The Dublin Mountains Way
The Dublin Mountains Way starts in Tallaght, offering stunning city vistas along a 42km trail through forests and mountains and back to Dublin Bay.
Go big or go home they say — well, you don’t have to do all 42km in one go. Bite-size chunks are possible in the many forests and recreation sites in the Dublin Mountains.
The Dublin Mountains are but eight miles from the centre of Dublin, but a world away for peace, quiet, relaxation, activity and views!
One of the flagship projects of the Dublin Mountains Partnership is the establishment of a long-distance trail, the Dublin Mountains Way (DMW), across the mountains from Shankill in the east to Tallaght (Sean Walsh Park) in the west — approximately 40km of trail in all. The DMW has been an objective of the local authorities for close to 20 years and with the formation of the partnership it has been realised. This project has been achieved through the cooperation of Coillte, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council and some private landowners.
The Dublin Mountains Way was officially opened from Shankill to Tallaght on 31st October 2010. The entire route from Shankill to Tallaght is now fully waymarked. This route will be classified as one of the national waymarked ways and is waymarked with the standard yellow walking man symbol. The sections where the Wicklow Way and Dublin Mountains Way run alongside is signed with DMW and WW to avoid confusion.
To take a preview of the route, watch the Tracks & Trails series – Dublin Mountains Way episode with Ken Doherty and Fair City actress Ciara O’Callaghan.
To do the Dublin Mountains Way, download a map or to find out more visit the Dublin Mountains Partnership Website!
This is a strenuous walk to attempt in one day and should not be attempted unless you are very fit. An alternative is to do it in sections.
One of the 1001 Walks You Must Experience Before You Die.
Massy's Estate
Massy’s Estate is one of the most popular amenities around Dublin because of its visual and recreational value. An incredibly atmospheric and magical forest, it echoes with history. A magnificent mansion once stood on this site and the remains of garden walls are still visible today. The forest offers a vast ecological resource of flora, wildlife, tree species, estate artefacts and items of geological interest. The major forest road goes around the wood and is called the Nature Trail. There are also many smaller tracks and shortcuts crossing the forest and all these paths lead to the main road. In the late 1930s, the Director of Forestry in Ireland, a German forester, Otto Reinard, laid out this area as an urban forest.
A variety of European, American and Asian tree species were planted creating a perfect environment for many plants and animals including Sika deer, badgers, grouse, red squirrels, foxes and birds. The walking paths are easy for walkers with the main forest road easily accessible for children and people with a lower level of fitness. Visitors should use the Hellfire Club car park and note its opening hours to make sure of closing time before leaving the car park for Massy’s. We would ask visitors to please refrain from parking on the road and to use the parking areas in the locality. Waterproof clothing, especially boots, may be helpful on a rainy day. Why not extend your time in the Dublin Mountains by travelling onwards on the Dublin Mountains Way to Cruagh Wood with its breathtaking views of the city? Alternatively, treat yourself at Timbertrove Café, beside Massy’s Wood.
How do I get there?
The easiest way is to get to the Hellfire Club car park, which is on the opposite site of the R115 road to Glencullen, about 6.5km south of Rathfarnham.
Activities
Walking/hiking, orienteering, nature trail.
Features
Picnic site, walking trails, waymarked trails, arboreta/gardens, special trees, permanent orienteering course, nature trail.
Kiltipper Park and Bohernabreena
Leave the city for the wild beauty of the mountains.
Walk along the River Dodder, taking in the views of both the city and the Dublin Mountains through Kiltipper Park and onwards along the Dublin Mountains Way, where you can walk around the peaceful and picturesque Bohernabreena Reservoir, close to Kippure, the highest point in Dublin and the source of the Dodder.
Parking at the Kiltipper car park, the route takes about 90 minutes to two hours, which includes the Upper Reservoir Looped Walk. Alternatively, you could omit the Kiltipper Walk and take in the Reservoir Walk which is 60-90 minutes long. Limited parking is available at the reservoir entrance. The walk is graded easy. Get ready to be surprised by the scenery in this hidden secret of Dublin.
Cruagh Wood
See Dublin unfold before your eyes.
