Festival Outline

The Festival will be based in the Brockagh Resource Centre with many of the walks taking us through Wicklow Mountains National Park. The Centre is situated in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, on the road between the village of Laragh and Glendalough. Eircode, A98 D3H1

All walks are led by experienced walking leaders who will enhance your day with information on local history flora and fauna.

The National Park is an ideal location for a fun-filled festival weekend covering approximately 90,000 hectares! The park protects some of Europe’s oldest peat boglands, heather-covered mountains, and woodlands. Large herds of sika and red/sika hybrid deer, foxes, badgers, hares and birds of prey are frequently spotted on walks so don’t forget your camera!

The weekend offers a selection of walking choices which you can mix, match, or just choose one:

– Climb Leinster’s highest peak, Lugnaquilla (925 m).

– A night walk on Friday the 28th  promising to be a unique and adventurous experience.

– A selection of day walks from challenging, moderate and easy on Saturday and Sunday.

– A moderate walk on Monday the 31st to celebrate the completion of a great weekend and summer walking season.

Please note: Walks may be changed on the day depending on weather conditions or the fitness level of the group at the leader’s discretion.

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Telephone: +353 404 45152; Mobile: 00353 87 2698659
E-mail: info@walkinghikingireland.com

The Walks

Friday Night Hike

Brockagh Mountain

Level: Moderate (9.5 km – 360 m ascent)

Meeting at: The Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 7.30 pm, departing at 8.00 pm sharp.

Route: Leaving from the Centre the walk takes us onto part of the Wicklow Way and through Brockagh Forest, onto the summit of Brockagh Mountain (470m) from a northerly direction.  Our descent takes us down the spur of Brockagh mountain to rejoin the Wicklow Way which leads us back to the Brockagh Centre.

Important: All who partake in this walk must carry a torch/flashlight; failing to do so will eliminate you from participating in the walk.

---

Saturday Walks

A Walk; Lugnaquilla And The Two Lakes 

Level: Strenuous (20 km – 810 m ascent)

Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 08.30 am, depart centre at 09.00 am.

From the Resource Centre, you will be bussed to the beginning of your walk, which is in the valley of Glenmalure.
Route: The walk takes us into Clonkeen Forest and up by Arts Lough to Cloghernagh Mountain (800 m) From here we head northwest, around by the South Prison and on to the summit of Leinster’s highest mountain, Lugnaquilla (925 m)
Our descent takes us back around by the South Prison and on the Corrigasleggaun (794 m) and down by Kelly’s Lough to Cloghernagh Forest, where we link up with the Wicklow Way to finish the day at the lively Glenmalure Lodge. Pickup and transfer back to the Brockagh Centre.

---

B Walk: Tonelagee and St. Kevin’s Way 

Level: Moderate (18 km –457 m ascent) 

Meeting at: Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 09.30 am, departing at 10 am.

Route; Our walk today starts from the Brockagh centre, takes us out into Brockagh forest and onto the spur of Mall Hill. Along the way, you will have lovely views down into the valley of  Glenmacnass,  its spectacular waterfall and across to Scarr Mountain. From the high point of Mall Hill (536 m), we continue along to spot height 668 m where you will have stunning views down over Lough Ouler (the lake of the eagle). Our next peak is the summit of Tonelagee Mountain (817 m). Weather permitting, we will have magnificent views across the Wicklow Mountains. Our journey home is through the Wicklow Gap, along St Kevin’s Way into Glendalough and back to the Brockagh Centre.

---

C Walk; The Devil’s Glen Forest & Seamus Heaney Level: Easy  (12 km –180 m ascent) 

Meeting at: Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 10 am, depart centre at 10.30 am.

Route: From the Brockagh Centre we will be bussed to the start of the walk at Tiglin. The trail is mostly on forest track and takes us in to join the Seamus Heany Walk, named in honour of the poet and Nobel Prize winner in Literature in 1995. As we stroll along we will find many of his famous quotes on the seats and rocks, one of which is “walk on air against your better judgement”
The Devil’s Glen Waterfall is one of the highlights of the walk. The waterfall marks the spot where the Vartry River enters the Devil’s Glen en route to the Irish Sea. The forest is made up of mixed woodlands and in Autumn the colours will be magnificent, so don’t forget your camera.
Bus back to the Brockagh Centre

---

Sunday Walks

Walk B:  Ballard & the Vale of Clara Nature Reserve 

Level: Moderate (17 km – 420 m ascent)

Meeting at: Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 09.30 am, departing at 10 am.

