Wild Camping Locations

silverharp · 25-04-2018 3:16pm

I canoed down the barrow a few years back , the banks tend to either be very high or overgrown , one or 2 of the lock gate area were nice enough if you don't mind the odd jogger, I'd aim to camp in the Blackstairs , though I am not familiar with that range

Tabnabs · 19-10-2018 3:42pm

An article from Outsider.ie that might inspire more people to go wild camping.

https://outsider.ie/ireland/wild-camping-ireland/

Hardluck · 22-04-2019 9:13pm

There is a really great spot in waterford just past rathgormack hiking center. It is called "lough mohra" you can drive all the way up the trail to the top car park and its only a quick walk over to the lough. Great spot for a over night camp and fish even with the kids.

Now were looking for a few new spots in waterford , tipperary , kilkenny areas for this summer if anyone can help us out it would be very much appreciated.

Oh and I hear carlow has a few great places but I have never been there info for any areas there would be good too.

As for wicklow there is loads of places around "lough dan" is a favourite it has a no camping sign to scare of the yobos but its a great spot on the beach or instead of camping on the beach continus straigh across the farm to the trees (follow the river ) 10 min there is a a good place up there

Glenmalure is a popular place there is space for a few tents where the waterfall is or across the road by the river great for kids rope swings from the trees ect. Its all about a 10 min drive from the pub down there. And can get busy in the summer.

There is a great beach just outside wicklow town too "maheramore" beach its called you have to park on the road by the farm and walk down but honestly well worth the find. Take any valuable items out of site though you wouldnt hear an alarm from the beach.

denismc · 23-04-2019 8:37pm

Hardluck wrote: »

There is a really great spot in waterford just past rathgormack hiking center. It is called "lough mohra" you can drive all the way up the trail to the top car park and its only a quick walk over to the lough. Great spot for a over night camp and fish even with the kids.

Now were looking for a few new spots in waterford , tipperary , kilkenny areas for this summer if anyone can help us out it would be very much appreciated.

Oh and I hear carlow has a few great places but I have never been there info for any areas there would be good too.

As for wicklow there is loads of places around "lough dan" is a favourite it has a no camping sign to scare of the yobos but its a great spot on the beach or instead of camping on the beach continus straigh across the farm to the trees (follow the river ) 10 min there is a a good place up there

Glenmalure is a popular place there is space for a few tents where the waterfall is or across the road by the river great for kids rope swings from the trees ect. Its all about a 10 min drive from the pub down there. And can get busy in the summer.

There is a great beach just outside wicklow town too "maheramore" beach its called you have to park on the road by the farm and walk down but honestly well worth the find. Take any valuable items out of site though you wouldnt hear an alarm from the beach.

I hiked through Lough Mohra last year and was saddened to see people are treating it like a kip, there was an abandoned 5 person tent full of beer bottles and tins and numerous burnt out disposable barbecues.
I was so disgusted I reported it to Coillte and they said they have attempted locking the gates up there but people keep cutting the locks.
I just understand why you would go to such a beautiful spot and leave your **** everywhere.

Hardluck · 24-04-2019 10:38am

I was there last summer and saw a tent full of beer too. Up by the tree line?
When I go I take as much of other peoples rubbish as i can carry away with me.
It doesn't seem to matter where you go these days ( camping , walking trails , along every road.) The litter is everywhere and its horrible to see.

I remember there was a really nice polish family caming up beside that tent and he packed it all up and took it all away with him.

denismc · 24-04-2019 11:01am

Yes it was last Summer during the drought, I was looking at all the barbecues and thinking of a the potential fires with the forestry being so close.
I just can't fathom why someone would go to all that trouble to bring a tent that far and just abandon it!
Most of my walking is done on higher ground and thankfully the litter monkeys are too lazy too venture to far from their cars and so the hills and mountains are pretty clean.

