DUBLIN HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Howth Safari: Five Hours of Cliffs, Coves and Coastal Wildlife Above Dublin Bay
A 5-hour guided hike from Howth village that begins with homemade scones and coffee and walks woodlands, cliffs and hidden beaches within the Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Howth Safari: Five Hours of Cliffs, Coves and Coastal Wildlife Above Dublin Bay.
The Howth Safari Hiking Tour threads the peninsula’s changing habitats — heathland, woodland, cliff and shore — for five hours of coastal walking above Dublin Bay. The day opens in Howth village over freshly baked scones and coffee, then moves off the beaten track to secret coves, rock pools and panoramic viewpoints that frame the Wicklow Mountains and the open sea.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Scones, Tea and a Village Rendezvous
The tour begins at the House Restaurant on Howth’s Main Street with freshly baked homemade scones served with tea and coffee, a relaxed launch point before the walk heads off-road.
Cliff Paths and Panoramas Over Dublin Bay
Hikers follow cliff paths and peninsula ridgelines to viewpoints such as Binn Éadair and the Baily Lighthouse, taking in sweeping views of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains along the way.
Goats, Highland Cattle and Coastal Life
The route passes habitats where the Old Irish Goat herd, Highland cattle and other conservation-linked animals can be seen, plus rock pools and marine life in hidden coves.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
Expect a day that opens quietly in a village café and then becomes progressively wilder: winding up the lanes, collecting the trail hound Loki, and moving through varied terrain — woodlands, heathland, cliff-top tracks and hidden beaches — as the guide chooses the best route for weather and tide. The rhythm is hiking-focused but punctuated with wildlife sightings and multiple viewpoints before a late-afternoon finish at a local pub.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this day on Howth Head.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The outing is a five-hour guided hike that typically starts with a 10:00 rendezvous for scones and a briefing and wraps up mid- to late-afternoon (around 3:00pm on a typical day); the guide assesses weather, tide and season and picks the best route each day.
The tour includes freshly baked scones with tea and coffee at the start; no formal equipment list is provided in the trip details, and participants should check with the operator for specific gear guidance.
Meet at the House Restaurant, 4 Main Street, Howth, D13 V2F9 for check-in and the morning briefing before the hike departs.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Howth Safari Hiking Tour?
The guided experience runs for approximately five hours.
Where do we meet for the tour?
The meeting point is the House Restaurant, 4 Main Street, Howth, D13 V2F9, where the group gathers for scones, tea and coffee before departure.
What is included at the start of the hike?
The day begins with freshly baked homemade scones served with tea and coffee at the House Restaurant.
What kind of terrain will we encounter?
The route crosses woodlands, heathland, cliff paths and hidden beaches with rock pools and coastal features; the guide chooses the exact route based on weather, tide and season.
Will we see wildlife on the tour?
Yes: the itinerary notes sightings of the Old Irish Goat herd, Highland cattle and marine life in coastal habitats along the walk.
Is there a memento after the hike?
Participants receive a video memento of the Howth Adventure, including distance, time, elevation and photos/videos downloadable in high resolution.