Trails and Viewpoints in Co. Waterford
10 places
1.Coumshingaun Lake Loop
365m cliffs plunge into a glacial lake
A dramatic horseshoe ridge-walk around one of Europe's finest glacial corrie lakes, with 365m cliffs plunging into dark water — one of Ireland's most exhilarating but demanding half-day hikes.
- Highlights
- One of Europe's finest examples of a glacial corrie
- 365m vertical cliffs rising straight from the water
- Panoramic views over Waterford to the Copper Coast
2.Anne Valley Nature And Wildlife Walk
a 13th-century castle overlooking the trail
A community-built, wheelchair-accessible trail winding 5 km through wetlands and woodland along the River Anne, from Dunhill village to the secluded Annestown Beach — with a ruined 13th-century castle watching over the valley.
- Highlights
- Fully wheelchair- and buggy-accessible for the entire 5 km
- Dunhill Castle — 13th-century ruin with valley views
- Otters, herons, kingfishers and swans
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
3.Ardmore Cliff Walk
a 1987 shipwreck on a 4 km loop
A compact 4 km loop along sea cliffs, packed with 5th-century Christian ruins, a shipwreck, lookout posts, and sweeping Atlantic views — all accessible from the charming village of Ardmore.
- Highlights
- 4 km easy loop (~1 hr)
- St. Declan's 5th-century well & hermitage
- Samson shipwreck (1987)
4.Ballyvoyle Tunnel
Fully brick-lined 1878 railway tunnel
A beautifully preserved 1878 railway tunnel — atmospherically lit and fully brick-lined — forming the most iconic feature of the Waterford Greenway. Cycle or walk its 400-metre length through a lush, fern-filled cutting.
- Highlights
- 400-metre fully brick-lined 1878 railway tunnel
- Atmospherically lit with discreet modern lighting
- Part of the 46 km Waterford Greenway
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
5.Colligan Wood Walks
two looped trails past a salmon-spawning river
A peaceful mixed woodland in a steep river valley just north of Dungarvan, with two well-marked looped trails, picnic spots by the water, and sweeping views over Dungarvan Bay and Helvick Head.
- Highlights
- Two looped trails (3.5 km easy / 6 km moderate)
- Riverside picnic spots
- Views over Dungarvan Bay and Helvick Head
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
6.Copper Coast Drive View point
UNESCO Global Geopark's Fire and Ice sculpture
A dramatic roadside pull-off on the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark, with sweeping Atlantic panoramas, a striking stone sculpture, and easy access to Boatstrand Harbour — one of the best viewpoints on the 25km drive between Tramore and Dungarvan.
- Highlights
- Part of the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark
- Fire and Ice stone sculpture
- Panoramic Atlantic views from Dunabrattin Head
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
7.Crough Wood
2025 RDS Community Woodland Award winner
A magical riverside woodland walk in the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains, where the River Mahon tumbles through ancient oak forest — winner of the 2025 RDS Community Woodland Award.
- Highlights
- 2025 RDS Community Woodland Award winner
- Ancient native oak woodland along a tumbling river
- Red squirrels, pine martens, otters and dippers
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
8.Dunmore East Cliff Walk
Home to Ireland's longest sea cave
A breathtaking clifftop trail along Waterford's red-sandstone coast, linking the fishing village of Dunmore East to hidden coves, a legendary sea cave, and an ancient standing stone — with Hook Head Lighthouse always on the horizon.
- Highlights
- Ranked 4th in Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards 2023 top 10 Irish walks
- Views of Hook Head — the world's oldest operating lighthouse
- Ireland's longest sea cave at Rathmoylan (60+ metres)
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
9.Kilclooney Wood Hiking Area
365m cliffs wrap a glacial corrie lake
A rugged Coillte woodland on the slopes of the Comeragh Mountains, Kilclooney is the gateway to Coumshingaun Lough — one of Ireland's finest glacial corrie lakes — with trails ranging from a gentle forest stroll to a genuinely demanding ridge scramble.
- Highlights
- Coumshingaun Lough — one of Europe's finest glacial corries
- Dramatic 365 m cliffs wrapping the lake on three sides
- Red squirrels, fallow deer, peregrine falcons and hen harriers
10.The Doneraile Walk
5km clifftop walk past an 1816 shipwreck memorial
A free, easy clifftop promenade in Tramore with sweeping views over Tramore Bay, gifted to the town by Lord Doneraile and rich in shipwreck history.
- Highlights
- Panoramic views over Tramore Bay, Backstrand and Brownstown Head
- Sea Horse 1816 shipwreck memorial and old coastguard cannon
- Metalman and Beacon Towers visible across the bay
- Facilities
- Good for kids · Dog-friendly · Wheelchair access