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There are several routes to tackle (a long one, that starts at the bottom of Killiney Hill and two short ones, that start from the main Killiney Hill car park and the area near the tea rooms).
The views from the top are incredible, with Killiney Beach and the Wicklow Mountains on one side and a panorama of Dublin City on the other.
In the guide below, you’ll find everything you need to know about heading off on this ramble, from where to park to an overview of each Killiney Hill Walk route.
Some quick need-to-knows about the Killiney Hill Walk
So, once you know what to expect, a visit to Killiney Park is nice and straightforward. These need-to-knows will give you a sense of what awaits you.
Killiney Hill is located within Killiney Hill Park in, unsurprisingly enough, Killiney! There’s another hill in the park, too – Dalkey Hill. If you’re not driving, you can take a DART from Dublin City to Dalkey DART station.
So, there are several short routes up and around the hill. Arguably the most popular is the one that starts at the main Killiney Hill car park (here – takes 10 to 15 minutes to reach the top). However, there’s another that starts at the tea rooms (here – takes 10 minutes to reach the top), but parking can be a pain.
There’s also a longer Killiney Hill Walk route (30 – 45 minutes) that starts from the bottom of the hill, near the Vico Baths. This is usually the route those who travelled to the area by bus or DART take.
The handiest car park is the car park in Killiney Park (here – for those of you doing the short walk). If you do the long route there’s a tiny bit of parking on the Vico Road (here). Personally, I always park up at Dalkey DART station – it’s a nice, scenic 20-minute walk from there. There’s also limited space near the tea rooms (here).
5. Entrances to the park
If you’re on foot, there are several different entrances. If you’re approaching from Dalkey Village, you can enter the park here (the Cat’s Ladder) or from here, just up across from the public toilets.
3 different Killiney Hill Park walks to choose from
I’ve popped three different routes on the Google Map above, to hopefully make it quick and easy for you to see what’s what.
Each route is fairly handy to follow and you can walk from the ‘main’ viewpoint all the way around to the obelisk, if you fancy.
1. Short Route (A)
Photo by Photo by Roman_Overko (Shutterstock)
The first short route kicks off in the main Killiney Hill car park. From the car park, follow the path until you see some stone steps (on the left) that lead up into the trees.
It’s from here that you’ll make your ascent to the summit of the hill. Now, make sure to keep an eye to your right as you ascend the steps, as there are some often hidden viewing points here where you’ll get mighty views of the Wicklow Mountains.
After a couple of minutes of walking up the steps through Killiney Hill Park, the ground levels out, and the view opens up, with Dublin City ahead of you and Wicklow behind you.
You can then take it handy, soak up the views and head back to the car. Or you can walk across to the obelisk (around 15 minutes).
2. Short Route (B)
Photo by Globe Guide Media Inc (Shutterstock)
The second short route starts from the tea rooms. You’ve a handy 10-minute walk up the hill towards The Obelisk. The views from here are outstanding.
From this point, you’ve two options; if you want to take it handy, you can kick-back and soak up the views of Bray Head, Killiney Beach and the Wicklow Mountains.
Or you can walk across in the direction of the main Killiney Hill car park (around a 15-minute walk) and get the view out over Dublin City.
3. Long Route (A)
Photo by Adam.Bialek (Shutterstock)
So, this one is for those of you getting to Killiney / Dalkey via public transport. It’s a good bit longer than the two above, as you’ll have to walk up towards the Vico Road and then climb the hill.
I’ve plotted the walking route that you can take on this Google Map. The walk to the top is pretty straightforward and you’ll get a good eyeful of some very swanky houses en route.
You’ll want to allow at least 1 hour to do the longer Killiney Hill Walk route (factoring in time to soak up the views).
Things to do near Dalkey Hill
One of the reasons that Killiney Hill Park is one of the best places to visit in Dublin is due to the sheer volume of places there are to visit nearby.
Below, you’ll find a handful things to see and do a stone’s throw from Killiney Hill, from historic sites to great places to eat.
1. Sorrento + Dillon’s Park
The entrance of Sorrento Park is easily missed as you walk towards Killeny Hill. However, it’s worth keeping an eye out for, as the views out over Dalkey Island are mighty. Nearby Dillon’s Park is arguably one of the most picturesque parks in Dublin.
2. The Vico Baths
Photos by Peter Krocka (Shutterstock)
The Vico Baths are one of Dublin’s more unique swimming spots. Once a ‘Men only’ bathing place, the Baths now attract young and old alike. You don’t need to dive in to appreciate the history that surrounds this place.
3. Post-walk food in Dalkey
Photo left via Benito’s Italian Restaurant on Facebook. Photo right via the Dalkey Duck on Facebook
If you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s some decent restaurants in Dalkey to grab a bite to eat. When you’ve finished, ramble through the picturesque little village. You can grab a drink, if you like, visit Dalkey Castle or head up the coast to Dún Laoghaire.
Frequently asked questions about the Killiney Hill Walk
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Is Killiney Hill buggy friendly?’ (it isn’t) to ‘How long does it take?’ (20 – 45 mins).
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
How long is the Killiney Hill Walk?
The Killiney Hill Walk can take anything from 20 to 45 minutes depending on where you start it from, i.e. the DART station or the Killiney Hill car Park.
Where do you park for Killiney Hill Walk?
There’s a car park just past the main entrance to Killiney Hill Park. Note: on warm days, the car park here can get very busy, so try to arrive early.
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