5/5 County Wicklow tour - Ballinastoe boardwalk

Chose this walk that is only 3.5km, mostly flat, and with different views from the previous one.

It is created inside a tall Larch plantation, feel so strange, from bright day light to walk into this gloomy dark forest. Lucky there are wooden boards to guide the way.

On the way, there are a few side paths that led to viewing platforms, and there are different views along the way, so thoughtful and well planned.

 

Ballinastoe boardwalk

Ballinastoe boardwalk

Ballinastoe boardwalk

Ballinastoe boardwalk

Ballinastoe boardwalk

Ballinastoe boardwalk

Ballinastoe boardwalk

Ballinastoe boardwalk, lough Tay

 

4/5 County Wicklow tour - driving among the hills

Driving into the mountainous area in Wicklow is a pleasure, for the eyes and the spirit, unlike the coast that is built up and crowded, here, there is wilderness all around. 

The hill are covered with fern that have turned beautifully golden brown, contrasting well with a rich blue sky.

 

Wicklow mountain views

Wicklow mountain views

Wicklow mountain views

Glenmacnass waterfall

Peaty river that flows to Glenmacnass waterfall

3/5 County Wicklow tour - Glendalough monastery site

A 5th century monastery site with a big graveyard, a few derelict buildings and a “rocket” like tall round tower in perfect condition. This round tower is one of my favourite ancient monument in Ireland, beautifully tapered to the top, so well built.

 

Glendalough monastery site

Glendalough monastery site round tower

Glendalough monastery site, round tower

Glendalough monastery site

Glendalough monastery site

 

 

2/5 County Wicklow tour - Glendalough 12km trail

A popular trail for a reason, walking along both sides of a long valley, with changing distance views of the upper lake, the lower lake and mountains around. On top the close up nearby views also change along the way, various cascades and then right next to the riverbed. 

Took us 5 hours, a bit tired at the end, but the path is well maintained and not too difficult.

It is hard to find such hiking trails with this continuous changing views, and all are spectacular.

 Glendalough 12km trail, starting from the monastry

 Glendalough 12km trail, passing the upper lake

 Glendalough 12km trail, up to the ridge on boardwalk

 Glendalough 12km trail, distance view of lower lake

Glendalough 12km trail, deer on the path

 Glendalough 12km trail, one of a few cascades

 Glendalough 12km trail, cascades

 Glendalough 12km trail, back down along pine forest

 

1/5 County Wicklow tour - Arklow town and beach

The east coast of Ireland is the sunny side of the country, so decided to go to County Wicklow for a few days to enjoy winter sun. Amazingly sunny the whole trip, well until 3pm as it goes dark early, and clear blue sky, so pleasant.

 

Arklow town

Arklow town

Arklow beach

Arklow beach

Arklow beach

 

First stop is Arklow town, read that it is far away enough from Dublin that the coast is left wild.

Indeed it is, a long bay without any human touch.