The Best of Ireland Drive & Hike
About this trip.
Wicklow to Galway, by car and on foot
The circular route out of Dublin takes in four counties — Wicklow, Cork, Kerry and Galway — and the format is the unusual bit: you drive between them, but the days themselves are built around walks. The car is a means of covering ground that would otherwise eat a week; the walking is what the holiday is actually for. It suits people who want to see a lot of Ireland without living out of a backpack, and who'd rather finish the day with a pint in a proper pub than a hostel kitchen.
How the nine days shape up
Nine days, eight nights, running Dublin–Wicklow–Cork–Kerry–Galway and back to Dublin. That's roughly a county every couple of nights, which is about right: enough time to park the car, put boots on, and actually walk rather than tick a viewpoint from a layby. Wicklow is the gentle opener close to Dublin. Cork and Kerry hand over the south-west — the Atlantic coast, the peninsulas, and the stubborn weather that comes off the ocean. Galway closes the loop on the west before the run back east. The hiking gets more rugged as you head west; the driving days between stops are the glue that holds the loop together.
Booking and who it suits
The trip is priced from £1,180. What that number covers — accommodation, route notes, any transfers between stops — is worth checking on the listing itself, as the self-drive format means the rental car and flights to Dublin sit outside the headline figure. It's self-guided, which means you set the pace, eat where you like, and linger if a village is worth lingering in — but you're also navigating yourself, which some people relish and others find exhausting after the third wrong turn on a Kerry lane.
It works for reasonably fit walkers who want Ireland in the round rather than one corner of it, couples happy to share a car for an hour or two at a stretch, and anyone who'd rather sleep in a different inn every couple of nights than unpack once and commute to the trailhead. Less suited to anyone hoping to walk every day without a steering wheel in between, or to travellers who'd rather hand over the driving and be ferried from stop to stop.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for walking holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every walking day
- ✓Detailed route notes with maps and GPX files
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches — typically a village picnic or café stop
- ×Some evening meals — depends on the specific itinerary
- ×Alcohol beyond any wine included with set dinners
- ×Optional room or transfer upgrades
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
Other walking holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
