It’s one of Ireland’s most beautiful (and rewarding) hikes, with a summit that overlooks Clew Bay in all its glory. But the views from Croagh Patrick are even better at sunrise, when the sky gradually lightens to illuminate the 365 islands in the waters below.  

While the climb is definitely challenging, the route from the Murrisk car park is easy to follow, and the new system of steps at the summit make the final push much more manageable. Be sure to dress warm, as it’s chillier at the top, and bring a flask of hot coffee to enjoy as you drink in the view. At just over 7km in total, it should take two hours to get to the summit, though bear in mind it may take a little longer in the dark, so allow extra time to be safe. Once you’ve taken in the sunrise, simply head back down the mountain the same way you came up.  

Photo credit: @d_aiwute

At this stage, you’ll definitely be ready for breakfast. Back in Westport (a 15-minute drive away) This Must Be The Place serves hearty fare like bacon and egg muffins or a black pudding toastie. In Servd, you can get a stack of pancakes, spicy shakshuka or eggs benedict, along with excellent coffee.  

Stay the night before in The Wyatt Hotel, where guests get free access to Westport Leisure Park, so you can have a swim or a sauna when you’ve finished the hike. Or try something a little different with an overnight stay in the yurts at The Glamping Village at Westport Estate.  

Errigal’s striking conical peak makes it instantly recognisable, and as Donegal’s highest mountain, the views from the summit are nothing short of spectacular. The 4.5km loop is surprisingly manageable, taking around an hour to reach the top – ideal when you’re starting out in the dark for a sunrise hike. When you get there, the early start and aching thighs melt away as you take in sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, and, if luck is on your side, Errigal’s reflection shimmering in Dunlewy Lough. Bathed in the soft glow of dawn, it’s quite the beautiful sight. 

When you’ve made your way back down, head to Arán Espresso Bar & Kitchen in Doiri Beaga (Derrybeg) for Cloud Picker coffee, avocado toast and açai bowls, or go to Caife Kitty for a Full Irish or a bowl of porridge. Stay at An Chúirt Hotel, and you’ll only be a ten-minute drive from the start point at the Errigal car park, which will make that early alarm all the easier.   

Want to tackle a sunrise hike that feels like a proper expedition? Carrauntoohill is just the ticket. The journey to the highest point in Ireland is definitely not for beginners, but the reward at the summit is well worth it. The best loop (for experienced mountaineers only) is Devil’s Ladder, which starts at Cronin’s Yard and, at 11.7km, should take you between six and seven hours to complete – which effectively means hiking throughout the night. At the top, you’ll find incredible views out over Kerry, with the sun rising behind the Gap of Dunloe and illuminating Glencar to the west. A good way to take on this challenge is to let someone else take the lead – Roam Wild often runs guided sunrise hikes up Carrauntoohill.  

Make life easy by staying in one of the glamping pods at Cronin’s Yard, so you can roll out of bed and straight onto the trail. Alternatively, The Bianconi Inn is less than a 20-minute drive away, and Ard na Sidhe Country House is a beautiful spot to unwind when you’ve finished the hike, right on the shores of Caragh Lake. If you’re looking for a bite to eat when you get back to base camp, head to The Coffee Pot Café at the Gap for a Full Irish, or Jack’s Bakery in Killorglin for giant cinnamon buns, sausage rolls and bread fresh out the oven.  

Weaving through Connemara National Park, the trail to the summit of Diamond Hill brings you through some of the finest scenery in the region, with views of the Twelve Bens and out over the coast to the islands of Inishturk and Inishbofin. You’ll hike for a total of 6.2km on a mix of gravel paths, boardwalks and steps, and it should take you around an hour to get to the top for sunrise – just be aware that it’s a strenuous climb. The descent should take around an hour, too.   

As the trail starts and ends in the Visitor Centre, you can grab a coffee and a bite to eat in the onsite Hungry Hiker Café, or drive the few minutes into Letterfrack to get a matcha latte and a chocolate croissant in Kabo Coffee. Veldons Seafarer Bar & Restaurant is open for breakfast, so you can fill up with a sausage sandwich or scrambled eggs.  

