12 August 2011
It took a while to get our stuff all sorted and catch the right bus but we finally got to Marley Park where we started our first leg of the Wicklow way. After walking through the park and alongside the highway the track made its way into the mountains through some plantation forest. The rain came down hard for a couple of hours which got gava us a break from the swarming flies before we decended to our hostel in Knockree.
We start our journey from Marley Park
The heather fields in flower
It might rain everyday but it is still mid summer. Like the bus driver said summer, spring, autumn, winter......in Ireland it ALWAYS rains.
This is the first walk I have done where a lot of trail is on country roads
Views across knockree and out to the coast
We finally make it to the hostel
DAY 2: Knockree Hill to Roundwood
13 August 2011
We were able to get our clothes dry and woke up fresh for another day in the mountains. The track went along some country roads, through a bracken valley with a nice stream and through some more plantation forest before climbing into some high mountains along a boardwalk through bog land. The weather was typical Irish weather changing minute by minute from cold, windy rain to gaps of warm sun.
We make our way through some easy forestry paths through the Crone woods
Enjoying the 360degree views from Djouce mountain at 775m.
It was so cold and windy we didnt stay long here
Making our way along the boardwalks in the bogland near White hill
Our descent through Ballinastoe woods for a view of Lough Tay
DAY 1: Dublin (Marley Park) to Knockree Hill
We stayed in this nice B&B in Roundwood which is the highest village in Ireland (didnt feel high to us though. We had a big Irish breakfast with our first taste of white pudding which wasnt too bad.
DAY 3: Roundwood to Glenmalure
14 August 2011
After a big Irsih breakie at the B&B we headed out for our last leg of our trip on the Wicklow Way. We had another day of crazy weather with rain showers and sun. We stopped through the bustling tourist town of Glendalough where we stopped to look at the famous monastery and the two lakes where we had a nice lunch in the sun. After some tough climbing through rugged forest paths through the mountains we made it to Glenmalure where we stayed at the lodge and relaxed with a pint of guinness and pub meal.
Overall the track was alright but nothing special compared to the ones we have done before in the trip. We would have like to get over to the West coast and do the Kerry or Derry way but will have to leave that more next time.
Looking out towards Laragh
The monastery at Glenalough. These towers were used to warn them if they were to be attacked
The forest alongside the Glendalough lake. Glendalough meaning valley of the two lakes.
The upper Lake.
The Glenmule Lodge was real luxury. The rooms were really cosy and comfy, friendly staff, good food, and good beer.
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