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Tonelagee from Wicklow Gap

Tonelagee from Wicklow Gap

Start/Finish

Car park at the top of the Wicklow Gap. If full, there is a second car park further back on the south side. The Wicklow Gap is well signed from the N81 road between Baltinglass and Blessington. It can also be reached from Laragh. Warning: The official car parks in this area have warning signs about cars being broken into so do not leave anything of any value in your car and especially on view as you may come back to broken windows.

Distance/Time

4 km.     About 2 hours

Peaks

Tonelagee, 817 m, O 085 015.     (Irish National Grid System)

Irish OS Discovery Series Map 56 (1:50000)

Introduction

This is a short and straight forward ascent but the path can be wet and boggy. It is not as scenic a route as the one from Glenmacnass Waterfall which is also listed. Views are good and include the Mullaghcleevaun range, Djouce Mountain, Scarr, Turlough Hill (pump storage reservoir) and Ludnaquilla.Navigation in mist would be a little taxing when leaving the summit. You should be able to easily reset your GPS to the Irish National Grid System.

Route

(1) Cross the road to its N side and look for the start of a path over a narrow ditch. Follow this up easy slopes which can be wet and boggy in places. Reach an outcrop on the edge of a plateau about 200 m before the trig point which marks the summit of Tonelagee, 817 m.

(2) Retrace the outward route taking care, in mist, to begin the descent in the correct direction.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 10th August, 2014.

(b) 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!

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