windmills of Skerries Mills, a living museum that turns with the seasons.
Red Island has a gentle coastal walk with views that stretch toward the Mourne Mountains on a clear day. If you’re hungry, stop for fish and chips on the harbor wall, where the waves lean in just to listen.
Malahide
South of Skerries lies Malahide, a graceful town built around an ivy-draped castle and broad bay. The castle grounds are perfect for a morning ramble beneath towering oaks, while the town center is full of boutique shops and open-air cafés.
Along the shoreline, you’ll enjoy boardwalks and estuary views, often filled with kite surfers creating arcs through the breeze. It’s a place where history and modern life blend together like tidewater.