Hardluck · 24-04-2019 11:12am

denismc wrote: »

Yes it was last Summer during the drought, I was looking at all the barbecues and thinking of a the potential fires with the forestry being so close.
I just can't fathom why someone would go to all that trouble to bring a tent that far and just abandon it!
Most of my walking is done on higher ground and thankfully the litter monkeys are too lazy too venture to far from their cars and so the hills and mountains are pretty clean.

The rathgormack ramblers had a clean up last saturday in lough morha and a coulpe of other places. Its nice to see some people taking care instead of wrecking it. But no doubt the "litter monkeys" haha will be back again in no time. Its a shame thats the way it is but if everyone with a bit of decency takes care of these areas they can be great places to be.

And you're right one small unoccupied fire up there and it will be a disaster.

Peter T · 03-07-2019 11:41am

Has anyone any suggestions for wild camping in kerry ? A friend and I are planning a little bike pack trip. 1 night wild camping around the Glencar area or anywhere along the west side of carrauntoohil. Willing to hike the bikes if the location is good, wont be lighting any fires idea is to be fed before we set camp. Will be heading for dingle the next day so don't really want to venture further south

El Vino · 04-07-2019 5:04pm

Peter T wrote: »

Has anyone any suggestions for wild camping in kerry ? A friend and I are planning a little bike pack trip. 1 night wild camping around the Glencar area or anywhere along the west side of carrauntoohil. Willing to hike the bikes if the location is good, wont be lighting any fires idea is to be fed before we set camp. Will be heading for dingle the next day so don't really want to venture further south

I did a boreen which turned into a rough track from Rosbeigh between Coolroe and Seefin mountains into Glencar. There were a few places along here that looked ok, if not keep going to Lough Carragh. You could have something to eat at the Climbers Inn and pop your tent up close to dusk.

https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?query=Rosbeigh#map=15/52.0348/-9.9284

denismc · 04-07-2019 5:41pm

Peter T wrote:

Has anyone any suggestions for wild camping in kerry ? A friend and I are planning a little bike pack trip. 1 night wild camping around the Glencar area or anywhere along the west side of carrauntoohil. Willing to hike the bikes if the location is good, wont be lighting any fires idea is to be fed before we set camp. Will be heading for dingle the next day so don't really want to venture further south

If you are going to Dingle consider camping on the Great Blasket island, an amazing place to camp, when I stayed there, there was less than a dozen people staying overnight.
There is drinking water there and a hostel that is open during the day, you can get the boat from Dingle or further west at Dunquin pier.

Peter T · 05-07-2019 8:05am

El Vino wrote: »

I did a boreen which turned into a rough track from Rosbeigh between Coolroe and Seefin mountains into Glencar. There were a few places along here that looked ok, if not keep going to Lough Carragh. You could have something to eat at the Climbers Inn and pop your tent up close to dusk.

https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?query=Rosbeigh#map=15/52.0348/-9.9284

Great thanks for the suggestion. I might head back for a bit of recce some day, Killarney is just a short spin for myself.

@denismc Great suggestion, will see what the weather is like when it comes to it

dashcamdanny · 28-07-2019 7:25pm

can anyone recommend anywhere on in the mid east that I can park a car nearby. Most of my camp gear is canvas and car camp weight. Kids have never wild camped or had a fire yet as we only use proper camp sites.

paulme · 28-07-2019 7:53pm

dashcamdanny wrote: »

can anyone recommend anywhere on in the mid east that I can park a car nearby. Most of my camp gear is canvas and car camp weight. Kids have never wild camped or had a fire yet as we only use proper camp sites.

If you're on Facebook, check out "In The Wild Campsite" at River Hollow Nature Reserve. It's near New Ross.

