Stage 3: Roundwood to Glendalough-Mary Lawlor

Distance 12km, 3 hours fast pace, Ascent: 350m

Having seen Emillio Estevez’s beautiful inspiring movie, “The Way”, featuring Martin Sheehan, last week, I was really fired up to embark on stage 3 of the “Irish Camino” from Roundwood to Glendalough (valley of the two lakes). Not seeking penance, nor a plenary indulgence or even enlightenment but just simply a weekly endorphin rush, this stage could be described as delivering all four.

Ignoring the forecast of rain from the “winking weatherman”, we started out at Roundwood and turning south to Oldbridge and crossed the bridge over the Avonmore river. apparently this was one of many probably wooden bridges built for pilgrims and monks moving between monasteries in Tallaght and Glendalough. The walk rises to the flat top of Paddock Hill reaching the Military Road and straight through to cross a lovely wooden bridge over the Glenmacnass river. After walking a lovely path, the village of Laragh comes into view.

Having found an elevated lunching spot, where each of us managed to secure our own tree stumps as seats, a mass of creepy crawleys, wicklow way’s small inhabitants made themselves abundantly clear. One of the party had to fight off a large beetle from her jacket and then we settled into a lovely lunch.

Continuing on through the forest, one observant walker noticed at least three red squirrels feeding on shoots, we stopped and starred and noted that at least  in this habitat the grey squirrel is not pushing the red squirel to the margins. The final approach to Glendalough was spectacular where a glimpse of the lakes through the trees was  so tempting that we continued our walk along the Glandassan river, turning left, starting a steep ascent through forest and down St Kevin’s way. Walking back along the lakeside we stopped and starred at a lovely silent red deer (obviously not the stag). The path leads the length of the upper lake and and is straight out and back again through a tree lined path.

 Arriving at Saint Kevin’s Church was the grand finale of our walk and while it wasn’t exactly comparable to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, one could not but feel that this too, is an equally important Christian monument of an Irish monastic site.

Wicklow Way: Stage 2: Knockree to Roundwood

Distance 22km, aggregatges climb:550m, walking time: fast pace 5 1/2 hours

Learning from last week stage one that there is no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate clothing, we added a few extra waterproofs and creature comforts such as light weight summer gloves to the walking wardrobe and that made all the difference. There are lots of nice surprises on this stage of the walk. Started at Curtlestown wood and descended to the Glencree river, lovely bluebells swaying in the breeze, walking on the river bank and crossed the  wooden bridge, crossing the road then to arrive at Crone Wood. The route winds up with stunning views of the great Sugar Loaf. Suddenly the beautiful powerscourt waterfall comes into view, the river Dargle drops 150m over a precipice to the valley floor. The way follows a pathway uphill and suddenly into the wide open mountainside with Djouce on its southside. Looking back, dramatic views of Howth can be seen and the wonderment of covering such distance can be felt. . The way drops and crosses the river Dargle and weaves across the east side of Djouce mountain. After finding a sheltered spot in the lee of the mountain, we had our packed lunch. Then the way leads upwards to White Hill and then descends over very boggy terrain. The wind was howling and visibility was poor but we were treated to a manmade path of twin wooden sleepers over the bog, covering a distance of about 2k. It felt like being on a treadmill, with the wind on our backs, there was no stopping. A Forest road cuts through Ballinstoe Woods which has some new mountain bike tracks. The next surprise is the stunnng oval lake at Luggala-Lough Dan. There is a lovely viewing bench here to enjoy the vista of Luggala Mountain. A granite memorial to J.B. Malone commerorates his great vision and ehthusiasm for the Wicklow Way. A short walk along the public road takes you to the entry of a broad forrest road on the right. The way winds southwards with views of the Vartry Reservoir. Leaving the way, a 2km walk takes you into Roundwood for a well deserved refreshment.

Wicklow Way: Stage 1: Marlay Park to Knockree

Lovely farmers market in Marlay Park for coffee and cakes to energize the body for stage 1 of the wicklow way.  A daunting thought of 21Km and 600m climb. Fantastic signage so that was a relief. Interesting start through the Park and walk over the Little Dargle River. Under the motorway and up by St Columba's College. The way passes through Kilmashogue Wood with interesting views of the city. Leaving the forrest track, the way winds onto open moorland of heather and gorse and views of Tibradden Mountain on the right and Fairy Castle on the left. The Way drops into the Glendoo Valley with stunning views of the Sugar Loaf. The Way meets the public road for a short stretch  and crosses the Glencullen river through Boranarltry. Another forest walk where the way climbs Glencullen mountain with stunning views of killiney and Bray. Down around Ravens rock. Views of Maulin and Djouce mountains and a drop into Curtlestown Wood where we joined the road again for Knockcree where stage 1 ends. A good 5 1/2 hours of challenging terrain.