The waymarked Howth Tramline Loop (blue arrows, 7 km, about 2 hours, 130 m ascent) from Howth DART station: along the harbour, up Balscadden Road to the Kilrock car park, about 3 km on the cliff path with views of the Baily Lighthouse, up to the Summit car park, and back down on the old tramline path.
Best time: Clear morning; the path is rough in parts, so wear walking boots. Take the DART to Howth.
The route, stop by stop
- 1Howth DART station
Start and finish; follow the blue arrows onto the harbour promenade. 5 min
- 2Balscadden Road
At the end of the promenade veer right and climb to the Kilrock car park. 15 min
- 3Howth Cliff Path
Join the cliff path at Kilrock and follow it about 3 km, with views of Ireland's Eye and Lambay. 60 min
- 4Baily Lighthouse
Comes into view from the cliff path before the turn up to the Summit (seen from the path, not visited). 5 min
- 5Howth Summit
Summit car park on Bailey Green Road; take the road down to the Summit stores and pub, then the tramline path opposite. 10 min
- 6Howth DART station
Old tramline path ends directly opposite the DART station. 5 min
More walks in Dublin
- Medieval Dublin: Dublin Castle to St Patrick's Cathedral
- Georgian Dublin: Merrion Square to the Grand Canal
- North inner city and 1916: GPO to King's Inns
- The Liberties and the distilleries
- Smithfield, Stoneybatter and the Phoenix Park
- Grand Canal towpath: Portobello to Grand Canal Dock
- Docklands: Custom House to Samuel Beckett Bridge
- Sandycove to Killiney Hill: Forty Foot, Dalkey and the Vico
- Great South Wall to Poolbeg Lighthouse