Howth is a bustling fishing pier and village that offers visitors a myriad of attractions including Ireland’s Eye, Howth Castle, The National Transport Museum, Howth Abbey, Aideen's Grave, the Martello Tower/Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio, the Baily Lighthouse, excellent restaurants and much more.
The best of all are the spectacular views from Howth Summit and the Cliff Walks, including the Bog of Frogs Trail. Howth is full of magical walks, and the Bog of Frogs loop might just be most enchanting. It consists of a challenging 12 kilometre walk full of views of the Lighthouse, the Cliffs, the golf courses, Dublin Bay, beaches and a very underrated part of Howth flora - the rich woodlands.
A-B. Starting from the DART Station follow the purple arrow onto the promenade along the harbour. You are also following green, blue and red arrows for other shorter loops. At the end of the prom, veer right onto Balscadden Road and ascend to reach Kilrock car park from where you join the well trodden cliff path.
B-C. Follow the cliff path for approximately 3km before the green, blue and red loops turn right and ascend to The Summit car park. You continue straight on here to reach the access road for the Bailey Lighthouse. Cross the road and join the second section of cliff path.
C-D. Continue to follow the cliff path for another 3km to pass safety handrails at Red Rock. Shortly afterwards, the loop swings right and uphill onto a grassy track. After 500m you cross the busy Carrickbrack Road and enter a hillside section.
D-E. The track takes you around the shoulder of Sheilmartin Hill to enter a golf course. Cross the course carefully - using the line of white rocks as your line of travel. On the opposite side enter the Bog of the Frogs area.
E-F. You now follow a track through the Bog of the Frogs and onto open hilltop on the shoulder of the Ben of Howth where you pick up the red loop before descending through the grounds of the local GAA Club, and eventually reaching the Balkill Park estate.
F-A. Entering Balkill Park, you pick up the green and blue loops as you join the tramline pathway. Follow the pathway downhill to exit directly opposite the DART Station - picking up the green, red and purple loops along the way.
