One of the best places to visit for a backpacking adventure is Ireland. Aside from being home to city’s filled with cultural festivals, historical sites and posh traditional pubs, Ireland abounds with landscapes that can truly warm the heart of backpacking nature lovers.

Bring out your favorite Granite Gear backpack and make plans for a most exhilarating backpacking adventure in the Emerald Island. Although divided as a nation, one being the Republic of Ireland in the south, and the other represented by Northern Ireland as remaining territory of the United Kingdom, this does not mean there is a limit to exploring all the breathtaking landscapes the island has to offer.

Modes of Transport

Initially, roads leading to the Green Island’s remote scenic spots can be traversed by way of the rail network but only up to certain points. Running 8 times daily between Belfast and Dublin Connolly, stops are at train stations located in Cork, Galway, Derry-Londonderry and Sligo. To reach the most remote scenic countrysides, transport is available by way of buses provided by the Republic’s Bus Éireann, and Northern Ireland’s Translink. The great news is that there other bus services offered by private companies, providing rides in areas not serviced by the 2 national buses.

Those wishing to travel at a faster pace, combine walking and hitchhiking as means of reaching lesser-known rural areas. Just like in any country, travellers though, are advised not to hitchhike, since this mode of transport is generally regarded as unsafe. Some others anticipate long road treks and bring along a foldable electric scooter. After all, an adult electric scooter can run at a speed of 15.5 to 20 miles per hour for short-distance travels, covering between 15 to 20 miles. Charging one is not a problem either, because travelers can always find a hostel, bed & breakfast home or farm running on electricity, even in the most remote areas.

Popular Places to Visit When in Ireland

Backpacking visitors though do not have to go far to visit the most popular scenic destinations in Ireland. To name a few, the following places are among the numerous reasons why many find a trip to Ireland the most exhilarating experience.

County Meath – Home to many of Ireland’s historic monuments, the most revered of which are the ancient megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange, Dowth and Knowth. The burial sites are said to be older than the UK Stonehenge and Egypt’s Pyramid of Giza.

Ring of Kerry – The green sceneries here are literally picture perfect, having been captured for postcards, used as subjects of romantic songs, poems and for cinematographic purposes.

Cliffs of Moher – Rising 702 feet above the Atlantic ocean, and stretching nearly 5 miles, the seascape and landscape of the Cliffs provide visitors with the entire view of the Emerald Island.

The Giant’s Causeway –  A coastal area located in County Antrim, that boasts of basalt pillars and stepping stones formed by volcanic eruptions that transpired as far back as 60 million years ago.

The Aran Islands – Composed of smaller islands, Inisheer, Inishmaan and Inishmór, in which rural locals have carefully preserved traditional Irish culture for several centuries.