Route: Today we will start our walk with an easy ascent onto the townland of Ballard. Here we will have great views back over Laragh Village and the surrounding countryside.
Our route then skirts the side of Trooperstown Hill before starting our descent into Ballylug Forest to follow an old Mass Path that will lead us down into the Vale of Clara, where we will have lunch on the banks of the Avonmore River.
Our onward journey takes us into Clara Nature Reserve along part of the Avonmore Way, an area that contains the largest semi-natural woodland in Ireland and is potentially one of the largest stands of native hardwoods in the country. The reserve is home to many species of birds such as treecreeper, woodcock, blackcap and long-eared owl.
Continuing on the trail leads us back onto the eastern side of Trooperstown and down into Trooperstown Woods, where we will be picked up by bus and taken back to the Brockagh Centre.

---

C Walk: Brockagh Mountain and The Two Glens 

Level: Easy to moderate (11 km –360 m ascent)

Meeting at: Brockagh Resource Centre(A98 D3H1) at 10 am, depart centre at 10.30 am.

Route: From the Brockagh Centre our walk takes us out into Brockagh Forest where we will explore some of the ruins of the old Brockagh Village and continue onto the summit of Brockagh Mountain (470m) from a northerly direction, where we will have some fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and out onto the Irish Sea if the day is clear. Our descent is along the spur of the mountain to join an old Bog Road which leads us into the Valley of Glendasan (the valley of the Sorrel).  Here we will join what is known as the Grey Trail that will lead us across the lower slopes of Camaderry Mountain and into the Valley of Glendalough, finishing back at the Brockagh Centre.

---

Monday Walk

B Walk: The St Kevins Way 

Level: Moderate (16 km – 320 m ascent)

Meeting at: Brockagh Resource Centre (A98 D3H1) at 09.30 am, departing at 10 am.

Route: From the Brockagh Centre we will be bused to the start of the walk at Ballinagee Bridge. Following in the footsteps of St Kevin the trail takes us out onto the Wicklow Gap where you can still see small sections of the old pilgrimage.
The trail descends along part of the Glendasan River, through the old Minors Village into the Valley of Glendalough and back to the Brockagh Centre.

Prices & Booking

• Night Walk; €25
• A Walks; €30 per walk
• B Walks & Monday; €25 per walk
• C Walks; €25 per walk

Rules

• Every walker must have submitted an entry form and paid the fee.
• Please register online and we will send you a STRIPE invoice two weeks before the festival to make it easy for you to pay for your chosen walk/walks online.
• Everyone must have the numbered identification card issued at registration. This card must be handed to your lead guide at the finishing point.
• It is forbidden to light matches or discard litter along the routes.
• DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON ANY OF THE WALKS
• Participants on moderate and strenuous walks must be 16 years or older. An adult, who will assume complete liability, must accompany participants under 16 years of age on easy walks.
• Walkers must be fully equipped and capable of undertaking their chosen walk. The committee will not accept responsibility for any accident however it may arise.

If you need to cancel a walk that you have already paid for, please contact us before Friday 15th of October 2022, 5% bank fees and handling charge will apply. After that date (NO REFUND)

Equipment

• Good waterproof walking boots, with good ankle support, especially if you are doing some of the high level walks.
• Good rain jacket & over-trousers
• Warm clothing, dress with layers rather than one heavy sweat-shirt
• BackPack, lined with a plastic bag to contain some extra clothing
• Hat and Gloves
• Head Torch/Flashlight for the night walks
• Walking poles and gaiters (Optional)
• Lunch pack & water
• A good sense of adventure & fun!

It is the responsibility of the participants to ensure they are suitably equipped for the walks.

Jeans and trainers/runners are not suitable for mountain walking.

Unless walkers are wearing suitable walking boots and clothing, they will not be allowed to participate in their chosen walk!