Wicklow National Park Ireland

Day 93/Ireland 27

Travelled: 29km in Wicklow National Park along Sally Gap and Military Road to Glendalough

Visited:Wicklow NP €4\day at Upper Lake carpark. Walked Miners Way track 9km and Monastery Site 4km

Stay: Wicklow NP visitors center carpark free overnight N53.01056 W6.3228

After a quiet and moonless night we woke up to a beautiful sunny morning. 

After our coffee we continued on the Sally Gap road and then turned left at the junction onto Military Road. This was built by the British in 1798 during a campaign to flush out Irish rebels after the uprising. The often bumpy road took us through sparse bog and heath land. 

We did spot a deer which was lovely. 

There was also a waterfall that may be more dramatic after heavy rainfall.

 We arrived just before 9am at the Upper Lake carpark before the crowds. 

After breakfast we got ready to go and explore and decided to walk up to the mine ruins. It was a pleasant walk along the lake under the trees of the pine forest. 

We then continued on to the old mine. 

Beyond the mine we took the zigzag road up along the river/cascades crossing a few bridges.

 The boardwalk from here took us up into the Glenealo Valley through blanket bog and purple heath. 

A large herd of deer roam freely here and we were lucky to see some along with some wild goats with terrific horns. 

We enjoyed the great views of the Glendalough Valley and lake below us where we had just walked. Eventually the path began its descend and we came across a couple more lookouts. 

The last part of the boardwalk was about 600 steps. On our way back to the carpark we passed the Poulanass Waterfall.

 After over 3 hrs and 9km we rested in Bluey for a couple of hours. We then walked towards the visitors centre through a lovely forest. We had a look at the Monastic site established by St.Kevin in the 6th century. 

We then doubled back to Bluey adding another 4km to today’s tally. As we couldn’t stay in upper lake carpark overnight we drove to the Visitor Centre carpark where we were able to stay for free as the parking attendant had left (otherwise its €15 for a motorhome). Later we were joined by a couple more motorhomes and hope for anothet quiet night.