Howth Coastal Hike & Irish Pub with Local Guide
Walk Howth's Cliffs, Meet a Local, End with a Pint
You walk the Howth Cliff Path with a local guide and their dog, stopping at two lighthouses, medieval abbey ruins, and a 19th-century tower with views across Dublin Bay. The day includes a complimentary pint at Bloody Stream pub and a video keepsake of your journey. Moderate fitness required for uneven terrain and uphill sections. Operates in all weather.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Howth's coastal and historic sites
- Start at Howth Train Station
- Tour hidden local areas with guide
- Visit Howth Lighthouse
- Walk through St. Mary's Abbey ruins
- Explore Martello Tower
- Hike along Howth Cliffs
- See Baily Lighthouse
- Walk the Cliff Path Loop
- Enjoy panoramic views at Howth summit
- Relax with a pint at Bloody Stream pub
The experience
You've got a free afternoon in Dublin and you're tired of the city center. The idea of a coastal walk sounds good, but you don't want to navigate it alone or miss the stories that make a place stick with you. That's the shape of this day: you start at Howth Train Station, meet your local guide, and spend the next several hours moving through the village and along the cliffs with someone who actually lives here. The guide brings a dog, which changes the whole tone of the thing. It's less "tour group" and more "friend showing you around." You walk the Cliff Path Loop, stop at the Howth Lighthouse and the Baily Lighthouse perched on the headland, and stand at the summit where you can see Dublin Bay spread out in three directions. The ruins of St. Mary's Abbey, built in 1042, sit quiet on the hillside. There's also the Martello Tower, a 19th-century fortification that's all stone and history.
The pace is steady but not rushed. There's uphill walking on uneven surfaces (the reference material is honest about that), so you need a moderate level of fitness, but it's not a scramble. The guide talks as you go: Viking invasions, Norman history, local lore, the way the village has changed. You're not standing in a group listening to a speech. You're walking and talking, which is how you actually learn a place. The weather doesn't stop it. They operate rain or shine, so bring a jacket. By the time you reach the summit, your legs know they've done something, and the view makes that feel right.
After the walk, you head to Bloody Stream, a pub tucked beneath the railway station. It's old, it's real, and your complimentary pint is waiting. You sit down, your feet are tired, and you're in a room full of people who've just walked the same cliffs you did. The guide is there too. You talk about what you saw, what surprised you. Before you leave, you get a video of the day: footage from the walk that you can actually send to people at home, which is nicer than trying to explain it. The whole thing takes a full day, and by the end you've seen Howth the way someone who lives there sees it, not the way a bus tour moves through it.
What’s included
- Your day includes a local guide who lives in Howth, a video keepsake of your walk, a complimentary pint at Bloody Stream pub, and access to all the sites along the route: the lighthouses, abbey ruins, and coastal paths.
- You'll also have the chance to walk with the guide's dog, which sets the tone for the whole experience.
- Public transport gets you to and from the starting point at Howth Train Station.
Options for this experience
2 optionsOptions with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.
Before you book
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Operated by Hidden Howth Experiences
Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see Howth the way a local does rather than as a checklist, and you'd rather have someone tell you the history as you walk than read it on a plaque. The guide and the dog are what make the difference between a hike and a day with someone who knows the place.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.
How long is the Howth coastal hike?
The tour is a full day. It begins at Howth Train Station and includes multiple stops along the Cliff Path Loop, at lighthouses, ruins, and the summit before ending at the pub.
What's included in the price?
Local guide, entry to the sites you visit, a complimentary pint at Bloody Stream pub, and a video of your journey that you can share.
Do I need to be very fit?
You should have at least a moderate level of fitness. There's uphill walking on uneven surfaces, but it's not a technical climb. It's a coastal walk at a steady pace.
What if the weather is bad?
The tour operates in all weather. Dress appropriately for rain and wind, which are common on the Irish coast.
Can I do this as a private tour?
Yes, a private tour option is available if you want to customize the experience or travel with just your group.
Where does the tour start?
At Howth Train Station, a 30-minute train ride from central Dublin.
Are children allowed?
Yes, but they must be accompanied by an adult.
What will I see?
The Howth Lighthouse, Baily Lighthouse, St. Mary's Abbey ruins (built in 1042), Martello Tower, the Cliff Path, and a 360-degree view from the summit of Howth Head.
Howth Coastal Hike & Irish Pub with Local Guide
3h–4h · EN
from € 47 per person
4.99727 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider