Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk | What’s Open & Safe in 2025?
The Bray-Greystones Cliff Walk is one of the most popular coastal walks in Ireland. The path follows a cliff walk along County Wicklow, which links two coastal towns Bray and Greystones. This is generally a beautiful and peaceful walk with great views across the sea, wildlife and historical points.
Unfortunately for 2025, the major portion of the walk is temporarily closed due to land sides and safety concerns. However, people can still walk parts of the walk, and find some excellent alternatives to explore. This guide explains the current state of the walk and an update on what the trail looks like. It also talks about the safe walking route, along with alternative attractions that are nearby. So, if you are planning a trip with your family, a weekend walk, or a solo adventure, this guide will be a very useful resource for you.
Route Overview and Trail Stats
Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk is approximately 7 km of walking. At an average walking pace, the walk typically takes about 2-2.5 hours. It is a moderately challenging walk, involving several different types of gravel and dirt paths, mild inclines and declines, and walking along edges of cliffs. The walk extends from Bray Promenade to Greystones South Beach, and has stunning views of the Irish Sea, and the rugged shoreline of Wicklow.
The labelled walk is mainly a route in the Wicklow coastal walks system. Although it is not the only coastal walk offering within close proximity to Dublin, it is one of the most well known coastal walks. Walkers can enjoy the salty sea air and enjoy the green hills which surround them. Unfortunately, due to ongoing landslides in the Bray Head area, the middle section of the Bray to Greystones cliff walk is not accessible. There is fencing and signs. However, parts of the path at either end remain available for a shorter scenic walk.
Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk Closure Explained: What You Can Still Do
The Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk closure 2025 is due to heightened safety risks. Landslides have damaged large sections of the walking path near Bray Head, causing erosion and collapse. Wicklow County Council has reacted to the events by closing the central route, with explicit warnings.
The contexts of these closures are to prevent accidents, and thereby protect walkers and pedestrian traffic being engaged in dangerous conditions. The good news is safe access can be maintained from both ends of the trail.
Starting from Bray, you can walk about 1.5 kilometres along the coast until you reach the closure barriers. This stretch is gorgeous with views of the sea, cliffs, and grassy hills. You can do a similar out-and-back walk from the Greystones side. Greystones to Bray trail is well kept and gives a tranquil coastal experience.
Another great option is the Bray Head loop walk, which remains completely open. This alternate route Bray head gives you a hilltop view while not entering the closed cliff area. This is one of the best alternate routes Bray Head has to offer for safe adventure seeking walkers.
Transport and Parking Options
Bray and Greystones are both easily accessible by public transport. The DART line runs from Dublin, stopping at both Bray Station and Greystones Station. Both are a few minutes walk from the trail. The clear connection of the Bray Greystones DART trail allows the walk to be suitable for a day trip from the city. There is parking available by car, either on Bray Seafront or Greystones South Beach.
There are a number of public parking options in these areas but these are usually busy on weekends and sunny days. It is best to arrive early especially in peak tourist season.
Trains from Dublin will also serve both towns, though with less frequency than the bus. If you are only walking part of the trail or doing the Bray Head loop, public transport makes it easy to return to where you started without retracing long distances.
Short Walks and Loop Alternatives
The main trails are closed however there are still excellent walking options in the area.
Short Out-and-Back Walks
The cliff path from the Bray side goes for approximately 1 to 1.5km before hitting the closure sign. It remains a scenic walk, with plenty of lush green, rocky shorelines and open sea views. This short distance is ideal for families or walkers who want a casual experience.
There is a similar out-and-back walk on the Greystones side, where this section runs on or beside the cliffs. It is a peaceful, flat walk, with no steep inclines nearby. These routes are suitable for a short Bray Greystones family walk, with minimal effort but great scenery.
Bray Head Loop Walk
If you are looking for something a little bit more adventurous, the Bray Head loop walk could be the option for you. This loop will take you from Bray Seafront, to the famous Bray Head Cross.
