The Wicklow Way - Oldbridge to Glendalough (Stage 3)

Distance - 10km (We walked the 10km and then walked the route in reverse to make an overall hike of 20km)
Terrain - Road walking, then forest track and some mountain paths
Summary - Short and not too demanding section (a bit more difficult on the way back). Brings you right to the Monastic City in  Glendalough which is worth a wander around.

We did this hike a couple of weeks ago. Again we were blessed with lovely weather. As this part of the Wicklow way is just 10km, we decided to bring just one car and park it at the beginning of the walk outside Roundwood. We walked the 10km and then turned around and walked back to make it a longer walk. The 10km walk to Glendalough isn't too difficult and is a good walk for beginners.

The first 4 km's of the walk is road walking. However it is quiet country roads and although there are some hills, once you don't try run up them, they are easy enough going. After walking for about 45 minutes, we left the road to begin the cross country part of the walk.

 After walking up a lane, turning left and following Paddock Hill gently upwards, we came across a small hut called Brusher Gap Hut. This purpose of the hut seemed to be an over night shelter. It was really clean and had a tap, a place to make a fire and a sweeping brush. There was a small box that had a visitors book inside it. We signed it and sat for a few minutes taking in the gorgeous view that it overlooked. This was the first time that either of us had seen one of these huts when out hiking. They are a really good idea and hopefully the intention is to erect some more along the Wicklow Way and other long walking routes in Ireland.

Not far after the hut, the path starts to descend. Initially I was delighted that we were going downhill because most of our hikes so far have been more uphill than downhill. However that soon wore off when the realisation hit that all this downhill would be uphill on the way back. We walked down a very steep hill that took about 10-12 mins to walk down. I began to get really worried about if I would make it back up on the way back. Johnny kept telling me not to be so negative because if I was negative it would be harder to climb back up on the way back. After the steep hill we crossed a road and entered a wood. Again the wood was predominantly downhill leading us right to the visitor centre in Glendalough.

Johnny and I have done many hikes in Glendalough but in all that time we have never walked around the Monastic City. Although we could have done a guided tour we were conscious that we had to walk the 10km back to the car so we ate our lunch at a picnic area in the visitor centre and spent about 15 minutes just wandering around the Monastic City.Even though it was March, there were loads of tourists there.











We then turned around and walked back the way we came. Definitely tougher as a lot of the way is uphill. After walking up through the forest and through some flat land we came to the hill that I had been dreading since walking down it earlier. We paused at the bottom and then began. Through a lot of huffing and puffing we made it up it in 12 minutes without stopping. I couldn't believe it. I was sure I would have to stop at least two or three times. I had learned my lesson. Don't be negative before you even try because you might actually be able to do it. We followed the route back that we had travelled earlier and reached the car where we had parked it earlier that morning. I can't tell you exactly how long it took us because we forgot to time it. Giving a guess, it was about four and a half hours.

This walk can be done in two ways. 10km one way or 20km there and back. I'd suggest the 10km if you want a long walk but nothing too strenuous. The 20km is definitely the one to do if you are looking to stretch yourself and take in a couple of steep hills. As per the previous walks, you do need hiking boots for some parts of this walk but also bring a pair of runners in your backpack for the road walking (Especially if you are doing the 20km; your feet will appreciate them at the 4km at the end). Wait until Glendalough to eat lunch and definitely take a few minutes to walk around the Monastic City.