Lose Weight by Walking Dublin: 10 Stunning Walks to Help You Get Your Steps In
Dublin, the vibrant capital of Ireland, offers a diverse urban landscape that’s perfect for walking if you want to drop a few pounds. With its rich history, diverse landscape, and pedestrian-friendly streets, the city provides an ideal environment for those looking to shed pounds while exploring the beautiful urban setting.
This guide will touch on the health benefits of walking and then will list 10 great walks around Dublin that will help you get those extra steps in.
Why Walking Matters for Weight Loss
Walking is a powerful tool for weight loss. It’s a readily accessible and low-impact form of exercise that can be easily incorporated into your daily life. When you walk, your body burns calories and increases your metabolic rate, even after you finish your walk. This boost in metabolism leads to increased calorie expenditure, which helps you burn off those unwanted pounds.
Busting the Myth: Is 10,000 Steps Really the Magic Number?
You’ve probably heard the advice to aim for 10,000 steps a day. While this is a good starting point for many, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
The concept of 10,000 steps actually originated from a marketing campaign in 1965 to sell pedometers. Although some research suggests health benefits from walking 10,000 steps, experts now believe that the benefits might level off before reaching 10,000 steps. Your individual step goal will vary depending on factors like your age, fitness level, and weight loss goals.
Factors Influencing Your Ideal Daily Step Count
Age and Step Goals: What’s Right for You?
Your age plays a role in determining the appropriate number of steps for weight loss. For individuals up to age 60, aiming for 8,000-10,000 steps a day is generally considered beneficial for maintaining health and supporting weight loss.
After age 60, 6,000 – 8,000 steps may be sufficient to reap the health benefits of walking and contribute to weight management.
Activity Level: Are You a Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced Walker?
Your current activity level is essential when setting step goals. If you’re just starting a walking routine, begin with a modest increase from your baseline, adding a few hundred steps each day. As your fitness improves, you can gradually increase your daily step count to reach your target.
If you are getting under 2,500 steps a day, this indicates inactivity. If you are getting 5000 to 7000 steps a day you are somewhat active. Once you hit that 10,000 mark, it is considered as a good amount of activity. Once you start hitting numbers above 12,500, you are considered as very active
Other Factors to Consider: Gender, Diet, and Overall Health
Beyond age, body composition, and activity level, other factors that can influence your ideal step count include:
- Gender: Men tend to have more lean muscle mass than women, meaning they may burn more calories at rest.
- Diet: Your dietary habits play a significant role in weight management. Walking is most effective when combined with a healthy diet.
- Overall Health: If you have any underlying health conditions, it’s essential to consult your doctor before making significant changes to your activity levels.
Determining Your Baseline: How Many Steps Are You Currently Taking?
Before setting your step goal, you need to establish a baseline. Use a pedometer, fitness tracker, or a smartphone app to track your steps for a few days to get an average of your current daily steps.
Once you have your baseline, set a realistic goal. Don’t try to jump from 2,000 steps to 10,000 overnight. Start by increasing your step count by 500-1,000 steps per day. Maintain this increase for a week or two until you feel comfortable, then gradually increase it again.
Utilize a step counter, fitness tracker, or smartphone app to track your progress. Seeing your daily step count can be motivating and help you stay on track.
Walking Beyond Weight Loss: Other Health Benefits
Walking offers a wealth of health benefits beyond weight loss. These benefits include:
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Regular walking strengthens your heart and improves blood circulation. It can help lower blood pressure, reduce your risk of heart disease, and improve cholesterol levels.
Stronger Bones and Muscles
Walking is a weight-bearing exercise that helps build bone density and strengthens muscles, particularly in your legs, core, and glutes.
Better Mood and Reduced Stress
Walking releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety.
Increased Energy Levels
Regular walking can boost your energy levels by improving your cardiovascular health and increasing oxygen flow to your muscles.
Why Walk in Dublin?
Walking is an excellent way to experience a city, and Dublin is no exception. You can uncover hidden gems, soak in the atmosphere, and appreciate the city’s beauty at your own pace.
Dublin’s Diverse Walking Landscape
Dublin offers a wide array of walking experiences, such as stunning coastal paths, tranquil forest trails and historic city parks. The city’s compact size makes it easily walkable, and with well-maintained paths and clear signage, you can navigate your way around with ease.
A good way to calculate the exact number of steps in a route is to use the site, The Calculator Site’s – Miles to Steps Calculator. With this site, it calculates the rough number of steps a person would make to complete a specified distance.
It considers factors, like if the walker’s gender, height, and pace (walking speed). It can also give you a rough estimate of the number of calories burned on this walk by entering your weight.
For the purposes of this article, we will add the number of steps for average height male walkers (5 Foot 10 inches) and the for average height female walkers (5 ft 4 inches) for each specified route at an average walking pace of 4.8 km/h.