Situated to the south of Dublin city, Cruagh is one of three mountain summits (along with Kilakee and Glendoo) in this area of the Dublin Mountains. At its highest point it is some 522m above sea level and offers some of the best views over Dublin city and its surrounds in the flat plain below. There are several waymarked trails in Cruagh Wood. The Slí na Sláinte loop of forest road provides a very pleasant walk with some outstanding views of Dublin city and the surrounding mountains. The Dublin Mountains Way passes through here and there is a mountain access route up to the open mountain. You can also access Tibradden (Pine) Forest and Massy’s Wood from Cruagh Wood, and eventually the Wicklow Way.
If you like adventure, extend your day out with a visit to Zipit Forest Adventure in nearby Tibradden Wood. Alternatively, retreat to the comfort and welcome of the Merry Ploughboy on the edge of Rathfarnham village – you’ve earned a break and some food. Please note this walk is considered moderate with a gradual climb of 100m. Cruagh Wood can be accessed from either the Cruagh car park or, for a longer walk with a variety of trees, wildlife, views and heritage, from the Hellfire Club or Massy’s Estate.
Parking Info
No of car spaces: 50
April to September: 7.00am–9.00pm
October to March: 8.00am–5.00pm
Parking is free and there is a bike rack on site.
Liffey Walks
The lungs of the city. The defining symbol of Dublin — enjoy the Liffey like you’ve never seen it!
The valley of the River Liffey is a hidden secret and a tranquil beauty spot on the city’s edge, where you can explore the Liffey on water or on foot. This almost circular walk takes you from a quaint village setting along a vigorous section of the main river that flows through Dublin to the vast expanse of a regional park and back to the village across one of the most unique bridges in Ireland. The walk is graded easy and is mainly in parkland. Heading west from Lucan village, you enter Lucan Demesne, a slender wooded park, which runs along the river Liffey. Here you might just catch a canoe or two coming down the rapids on the river. Further upstream the path leads you across a pedestrian bridge to the vast expanses of St Catherine’s Park. Have you spotted the hairy cows yet? Or maybe you’ve spotted the very talented BMXers doing bunny hops, tailwhips and other such tricks at the BMX track.
Making your way out of the park, you find yourself approaching the River Liffey again, passing a splendid row of weir cottages, a great photo opportunity. Cross back into Lucan village over the unique Lucan Bridge, the widest single-span stone arch bridge in the country. Proceed down the steps to the right-hand side of the bridge to Lucan’s boardwalk, where the weir will be revealed. The weir is a favourite haunt of the local heron, which waits patiently and perfectly motionlessly for fish to accumulate at the weir drop before picking them off. Whilst you head back to Lucan village to ponder which of the cafés, restaurants or gastropubs you might like to reward yourself in, consider popping into Lucan Village Park. The entrance to this small park is at the corner, down the semi-circular set of stone steps. It is an oasis of tranquillity, cleverly recessed below the roadway, and is a pleasant location for a quick rest under the shaded wooden gazebo before proceeding. Riverside walks are available at public parks at Waterstown Park, Lucan Demesne or St Catherine’s Park. Why not enjoy a chilled out coffee at Lucan Weir while the canoeists splash, a self-guided heritage walk or food in Lucan or Palmerstown villages?
Dodder Walks
History flows through the city
Why not enjoy a guided walk along the Dodder with local historian Tomás Maher? Hear how the citizens of Dublin were held to ransom in 1738 when Sir Compton Domville, then resident at Templeogue House, threatened to block off the watercourse which flowed through his lands unless his nephew Lord Santry, a member of the Hellfire Club, was saved from execution for the murder of one of his servants. The threat was successful, as the citizens had no other supply. From one source of hydration to another, you can take a coffee or some food at the Cottage Tea Rooms or Morton’s Pub beside the Balrothery Weir. Incidentally, Morton’s also have a traditional Irish music night every Friday. Other local pubs are available along the Firhouse and Old Bawn route. This part of the Dodder stretches between the weir towards Old Bawn, with parking available at Mount Carmel Park, or you can visit via Tymon Park through the interconnecting underpass.
For a snapshot of Tallaght’s monastic heritage (and to find out why Tallaght was known as one of the “Two Eyes of Ireland”), take a guided walk of nearby Tallaght village, particularly during the summer months or during Heritage Week in late August. Enquiries can be made at the County Library — 01 4620073 or localstudies@sdublincoco.ie. And remember, The Dublin Mountains Way starts in Sean Walsh Memorial Park in the centre of Tallaght and runs towards Bohernabreena Reservoir, Glenasmole Valley and Cruagh Wood before it snakes its way to Shankill near the coast. Be aware, this route is 42km long end to end.
