Description of Walk - Glendalough to Glenmalure
The walk starts at the visitor’s centre beside the “Glendalough Hotel”, which you walk past to cross the Glendasen River by a footbridge and turn right at a signpost for the green road heading towards the upper and lower lakes. Further on you pass a sign for the Monastic City which if you haven’t yet visited it you must do so before you leave, but not today the walk goes straight on, soon you are passing the lower lake to your right and to your left some of the oldest Oak woodland in Ireland or indeed those western islands off Europe. As you approach the upper lake you will see to your right a National Park information centre, well worth a visit if you have time. You are now following the Wicklow way, which turns left across a footbridge and climb a steep path and some steps alongside the Poulanass River and Waterfall.

Note the Green colour of the water. This is caused by the water cascading over mica-rich shiest rocks with a band of quartzite. Mica in rocks tends to look silvery, and when suspended as tiny flakes in water, it creates an unusual green colour as can be seen in many waterfalls in County Wicklow.

Above the top flight of steps the path joins a forest track, turn left and left again following the Wicklow Way markers and cross two bridges, between the two bridges see a National Park information panel displaying five different kinds of rock found in the Wicklow Mountains. You are now heading North east and after about 600 meters the track will turn right and your direction will now be south, the going will now be quite steep for about 1.5 k up the western shoulder of Derrybawn Mountain, always keep a look out for Wicklow Way markers, in this area they are very well maintained by National Park staff. Behind you at several intervals on this walk, you will catch many spectacular views of the Glendalough valley, lakes and very prominent round tower. The walk is now southwest and west for about 3 kilometres, look out for way markers at 3 junctions and emerge from the forest in a coll between two mountains, Lugduff (652m) and Mullacor (657m.)

From here the walk heads south, some sections of the wetter ground is on board walk provided by “National Park” staff to prevent further erosion, looking south from here you will enjoy magnificent views of “Lugnaquilla” (925m.) Irelands third highest Mountain, and Wicklow’s highest, you can also see the Fraughan glen and the Carrawaystick waterfall as it cascades down the Mountainside. Follow the way markers to the forest and continue east until you reach a steep rocky path down into the thick forest, wet in places until you reach a good forest road which takes you down to the Glenmalure Lodge where your walk ends. After a well deserved pint of your favourite brew, our bus will be waiting to take you back to “Loughdan House”, where you will enjoy the remainder of the evening
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