Walking Ireland’s Mountains

WICKLOW

Route 24: West Wicklow – Mullaghcleevaun
Map 56 (1 :50,000), Discovery Series. Map exaggerates extent of forest at start.
Start at bridge in hamlet of Glenbride (0037043). To get there, drive 0.4 miles west of Ballinagee Bridge on R756, turn north, take first right off this road. Cross bridge westward, then take first gate right into forest. Walk north-west to top of forest and follow fence to near top of Silsean (698 metres, indistinct summit). Continue through pathless moorland to Moanbane (indistinct summit), Mullaghcleevaun (trig pillar, memorial). Descend south-west spur (boggy terrain, take care not to take spur south-east) to Glasnagollum Brook and cross valley to start.
Distance: 12 kilometres. Climb: 650 metres. Time: 3.5 hours.

Route 25: South Wicklow
Map 19 (half-inch).
Start at track off minor road (T 104744). To get there from Aughrim, drive R747 for 2.5 miles, turn left (signposted "Toberpatrick"), turn left at T-junction. Turn first right and park at second turn right, a track running north-east. Take this track; at nearby T-junction, cross field ahead and climb north­west spur of Croghan Mountain to summit (small trig pillar), partly on track. Walk north-east with block of forest on right and later with another block of forest on left to reach Ballinasilloge. Retrace steps to south end of last block of forest encountered and descend west, then contour west to reach track.
Distance: 13 kilometres. Climb: 500 metres. Time: 3.5 hours.

Easier Routes in Wicklow

Route 26
Map 56 (1 :50,000) hardly needed.
The Lough Dan/Lough Tay area, starting at the same point as route 18.

Route 27 Map 56 (1:50,000) hardly needed. Bray Head (north and south tops) from Bray (02717), returning directly from south top to reach sea-cliff path.

Route 28
Map 56 (1:50,000)
Great Sugar Loaf from Kilmacanoge (0 2414), approached on side roads and rough tracks (route initially parallel to R755).

Route 29
Map 16 (half-inch).
Brusselstown Ring approached from the road junction at S 901943 and returning by side roads to south.

Route 30
National Park map (1 :25,000).
Glenealo Valley from car park at Upper Lake, Glendalough (T 111964). Other routes can be easily found in this area, facilitated by National Park 1 :25,000 map.

Route 31
Map 56 (1 :50,000).
From Crone car park (0193143) along the Wicklow Way to near Powerscourt Waterfall, crossing the east shoulder of Maulin and returning by contouring west along its north side to south-west corner of forest. Here follow end of route 17. Highest point: 450 metres.