Park and Garden Walks: Urban Escapes in Dublin
Dublin is a city of parks and gardens, offering urban escapes where you can relax, enjoy nature, and escape the hustle and bustle. From historic parks to hidden gardens, you’ll find plenty of green spaces to explore.
St Stephen’s Green: A Historic Oasis in the City Center
Address: St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Distance: 3.5 km
St Stephen’s Green, a historic Victorian park in the heart of Dublin city center, offers a tranquil oasis amidst the urban landscape. Stroll along the well-maintained paths, admire the colorful flower beds, and discover hidden statues and monuments.
The park boasts 3.5km of accessible pathways. The gradient is flat, so the walk is easy and by no means taxing. You can soak up the serene atmosphere and read some of the informative displays that provide information about the park’s history.
Its central location makes it a perfect spot to clear the mind and get in a couple of thousand steps. Making your way along all the paths will net you 4700 steps for an average man and 5000 steps for an average woman.
Iveagh Gardens: A Hidden Gem with a Yew Maze
Address: St Stephen’s Green, Park, Dublin 2, D02 HX65
Distance: 2 km
Iveagh Gardens, tucked away behind the National Concert Hall, is a hidden gem offering a peaceful escape from the city. Explore the various gardens, including a unique yew maze, and enjoy the tranquility of this hidden oasis.
Much like Stephen’s Green, the park is flat, making it a gentle walk that is ideal for people with a lower level of fitness and those that live or work in the area. While there aren’t as many paths and the distance of the available paths is fairly short, you could supplement the walk by heading over Grafton Street.
You can squeeze 2km out of this pleasant little stroll which adds up to 2700 steps for your average man and 2900 steps for your average woman
National Botanic Gardens Loop: Discover a World of Plants While Getting Your Steps In
Address: Glasnevin, Dublin 9, D09 VY63
Distance: 2.3 km
The National Botanic Gardens, located north of the city center, offers a fascinating journey through the world of plants, trees. Explore the various glasshouses, discover rare and exotic species, and enjoy the gardens’ tranquil atmosphere.
The National Botanic Gardens Loop is a 2.3 km loop and graded as an easy walk by All Trails. This walk is great if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city while remaining in the city.
For an average man, this little stroll will add about 3096 steps to your daily quota. The average woman will get 3240 steps.
Coastal Walks: Embrace the Beauty of Dublin’s Bay
Dublin’s coastline is a treasure trove of scenic walking routes, offering breathtaking views of the Irish Sea, dramatic cliffs, and charming coastal villages. Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll along a sandy beach or a challenging hike along a clifftop path, you’ll find a coastal walk to suit your mood.
These walks are generally quite long with the number of steps exceeding 12,000. The gradients are normally gentle, making it achievable. However, some of the trails mentioned should only be attempted if you have a good level of fitness.
North Bull Island: A Natural Oasis
Address: Northern part of Dublin Bay
Distance: 9 km
North Bull Island, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is a unique urban wilderness located just a short distance from Dublin city center. Here, you can enjoy Dollymount Strand, a five-kilometer stretch of sandy beach perfect for a leisurely stroll or a refreshing dip in the sea. The island is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 200 species of birds recorded in the area.
St. Anne’s Park and Bull Island loop is a 9km trail near Clontarf, County Dublin. It is considered an easy route, meaning it is relatively flat, taking an average of 1 h 55 min to complete.
This route would be 12300 steps for an average man and 13000 steps for an average woman.
Sandymount, The Great South Wall Walk: A Classic City Stroll
Address: 83 Strand Rd, Dublin 4
Distance: 11.5 km
Sandymount Strand, a long sandy beach stretching south from the city center, offers stunning views of Dublin Bay and the Dublin Mountains. This iconic beach is perfect for a leisurely stroll, a romantic sunset walk, or even a brisk jog. You might even spot some kite surfers or windsurfers taking advantage of the bay’s windy conditions.
The Great South Wall Walk is great to get up close to some of Dublin’s most iconic landmarks. The route goes past the Poolbeg Chimneys and out as far as the Poolbeg Lighthouse. There are various ways to complete this walk.
Wild Irish Walks describes a lovely 11.5km walk starting at Sandymount Strand car park through Sean Moore Park, Irishtown Nature Park, across Shellybanks Beach and then out to the lighthouse via the Great South Sea Wall, then finally back to the Sandymount Strand car park.
The walk for an average man would be 15,700 steps while for the average woman it would be 16,500 steps
Howth Cliff Walk: Dramatic Cliffs and Panoramic Views
Address: Howth, Dublin
Distance: Howth Head Walk – 7.8 km
The Bof of the Frogs Loop – 12 km
For a more challenging coastal walk with breathtaking views, head to Howth. The Howth Cliff Walk takes you along dramatic cliff tops, offering panoramic views of the Irish Sea, the Baily Lighthouse, and the Dublin coastline. Choose from various loop trails, ranging from a short 30-minute stroll to a longer hike of several hours.
