A Day Trip from Dublin: The Bray to Greystones Walk

Last updated on June 4th, 2026 at 12:59 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 to the north, but the Bray to Greystones cliff walk is no less beautiful. This stunning cliff walk with amazing views of the Dublin coast is 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 hillsides covered in yellow gorse that dramatically dropped off into teal blue waters that you’d expect to see in the Carribbean. His photos convinced me to put the Bray to Greystones walk firmly on my Ireland Itinerary for my first trip to Ireland.

It’s now 11 years later, and I was just back in Wicklow on my birthday trip to Ireland and decided to do this cliff walk again. This time, I started in Greystones and walked to Bray. So everything in this post is as up to date as of May 2026!

And, 11 years later, I still believe this is one of the most beautiful cliff walks and should 100% be on your Dublin, Ireland itinerary!

 

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2026 Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk Update

I was unsure if I’d be able to do this Cliff Walk in May 2026, because I’d read it was closed due to a number landslides. However, on All Trails there were recent reviews of the trail so I set out unsure if I would actually be able to do this walk. There were signs as I started in Greystones that said it was closed, but as I stood there, debating, I saw people starting and ending the hike. So I decided to just go for it.

The only evidence of landslides that I saw was at the Greystones end and there was a very small area of the trail that had crumbled away. On the Bray side there is a large metal gate blocking access that you have to carefully maneuver around to start (or end) the walk. There were a lot of people doing this walk, both locals and tourists. Use your own judgement and caution when doing this, and any, hike.

You can always just do the Bray Head Loop which takes you up to the Bray Head Cross and offers spectacular views of the Greystones side before looping back into Bray. For updates visit this website. 

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 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). 

The ticket costs around €11 for a round trip ticket. However, I recommend buying a single to Bray, because you’ll return to the city from Greystones and you can simply purchase your ticket from the Greystones station when you’re ready to go. Each one way ticket is around €5.

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!

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. I’ve just spent 4 days in County Wicklow and think it’s worth the cost of the car rental to spend some time wandering the trails and enjoying the coastal towns.

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 free car park at Bray Head on Raheen Park. 

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. There is a Bread 41 location in Bray if you want to get a pastry and coffee. There’s also a location in Greystones so when I recently did this walk, I got a sausage roll and took it with me. At the point in the walk where you can climb up to Bray Head I found a rock to sit on and enjoy it with a view. I 10/10 recommend this.

Alernatively, next door to Bread 41 in Bray is Catalyst Coffee in which offers Acai bowls and other light bites!

The Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk

Now that you’re nice and full, it’s time to walk it off. Stroll along the promenade 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.

Fun fact, on my recent walk, I also opted not to hike up to Bray Head because I’d just hiked the Spinc trail in Glendalough and, while I had the correct shoes, my legs were too tired for incline!

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.

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. I also recently ate at Daata, an Pakistani restaurant in town, and it was delicious.

Sauna at the Barrel Sauna in Greystones

If you want a bit of recovery before heading back to Dublin, bring a swimsuit and a towel to enjoy The Barrel Sauna and cold plunge in Greystones. There are two saunas and a multiple cold plunge pools at varying temperatures. I did this after hiking the Spinc trail in Glendalough and felt so much better afterwards!

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.

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.  

Cozy AirBnb: I just stayed at this super cozy Airbnb about a 20 minute drive from Greystones and a 15 minute drive from Wicklow Town. It was perfectly located for exploring County Wicklow and Glendalough National Park. The hosts were super welcoming and the bed was incredibly comfortable. I’m still trying to figure out how to replicate the coziness at home!

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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