The Ireland Walking Guide
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Home  »  Extra  »  General Information  »

Clothing & equipment


 
Always dress sensibly before setting off on a walk.

In Ireland, it is best to assume that it could rain on any day. Always take a waterproof layer into the mountains. Windproof clothes can significantly reduce the cooling effects of winds on exposed summits. It is advisable to use more thin layers of clothing rather than a few thick ones as it allows more flexibility and easier control of body temperature.

Never assume that it will be a hot day at the summit of an 800m mountain just because it is 25°C at sea level. It will be a few degrees colder up there, and a strong, chilling wind could easily bring temperatures down to single figures. Best to be over-prepared than under-prepared. Always keep a hat and gloves in your rucksack, just in case.

In the mountains, walking boots will provide support to your ankles when crossing uneven terrain. A good well-fitted rucksack will prevent injury to your back and shoulders. For crossing boggy ground, waterproof gaiters for the lower legs are a worthy investment. Walking poles can make things easier by transferring some burden from the legs to the arms, especially on longer walks - don't forget to shorten poles for uphill walking and extend them for downhill sections.

Always carry spare food and plenty of water, especially on a hot day. When venturing into the hills or a large forested area, always carry a map and compass. A handheld GPS can be a useful backup device if you need to pinpoint your location in an emergency. Never rely solely on a GPS device or a phone app for navigation. Just in case the worst should happen, always pack a fully-charged mobile phone - although it is worth bearing in mind that a clear signal is not guaranteed in remote locations.
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The advice on this page is most applicable to moderate, challenging and demanding walks, therefore may not all apply to easier walks.
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To help you find the start point for a walk, an in-car satnav unit can be a useful investment.

If you are planning to buy new clothing or equipment for your upcoming walking adventures, please visit the Outdoor Sports Shops page on The Ireland Travel Guide website. There you will find a handy map showing the locations of 100+ outdoor sports shops throughout the whole of Ireland along with links to some online retailers.

Click here for our dedicated Outdoor Sports Shops page...

Support us (at no cost)

Our website is a 100% free resource for all to view without having to pay any subscription fees or being asked for donations. We cover all the costs of running and maintaining the website ourselves on a voluntary basis. And we do all of this purely for our love of walking in Ireland. The long-term development strategy for The Ireland Walking Guide website will continue to be implemented over the coming years and for as long as it takes until our strategic goals are achieved. In the meantime, here are some zero-cost, zero-time ways in which you can support the ongoing development of The Ireland Walking Guide and its growing family of independent Irish information websites.
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Walking initiatives

We have developed the widest possible selection of meaningful initiatives to promote recreational walking in Ireland. These are delivered across The Ireland Walking Guide and High Point Ireland websites and range from monthly walking themes right through to the official All-Ireland Hillwalking Championships. We aim to deliver a consistent programme of initiatives every year on a recurring basis rather than a series of standalone one-off campaigns. Our "predictable" approach to participation initiatives means walkers always know what's coming up and have ample time to plan ahead. But why should you take part? Click here to find out...
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​The Ireland Walking Guide is the best and most user-friendly independently-owned Irish walking and hiking information website. If you are planning a day walk, a weekend of walking, a holiday or vacation in Ireland, make us the first stop resource for all your on-foot Irish adventures. 

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Disclaimer

Please be aware that recreational walking in the great outdoors can be a risk activity. The Ireland Walking Guide and Donard Media (the website's publisher) accept no responsibility for any injury, loss or inconvenience sustained by anyone using this website. Personal safety is entirely the participant's own responsibility.

The inclusion of walking routes, locations and geographical areas on this website is not an indication that access is permitted. It should not be assumed that access is permitted to any specific piece of land in Ireland. Please note that upland areas and coastal areas indicated on this website are based purely on their geographical characteristics. It should not be assumed that access is permitted to any of the upland areas and coastal areas illustrated on this website. Where local access restrictions exist (e.g. those indicated by "Private Property" signs, "No Trespassing" signs, etc), we strongly advise that you comply with the relevant landowner's wishes. The Ireland Walking Guide and Donard Media recommend that anyone planning to go walking in Ireland should check for potential access restrictions and to request permission from the relevant landowner(s) in advance.

Copyright © Donard Media 2012 – 2025
  • Where to walk
    • Browse counties
    • Walking areas
    • Walking locations
    • Walking trails
  • Hill lists
    • Irish summit lists
    • Irish High Point lists
    • All-Ireland hill lists >
      • All-Ireland hill list rankings
    • Ireland's provincial hill lists
    • Ireland's local hill lists
    • Original hill lists
    • Derived hill lists
  • Initiatives
    • Monthly themes
    • Hillwalking challenges
    • All-Ireland Hillwalking Championships
    • Reasons to take part in our initiatives
  • Community
    • Social media
    • Irish walking clubs >
      • Choose a county
    • Irish walking guides
    • Irish walking events
    • Charities
    • Mountain Rescue Ireland
    • Skills training services
    • Outdoor Brands
    • Recommended apps
    • Accommodation providers
    • Others
  • Walking Kit
    • Guide books
    • Maps
  • Travel Guide
  • Extra
    • Search
    • About >
      • Contact us
      • Follow us
      • How are we different?
      • Frequently asked questions
      • Terms & conditions >
        • Terms & conditions for advertisers
    • Support us >
      • Bookmark us
      • Interact on social media
      • Use our affiliate links
      • Set up a link exchange
    • General Information >
      • Clothing & equipment
      • Knowledge & skills
      • Walk planning
      • Countryside etiquette
      • Walking holidays in Ireland
      • Gift ideas for walkers
    • Reasons to take part in our initiatives
    • Downloads >
      • Wall calendars
    • Our news
    • Our other websites >
      • The Ireland Travel Guide
      • High Point Ireland