Corkagh Park to Clondalkin Village
From the trees to the Tower, enjoy the Corkagh to Clondalkin Walk
For a chilled-out wander through a pristine park of 290 acres boasting lakes, pathways, a playground, arboretum, rose garden, cycle track, pet farm and over 25,000 trees, visit Corkagh Park.
From the car park adjacent to the N7 national road and Camac Caravan & Camping Park, follow the pathway towards Clondalkin Park which leads onwards into Clondalkin Village with the beacon of the Round Tower calling!
The walk is graded easy with excellent surfaces suitable for all users. It takes between 45-60 minutes, if you aren’t stopping to smell the roses – but why wouldn’t you? Why not enrich your walk by viewing some information on the history of the park, a former estate, before setting out?
Opening Times
November, December & January: 10.00am–5.00pm
February & March: 10.00am–6.00pm
April & October: 10.00am–7.00pm
May & September: 10.00am–8.00pm
June, July & August: 10.00am–9.00pm
Car Parking
Currently there are four car parks in Corkagh Park.
Activities
Playpark, fairy wood, sports facilities, walking/jogging, orienteering, cycle track and picnic area.
Facilities
Playground, rose garden, cycle track, allotments, sports & playing pitches, Camac Valley Caravan Park, baseball pitches, cricket pitch, river & woodland walks and toilets.
Rathfarnham
Into heritage? A ramble through Rathfarnham becomes a glimpse into the past. Parking at Rathfarnham Castle, you have a series of options.
A short walk around the grounds of Rathfarnham Castle & Park with a tour of the castle and an audio-guided Village Heritage Walk will whet your appetite and take about 90 minutes.
If you still want more, you can head for a 10-12 minute walk down Grange Road to the stunning St Enda’s Park and Pearse Museum, set in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains.
Admission is free, parking is on-site and guided tours are available.
Tymon Park
Tymon Park provides opportunities for a range of outdoor active and passive activities for all age groups, including walking, jogging, participation in active sport, principally field sports, and a Fairy Trail for the kids.
Tymon Park Forest is designed to produce a rich and diverse woodland landscape with a total of 125 different species. The park hosts several woodland trails with way-markers and signs to guide the visitor, along with on-site interpretation of woodland features where appropriate. The park features two lakes with interconnecting water features, and with a comprehensive system of pedestrian paths and bridges the lakes form a recreational focal point in the park.
Whilst on your walk, you might just catch a glimpse some waterfowl. The park’s water features provide a valuable habitat for up to 92 species of flora and fauna.
The park traverses the M50 via a pedestrian footbridge and offers stunning views of the Dublin Mountains. You can connect from Tymon to Dodder Valley Park and the Weir at Balrothery via the M50 underpass.
Village Heritage Walks
Dublin – a city of villages, full of character and characters!
The poets, the artists, the dreamers, the fashionistas, the foodies, the storytellers and the true blues, they have all carved out little havens, villages within the patchwork of the city.
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Restaurant
- Walking Trails
- Gardens
Slievethoul and Lugg
There are two waymarked trails in Slievethoul and Lugg Woods, providing a pleasant walk with some lovely views to the south and east of the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains and northwest over the plains of Kildare. Slievethoul was formed from glacial deposits of sandstone, siltstone and shale laid down at the end of the last Ice Age. Much of the hill has been replanted with spruce and larch.
There are fine views from the summit and a wealth of archaeological sites with 5 monuments in and around Slievethoul Wood. On the summit, there are 2 monuments, one is a megalithic tomb dating between 3500-3000BC. This monument consists of cairn, a chamber, a distinctive outer ring of monoliths and possible kerbstone on its northern side. The other monument is a barrow or ring-barrow from the Bronze/Iron Age tradition (c.2400BC to 400AD). It consists of a circular or oval raised area defined by a low internal bank surrounded by a ditch.
The Saggart Hill loop extends 3.8km and is graded easy and waymarked with green. The second longer loop, 8.7km in length, includes the loop of Slievethoul and nearby Lugg Wood. It is graded moderate and waymarked with orange discs. Please take care walking the small section of public road between the two forests.