Story:
The Wicklow Way is a 131 km long distance walking route that starts in Marlay Park and finishes in the village of Clonegal, Co. Carlow. It is the oldest such route in Ireland, having opened in 1981. It was originally devised in 1966 by J.B. Malone, an author who wrote a regular column on hillwalking for the Evening Herald newspaper. The Wicklow Way forms part of the European long-distance walking route E8 that runs from Dursey Head, County Cork, Ireland to Turkey.
The Wicklow Way is a 131 km long distance walking route that starts in Marlay Park and finishes in the village of Clonegal, Co. Carlow. It is the oldest such route in Ireland, having opened in 1981. It was originally devised in 1966 by J.B. Malone, an author who wrote a regular column on hillwalking for the Evening Herald newspaper. The Wicklow Way forms part of the European long-distance walking route E8 that runs from Dursey Head, County Cork, Ireland to Turkey.
The first stage, between Marlay Park and Knockree in the Glencree Valley is approximately 20km long.
It starts amid the pleasant surroundings of Marlay Park in the south suburbs of Dublin before ascending Kilmashogue Mountain where panoramic views of Dublin can be enjoyed before the trail passes over the top of Kelly's Glen and into the Glencullen Valley. The city is quickly left behind as the vista of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains opens up for the first time. The trail descends into the Glencullen Valley near Tibradden Mountain and follows the road to the hamlet of Bornaraltry.
The path then begins the ascent of the southern side of the Glencullen Valley, climbing towards Prince William's Seat. Close to Prince William's Seat, near a rocky tor known as Raven's Rock, the trail reaches the Glencree Valley, leaving County Dublin and entering County Wicklow. It descends into the valley through Curtlestown Wood before passing along the side of Knockree, a solitary hill sitting in the middle of the valley. The first stage ends on the other side of Knockree near the youth hostel.
Tips:
The terrain is a mixture of roads, forest paths and tracks. The trail is marked with the distinctive "yellow man" waymarkers.
The terrain is a mixture of roads, forest paths and tracks. The trail is marked with the distinctive "yellow man" waymarkers.
Marlay Park can be reached by Dublin Bus Route 16.
The closest village to Knockree is Enniskerry, approximately 5km away where Dublin Bus Route 44 provides access to Dublin. A 2km walk from Knockree will bring you to the terminus of Dublin Bus Route 185 at Shop River which serves Enniskerry and Bray.
See also:
- The Point to Marlay Park (an unwaymarked trail, part of the E8, that connects Dublin Port to Marlay Park).
- Tomb Raiding in the Dublin Mountains (historical exploration of the Dublin Mountains starting at Marlay Park)
- Wicklow Way: Day 2 - Knockree to Glendalough
- Wicklow Way: Day 3 - Glendalough to Iron Bridge
- Wicklow Way: Day 4 - Iron Bridge to Tinahely
- Wicklow Way: Day 5 - Tinahely to Clonegal
Tags:
Wicklow Way, Marlay Park, Kilmashogue, Tibradden, Glencullen, Prince Williams Seat, Curtlestown, Knockree, Glencree, Enniskerry
Wicklow Way, Marlay Park, Kilmashogue, Tibradden, Glencullen, Prince Williams Seat, Curtlestown, Knockree, Glencree, Enniskerry
Comments (8)
It's a beautiful hike and Joe thanks so much for the detailed description. It was very helpful.
by Ladybird on Mar 12, 2012
Thanks Joe. I will look into them and let you know how I get on.
You are a star.
Louie
by louie39 on May 21, 2011
You are a star.
Louie
Have you looked at the trails on the Dublin Mountains Partnership website at http://www.dublinmountains.ie/home/? Ticknock, Carrickgollogan, Massey Woods and the Hell Fire Club are very popular with families and there are short waymarked loop walks around all of them.
You could also look at the Irish Trails website (http://www.walkireland.ie/) which have walks of varying levels all around the country.
You might try the following of mine:
Bray Head (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=662446)
The Scalp and Carrickgollogan (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=547560) I used the bus for this one but details of where you can park are in the trip details.
Maulin (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=547223)
You could also look at Howth. I did the full cliff walk and the Ben of Howth (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=670470) which might be a bit much but there are a lot of shorter variations that are waymarked. You can find them on the Irish Trails site linked above.
Regards,
Joe
by Joe_King on May 21, 2011
You could also look at the Irish Trails website (http://www.walkireland.ie/) which have walks of varying levels all around the country.
You might try the following of mine:
Bray Head (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=662446)
The Scalp and Carrickgollogan (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=547560) I used the bus for this one but details of where you can park are in the trip details.
Maulin (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=547223)
You could also look at Howth. I did the full cliff walk and the Ben of Howth (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=670470) which might be a bit much but there are a lot of shorter variations that are waymarked. You can find them on the Irish Trails site linked above.
Regards,
Joe
I am looking to do another one very soon with the kids. Do you have anything good and not too heavy?
Louie
BTW. Thanks for the reply.
by louie39 on May 21, 2011
Louie
BTW. Thanks for the reply.
Hi Louie,
Only saw this post now. Glad you and the kids enjoyed yourselves. Surprised you couldn't find the trail head - it's right at the end of the Grange Road car park. It's marked with a map board and a low stone wall. Then the trail follows the stream through the trees to the College Road entrance.
All the best,
Joe
by Joe_King on May 21, 2011
Only saw this post now. Glad you and the kids enjoyed yourselves. Surprised you couldn't find the trail head - it's right at the end of the Grange Road car park. It's marked with a map board and a low stone wall. Then the trail follows the stream through the trees to the College Road entrance.
All the best,
Joe
I did half of this trail with my 3 kids (12, 11, 8) few weeks back. Was a first for them(hiking) but they loved it. Next weekend we are going to go to Glendalough and do the Waterfalls trail (I think is the Bronze one). Got a lot of help from your page so just here to say "Thanks".
You can see a summary of our trip here: http://www.weekend4kids.com/2011/02/05/the-hike-from-marlay-park-towards-knockree/
Louie
by louie39 on Feb 27, 2011
You can see a summary of our trip here: http://www.weekend4kids.com/2011/02/05/the-hike-from-marlay-park-towards-knockree/
Louie
Hi prikje,
Thanks very much for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoy my posts. Taking a break now the long winter nights are closing in but have plans to upload much more in 2011!
All the best,
Joe
by Joe_King on Nov 22, 2010
Thanks very much for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoy my posts. Taking a break now the long winter nights are closing in but have plans to upload much more in 2011!
All the best,
Joe
Very impressive.
Thank you for the nice pics and all the greta work and time you spend on this.
I even signed up to give you a 5 star rating .
by prikje on Nov 12, 2010
Thank you for the nice pics and all the greta work and time you spend on this.
I even signed up to give you a 5 star rating .
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