Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the J.B. Malone car park on the R759, follow the Wicklow Way north past the memorial stone to J.B. Malone, who campaigned for the trail. Cross the stream and climb east on the boardwalk of old railway sleepers onto White Hill, with Lough Tay and the cliffs of Luggala below on your left. Follow the boardwalk north along the ridge, then fork left off the Wicklow Way and climb to the trig pillar on Djouce. Return the same way.
It is 6.9 km there and back with 240 m of ascent; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Easy: a good path and a long boardwalk, then a rough path to the top.
The walk follows the Wicklow Way, a National Waymarked Trail. The upper part is in Wicklow Mountains National Park, where dogs must be on a lead, and the lower part skirts Coillte's Ballinastoe forest: after storm damage there, follow any detour signs. Lough Tay and the Luggala estate are private, with no public access to the lake. The ridge is exposed, mist is common, and the sleepers are slippery when wet or frosty. Above the car park the ground falls steeply towards the lake: keep to the boardwalk.
The car park is free. No bus runs to it; St Kevin's Bus from Dublin to Glendalough stops in Roundwood, about 5 km south.
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.
Good to know
- The memorial stone honours J.B. Malone, the walker and writer who campaigned for the Wicklow Way, Ireland's first waymarked long-distance trail, opened in 1980.
- Lough Tay, nicknamed the Guinness Lake, sits below the cliffs of Luggala on a private estate long owned by the Guinness family; its pale beach was laid with imported sand.
- The boardwalk of old railway sleepers was laid across White Hill to stop walkers trampling the blanket bog into a quagmire.
- Djouce (725 m) has a trig pillar and, on a clear day, views along the coast from Dublin to Arklow.
Summits on the way
- White Hill 631 m
- Djouce 726 m
Getting there
Start: J.B. Malone car park on the R759 · Free parking. 53.10707, -6.25643
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Wicklow: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
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Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
