Dublin Locals Discover 7 Hidden Outdoor Gems for Summer Escapes

Dublin hikers have shifted focus to lesser-known routes at the Hellfire Club and North Bull Island as July temperatures climb above 18 degrees.

Summer schedules free up more daylight hours for outdoor time, and recent reports from Dublin City Council show rising demand for spots away from crowded parks like St Stephen's Green.

Mountain paths and coastal reserves

The Dublin Mountains Partnership maintains access gates at the Rathfarnham trailhead on Military Road, where walkers reach the stone ruins of the Hellfire Club in under 45 minutes. Further east, North Bull Island opens via the wooden causeway off Clontarf Road, giving direct entry to the 5-kilometre stretch of Dollymount Strand managed by the same council team.

Both locations sit within a 30-minute drive of the city centre and avoid the ticket queues that form at Phoenix Park gates on weekends.

Visitor numbers and costs

Failte Ireland recorded 1.2 million visits to Dublin's outer nature sites in 2025, a 22 percent rise from the prior year. Parking at the Hellfire Club car park costs €4 on Saturdays and Sundays from June through September, while the North Bull Island lot remains free outside event days. Guided walks organised by the Dublin Mountains Partnership begin at 10am on the second Saturday of each month and require no advance booking.

Walkers planning a visit should check the council website for tide times at Bull Island before heading out and carry water for the steeper sections near the Hellfire Club. Maps are available at the Rathfarnham trailhead kiosk or can be downloaded for routes along the Dodder River in Terenure that link back toward the city.