Europe has some fantastic scenery, without a doubt.  The beautiful blue Mediterranean, the incredible architecture of Prague, the snow peaks of Switzerland.  Ireland is a green (and wet) paradise in itself, but today I’ve got a great hiking suggestion but only for those with good fitness and good boots: The Cliffs of Croaghaun.  So if you’re planning a road trip through Ireland and enjoy hiking, put the Cliffs on your itinerary.

Croaghaun is the third highest sea cliff in Europe, though it’s sloped so I’m not sure you’d want to jump.  It’s the second highest mountain in Ireland, and many say this is the most untouched piece of land in Western Europe.

To hike the mountain – which isn’t a terrible hike, at least relative to mountains elsewhere in the world of similar height – isn’t like you can rock up to the car park and stroll up to the top.  Nor can you even see the cliffs without hiking to them, unless you get a  boat to take you there.  The nearest access point is Keem Beach, pictured above.

County Mayo, where you’ll find this gorgeous beach, also has a lot of other fun sightseeing.  Megalithic tombs, abbeys showing off Irish gothic architecture, and wildlife watching.  The biggest town is Ballina, which holds a popular street festival in July which makes a great time to come for a visit. You can find the best deals at hotels in Ballina using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Mountainviews has some great tips for how to get to the top of the Cliffs of Croaghaun – and how to get back, more importantly – all in one piece. Don’t forget to bring lunch!