Ubbquittious · 25-09-2019 11:55pm

Ubbquittious wrote: »

Ones I know. Use at your own risk

Inishbofin Co. Galway: 53°36'44.67"N 10°12'14.30"W - Small scrap of land outside fenced off area, space for just about 1 tent

Inishmaan Co. Galway: 53° 5'41.31"N 9°34'3.36"W - Sand dune outside airport fence. Didn't use this myself but saw tent here

Tory, Co. Donegal: 55°15'51.48"N 8°14'0.78"W - Field across from social club lots of tents here one time

Sherkin, Co. Cork: 51°28'25.37"N 9°25'22.38"W - This is a great one and comes with a free ready-made firepit for your camp fire

Bere Island, Co. Cork: N51° 38.531 W009° 47.532 - Outside lonehort used this a few times no bother seen other campers there too

Glenanaar, Co. Cork: 52°16'31.3"N 8°30'49.3"W - Coords might not be 100% accurate. Havn't used myself but seen campers here good spot but wait till evening to pitch as there will be walkers

Have removed Whiddy one, as the site was levelled but there is no shortage of places to camp there

sheesh · 03-02-2020 7:15pm

I saw this and thought of you guys wild camping allowed permit needed if over 10 people or lighting a fire

https://www.wildnephinnationalpark.ie/camping/

iwillhtfu · 03-02-2020 10:51pm

sheesh wrote: »

I saw this and thought of you guys wild camping allowed permit needed if over 10 people or lighting a fire

https://www.wildnephinnationalpark.ie/camping/

A great spot up there but the fact you can drive into a lot of it has the place ruined with kitchen sink campers and their bonfires :rolleyes:

woody1 · 04-02-2020 11:30am

iwillhtfu wrote: »

A great spot up there but the fact you can drive into a lot of it has the place ruined with kitchen sink campers and their bonfires :rolleyes:

walk up to the shelter where the letterkeen loop tees onto the bangor trail.. wont be any campers up there

but it is a decent walk

iwillhtfu · 04-02-2020 11:44am

woody1 wrote: »

walk up to the shelter where the letterkeen loop tees onto the bangor trail.. wont be any campers up there
but it is a decent walk

I was only up that way recently they've done a serious amount of clearing it looks like a warzone. A shame we can't have sustainable forestry and dare I say some decent broad leaf planting.

Tabnabs · 10-02-2020 1:03pm

Finding a good spot to camp isn't overly difficult, it's finding a safe place overnight for your car that is the real challenge.

Antoninus · 23-06-2020 8:50pm

Debating whether to head to the Slieve Blooms or around the Lough Key / Lough Allen area.

We'd be looking for a forested spot, close to water to do some swimming, or at least treading water and howling with the cold for a couple of minutes. Wondering if there are any spots along the Barrow or streams in the Blooms to be able to do this.
Also, does anybody know what the midgie situation is like in these areas?

Tabnabs · 24-06-2020 9:20am

Midge situation in Wicklow at the moment is atrocious, from a few different accounts. So take your chemical warfare with you.

Planet X · 24-06-2020 6:09pm

Have a midge headnet.......peace of mind. Might even consider getting the gloves.

iwillhtfu · 24-06-2020 10:17pm

The slieve blooms is also pretty bad at the minute.

Antoninus · 26-06-2020 8:03am

Thanks for the replies. We bought headnets for Scotland, which helped there, but they weren't very effective against the Donegal midges recently. Maybe they are smaller than their Scottish cousins.

We'll give the Slieve Blooms a miss until the Autumn in that case, iwillhtfu, and maybe chance the Lough Key / Lough Arrow area for a night. If its swarming there, we might have to beat a hasty retreat to a Sligo / North Mayo beach.

woody1 · 26-06-2020 10:26am

i know its not wild camping but does anyone know what lough key is like at the moment, ive heard the campsite there is chronic for them,

Paul_D · 29-06-2020 6:50pm

Could anyone suggest a nice wild camping spot for 1 night somewhere around west Cork or Kerry that fits the following requirements:
* Ideally no further than 2hr hike away from a reasonable safe parking spot.
* No difficult terrain that requires scrambling etc.
* No other people

Exact coordinates would be appreciated. Thanks.

