Bray Greystones Cliff Walk

Walk with stunning and dramatic views

Cliff Walkers

Distance: 7km; Grade: Moderate; Type: Linear; Time: 2h 30 min. Located in northern County Wicklow, between the towns of Bray and Greystones.

The Cliff Walk is a linear walk between Bray and Greystones, following the train line along the cliffs of Bray Head. This well maintained walk offer stunning and dramatic views along steep cliffs into the Irish Sea.

Irish Sea

Even for a relatively slow walker this walk can be completed in about 2 hours or so though it may take you longer as you stop to enjoy the fresh air and stunning views.

There are very few steep parts so its not overly-challenging but you do feel at the end of the walk that a cup of coffee in Summervilles or one of the other excellent coffee shops in Greystones is completely justified. A wonderful way to spend a couple of hours!

Take one of the many trains to get back to your starting point . Here are DIRECTIONS how to get there.

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Killiney Hill Park

Park with a scenic views

Killiney Hill

Killiney Hill and Dalkey Hill are both part of Killiney Hill Park, a small public park overlooking the villages of Dalkey to the north and Killiney to the west. In 1887 it was dedicated to public use by Prince Albert Victor of Wales, in memory of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, and called Victoria Hill. The park is crossed by various walking tracks, and with its spectacular views in all directions, is a popular destination for walkers and hikers from the surrounding areas.

Bray Head and Wicklow

Killiney Hill (Irish: Cnoc Chill Iníon Léinín) is the southernmost of the two hills which form the southern boundary of Dublin Bay (the other being Dalkey Hill). Crowned by an obelisk, the hill is 153 meters high and offers beautiful views over the surrounding areas : Dublin to the northwest; the Irish Sea and the mountains of Wales (on a clear day) to the east and southeast; and Bray Head and the Wicklow Mountains to the south. The hill was higher in the past but material was removed from the summit for the construction of the pier at Dún Laoghaire.

Dublin Bay

Killiney Hill stands in the former townland of Mount Mapas, or Scalpwilliam, first mentioned under that name in the beginning of the 17th century. Former residents included Captain Edward Maunsell, who served as High Sheriff of the County Dublin in 1755, followed by Colonel the Hon. Henry Loftus, MP for Bannow, County Wexford. Loftus planted the hill and built nearby roads. In 1790 Lord Clonmell lived here and constructed a park which he filled with deer.

The Obelisk bears the inscription: “Last year being hard with the poor, walks about these hills and this were erected by John Mapas, June 1742.”

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Carrantuohill

Ireland’s highest peak conquered.

Carrantuohill

Ireland’s highest mountain Carrantuohill is located in County Kerry. Even if most “mountains” in Ireland are just lovely green hills which don’t demand special preparation or effort to conquer them, this is not so with Carrantuohill. This 1038 meters high peak is a real mountain.

If you google Carrantuohill, then probably you’ll find that most of the articles about this mountain will list different precautions and even fatal events what have  happened throughout the years when people have climbed on this peak. Now when I have been there and seen it I may say that preparation is needed before climbing and don’t even think to go there alone. Find a company.

Cliffhanger

We started our trip in early August morning (8 AM) from Cronins Yard, which is a yard with a parking lot and a small coffee shop. From there you can follow a marked trail for a some time and after that you need to be smart by yourself to find a right path. Hopefully in a near future they will finish marking trail to the end and it will greatly help with safety.

View from Devils Ladder

To get on the top of Carrantuohill there are many options. We chose a classical one : A Devil’s Ladder. Behind a sounding name is a mountain riverbed which leads upward. As it is a streaming water and rocks are slippery then right boots are essential. Great help are hiking sticks.

The peak of Carrauntoohil is topped by a large metal cross 5 metres (16 ft) tall. Sights from the top are of course breathtaking…if you are the one who has luck to enjoy them. Usually as it is with a mountains, there is a big dark cloud sitting on the top of the peak and visibility can be only few meters. That’s one reason why these peaks can be so dangerous – hilltops are quite sharp shaped and sometimes if you are taking wrong path you can wander to a cliff edge from where looking down can make your head spin. We were lucky and it was almost clear day with only rare clouds and we could fully breathe in this wonder of the nature.

