Waterford is one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets when it comes to family walks. From mountain trails and waterfalls to beaches, geoparks and historic gardens, there’s a walk here to suit every family, whatever age your kids are and however far you fancy going.
We’ve pulled together 11 of our favourite spots for a family walk in Waterford — perfect for a weekend outing, a day trip along Ireland’s Ancient East, or just an afternoon of fresh air and adventure. Pack a picnic, bring your walking shoes, and take your pick from the list below.
You may also enjoy: Top 10 Things to Do in Waterford With Kids
In this guide:
- Fenor Bog
- Lismore Castle Gardens
- Woodstown
- Ardmore Cliff Walk
- Copper Coast European Geopark
- Faithlegg Woods and Minaun Hill
- Waterford Greenway
- Mount Congreve House & Gardens
- Comeragh Mountain Walks
- Curraghmore House
- Mahon Falls
Walks in Waterford to Enjoy
Fenor Bog
Fenor Bog was designated as Waterford’s first national nature reserve and is a unique habitat for rare plants, birds and butterflies — keep an eye out for dragonflies in summer.
A boardwalk runs through the bog, and there’s a picnic area, making it an easy and enjoyable stroll for families with something to eat afterwards.
You may also enjoy: Things To Do With Preschoolers In Waterford
Lismore Castle Gardens
The gardens at Lismore Castle require an admission ticket, but they’re a lovely option for a family walk.
Two historic gardens sit within the Castle walls, covering 7 acres of stunning scenery. The lower garden has a stately avenue of yew trees and meandering paths through open spaces and meadows. The upper garden, entered through the Riding House, is a walled garden dating back to the early 1600s, with ornamental borders alongside vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers grown for the kitchen and Castle itself.
The Castle itself is a private residence, though your garden ticket also gives you entry to Lismore Castle Arts, a contemporary art gallery with rotating exhibitions.
Woodstown
Woodstown beach runs for miles along Waterford’s western shore. It’s a great spot for swimming when the tide is in, making it a lovely day trip for families in good weather.
It’s also popular for long walks and picnics, and it’s rich in sea shells for kids to collect or use for decorating sandcastles. Parking is available.
You may also enjoy: Great Waterford Beaches for Families
Ardmore Cliff Walk
For a longer walk, try the 5km Ardmore Cliff Walk, which begins just after the Cliff House hotel car park. Follow the road to where it becomes a path leading down to old ruins.
The walk takes you along cliff-top paths, minor roads and laneways past Ardmore Round Tower, one of the best-preserved round towers in Ireland. You’ll also pass a 12th-century cathedral and a lookout post with stunning coastal scenery.
Copper Coast European Geopark
The Copper Coast Geopark is one of the designated European Geoparks and is the only one in the Republic of Ireland.
There are plenty of walks within the Geopark, and you can download trails with maps and photos to explore at your own pace. Guided walks also run during the summer months.
For an easy walk, head to Bunmahon, where a little park has flagstones with short stories about the Geopark’s history — fun for kids to spot and read, from the first four-legged animals emerging from the sea to when horses and humans first appeared.
You may also enjoy: 10 Brilliant Things To Do With Kids In Waterford
Faithlegg Woods and Minaun Hill
Faithlegg Woods, sometimes called “the Minaun,” overlooks the meeting point of the Three Sisters — the rivers Suir, Nore and Barrow.
There are no marked trails, but plenty of easy-to-moderate paths wind through the woodland along old tracks. For a bit of a climb, Cromwell’s Rock on Minaun Hill, about 200m from the main parking area, offers spectacular views.
Waterford Greenway
The Greenway is a spectacular 46km off-road cycling and walking trail along an old railway line. You can join it at any point, from the quays of Waterford city all the way through to the historic port town of Dungarvan.
Along the way, look out for Viking settlements, medieval ruins, a Norman castle, deserted railway stations, an Ice Age rock said to hold mythical powers, bridges, three viaducts and a 400m tunnel.
Mount Congreve House & Gardens
Mount Congreve House and Gardens, in Kilmeaden, spans around 70 acres of intensively planted woodland, a 4-acre walled garden, and 16 kilometres of walkways.
Set on a gentle incline overlooking the River Suir, the collection includes over 3,000 different trees and shrubs, more than 2,000 rhododendrons, 600 camellias, 300 acer cultivars, 600 conifers, 250 climbers and 1,500 herbaceous plants — plus many more species in the Georgian glasshouse.
Comeragh Mountain Walks
The Comeragh Mountains are a striking and varied range, stretching from the coast near Dungarvan inland as far as Clonmel.
The 2.4km Crouhan Walk offers superb views over Dungarvan and Helvick, while the shorter 4km Coumshingaun Lake Walk (the full route is 8km) is well worth the 250m ascent. On a clear day, this lake, ringed by cliffs on three sides, is a wonderful sight.
Curraghmore House
Curraghmore House is the historic home of the 9th Marquis of Waterford and covers 2,500 acres of formal gardens, woodland and grazing fields.
The Shell House is a striking feature of the gardens, decorated inside with intricate patterns of shells from all over the world, created by the Countess of Tyrone in 1754.
The formal gardens make a beautiful backdrop for a stroll, while the woodland walk offers more space to roam. Keep an eye out for bluebells and wild garlic among the wide variety of trees, shrubs and plants.
Mahon Falls
Mahon Falls is an 80m waterfall nestled in the Comeragh Mountains near Lemybrien. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, it’s a trip well worth making — and you might spot sheep and goats dotted along the mountainsides too.
You may also enjoy: Visit These Wonderful Waterfalls In Ireland Perfect For A Family Day Out
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these walks is best for young children or buggies?
Fenor Bog is a particularly easy option, thanks to its boardwalk and picnic area, and Woodstown beach is great for younger children who want space to explore and collect shells. Trail surfaces and terrain vary quite a bit across this list, though, so it’s worth checking conditions for your chosen route before you set off, especially if you’re bringing a buggy.
Do any of these walks charge an admission fee?
Most of the walks on this list are free to enjoy. The exception is Lismore Castle Gardens, which requires an admission ticket that also includes entry to the Lismore Castle Arts gallery.
How long is the Waterford Greenway?
The Waterford Greenway is a 46km trail running from Waterford city to Dungarvan. You don’t need to walk the whole thing in one go — you can join or leave the trail at various points along the way.
Is Mahon Falls a difficult walk for families?
Mahon Falls sits in the Comeragh Mountains near Lemybrien and involves some mountain terrain. Families should come prepared for changeable weather and uneven ground, and check conditions before heading out, particularly with younger children.
More Waterford Adventures
If this list has you planning a Waterford getaway, you might also like:
- Top 10 Things to Do in Waterford With Kids
- Great Waterford Beaches for Families
- Things To Do With Preschoolers In Waterford
- 10 Brilliant Things To Do With Kids In Waterford
- Visit These Wonderful Waterfalls In Ireland Perfect For A Family Day Out
Save This for Your Next Waterford Day Out
Not heading out just yet? Bookmark this page or save it to your browser so you’ve got the full list of walks handy whenever you’re planning your next Waterford adventure.
Get More Ideas Like This
Want more days-out inspiration delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the MyKidsTime newsletter for weekly ideas on things to do with the kids, family-friendly recipes, parenting tips and great competitions — all free.