These loop trails vary in difficulty. The Howth Head Walk is graded as ‘easy’. It is approximately a 7.8 km clifftop route. For the average man this walk would be 10,800 steps and 11,200 steps for the average woman.
If you really want to challenge yourself you can try The Bog of Frogs loop which is graded as ‘difficult’. If you have a good level of fitness, this walk is 12 km in distance, but challenging inclines can turn this walk into a taxing 3 hour hike. For the average man, this walk will be about 16,400 steps and 17200 steps for the average woman.
The Howth Pier to Howth Castle walk may be better for those with a relatively low level of fitness. From the pier to Howth Castle is 1.7km. For the average man, you can add 2300 steps to your daily step tally, or 2400 steps for your average woman.
Portmarnock Beach to Malahide Coastal Walk: Miles of Golden Sand
Address: Strand Rd, Carrickhill, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin
Distance: 9 km
Portmarnock Beach, also known as the Velvet Strand, is a five-kilometer stretch of golden sand perfect for long walks, family picnics, or simply relaxing by the sea. The beach’s flat terrain makes it accessible for all abilities, and with plenty of space to roam, you can enjoy a sense of tranquility and escape from the city.
If you want to add to that scenic 5 km stretch, you can walk to Malahide, adding a further 4 km. This 9 km walk will add 12300 steps to the average man’s daily tally, while adding 13,000 steps to the average woman’s.
Having walked this route numerous times, I highly recommend it for its gentle gradient and scenic beauty.
Hill Walks: Conquer Dublin’s Summits
For those seeking a challenge from steeper inclines that will get your heart rate up and blood pumping, Dublin’s hills offer challenging hiking experience with the added bonus of panoramic views. From gentle climbs to more demanding ascents, you’ll find a hill walk to test your limits and reward you with stunning vistas.
Killiney Hill: A Gentle Climb with Rewarding Views
Address: Killiney Hill Road, County Dublin
Distance: 9.5 km
For those that would prefer to start slower, Killiney Hill provides a gentle climb with equally rewarding views. Ascend to the summit to witness all of the splendor of the Wicklow Mountains and the surrounding coastline. The hill is also home to the Obelisk, a historic landmark offering a unique photo opportunity.
Wild Irish Walks recommends the Killiney Hill walk because it also takes in Dalkey Hill as well. The walk features a couple picturesque beaches, an abandoned mine and a harbour. There’s also an old quarry, three local parks, and a number of houses featuring quaint architecture. All this to experience within the 9.5km stretch.
With all the added gentle inclines, this walk will burn off a few more calories than your average urban stroll. For the average man, this walk is about 13,000 steps and 13,500 steps for your average woman.
Ticknock Fairy Castle Loop: A Popular Hike with Forest Trails
Address: Dublin Mountains
Distance: 5.8 km
The Ticknock Fairy Castle Loop, located in the Dublin Mountains, is a popular hike combining forest trails with scenic viewpoints. Enjoy the tranquillity of the forest and ascend to the Fairy Castle, a rocky outcrop offering stunning views of Dublin City.
This 5.8km trail is graded as moderate, meaning it may be challenging for inexperienced hikers or people with lower levels of fitness. Again, the inclines will make the walk more strenuous, burning off a few more calories.
At the summit of Two Rock, you’ll find the Fairy Castle – a Neolithic passage tomb measuring 27 metres in diameter by 3 metres in height.
For an average man, this walk will add 8000 steps to your daily total, while it will add 8300 steps to an average woman’s total.
Forest Walks: Escape to Tranquility
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of Dublin’s enchanting forests. Enjoy the fresh air, the sound of birdsong, and the beauty of nature as you explore these peaceful woodland trails.
Carrickgollogan Forest Walk: Shorter Trails with Magnificent Views
Address: Shankill, Co. Dublin
Distance: 2 km
Carrickgollogan Forest Walk, located in the Dublin Mountains, offers shorter trails with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. This forest is perfect for a quick escape from the city, providing a tranquil setting for a leisurely walk or a picnic amidst nature.
There are a number of trails that you can take, but the most popular is Lead Mines Way. This route takes you to the ruins of the flue chimney of the former lead works at Ballycorus. The chimney is the only one of its kind that has been built in Ireland.
This loop is graded as easy and is just short of 2 km, taking around 40 minutes to complete. You start at the car park and follow a wide path towards Carrickgollogan. The walk will take you through the leafy woods and then open fields till you reach the ruins.
This walk is fairly short and manageable, adding a decent 2700 steps to the average man’s daily steps and 2900 steps to the average woman’s.
Miss the Bus, Walk Dublin
Dublin is a city best explored on foot. Embrace the city’s walking culture and discover its hidden gems, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant atmosphere. From leisurely strolls to challenging hikes, Dublin offers walking experiences for everyone. Lace up your shoes, grab a map, and embark on an unforgettable journey.
