The Ireland Walking Guide
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Clothing and equipment for walking in Ireland

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.

Shortcuts & bookmarks

If you find yourself returning to any particular page on this website, we recommend creating a shortcut on your device and a bookmark in your internet browser. These will give you much quicker access to the Irish walk-related information you need. For full details, including step-by-step instructions, please visit our "Shortcuts & bookmarks" page.
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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 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 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 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 – 2022
  • Where to walk
    • Browse counties
    • Walking areas >
      • Upland areas >
        • Mountain ranges
      • Coastal areas
    • Walking locations >
      • Parks, gardens & estates
      • Forests & woodland >
        • Forest parks
      • Beaches
      • Islands
      • Mountain & hill summits >
        • All mountain summits
        • The Dillons
        • The Irish Hewitts
        • The Slievemores
      • High Points
    • Walking trails
  • Initiatives
    • Monthly themes >
      • January Beach Walk
      • February Group Walk
      • March First Walk
      • April Favourite Walk
      • May Parkland Walk
      • June Upland Walk
      • July Island Walk
      • August Way Walk
      • September Water Walk
      • October Woodland Walk
      • November Trig Walk
      • December Family Walk
    • The All-Ireland Hillwalking Championships
    • Hillwalking challenges >
      • High Point Challenges
      • Mountain Challenges
      • 700s Challenges
      • The Mourne Wall Challenge Walk
    • Ireland Walking Awards >
      • Irish Upland Area of the Year
      • Irish Coastal Area of the Year
      • Irish Parkland of the Year
      • Irish Woodland of the Year
      • Irish Beach of the Year
      • Irish Island of the Year
      • Irish Mountain of the Year
      • Irish Walking Trail of the Year
      • Irish Walking Guide Book of the Year
      • Irish Map of the Year
    • Ireland Walking Survey >
      • Ireland Walking Award Winners
      • Ireland Walking Participation Report
  • Community
    • Social media
    • Irish walking clubs
    • Irish walking guides
    • Irish walking events >
      • Walking festivals
      • Challenge walks
      • Charity walks
    • Charities
    • Mountain Rescue Ireland
    • Environmental initiatives
    • Outdoor sports shops
    • Local communities
    • Local councils
    • Landowners
    • Accommodation
    • Food & Drink
    • Transport
    • Authors, publishers & bookshops >
      • Guide book authors
      • Guide book publishers
      • Map publishers
      • Bookshops
    • Skills training services
    • Events companies
    • Recommended apps
    • High Point Ireland
    • Outdoor magazines
    • Outdoor sports brands
    • Backpack snacks
  • Publications
    • Guide books
    • Maps >
      • EastWest Mappping
      • OSNI 1:25,000 Activity
      • OSNI 1:50,000 Discoverer
      • OSi 1:25,000 Adventure
      • OSi 1:50,000 Discovery
      • Harvey Maps Superwalker
  • Extra
    • About >
      • Contact us
      • Follow us
      • Terms & conditions >
        • Terms & conditions for advertisers
    • Our news
    • General Information >
      • Clothing & equipment
      • Knowledge & skills
      • Countryside etiquette
      • Walking holidays in Ireland
      • Gift ideas for walkers
    • Shortcuts & bookmarks
    • Reasons to take part in our initiatives
    • Downloads >
      • Wall calendars
    • Our other websites >
      • The Ireland Travel Guide
      • The Ireland Sightseeing Guide
      • High Point Ireland