Rosleague Manor Hotel is only a five-minute drive from the trailhead, and there are 30 acres of private woodland to explore too – plus open fires where you can cosy up post-hike.  

With views of the ocean, the Wicklow Mountains and all the countryside in between, the Bray Head Loop ticks all the boxes for a scenic hike. The official start point is off Vevay Road but if you’re driving, it’s better to start at the Cliff Walk Car Park. Aim to reach Bray Head Cross just as the sun peeks over the horizon, where you’ll get a killer view of the sea as the morning sky brightens. The good news is this is roughly 25 minutes in, which means you won’t have to start quite as early, and the rest of the walk – a 5.9km loop over the headland through woodland paths and back along the coast – will be in daylight.  

Photo credit: @marc_with_a_sea_photos

When you get back to the car park, head into Bray for a bite to eat. Dockyard No. 8 has a brunch menu with all the classics, like French toast, eggs benedict and granola bowls, and Catalyst Coffee does stuff like miso mushrooms on toast and breakfast burritos, with vegan options as well. Copper and Straw is great for a quick coffee, too. The Strand Hotel is right on the Bray seafront, and was once a family home of Oscar Wilde. It’s only a 10-minute walk from the Cliff Walk Car Park, too.  

Sunrise hikes don’t have to be multi-hour treks – the Devil’s Bit Loop is a nice and manageable 3.7km, and it should only take you around an hour and a half in total. You’ll start in the Devil’s Bit forest car park and walk on woodland tracks and along fields for 1.2km until you get to the cross at the top of Little Rock, which is the best spot to be for sunrise. When you’ve snapped your pics and taken in the views of the Slieve Blooms and Lough Derg, continue along the rest of the loop until you’re back at the car park.  

From there, Templemore is a 10-minute drive away, where you can get sticky, gooey cinnamon buns and smoked salmon bagels in One19 Coffee House. Templemore Arms Hotel is a great spot to stay the night before, right in the middle of the village.   

Photo credit: @one19coffeehouse

Up for a challenge? The Blackstairs Mountain Loop Walk is on the longer side – at 13.5km, it’ll likely take you around five hours – but the peaceful trail up to the summit is a lovely route, even if the terrain is slightly challenging. When you get to the cairn at the top of the mountain, you’ll get a great view out over the nearby countryside and undulating hills. If you’d prefer, you can simply turn around here (an out and back walk to the summit is 6.8km takes around three hours), or you can continue on for the full loop.  

Enniscorthy is around a 20-minute drive away, so head there for breakfast in The Village at Wheelocks, for bites like cinnamon porridge, a farmhouse breakfast or eggs on sourdough. For a real treat, stay in nearby Monart Destination Spa, where you can recover post-hike in their numerous saunas, steam rooms and hydrotherapy pool.  

While you’ll still want to watch your footing, the elevated boardwalk path on the Queen Maeve Trail makes for a straightforward hike, particularly when you’re starting in the dark. This linear 2.3km route snakes up Knocknarea in Strandhill, going through thick forestry and over bogland until you reach the ancient cairn at the summit, usually in about 45 minutes. From there, you’ll get fantastic views out over the Sligo coast, and the distinctive mound of Queen Maeve’s Cairn makes an ideal silhouette for those sunrise pictures.  

Once you’re back at the car park, Strandhill is five minutes down the road, and Shells Café is the ideal spot for a breakfast buddha bowl, sausage sandwich or a Full Irish served with their homemade baked beans. Honestly Farm Kitchen serves food grown in their very own farm, like the kale and eggs in their veggie breakfast, and pastries from Carraig Rua. The Strandhill Lodge and Suites are even closer to the trailhead, or if you want to camp then the Strandhill Caravan and Camping Park is right on the seafront. 

Photo credit: @honestlykitchen