Julia Labedz

If you’re looking for the Irish hike that properly tests your legs, lungs and head for heights, this is the one. The Coomloughra Horseshoe is a full-value mountain day in County Kerry that links Ireland’s three highest summits, Carrauntoohil (1,038.6m), Beenkeragh (1,008m) and Caher (1,000m), via ridges and a few hands-on sections.

What if we told you that just a 12km drive from the Dublin city center is a stunning, easy to hike flat loop around Bohernabreena Reservoir?

Whether you live in the city, or in the wilds of the country, a visit to Ireland’s lakes and loughs is a tonic for the body and the soul.