These walks will give you a great appreciation of Ireland’s beauty but you should remember if you get into difficulty while out on a winter walk with the family, dial 999 or 112 and ask for mountain rescue.

Despite its name, Inch beach is approximately 6.5km long. It offers outstanding views over Dingle Bay and is the perfect place to blow away the cobwebs on a winter’s day. The kids will enjoy seeing the power of the Atlantic ocean and running through the sand dunes. There is plenty of parking and you can even drive onto the beach and park there for your walk.

Length & Difficulty: 6.5km, flat sandy surface, so easy walking for all ages and you don’t have to walk the full length of the beach.

There are many varied and interesting walks in Lough Key Forest Park but our readers recommended Drumman’s Island Trail Loop. There, you can explore the shores of the lake and loop around Drumman’s Island. You will find a couple of bridges along the way including the beautiful fairy bridge. Start at the visitor centre and follow the red signs.

Length & Difficulty: Approx 3.5km, the terrain is accessible to all as it is mainly along compacted forest roads and footpaths.

For a longer family walk, you can follow the yellow markers from the visitor centre. It will take you along the shores of Lough Key and through the forest. After your excursion, tuck into tea or coffee and a full menu at the centre in Lough Key.

Length & Difficulty: Approx 4.2km, the going is easy with a few gentle slopes. It is suitable for all the family to enjoy.

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Perfect for a family walk says Mum Denise as the paths are wide, mostly flat and there is timber boardwalk in places. It winds through the trees and along the way there is a great wooden viewing deck overlooking the shores of Lough Derg. From the deck, you can see some of the islands on the lake and get a sense of the size of the lake too. On the way back to the car park, you will pass the duck pond, so be sure to pack some oats to feed the ducks on your family walk.

Length & Difficulty: Approx 1.5km, short and easy with good access for buggies.

Top Tip: Stop in for a visit to Portumna Castle after you have finished your walk and visit the kitchen garden and the castle. 

A firm favourite with the O’Dwyer family, the Bianconi Loop in the Glen of Aherlow will take you right back to nature as you pass by forest tracks and some minor roads. The track is named after Italian, Charles Bianconi, who ran a horse drawn carriage service for post and passengers that passed through the forest in the 1800’s on a journey from the Glen of Aherlow to Tipperary Town. The trail is marked from the Christ the King statue in the Glen of Aherlow.

Length & Difficulty: 4km, the terrain is easy to walk along but you will need to descend some wooden steps to get to the trail.

Did you know that Coillte Ireland have over 3000kms of marked tracks making up 250+ walks through forests, greenways, national parks and along towpaths?

Legend tells us that the devil took a bite out of the mountain and broke a tooth which now stands at the Rock of Cashel. You can access the walking routes from the Devil’s Bit car park in Templemore. There is a bit of a climb involved, but it is worth it when you get to the top says the Daly family. Get ready to experience amazing views across the surrounding countryside.

Length & Difficulty: 5km if you follow the purple arrows. There is a bit of climbing involved but it is suitable for all members of the family.

Another famous Italian for our next winter walk recommendation. The Marconi Loop begins and ends at the Marconi Station beside the R341 near Clifden in Connemara. The wireless telegraphy station was set up in 1905 by the Italian inventor Gugleimo Marconi. There is no shortage of history on this walk which will take you through the Derrigimlagh bog. It was made famous when pilots Alcock & Brown crash landed close to the Marconi Station in 1919 after completing the first transatlantic flight.

Length & Difficulty: 5km, the track is marked with purple arrows and it’s over a bog which would suit slightly older children and teens.

How about hopping on the DART and getting out at either Bray or Greystones and taking a coastal winter walk with the family to the other station? The route is marked from either station with red arrows. The coastal path will give you stunning views across the Irish Sea to one side and Bray Head rises to the other. You may also be lucky enough to spot some seals, dolphins or porpoises below or some seabirds flying alongside the cliffs.

Length & Difficulty: Approx 7km starting from the bandstand in Bray. The coastal paths are well maintained and the walk is suitable for families with slightly older children.

© Longford Tourism

Mum Sabrina told us that her family love to walk in Derrycassin Woods or Derrycassan Woods as they are sometimes known as, in Longford. There is a handy map at the entrance and the paths are flat and well laid out. They are ideal for family members of all ages, even those in buggies.

There are a few different routes including the walled garden, a walk along the shores of Lough Gowna and a walk along the avenue. Get ready to spot a boat house, the ruins of Derrycassin House and the ruins of a rath or ringfort. There is a large selection of trees, including spruce and evergreen making this the perfect winter walk for families.

Length & Difficulty: 74 hectares of forest to explore. If you follow one of the three main trails, the paths are well maintained and easy to navigate.

Photo: Lorraine Teevan

Mum Ruth recommended Dún na Rí Forest Park in Kingscourt, Co Cavan as a great place for winter walks for families. There are four walks to pick from and they all have their different highlights. You can see The Ice House, The Holy Well, Cromwell’s Bridge, Fleming’s Castle ruins to Sarah’s Bridge & Well, the animal statutes and the Duck Pond depending on the route you take.

Length & Difficulty: Each route is between 1.5km and 2km. The trails are well maintained and marked making them perfect for families of all ages.

Image: Muster Vales

This beautiful park has a choice of walks that can be found on a map in the car park. There is lots to see whatever route you choose says Dad Ken and you can spot swans, kingfishers, deer, ducks and even fish!

Length & Difficulty: The routes vary in length but the longest loop is 5km. There are paths throughout and the park is easily walked by all ages, even in the winter months. It does close so check opening times before you travel.

This has to be one of my all time favourite places for a family walk any time of year. Near to both Donegal Town and Ballyshannon, my advice would be to follow signs for the holiday homes and drive onto the beach. (Just don’t get caught by the rising tide).

The beach stretches as far as the eye can see with the wild Atlantic to one side and sand dunes to explore on the other. You are sure to see surfers throughout the year so pack the wetsuits if you fancy a dip!

Length & Difficulty: 2km, when the tide is out. You can walk along the hard sand further down the beach and even push a buggy.

Doughmore Bay is situated in Doonbeg, Co Clare. The beach is a mecca for surfers. Even in winter, you can spot the odd one or two in the water. The beach stretches for miles and is safe for all family members to enjoy a relaxing winter stroll.

Length & Difficulty: 4.5km of a sandy surface making it ideal for all the family.

Mum Tina tipped us off about the walled garden loop walk in Jenkinstown Woods in Kilkenny. There are other walks that you can do and all of them are marked on a map in the main car-park. You can expect to see many animals and interesting trees and plants while you walk. There are public toilets at the site too.

Length & Difficulty: The Walled Garden loop walk is approx 3km. The walkways are signposted and have well kept paths.

Mum Anne asked us to mention the Phoenix Park in Dublin. As one of the largest urban parks in any European city, it is perfect for a winter walk with the family.

Keep an eye out for Áras an Uachtaráin, home of our president, the People’s Gardens, the Magazine Fort, Dublin Zoo and of course, the wild deer. If you want to try and pick out Rudolph, make sure the Phoneix Park is on your to-do list.

Length & Difficulty: The park is vast and consists of paved walkways and grassland. It is an easy terrain for all ages.