The views are amazing, looking out over the sea, and beyond. Depending on how you choose to go, the loop is roughly 2.5 to 3.5 kilometres. You’ll encounter some steep sections and climbs, but for the moderately fit walker, this is achievable.Â
This Bray Head Cross hike is not impacted by the landslide closures, and has been deemed a safe walk. In addition, it would be a less busy option, and gives walkers a nice choice from the closed cliff section. No matter if it is the fresh air, the quiet of crowdless trails or the 180 degree panoramic views, you owe it to your visit to Bray to make this loop a part of your visit.
If you prefer something more rugged, Stairway to Heaven Ireland is ideal for you, as it is steeper in contrast with a more challenging hike. But it is worth the view.
Scenic Highlights Along the Way
While a section of the main trail is temporarily closed, there are still so many scenic and historical highlights on the way. Shortly before Bray Head you will be passing by the ruins of Raheen na gCluig, a medieval church, built into a hill side. This site has its own history and it’s definitely worth a stop.
You will also pass through the lodge of Lord Meath, which a stone arch formerly marked a boundary of private land and the walkers also passed through. Both of these sites are common stopping points by walkers and photographers.
Something that you do not want to miss along the way, is the wildlife. You may see seabirds, butterflies, and seasonal flowers growing on the cliffs in spring and summer. The views from Bray Head summit, down the cliffs of Greystones and into the rock coves could make for some pretty great pictures. Even with the main parts closed, the remaining views are among the best on the Dublin nearby walks list.
Food and Things to Do Nearby
Following your walk, you’ll have more than a few places to eat and chill in both Bray and Greystones. In Bray, Butler & Barry offers dining overlooking the sea, and has a nice buzz. A local haunt for brunch or coffee is Dockyard No. 8. If you’re looking for a fast and yummy bite, Box Burger has a more casual menu and outside seating.
And in Greystones, visitors shed tears for The Happy Pear, better known for vegetarian-type meals and fresh juices.
The Beach House is another equally good option, especially for seafood and traditional Irish dishes.
This area is also full of attractions. A quick drive away is Powerscourt Waterfall, the tallest waterfall in Ireland. Or visit Lough Tay, also nicknamed the Guinness Lake because of the dark water and mountainous location. Or try Wicklow Gaol, a historic jail turned into an interactive museum. All of these ideas make the Bray and Greystones area a one day destination – even without doing the full cliff walk.
Safety Updates and Future Repairs
The present closure is related to safety issues due to landslides and erosion. Large parts of the trail have fallen away or are unstable. The route, as of the summer of 2025 is blocked with fencing and warnings. Bray to Greystones cliff walk safety issues have been taken seriously by the local authorities. The Wicklow County Council walk update shows discussions about repairs, but no timeline for the reopening.
The closure has had a major effect. While some reports suggest local businesses in Bray and Greystones have suffered losses of around €4 million, national estimates put the economic impact at over €73 million since the closure began in early 2021. This landslide trail closure in Wicklow is not ideal from a tourism perspective and continues to restrict access to some of the incredible outdoor activities the region is known for.
In the meantime visitors should avoid any unsafe areas, stay on marked trails, and be mindful of the trail closures to keep themselves safe, and to preserve the integrity of the environment from unnecessary damage.
Conclusion
Although there is no full Bray to Greystones cliff walk open today, there is still a safe way to walk to enjoy some time in this coastal area, and to support local businesses and to explore as much of this iconic area as possible. The Bray to Greystones cliff walk is accessible by train, there are excellent food stops, and the views are stunning. What could be better when looking for peace and quiet than to explore more of this amazing stretch of the cliff walk Wicklow Coast. You can also explore the multi-day Wicklow Way Hike Ireland, which begins in the Bray area. Or you can also check our curated list of trails best hikes in Ireland for more adventurous ideas. So pack your bags and enjoy the views.