Cross

Getting down you need to take a different path and it’s important to make sure you’re taking the right trail. Or you can find yourself on a cliff edge from where jumping without a parachute is not recommended. It can seem that climbing down is easier task than climbing up,but truth can be quite opposite. Be very careful when coming down. Path is covered with a slippery shingle and if you stumble and fall it can be a fast “sledge ride” with a serious consequences.

All together it took 8 hours to get to Carrantuohill and back. We didn’t rush and took our time to enjoy our journey. Finally, for encouragement, I want to say – it’s for a sure worthwhile to plan a climb to the highest peak of Ireland. If I have opportunity, i’ll certainly do it again.

Carrantoohill Panorama

Get driving directions from HERE.

Carrantuohill Photo Gallery

Silent Valley

Reservoir

At the heart of the Mournes is the beautiful Silent Valley Reservoir, where the River Kilkeel was dammed. An area of Outstanding Natural Beauty features a dam ringed by dramatic Mountain panoramas and the famous Mourne wall located in the U-shaped valley of the Kilkeel river. Nestled between the granite peaks of Slieve Binnian and Slievenagloghy, Silent Valley has served as the principal water source for Belfast since the completion of its reservoir in 1933.

Mourne Panorma

Duck feeding

The place is worth visiting if you want a day out in the park with the family. There is a lovely playground for children and easily accessed unique mountain scenery. 1.5 mile designated Nature Trail entered from the car park, suitable for child buggies and riverside picnics – higher gravel paths lead from this up the mountainside across marked trail to a viewing point above the main Dam, with great mountain views, the leading down and across the Dam itself (2 miles).

Autumn colors

We have spent there couple of beautiful days (2008 and 2012) and kids really liked the place. At least during Autumn period there are not so many visitors and the area deserves it’s name – Silent Valley.

Click for a directions how to get there

Here are our emotions captured in photos – Silent Valley Photo Gallery

Carlingford Lough

Carlingford Lough Panorama

Blooming heather

Wikipedia says: Carlingford Lough (Irish: Loch Cairlinn) is a glacial fjord or sea inlet that forms part of the border between Northern Ireland to the north and the Republic of Ireland to the south. On its northern shore is County Down and on its southern shore is County Louth. At its extreme interior angle (the northwest corner) it is fed by the Newry River and the Newry Canal.

The name is derived from the Old Norse Kerlingfjǫrðr, whch means “narrow sea-inlet of the hag”

Breathtaking view

This is where the “Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the Sea”‘ and together with the Sleve Foy ridge on the County Louth shore of the lough they offer scenic drives, forest parks and many miles of good footpaths and trails to explore. Rambling, hill walking and climbing are popular.

We were there in August 2009 and had a lovely walk with our youngest children. Blooming heather at the hilltops and  and  absolutely breathtaking views made our day. You can see some of the photos we were taking from here:  Carlingford Lough Photo Gallery

Directions, how to get there, are HERE

The Ring of Gullion

Cashel Lakes

Lots of Fun

If you like beautiful views, you will definitely like Ring of Gullion. We have been there at least once a year and have always enjoyed it. Here are some photos taken on 2009. Newer photos are coming soon since this place is worthwhile to visit again and again. Especially with kids because of the great new playground (which has a lot of features for adults as well) in Slieve Gullion Forest Park. And you can’t skip taking photos cause the sights are amazing. HERE are directions how to get to Ring of Gullion from your location.

Stone Fence

What Wikipedia has to say about Ring of Gullion:

The Ring of Gullion (Irish: Fáinne Cnoc Shliabh gCuillinn, meaning “hill ring of Slieve Gullion”) is a geological formation and area, officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, located in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The area centres on Slieve Gullion, the highest peak in County Armagh, measures roughly 42 by 18 kilometres (26 by 11 mi) and comprises some 150 km² defined topographically by the hills of an ancient ring dyke. Parts of the area have also been officially listed as Areas of Special Scientific Interest.

