This is the Black Linn Loop, marked with red arrows the entire way, starting and finishing at Howth DART station. The path hugs sea cliffs above the Irish Sea, climbs past the Baily Lighthouse viewpoint, and can be extended with a short detour to the summit cairn on Ben of Howth for a 360-degree view over Dublin Bay, Ireland's Eye, and on clear days the Mourne Mountains to the north.
| Distance | 8 km loop (~5 miles) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2.5–3 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Trailhead | DART from Connolly to Howth (35 min; ~€3.90 with Leap Card / ~$4.30); start trail from harbour |
| Best season | Year-round; spring for wildflowers; summer for longest visibility |
| Address | Howth Harbour, Howth, County Dublin, Ireland |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Howth, County Dublin
- Terrain
- Rocky coastal path with some exposed cliff-edge sections and a short optional summit scramble; well-maintained but uneven underfoot in places
What to bring
- Waterproof jacket
- Sturdy walking shoes (trail is rocky in sections)
- Water bottle
- Snack
Weather through the year in Ireland
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Ireland.
Location
Howth Harbour, Howth, County Dublin, Ireland
53.3884, -6.0657 View on map
Highlights
- Baily Lighthouse cliff views
- Optional summit detour to Ben of Howth (171m)
- Rhododendron and gorse in bloom April–June
- Ireland's Eye island views from the northern section
Tips for visiting
- Red arrows on wooden posts mark the loop the whole way — no map required, but download an offline copy as backup
- The cliff-edge sections narrow after rain; slow down rather than skip them
- Fish and chips at Howth Harbour after the walk is a local tradition and requires no reservation
- Trains run every 15–20 minutes back to the city centre, so there is no need to time the hike around a schedule