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Ludnaquilla via Camara Hill from Glen Imaal

Start/Finish

Ludnaquilla is the only “Munro” in the Wicklow Mountains and, indeed, the only one in the east of Ireland. If only interested in bagging Ludnaquilla as a Munro then this is the easiest route provided the army are not using the artillery range you pass through on the ascent. It is recommended that you look up The Glen Imaal Army Information Advice Centre in advance if you are in a rush. The current number can be found through Google. The enthusiastic Munro bagger can get the overnight ferry to Dublin (nearer) or Rosslare, drive to the start then ascend Ludnaquilla and head off to camp near the next Munro – probably Galtymore near Tipperary. To find the start, locate the village of Donard which is signposted off the N 81 road between Blessington and Baltinglass. Donard is a good base for the Wicklow Mountains and it is signposted off the N 81 road between Blessington and Baltinglass. Donard has a lovely camp site (see notes below) if you are not in a rush and can stay a few days. From Donard, take the road opposite Toomey's pub and follow it. It bends right later to reach a crossroads at the Glen of Imaal Stores where you can buy sandwiches, etc. Turn left at the crossroads. You will soon reach a statue of Michael Dwyer, a historical freedom fighter. Behind the statue is an old building with a corrugated roof which is a pub when open (closed and for sale in 2013). After the pub is the Army Information and Advice Centre where you can check if firing is taking place that day. It is not open 24 hours a day so don't arrive too early! They are very helpful and usually have free large scale OS maps to hand out. You can also check in advance by ringing them a few days before as they have quite a structured program. There are motorway and tunnel tolls around Dublin which are best investigated beforehand.

Distance/Time

13 km      Approx 5 hours

Peaks

Ludnaquilla, 925 m, T 032 917 (Irish National Grid System)

Irish OS Discovery Series Map 56 (1:50000)

Introduction

This is the quickest and easiest ascent of Ludnaquilla with a good and obvious path most of the way. The summit plateau is rather featureless so care will be needed in mist especially in descent. You should be able to easily reset your GPS to the Irish National Grid System.

Route

(1) From the statue of Michael Dwyer, follow the lane/track off to the right (SSE) of the road. Follow this around a few bends to a gravel crossroads. Go straight on, still following the track, which soon becomes a path and ascends Camara Hill, directly ahead, then descends slightly before climbing ESE on a broad grassy ridge and gradually swinging E. On a clear day, Ludnaquilla is obvious but its summit is well set back and out of sight. Just before an obvious steepening, there is a peaty boggy area which can be passed on either side. The path then picks its way up, offering a few alternatives, a moderately steep grassy slope with some minor boulder fields to reach two prominent boulders, also visible from below. The gradient now eases considerably to give a pleasant walk along a broad grassy ridge/plateau. The path is much fainter but can still be followed. A small cairn is passed before the very large summit cairn, with a trig point on top, is reached which is the summit of Ludnaquilla, 925 m.

(2) Retrace the outward route, taking care on the initial descent from the plateau if visibility is poor.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 8^th July, 2010.

(b) Any alternative descents back to the Glen of Imaal should be checked at the Army advice centre beforehand as firing is often taking place somewhere.

(c) There is an excellent camping and caravan site, in the village of Donard, called Moat Farm. It has beautiful landscaped grounds, including a stone circle (!) and is very well laid out with free hot showers. There is a large campers’ kitchen with tables and sinks but bring your own cooking equipment and pans. There is a fridge and freezer. There is also a sitting room with a TV. The owner and staff are very welcoming, very friendly and very helpful. You would be hard pressed to find a nicer site. Donard is about 4 miles from the Glen of Imaal stores (where you can buy a sandwich). Donard is signposted off the N 81 main road between Blessington and Baltinglass. More about Moat Farm in its own section!