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Co. Wicklow ‘The Garden of Ireland’, is renowned worldwide for its scenic beauty, offering a variety of walking challenges – from woodlands and rolling hills to wild craggy mountain climbs. The county lies just south of Dublin on the East Coast of Ireland. It is home to the largest area of unbroken high raised ground in Ireland, covering almost the same area as that of Mont Blanc, approximately 50 km long by 40 km wide.
All walks are led by experienced walking leaders who will enhance your day with information on local history flora and fauna.
The National Park is an ideal location for a fun-filled festival weekend covering approximately 90,000 hectares! The park protects some of Europe’s oldest peat boglands, heather-covered mountains, and woodlands. Large herds of sika and red/sika hybrid deer, foxes, badgers, hares and birds of prey are frequently spotted on walks so don’t forget your camera!
The weekend offers a selection of walking choices which you can mix, match, or just choose one:
– Climb Leinster’s highest peak, Lugnaquilla (925 m).
– A night walk on Friday the 28th promising to be a unique and adventurous experience.
– A selection of day walks from challenging, moderate and easy on Saturday and Sunday.
– A moderate walk on Monday the 31st to celebrate the completion of a great weekend and summer walking season.
Level: Moderate (9.5 km – 360 m ascent)
Meeting at: The Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 7.30 pm, departing at 8.00 pm sharp.
Route: Leaving from the Centre the walk takes us onto part of the Wicklow Way and through Brockagh Forest, onto the summit of Brockagh Mountain (470m) from a northerly direction. Our descent takes us down the spur of Brockagh mountain to rejoin the Wicklow Way which leads us back to the Brockagh Centre.
Important: All who partake in this walk must carry a torch/flashlight; failing to do so will eliminate you from participating in the walk.
Level: Strenuous (20 km – 810 m ascent)
Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 08.30 am, depart centre at 09.00 am.
From the Resource Centre, you will be bussed to the beginning of your walk, which is in the valley of Glenmalure.
Route: The walk takes us into Clonkeen Forest and up by Arts Lough to Cloghernagh Mountain (800 m) From here we head northwest, around by the South Prison and on to the summit of Leinster’s highest mountain, Lugnaquilla (925 m)
Our descent takes us back around by the South Prison and on the Corrigasleggaun (794 m) and down by Kelly’s Lough to Cloghernagh Forest, where we link up with the Wicklow Way to finish the day at the lively Glenmalure Lodge. Pickup and transfer back to the Brockagh Centre.
Level: Moderate (18 km –457 m ascent)
Meeting at: Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 09.30 am, departing at 10 am.
Route; Our walk today starts from the Brockagh centre, takes us out into Brockagh forest and onto the spur of Mall Hill. Along the way, you will have lovely views down into the valley of Glenmacnass, its spectacular waterfall and across to Scarr Mountain. From the high point of Mall Hill (536 m), we continue along to spot height 668 m where you will have stunning views down over Lough Ouler (the lake of the eagle). Our next peak is the summit of Tonelagee Mountain (817 m). Weather permitting, we will have magnificent views across the Wicklow Mountains. Our journey home is through the Wicklow Gap, along St Kevin’s Way into Glendalough and back to the Brockagh Centre.
Level: Easy (12 km –180 m ascent)
Meeting at: Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 10 am, depart centre at 10.30 am.
Route: From the Brockagh Centre we will be bussed to the start of the walk at Tiglin. The trail is mostly on forest track and takes us in to join the Seamus Heany Walk, named in honour of the poet and Nobel Prize winner in Literature in 1995. As we stroll along we will find many of his famous quotes on the seats and rocks, one of which is “walk on air against your better judgement”
The Devil’s Glen Waterfall is one of the highlights of the walk. The waterfall marks the spot where the Vartry River enters the Devil’s Glen en route to the Irish Sea. The forest is made up of mixed woodlands and in Autumn the colours will be magnificent, so don’t forget your camera.
Bus back to the Brockagh Centre
Level: Strenuous (21 km – 700 m ascent)
Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 08.30 am, depart centre at 09.00 am.
Meeting at: Depart the Brockagh Centre by bus for the Sallygap to climb Carrigshouk Mountain, up onto Mullaghcleevaun East Top (795 m) and Mullaghcleevaun Mountain (849 m). From here we descend to Barnacullian Mountain (714 m) and along the Barnacullian Ridge to Stoney Top (714 m). The last climb in the challenge is onto Tonelagee Mountain (817m). Our journey home is through the Wicklow Gap, along St Kevin’s Way into Glendalough and back to the Brockagh Centre.
Level: Moderate (17 km – 420 m ascent)
Meeting at: Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 09.30 am, departing at 10 am.
Route: Today we will start our walk with an easy ascent onto the townland of Ballard. Here we will have great views back over Laragh Village and the surrounding countryside.
Our route then skirts the side of Trooperstown Hill before starting our descent into Ballylug Forest to follow an old Mass Path that will lead us down into the Vale of Clara, where we will have lunch on the banks of the Avonmore River.
Our onward journey takes us into Clara Nature Reserve along part of the Avonmore Way, an area that contains the largest semi-natural woodland in Ireland and is potentially one of the largest stands of native hardwoods in the country. The reserve is home to many species of birds such as treecreeper, woodcock, blackcap and long-eared owl.
Continuing on the trail leads us back onto the eastern side of Trooperstown and down into Trooperstown Woods, where we will be picked up by bus and taken back to the Brockagh Centre.
Level: Easy to moderate (11 km –360 m ascent)
Meeting at: Brockagh Resource Centre(A98 D3H1) at 10 am, depart centre at 10.30 am.
Route: From the Brockagh Centre our walk takes us out into Brockagh Forest where we will explore some of the ruins of the old Brockagh Village and continue onto the summit of Brockagh Mountain (470m) from a northerly direction, where we will have some fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and out onto the Irish Sea if the day is clear. Our descent is along the spur of the mountain to join an old Bog Road which leads us into the Valley of Glendasan (the valley of the Sorrel). Here we will join what is known as the Grey Trail that will lead us across the lower slopes of Camaderry Mountain and into the Valley of Glendalough, finishing back at the Brockagh Centre.
Level: Moderate (16 km – 320 m ascent)
Meeting at: Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 09.30 am, departing at 10 am.
Route: TBA
Rules
If you need to cancel a walk that you have already paid for, please contact us before Friday 15th of October 2022, 5% bank fees and handling charge will apply. After that date (NO REFUND)
It is the responsibility of the participants to ensure they are suitably equipped for the walks.
Jeans and trainers/runners are not suitable for mountain walking.
Unless walkers are wearing suitable walking boots and clothing, they will not be allowed to participate in their chosen walk!
