Sustainable Hillwalking

Out and About members enjoy the great outdoors each week – in particular Dublin and Wicklow’s stunning natural surroundings. On Sundays, we enjoy breath-taking views of glacier lakes, waterfalls, and rock formations, revealing our rich natural heritage. Local wildlife, including sika hybrid deer, Irish hare, feral goats and frogs thrive here, while our skies resonate with the songs of cuckoos, skylarks, ravens, and red grouse. The land is adorned with Sphagnum mosses, bog cotton, and sundew. Come join us to explore our vibrant wilderness.

Ireland’s land is mostly privately or state-owned, with generous mountain landowners permitting access. Let’s care for the environment, avoid harm to fences, and leave our dogs safely at home. Mountaineering Ireland supports “reasonable access for responsible users” and works with landowners. Learn more at Mountaineering Ireland Access Policy. Explore and enjoy responsibly!

Outdoor enthusiasts, including our hiking group, have an impact on our mountains and their surroundings. To protect the delicate terrain, stick to paths, even if they're muddy, and avoid widening them. In areas without paths, spread out to minimize impact.

To minimize our environmental impact, we encourage ‘Leave No Trace’ principles. The idea here is to promote responsible outdoor recreation by following some key principles. For example, picking up litter as you come across it and never bringing dogs onto the mountains. One common misunderstanding is the disposal of biodegradable items like banana peels and teabags. These items take a long time to decompose and can disrupt the ecosystem. Ensure that all litter is carried back home. In addition ,we organise an annual Spring Clean litter pick-up event . This initiative sees many sacks of litter being removed and we hope it discourages future littering.