Howth
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 7.15 mi
- Elevation gain
- 482 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 482 ft
- Max elevation
- 474 ft
- TrailRank
- 60
- Min elevation
- 10 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 2 hours 59 minutes
- Time
- 5 hours 30 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1998
- Uploaded
- August 23, 2023
- Recorded
- August 2023
near Howth, Leinster (Ireland)
Viewed 631 times, downloaded 34 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
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Itinerary description
We move to Howth, a small fishing town 15 kilometers from the center of Dublin, in the northern part of Cape Howth. It is located on a small peninsula northeast of the capital, which closes Dublin Bay to the north,
connected to the rest of the country through a narrow strip of land (or tombolo) at Sutton Cross. The name Howth is believed to come from the shape of this peninsula, probably from the Old Norse word Hǫfuð (which means Head in this language); The Norwegians colonized the east coast of Ireland, founding Dublin in the 9th century.
Along Harbor Road we head first to the castle, which has occupied this site for more than seven centuries, replacing the original fortification, a wooden structure on Tower Hill, overlooking Balscadden Bay. Since the year 1180, members of the St. Lawrence family have been lords of Howth.
There is a popular legend that tells how around 1576 the pirate Grace O'Malley went to visit the Baron of Howth, but was denied access because a dinner was being held; The pirate kidnapped the baron's grandson and future heir to the title and only freed him thanks to the promise that the castle doors would be kept open for future visitors. And so they continue to this day.
We then enter through narrow paths into a forest with large tree species from other latitudes, reaching the dolmen called Aidenn's Grave. Further on we walk through an Atlantic forest, starting to climb Shielmartin Hill to exit it and enjoy magnificent views of Dublin Bay, with the Lambay Islands and, in the foreground, Ireland's Eye, bird sanctuary and which sews the remains of an ancient monastery. On a clear day you can see the Wicklow Mountains and the Boyne Valley in the distance.
We begin the descent, entering the forest again, where you can see stone walls (which were used to delimit properties, house livestock...); We will leave after it, continuing the path among colorful vegetation, leaving the geodesic vertex of the peninsula to our right. After passing a quarry, we reached Windgate Road, stopping at the Summit Inn, a 19th-century pub, for a magnificent pint of Kilkenny.
Now refreshed, we continue towards a beautiful path that runs through the east of Howth
on the cliffs, overlooking the lighthouse, Baily Lighthouse. From here you can sometimes see dolphins. We continue heading north, entering the town again and passing by the Church of the Assumption and the ruins of the Abbey of Santa María, before reaching the port.
It is common to find seals here, waiting for the food that visitors usually give them.
In short, a beautiful excursion that allows us to enjoy very varied landscapes.
connected to the rest of the country through a narrow strip of land (or tombolo) at Sutton Cross. The name Howth is believed to come from the shape of this peninsula, probably from the Old Norse word Hǫfuð (which means Head in this language); The Norwegians colonized the east coast of Ireland, founding Dublin in the 9th century.
Along Harbor Road we head first to the castle, which has occupied this site for more than seven centuries, replacing the original fortification, a wooden structure on Tower Hill, overlooking Balscadden Bay. Since the year 1180, members of the St. Lawrence family have been lords of Howth.
There is a popular legend that tells how around 1576 the pirate Grace O'Malley went to visit the Baron of Howth, but was denied access because a dinner was being held; The pirate kidnapped the baron's grandson and future heir to the title and only freed him thanks to the promise that the castle doors would be kept open for future visitors. And so they continue to this day.
We then enter through narrow paths into a forest with large tree species from other latitudes, reaching the dolmen called Aidenn's Grave. Further on we walk through an Atlantic forest, starting to climb Shielmartin Hill to exit it and enjoy magnificent views of Dublin Bay, with the Lambay Islands and, in the foreground, Ireland's Eye, bird sanctuary and which sews the remains of an ancient monastery. On a clear day you can see the Wicklow Mountains and the Boyne Valley in the distance.
We begin the descent, entering the forest again, where you can see stone walls (which were used to delimit properties, house livestock...); We will leave after it, continuing the path among colorful vegetation, leaving the geodesic vertex of the peninsula to our right. After passing a quarry, we reached Windgate Road, stopping at the Summit Inn, a 19th-century pub, for a magnificent pint of Kilkenny.
Now refreshed, we continue towards a beautiful path that runs through the east of Howth
on the cliffs, overlooking the lighthouse, Baily Lighthouse. From here you can sometimes see dolphins. We continue heading north, entering the town again and passing by the Church of the Assumption and the ruins of the Abbey of Santa María, before reaching the port.
It is common to find seals here, waiting for the food that visitors usually give them.
In short, a beautiful excursion that allows us to enjoy very varied landscapes.
Waypoints
Waypoint
72 ft
Castle
Ruins
Flora
Panorama
Tree
Archaeological site
Lake
Photo
Summit
Beach
Religious site
Fauna
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