Tec Diver · 28-07-2020 4:18pm

Hi all, I'm planning a two night wild camp with hiking each day, so moving the campsite etc.
I'm hoping to drive to Lacken village near Blessington on a Friday and leave the car there until Sunday, would it be safe there? Anywhere else in the area be better?

TIA
Eoin

paulmartin28 · 28-07-2020 10:29pm

Hi There

I have recently started wild camping with my wife and 3 year old. (Novice camper).

Looking for a nice clean spot for a weeknights stay in Leinster.

Can anybody recommend a good spot with easy access (she is pregnant) near a lake ( 3 year old is mad about the water) or somewhere with nice views etc..

We did a beach down beside silverstrand a little while ago and we still have sand EVERYWHERE so I would be reluctant to go down that road again.

Any suggestions would be very welcome as there will be no villa in the sun this year.

Thank you in advance.

paulmartin28 · 29-07-2020 5:17pm

Hi, I recently left my car over night in lacken village beside the church and no issues. Safe and sound.

wacotaco · 04-08-2020 5:05pm

Hi All,

I'm doing the westport greenway cycle this weekend and plan to camp after. All the campsite in Mayo/Galway are booked up. Any suggestions for places to camp wild preferably near the sea? Thanks.

magpies5 · 09-09-2020 9:54pm

Hi,

I looking into doing a bit of hiking and camping on the west coast for a week. Anyone that could suggest some nice wild camping spots would be greatly appreciated

Antoninus · 28-09-2020 9:05pm

Now the midge population has gone into hibernation, we're considering a weekend wild camp again. Anyone know of any spots around Nephin Beg / Ballycroy? Thanks.

woody1 · 29-09-2020 9:31am

https://goo.gl/maps/zNNDeN5Sjmf9Kf599

hopefully that works, ive seen scouts groups and others camp here, its an open section on the bend in the river , you can get a car fairly close to it

ive always thought that the mountain meitheal shelter would be a good spot too
but probably hard to find decent ground around it , and its a long walk in

https://goo.gl/maps/UEhpJGQjbde8YDzc8

Antoninus · 29-09-2020 2:16pm

That's handy woody1, thanks for that.
Always nice to be near flowing water and have a few trees for shelter.
If we make it there, I'll write an update here.

iwillhtfu · 29-09-2020 6:31pm

Antoninus wrote: »

That's handy woody1, thanks for that.
Always nice to be near flowing water and have a few trees for shelter.
If we make it there, I'll write an update here.

You'll unlikely be alone at that spot its regularly full of car campers which is a shame as its a nice spot although midges are murder in summer. Heading back up into the hills would be better although a hammock would be preferable then.

Antoninus · 30-09-2020 7:35am

Thanks for the heads up iwillhtfu. I'd say the area around the bothy there would get busy enough.

tony1980 · 05-10-2020 9:01am

woody1 wrote: »

https://goo.gl/maps/zNNDeN5Sjmf9Kf599

hopefully that works, ive seen scouts groups and others camp here, its an open section on the bend in the river , you can get a car fairly close to it

I went here on Sat myself and ended up pitching ;ate in the evening when everyone was gone but I actually setup just over the bridge in a nice spot by the river. I had to do a little cleaning up first thanks to the sheep but had a lovely night there and was up for 5.30am and on the road again by 6am before the storm arrived. The trail isn't very well marked if you go over the bridge that direction for one of the 3 routes but it's a beautiful spot.
No midgies either

and was right next to the river so I got to listen to the sound of that all night, bliss!

woody1 · 05-10-2020 8:50pm

glad to hear it , i live reasonably close but i have planned to camp there on and off but havent managed to do it yet,

Antoninus · 05-10-2020 9:56pm

Sounds great tony1980. Is that the road leading up from the Praegar bothy heading north on the Western Way? I've never been there, so relying on the Nephin map, looks like half a mile or so up from the bothy? Thanks.

tony1980 · 09-10-2020 9:58pm

Sorry guys, was crazy busy. Not familiar with road names there but this is the car park https://goo.gl/maps/YbKKPPRtWkRAXLCw6

There is a bridge leading to the trails next to it, I literally camped at the picnic spot there

but it was stunning next to the river. Just wait until late to stealth camp as due to covid, no camping is allowed.

