Top Dublin/Wicklow Hikes
1: Glen of Imaal / Lugnaquilla Circuit
Distance 20.3km Ascent 905m Descent 905m Time 4:46 Average Speed 4.26 km/h
Firstly given this track is around the perimeter of the army range you need to check mountaineering.ie for days you are allowed on the track. What I like about it is the easy upward start which on a clear day has wonderful views of the North Prison. If you have two cars in your group it can be good to skip the flat road section between Fenton's pub and the T junction 2km past the pub in the direction of the river Slaney. I always feel Lugnaquilla should be climbed only in good weather unless you have very good GPS access.
2: Lugnaquilla from Franghan Rock Glen
Distance 13.4km Ascent 875m Descent 875m Time 4:04 Average Speed 3.28km/h
This is my most frequent way of doing Lugnaquilla. When you come into Glenmalure valley at the valley floor you have Glenmalure lodge to your left, you take the road to your right and continue down as far as you can go and reach the carpark at the very end. Franghan rock to your right as you climb is very beautiful but the best part is doing the loop and coming back past Arts Lough. Probably my favorite place in the Wicklow mountains. It can be quite confusing on the way back from the summit to find the path towards Arts Lough. As you start to descend about 3.3kms past the summit on the way back you will see a cairn of white stones take the left path here you will know you will have missed it if you are start to enter the zigzags put no worries you can continue on here and turn left at the road back to your car.
3: Wicklow Way Day 2
Distance 24.5km Ascent 984m Descent 1009m Time 6:09 Average Speed 3.99km/h.
This is a wonderful leg starting in the car park that is at the exit of WW Day 1 which is on the right hand side of the road from Enniskerry to Glencree. I love the part of the walk along the Glencree river. The walk takes the high road around Powerscourt Waterfall and there are great views from here. A good place to stop for lunch is just above the waterfall on the banks of the Dargle. Take the detour up Djouce and then you take in the wonderful view of Lough Tay from the JB Malone memorial. If you are making a night of it stay in the Wicklow Way lodge lovely people own it.
4: Luggala and Knocknacloghoge
Distance 13.1km Ascent 874m Descent 874m Time 4:26 Average Speed 2.96km/h
Park on the road outside the gates to Luggala. When coming back down from the summit from Luggala make sure you come back the way you came and then veer off to your right, Don't go down the back side of Luggula it is hard going. The valley in between the two especially up the valley has many deer. There is a visible path along the side of Knocknacloghoge but it ends before the top and you need to make your own way to my favorite summit in Wicklow looking over Lough Dan. Make sure you head right and down from the summit and not straight towards Lough Dan as then you have the lovely walk along the shore of Lough Dan on the way home. It can get quite marshy as you come off the mountain just before the Lough.
5: Seefingan Circuit
Distance 10.6km Ascent 528m Descent 528m Time 3:15 Average Speed 3.27km/h
A very different hike. Where you summit 4 mountain tops around the edges of Kilbride rifle range. Park about 1km past the rifle range entrance there is a small car park . It is just under Seefin mountain. The first part is along the road but then circular route takes in 5 ancient Tombs over 5000 years old. The last one on the circuit is the most impressive on top of Seefin. The path between the Seehan and Corrig mountain can be quite boggy so dress appropriately. In any other country the top of Seefin would have a steady stream of tourists every weekend. But most likely you will find yourself alone. The passage entrance is directly north and is very impressive..
6:Tonelagee
Distance 8.55km Ascent 508m Descent 508m Time 3:01 Average Speed 2.82km/h
Park at the carpark just above Glenmacnass Waterfall. You can reach the path to start the climb from both side of the river . Be careful underfoot as there can be holes in the track underneath the gorse bushes as my ligaments in my ankle found out. The climb is steady before reaching Ouler Lake which is beautifully heart shaped. As you reach the summit you effectively do a loop around the lake make sure you do not veer too right after the lake as the track leads you away from the carpark.
7: Wicklow Way Day 3 detour to Scarr and Kanturk
Distance 19.9km Ascent 704m Descent 807m Time 4:56 Average Speed 4:03km/h
You can either do this just as a Scarr and Kanturk loop parking in Oldbridge and walking along Lough Dan before taking the swing gate up to Scarr or you can stay on the route ending in Glendalough. There are so many wonderful points and views especially the one above the first sight of the Lakes in Glendalough
8: Howth Cliff Walk
Distance 12.6km Ascent 506m Descent 506m Time 3:16 Average Speed 3.8km/h
Park outside The Bloody Stream Pub as you come into Howth. The market near here on the other side of the road is nice to catch some lunch when you finish the walk. This is a really easy path to follow.There can be many people on the first part to the lighthouse on any day but once past the lighthouse the number of people around is very few.
9: Dalkey to Killiney Hill and Killiney Beach Walk
Distance 13.6km Ascent 332m Descent 322m Time 4:50 Average Speed 2.82km/h
My average speed on this is quite slow mainly because I stop and sit in a couple of spots. My favorite spot is on top of Sorrento Park where you can see both Killiney bay and Dublin Bay. I also love when you climb from the Vico Road towards Killiney Hill there are some great benches looking out on the bay.
10: Mullaghcleevaun from the North
Distance 14.3km ascent 689m Descent 698m Time 4:18 Average Speed 3.33km/h
This is not the easiest hike especially once you come off the track through the forest after 4km from the car park. The stretch across open gorse can be difficult and you need to go slow and check your footing. But just under the summit you have the wonderful secluded Lough Cleevaun. The summit itself is flat and wide and the second highest in Leinster. The way back gives you a wonderful view of Poulaphouca reservoir.
11: Wicklow Gap / Camaderry Circuit
Distance 17.2km Ascent 767m Descent 767m Time 4:27 Average Speed 3.87km/h
The first part of this from Glendalough to the Wicklow gap takes St Kevin's Way along the river Glendasan and is very beautiful. Best to keep on the road for the 1km when you reach the river after 3.5km, trying short cuts can be difficult in boggy land. The way down from the Reservoir is particularly impressive.
12: The Spinc Loop
Distance 8.86km Ascent 493m Descent 493m Time 2:25 Average Speed 3.66km/h
I recommend doing this anticlockwise and starting out heading on the right hand side of the upper Lake. The climb out of the back of the Lake leads you past an old mining settlement and an impressive boulder field to your right. On the way home you have the impressive view of the Glendalough ancient village. Also a lot nicer decending the steps than going up them .
13: Bray Coastal Walk
Distance 8.55km Ascent 265m Descent 262m Time 01:46 Average Speed 4.84km/h
A nice Sunday stroll. Very easy on the legs with great views. Followed by nice pints or lunch in Greystones afterwards.
14: Mullacor/Derrybawn Ridge Loop
Distance 14.9km Ascent 777m Descent 777m Time 4:04 Average Speed 3.66km/h
A relatively difficult loop but takes in one valley side of Glendalough. To make the cut up to Derrybawn ridge you need to be careful of the turn off as its hard to find. Back along the Spinc is always a nice end.
15: Powerscourt Waterfall loop
Distance 11.4km Ascent 498m Descent 498m Time 2:48 Average Speed 4:06km/h
Use the third Djouce car park. A lovely start past what was once a Lake and then past the waterfall . There is a long up hill before you again have a great view from high up of the waterfall. joining part of the Wicklow Way Day 2. Followed by a long downhill home