Ticknock, Three Rock and Fairy Castle

From the Ticknock car park, climb the forest road south to Three Rock Mountain, where granite tors stand among radio and TV masts. Follow the open ridge path south-west to Fairy Castle, the prehistoric cairn on Two Rock Mountain, with Dublin Bay spread out from Howth to Dalkey. Turn west on the Dublin Mountains Way to meet the Wicklow Way and follow it north through the forest to the end of the tarmac road. Head east past the old rifle range and north on a forest path to the car park. The loop goes clockwise, like the published Fairy Castle Loop.

It is 5.3 km round with 205 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: forest roads and paths, with an open, boggy path along the ridge.

Ticknock is a Coillte forest run with the Dublin Mountains Partnership; the walk uses its forest roads, the Dublin Mountains Way and the Wicklow Way. Keep dogs on a lead and watch for mountain bikes. The ridge is exposed: stay out of the forest in a red wind warning. The car park is open from 6am to 10pm, locked outside those hours, and may close in snow or ice warnings.

The car park is free. Break-ins have been reported there, so leave nothing on show. Dublin Bus route 44B passes near Ticknock, about 30 minutes from the city.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.