A Day Trip from Dublin: The Bray to Greystones Walk

Following the Coastal path from Bray to Graystones

Last updated on January 13th, 2025 at 02:55 pm

The Bray to Greystones walk is a beautiful coastal walk just 45 minutes south of Dublin city center. It may be slightly overshadowed by the Howth cliff walk, but the Bray to Greystones cliff walk is no less beautiful making it an excellent option to escape the busy Dublin streets for a stroll on a sunny day in Ireland. 

The only way that I heard about this walk was from my coworker who had visited the year before I did. He showed me beautiful pictures of yellow flower fields that dramatically dropped off into teal blue waters that you’d expect to see in the Carribean. His photos convinced me to put the Bray to Greystones walk firmly on my Ireland Itinerary for my first trip to Ireland.

In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about the Bray Head Cliff Walk so you can add it to your own Dublin, Ireland itinerary!

 

Ireland travel resources

Update: The cliff walk between Bray and Greystones is temporarily closed for safety reasons due to a number of landslides. Parts of the walk are unstable and very dangerous. Wicklow County Council is working on reopening the cliff walk once it is safe to do so. Until then, consider the alternative route like the Bray Head Loop which takes you up to the Bray Head Cross and offers amazing views of the Greystones side before looping back into Bray. For updates visit this website

Sunny day on the Bray to Greystones walk

How to Get to Bray, Ireland

Bray is located in County Wicklow, about 12 miles or 20km from Dublin city centre.

The great thing about this Dublin day trip is how easy it is to get to Bray without a vehicle. There is no need to rent a car or book a tour. Also, it can be accomplished in half a day. 

The day I did this beautiful walk was a rainy morning in Dublin so instead of rushing off to start it, I visited the Book of Kells and Trinity College. 

Once I walked out of the Long Room, the sun came out to play and I made my way to Connolly Station to catch the next train to Bray.

To Bray by Car

If you’ve rented a car, you can easily add a visit to the town of Bray as you explore Co Wicklow. There is parking available in a few places throughout Bray but the closest for the walk are at the Bray DART station as well as the car park at Bray Head on Raheen Park. 

To Bray by Public Transport

The best way to get to the town of Bray is to take the DART train! Find the DART station close to you in Dublin (Connolly, Pearse, Heuston, Tara Street) and hop on the DART Line to Bray (Daly). 

A return ticket costs €6.75 and the ride will take about 45 minutes to an hour.

When you get on the train make sure to pick a seat next to the window on the right side of the train as it’s a stunning ride with the most amazing views of the east coast of Ireland!

The Bray dart station is located just steps from Bray promenade where you’ll see a beautiful beach and plenty of places to eat on your way to the start of the Bray-Greystones cliff walk!

The coastal town of Bray
The coastal town of Bray | c/o Deposit Photos

Where to Eat in Bray

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to eat something before you start the walk. Once you arrive in Bray, you’ll discover a charming little town with plenty of restaurant options. I was starving since I hadn’t eaten much except toast from the hostel breakfast that morning. 

As I walked toward the beach, I discovered a pizza place, called Platform Pizza Bar, that had tables outside so I could enjoy the seaside view. The pizza was pretty damn good too, as it should be as it’s regularly voted the best pizza in Dublin.

If you’re not up for pizza, there are plenty of other options to choose from as you stroll along Bray’s promenade. This post has a good roundup of the best places to eat in Bray and I plan to try a few the next time I’m in town

The Coastal Path follows this train route | c/o Deposit Photos
The Coastal Path follows this train route | c/o Deposit Photos

The Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk

Now that you’re nice and full, it’s time to walk it off. Stroll along the rocky beach of the Bray seafront towards Bray Head. It’s incredibly obvious where the walk starts as the dirt path turns to the left away from the street and towards the water. 

The walk is 7km in one direction, is fairly easy and should take approximately two to three hours to complete – depending on the amount of photo op and snack breaks you take.

You’ll have two options for this walk. You can make the hike up to Bray Head to get a bird’s eye view of the Wicklow Mountains, Bray, and the Irish sea or you can walk along the coastal path. Or for that sneakily fun third option – do both!

I opted to skip the hike up to Bray Head and just walked along the path. I didn’t pack the right shoes for this trip and was experiencing my first ever shin splints. So I wanted to keep my walk as gentle as possible. If you decide to hike up to Bray Head the path will eventually join back up with the coastal path closer to Greystones.

Following the Coastal path from Bray to Graystones
Following the Coastal path from Bray to Graystones

The coastal path follows the railway line that seems to just dance on the edge of the cliff. You’ll walk by large pastures with grazing sheep adding to the idyllic surroundings. There are also large fields with beautiful flowers in the spring.

The paths are dirt, but wide enough to walk side by side if you feel so inclined. The majority of the coastal path is lined with fences or stone walls separating you from the cliff edges.  

Compared to a perhaps slightly more popular cliff walk in Howth, I found the Bray to Greystones walk had a bit more of a local vibe. There were people taking their dogs for a walk, families out for a summer stroll, and girlfriends chatting as they passed by me.

As you get closer to Greystones and the walk finishes, the views become a bit less impressive than they were at the start of the walk. But as you come into the harbor you’ll notice a small beach and a few restaurants.

The view into Greystones from Bray
The view into Greystones from Bray

Where to Eat in Greystones

Again, if you’re like me and need to eat every two to three hours to avoid getting hangry, it’s about time for at least a snack before returning to Dublin. There are a few options for restaurants in Greystones. 

When I arrived there was a small ice cream shop, so that’s what I went with. I enjoyed it with a view of the harbor and older gentlemen playing beautiful music on the benches next to me. 

If a post-hike beer is more your style, then try the Beach House for a pint and some pub grub. Or if you want a healthier option, head into the town of Greystones for the famous vegan restaurant Happy Pear. 

Returning to Dublin

Once you’ve finished the Bray to Greystones cliff walk and eaten your fill head to the DART station in Greystones and return to Dublin. Alternatively, if you’re still feeling energized and want to soak in as many coastal views as possible you can walk back to Bray along the coastal path again.

Stone wall lining the Bray to Greystones walk
Stone wall lining the Bray to Greystones walk | c/o Deposit Photos

Where to Stay Nearby

I always love throwing out a few options for you. If you’re feeling the need to get out of the busy streets of Dublin to a place with a bit more Irish charm and local vibe, perhaps you’ll want to stay a night or two in the area! It’s also a good jumping off point for exploring nearby Wicklow National Park.

Martello Hotel: The Martello Hotel is a gorgeous seafront hotel with 30 contemporary rooms and an onsite bar. There is also a nightclub on the property which gets loud on the weekends. If you’re looking for a party, then this is a great place to stay. If not, then consider some alternative options listed here. 

Check rates and availability here.

The Strand: Oscar Wilde once lived in what is now the Strand Hotel. It offers stylish rooms with great views of the seafront and Bray Head. There are also three options for food: The Curry Leaf, Cafe Vergnano, and Wild’s Restaurant and Bar. If I were to stay in Bray – I’d try to stay here!

Check rates and availability here.  

I hope that you enjoy this cliff walk as a break from the craziness of Dublin and a chance to see a different way of Irish life. I apologize for some of the crappy photos. While I remember taking hundreds of photos the day I did this walk, I can’t seem to find them and the ones I can find aren’t the best quality as this was well before my blogging days! So go see the beauty of the Bray to Greystones cliff walk for yourself!

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