Antoninus · 14-10-2020 7:15am

Due to the Level 3 restrictions, we ended up finding a nice forested spot on the Slí Dhun na Ghall in the Bluestacks for the weekend. Stunning views and no midges. We might have to leave Ballycroy until the early Spring, unless there's a window in November.

knight7 · 20-03-2021 11:31am

Hello all I live in shankill and was look to go wild camping with my son because of theses restrictions it's hard does anyone know where you can drive to i have a jeep converted with a kitchen and a awning we just want to dive out chill with a camp fire and enjoy this beautiful country of ours ðŸ˜Š lðŸ‡¨ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡¨ðŸ‡®

emt16 · 24-03-2021 9:42am

Look at Donegal Overlanding on FB. Wealth of knowledge there and they have members from all over the country

shtpEdthePlum · 24-03-2021 9:47am

If you post your spot here, aren't you worried there's going to be other people there?

There's basically going to be other people crammed into every single spot this summer.

I have one secret place out west but it takes a good bit of walking with gear to get there though. Although it's well worth it.

Is anyone heading this weekend? I'm going to chance it if the weather is even remotely passable.

Tabnabs · 29-03-2021 9:42am

You'd be mad to give any advice or locations. "Wild camping" is on the verge of becoming an unwelcome and dirty word in rural and upland Ireland due to a small but very significant group of people who leave fire scars, camping gear, litter etc. behind.

Get a map, do a little research and out you go.

iwillhtfu · 29-03-2021 10:03am

Tabnabs wrote: »

You'd be mad to give any advice or locations. "Wild camping" is on the verge of becoming an unwelcome and dirty word in rural and upland Ireland due to a small but very significant group of people who leave fire scars, camping gear, litter etc. behind.

Get a map, do a little research and out you go.

It's not small anymore unfortunately, social media has put paid to that. Wicklow is practically a no go zone during the summer months and I can see the slieveblooms being next the way they're going. Far to many lads thinking they can do what they like

Ubbquittious · 29-03-2021 10:41am

iwillhtfu wrote: »

It's not small anymore unfortunately, social media has put paid to that. Wicklow is practically a no go zone during the summer months and I can see the slieveblooms being next the way they're going. Far to many lads thinking they can do what they like

I have never seen any place that was "too busy" with wild campers. It's a relatively obscure hobby. Wicklow has always been Dublin's backyard and always attracts the crowds for that reason but I've never tried wild camping there

Dont see many wild camping in West cork or Kerry where I'd usually go. I am worried though that the curtain twitching busy bodies will start complaining to the powers that be and that the kaibosh will come down on it. Most of that seems to be driven by B&B and their ilk owners who begrudge people who spend a weekend away without dropping 80+ quid a night on a musty bedroom

Haulie86 · 23-04-2021 3:01pm

Hey there,

Does anyone know of any good locations for Wild Camping in County Dublin. It would be nice if my girlfriend and I can safely park our car somewhere.

iwillhtfu · 23-04-2021 10:12pm

Haulie86 wrote: »

Hey there,

Does anyone know of any good locations for Wild Camping in County Dublin. It would be nice if my girlfriend and I can safely park our car somewhere.

http://www.camacvalley.com/

Haulie86 · 28-04-2021 2:18pm

Thank you @iwillhtfu. Although I am looking for wild camping area rather than a camping park.

Wild Camping Locations

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