The River Dodder in Dublin offers an irresistible challenge for someone who likes to walk as much as I do. Having called Dublin home for over a decade, I walked sections of this river countless times — and it never got old.
The Dodder walk meanders along for about 5 miles on Google Maps starting at the junction with the River Liffey near Grand Canal and continues past Bushy Park to Rathfarnham.
At this point, it appears to end mysteriously. We took advantage of a rare sunny and unseasonably warm day in Dublin to hike along the Dodder River from Ringsend through Ballsbridge to Rathfarnham.
Want to explore the best that the River Dodder has to offer? Put on your sneakers or hiking shoes and let’s go!
Start Where the Dodder Meets the Liffey
If you enjoy street art, I recommend starting your walk along the River Dodder where it meets the River Liffey in Ringsend. If you are out and about for coffee or lunch in Grand Canal Dock, it is possible to walk across the locks and access the trail along the River Dodder from here without having to backtrack onto Ringsend Road.
As an added bonus, terns nest in this area during the spring so you may spot some avian visitors.
Going this way provides a direct access point to the S. Dock Street Art “gallery”.
From Ringsend to Ballsbridge
After admiring some of Dublin’s best street art, walk along the cobbled path until you reach a small staircase leading to Ringsend Road.
Cross the bridge and continue your walk along the River Dodder via Fitzwilliam Quay and into Dodder Park, Ringsend. Here, you can expect to see dogs running after balls and children playing in the grass.
From here, you’ll also get great views of Aviva Stadium. I also often see seagulls, herons, and other birds alight on the moss-covered stone wall.
Cross Bath Ave and continue along the Dodder River path. The path here is modern with a metal railing for safety. This part of the trail is narrow and shared by both walkers and cyclists so pay attention to your surroundings.
There are a few bump-outs in the path where you can pull over and admire the River Dodder views and look for wildlife. We often would see swans and their cygnets gliding through the water.
The River Dodder path becomes more forested once you pass Landsdowne Road. This is one of my favorite parts of the river to walk — one of the everyday pleasures of expat life in Dublin — and I do this section regularly on morning coffee walks.
This is an idyllic spot to meditate and get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets nearby. The sound of the bubbling water is quite soothing and we’ve seen all manner of wildlife in this area over the years including a couple of playful foxes!
Join the River Dodder Trail in Ballsbridge
Once you reach the junction with Merrion Road, cross the street and look for the well-marked walking path sandwiched between the Dodder and Herbert Park Hotel in Ballsbridge.
The Dodder keeps up a strong current and was roiling as we walked along.
We descended a set of stairs and walked at water level. I liked these chalk fish bones that we discovered on our Dodder River walk.
We were walking along when we suddenly saw a *huge* heron perched in the woods along the Dodder River Path.
We stood motionless and watched this gorgeous animal for more than 5 minutes before continuing on our way. It was amazing that we were able to get so close!
Our walk in this area took place just a couple of weeks after heavy rains and flooding had plagued Dublin.
The Dodder actually spilled over its banks in parts. We could see quite a bit of plastic and fabric strewn in the trees along the river.
Crossing the Dodder
We came to a lovely footbridge over the river.
We ventured mid-span and watched the Dodder rapidly flowing in both directions.
We continued our hike and soon approached a small multi-tiered waterfall.
Across the street from the Dodder River were some lovely houses with colorful Dublin doors.
Small mysterious engraved stones appeared along the Dodder footpath at irregular intervals.
The foliage along the riverbank soon grew thicker.
We emerged at an abandoned factory.
Walking further along the River Dodder, we saw a beautiful dark wood building that houses a law firm.
Entering ‘The Dodder’
The path became more cultivated in this area as we entered ‘The Dodder’.
A well marked path with orderly lanes for walkers and cyclists guided our hike along the Dodder river trail.
The Dodder was running pretty low at this point and bubbling over the exposed rocks.
In the distance, we could see another victim of the Dodder flooding — this car thrown onto the river bank. Nature is a powerful thing…no doubt.
We passed another gorgeous waterfall along the Dodder.
Approaching Civilization Along the Dodder River Near Dundrum
We actually passed under the Luas tracks near Dundrum. We’d walked a fair distance up until this point but still felt we had some energy to spare and continued our hike.
The footpath along the river was covered with trees whose leaves were changing colors.
We chanced upon a surprising sight, this rhino, parked smack in the middle of the Dodder River! He seemed to be associated with a local pub.
Time for a Picnic Lunch Along the Dodder River
The water continued to cascade past and then we found a quiet, idyllic spot to have a picnic lunch.
We ate on this bench installed thanks to the Dodder Valley Association.
We watched dogs frolic past with their owners.
Dodder River Waterfalls
Fed and watered, we continued our Dodder River walk and the waterfalls just kept coming.
In the distance, we saw an unnamed memorial at a nearby roundabout.
The walking trail came just up to the water’s edge at this point.
We saw more debris from the Dodder River floods hanging down from tree branches.
We were lucky enough to spot a second heron near a small waterfall.
Fording the Dodder River Near Dublin’s Bushy Park
We soon came to a river crossing. I would call it a bridge across the Dodder, but it wasn’t exactly that. It was more like a series of concrete blocks that were easy to skip across.
We paused mid-river to watch the water rush by.
Phew! We made it to the other side of the Dodder with no problem.
We peeked into Bushy Park and admired the swans and ducks swimming lazily.
Continuing on the Dodder River trail, we saw this tree bent nearly 90 degrees — what a cool canopy.
The path continued into a heavily wooded area highlighted with bright foliage.
We could still see the Dodder through the vines.
Completing our Dodder River Walk in Rathfarnham
Contrary to what Google Maps would suggest, the River Dodder doesn’t really disappear in Rathfarnham. However, we’d decided that we’d gone as far as we were planning to go that day and called it quits.
We popped into the Rathfarnham Shopping Centre for a good old-fashioned coffee and sweet muffin.
We tried one that was raspberry with a drizzle of white chocolate. It was a nice reward for a long hike along the Dodder River!
Planning Your Dodder Walk in Dublin
Here’s a link to a map showing the route covered on this invigorating Dublin walk.
Other Ideas for Hikes and Outdoor Activities in Dublin
Are you looking for other ideas of outdoor things to do in Dublin? I highly recommend taking a boat ride to Ireland’s Eye off the coast of Howth for an afternoon of birdwatching.
North Bull Island is also accessible by DART from Raheny and features some easy hikes plus great scenery and birding.
Where to Next?
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