Area includes a number of lakes and parks, including the following:

Killevy Old Churches

• Slieve Gullion Forest Park
• Camloch or Camlough Lake (from the Irish for Crooked Lake)
• Cashel Lakes
• The Dorsey From the Irish Doirse, which means ‘Doors’ or ‘gates’, this Iron Age earthwork is located on the western edge of the Ring of Gullion.
• Kilnasaggart Stone From the Irish Cill na Sagart for Church of the Priests, this 2.8 metre pillar stone is held to be possibility the oldest datable stone monument in Ireland.
• Killevy Churches From the Irish Cill Shléibhe for Mountain Church, this site held one of early Christian Ireland’s most important early monastic sites
• Moyry Castle

Ring of Gullion Photo Gallery

Slieve Donard

The Great “Irish” Wall of China

Slieve Donard, meaning “Dónairt’s mountain” is a 850 m (2,789 ft) mountain in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is part of the Mourne Mountains and the highest peak in Northern Ireland. Get driving directions from HERE.

The mountain is an easy climb but it still took about 6 hours as I climbed the hills at my own pace. This hike is lovely and very scenic. Most of the walk is along the side of a river with quite a few impressive waterfalls and rapids. The summit provides spectacular views of the coast and as far afield as Belfast, 30 miles north; Dublin, 55 miles to the south; and even The Isle of Man is visible on a clear day. The summit of the mountain is crowned with two prehistoric cairns which have looked down over the beauty of the Mourne region for thousands of years. Another magnificent sight is the Mourne Wall which runs over the hilltops like a Great Wall of China.

Slieve Donard

Slieve Donard is a great experience and whether you are experienced or not its right for you.

Newcastle

Make sure you pick a good day as it was the view from the top which made it so worthwhile. I would recommend hiking boots as the path is not great in places and can be wet and slippy.I would also recommend you bring a good quantity of water and some food as it is a long hike.

Enjoy!

Slieve Donard Photo Gallery

Croagh Patrick – The Holy Mountain

Croagh Patrick, a 764 metres (2,507 ft) tall mountain which overlooks Clew Bay in County Mayo, is considered the holiest mountain in Ireland. It is 8 kilometres (5 mi) from Westport, above the villages of Murrisk and Lecanvey. Click HERE to get driving directions to the Croagh Patrick from your location.

Clew Bay

St.Patrick

Known in Irish Celtic as Cruach Phádraig and colloquially as “the Reek,” Mt. Croagh Patrick has been a sacred site since ancient times. Before the arrival of Christianity, the Celtic people regarded the mountain as the dwelling place of the deity Crom Dubh. Croagh Patrick is renowned for its Patrician Pilgrimage in honour of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. It was on the summit of the mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD.

Hikers

Each year, the Reek attracts about 1 million pilgrims and hillwalkers. On Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July, around 25,000 pilgrims climb the holy mountain, many in their bare feet.

Normally, it takes about two hours for the average person to reach the summit, and one and a half hours to descend. Stunning views of Clew Bay and it’s famous drumlins as you climb the hill will definitely make the effort worthy. Clew Bay is said to have an island for each day of the year. Some people go up in bare feet but really a pair of good boots needed, also a good support stick will ease the effort.

Happy climbing!

Croagh Patrick Photo Gallery

Ravensdale Forest Park

Ravensdale forest is situated just east of the M1 motorway approximately 8 km north of Dundalk. Click HERE to get driving directions to the Ravensdale from a specific location.

Panorama from the top of Black Mountain

The site is mixed woodland rising steeply to the summit of Black Mountain (506m) with many kilometres of forest roads and tracks. There are three way marked trails in the forest, the Tain Trail, the Ring of Gullion and the short Ravensdale Loop with a river, bridges, large trees, standing stones and old coach roads. The forest is varied with many species including larch, Douglas fir, large beech and oak and of course Sitka spruce.

Beautiful

Climbing to the top of the Black Mountain takes about 2-3 hours. But it is worthwhile! As a reward you’re going to have a magnificent views.

Green

Ravensdale Photo Gallery