With the fine weather set to continue right up to the weekend, there’s plenty of time to explore the Irish countryside.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Heather Sneglar, co-editor of outsider.ie offered up her top five options form a hike in the summer heat.

She said the best way to round off your walk is to go for a dip along the way and these four spots “just can’t be beaten” for a stroll and a swim.

The Bray to Greystones walk in County Wicklow

Bray head in County Wicklow, 12-07-2019. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews

The Spinc at Glendalough in County Wicklow

People enjoying fine weather at Glendalough in County Wicklow, 17-04-2021. Image: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

Raven Point Wood walk ending at Curracloe beach in County Wexford

Raven Point Wood. Image: Visit Wexford

The Pollock holes at Kilkee in County Clare

The Pollock Holes in Kilkee. DunBeagDave/Tripadvisor

Ms Sneglar said it is essential to be properly prepared for your hike, whatever the weather.

“I think in the warm weather you can be a little bit fooled and think, ‘I’ll head out with nothing because the weather is good,’” she said.

“But if you are heading on a strenuous 10k hike up in the hills or up somewhere like the Spinc in Glendalough, you actually need two litres of water in your backpack just in case.

“You need to be sipping away on that water constantly and just have a few light snacks with you as well.”

She said you should pack some extra layers of light clothing and make sure you know the way.

“Be sure you are going with someone who knows where they are going or you are going on a route that is really well marked because you definitely don’t want to be getting lost in this heat.

“Just like you don’t want to get lost in the bad weather it is kind of the same at the moment.”

She warned anyone thinking about walking alone to tell somebody where they are going and bring a fully charged phone, a map and “a compass that you know how to use.”