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Geography
| Lugnaquilla   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Wicklow, Ireland, Europe Elevation: 3031 ft / 924 m | Page By: gavinjd Created/Edited: Aug 27, 2002 / Sep 29, 2003 Object ID: 151168 Hits: 8502 Loading... Page Score: 8.29% - 7 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
Highest in the Wicklow Mountains. Nothing technical, just hiking.
The lower sections (eg. up Aughavanna if doing the ridge from the south) is a gentle climb but very hard walking over bog and heather, with no paths. There is a steepish climb to the top from the south to Percy's Table.
Be careful of the north and south prisons in low vis, but they are clearly marked on the map.
Approaching from the east (glenmalure valley), an easy walk along a path with switchbacks up Clohernagh, gets you onto the ridge - an easier route.
A good days walk is to start with Aughavanna, then Lybagh, Slieve Maan, Lugnquilla, Clohernagh, and down into Glenmalure (where there is a pub, which also serves food!).
At the bottom of the switchbacks into Glenmalure there is a fenced off farmyard which you have to go around - a bit of an irriitation but nothing major. Glenmalure is a beautiful, relatively unpopulated valley.
An alternative route around the side of the south prison is described in Gaiterheaven - walking routes in leinster.
Getting There
The south end of the wicklow mountains is easy to reach by car (N81 South from Dublin), somewhat harder to reach by public transport. Buses to nearby towns are infrequent, so check them out on Bus Eireann.
Getting there from Carlow is also easy enough. A taxi from Carlow to Knockananna for example will cost in the region of €30 to €40 - ask the driver for a rough estimate before you head out. There are regular buses to Carlow from Dublin and the south east.
If you're in the mountains for a few days, travelling southwest from Glenmalure valley is also an option.
If you're staying in a B&B in the area, they will usually drop you to your starting/finishing point.
Red Tape
None. Deer and sheep abound, so be careful taking water from streams. Be careful to stay out of the Glen of Imaal army firing range!
When To Climb
Can be climbed all year round if you are adequately prepared. The weather in Ireland can change within minutes; even in the middle of summer, and there are no paths on Lugnaquilla, so NEVER go up without a map and compass.
Camping
Rough camping is not a problem in Ireland, as the number of people walking even the most popular routes is very low. As with anywhere else, if there is a farmhouse or farm animals nearby, ask for permission first. As always, be careful to pack out all of your rubbish/garbage.
There are also some official campsites with basic facilities in the area (including glenmalure). I don't camp much these days, so if you've got information on these, please send it to me!
I have found Wicklow B&B's to be excellent - friendly, a great big (fried!) breakfast, and very good about lifts to/from where you are walking or even into a nearby village for food/beer. The price is generally €25 to €30 pps.
Great B&B in Moyne - Jigsaw cottage, Tel/ Fax: +353 (0) 508 71071.
Coolalingo B&B in Glenmalure
Glenmalure lodge hotel in Glenmalure, +353 (0) 40446188
If the above are booked out, try asking them for a recommendation for somewhere else.
Miscellaneous Info
Glenmalure and Moyne are both on/near the Wicklow Way - a long distance walking route through the wicklow mountains, starting in Marlay Park on the outskirts of Dublin City, and running south through the entire range.
If you stay in Glenmalure, it is well worth taking the time to hike over to Glendalough, (takes about half a day), the site of the 5th Century monastic settlement of St. Kevin. There is a characteristic round tower, and a number of nice walks around the lakes (the name Glendalough means "glen (valley) of the two lakes").
The maps for the area (from the Ordinance Survey Ireland) are the Discovery Series map no. 56 and 62. Unfortunately, Lugnaquillia is right at the bottom of no. 56...
Mountain rescue in Ireland can be reached by dialing 999 and asking for mountain rescue.
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