Just 13km from Waterford City, Tramore offers a stunning 5km beach, seaside charm, and great walks. Explore the wild Dunes Walk, scenic Doneraile Walk with cliff views, or the bird-rich Tramore Nature Park. Don’t miss the iconic Metalman overlooking the bay.
Tramore Walks
Tramore is a beautiful coastal town only 13kmsouth of Waterford City, where land and sea meet to create an impressive 5kmsandy beach ideal for walking, swimming, surfing, kite surfing or simply enjoying a coffee with a sea view. Tramore has a complete range of facilities for the holiday maker, from top class accommodation and a great selection of cafe’s and restaurants, to leisure activities such as surfing, fishing, horse riding, golf and an Amusement Park for all ages. Famous for its5km of golden, sandy beach surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the panorama of Tramore Bay is truly magnificent. It blends natural beauty with a lovely traditional seaside town feel.
There are numerous walks in the area, three of which are recommended here:
Dunes Walk: Tramore Dunes are located to the east of the town of Tramore. To access the Dunes you walk either along the sandy beach, along the sea wall or over the saltmarsh behind the sea wall. An invigorating trip around the dunes is one of the best coastal walks in Waterford.
Doneraile Walk: This Walk provides panoramic views of Tramore Bay, Backstrand and the surrounding coastline. It takes you right past Tramore Coastguard Cultural Centre before leaving town and heading onto the Cliff Road in the direction of Newtown Cove and the Guillamene.
Tramore Nature Park: Tramore Nature Park is the site of a former landfill which closed in 2005. It is now a 12 hectare public park with grassland, scrub and saltmarsh, providing habitats for a range of bird and plant species. The trail and related amenities around the park were enhanced in 2019.
How to Get There:
Tramore is well served with ample car parking for the walks highlighted here. Please see map for locations.
Did You Know
- The Doneraile Walk was laid out by lord Doneraile as a private promenade for his family and friends in the early19th Century. Features of interest along the route include an ancient cannon gun and the Seahorse memorial commemorating the 363people who drowned in Tramore Bay in 1816.
- Coastal views towards Brownstown Head and Great Newtown Head are noteworthy for the pillars which were constructed in the early part of the 19thcentury, following the Seahorse disaster, as a navigational aid for mariners. There are two pillars at Brownstown and three on Great Newtown Head.
- The Metalman stands on top of one of the pillars at Great Newtown Head with his right arm outstretched warning ships to keep away from the dangerous rocks. Legend has it that he chants aloud a rhyme on stormy nights: “Keep off, good ship, Keep off from me, for I’m the rock of misery”.
Walk details
Tramore Map
93.21 KBTrail name
Dunes Walk
Doneraile Walk
Tramore Nature Park Walk
Grade
Moderate
Easy
Easy
Distance
5.5 km
5 km
1 km
Type
Loop
Estimated time
1.5 hours
1.5 hours
20 minutes
Terrain
Gravel path, shingle path and sand
Tarmac, footpaths, road
Gravel path
Way marking
Green arrows
Slí na Sláinte arrows
Green arrows
Parking & trailhead
Public car park opposite Majestic Hotel
Church Road (option to begin from The Prom)
Tramore Nature Park car parking area
Trailhead grid ref/GPS
76 S 584 015; 52.16317, -7.14736
76, S 578 009; 52.15827, -7.15497
76, S 592 015; 52.16394, -7.13378
Nearest town/village
Tramore
Minimum gear
Walking shoes, wind/rain jacket
Dogs allowed
Yes, on lead
Map
Tramore Trails: Coast, Cliffs & Nature
Just 13km from Waterford City, Tramore offers a stunning 5km beach, seaside charm, and great walks. Explore the wild Dunes Walk, scenic Doneraile Walk with cliff views, or the bird-rich Tramore Nature Park. Don’t miss the iconic Metalman overlooking the bay.
Tramore
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