Dublin Mountains Way

Introduction:

One of the flagship projects of the Dublin Mountains Partnership is the establishment of a long distance trail, the Dublin Mountains Way (DMW), across the mountains from Shankill in the east to Tallaght (Sean Walsh Park) in the west, in all approximately 47 kilometres of trail. The DMW has been an objective of the local authorities for close to twenty years and with the formation of the partnership it has begun to be realised.

Work is nearly complete on making this trail a reality on the ground. The first section of the DMW from Tibradden to Cruagh (which includes the Tibradden Mountain Trail) was officially opened on 19^th June 2009 by Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.  It is hoped to get this route classified as one of the national waymarked ways and is waymarked with the standard yellow walking man symbol.  The sections where the Wicklow Way and Dublin Mountains Way run alongside is signed with DMW and WW to avoid confusion.

The Route:

Shankill - the Scalp

Travelling in a westerly direction, the trail starts on the main street in Shankill beside Brady’s pub, and follows paths through the suburbs over the M50 to Rathmichael.  The DMW heads up into Rathmichael Wood, coming out the other side near Puck’s Castle golf course.  From here you enter the back of Carrickgollgan Wood with a view of the Lead Mines tower.  A detour here along the Lead Mines Way (orange discs) gives you a close up view of the Lead Mines tower and further on the amazing views from Carrickgollogan hill.  Exiting Carrickgollogan Wood brings you into nearby Barnaslingan Wood.  Again a small detour following the red trail brings you to the spectacular Scalp viewing point. 

The Scalp - Fairy Castle

The next section from the Scalp to Glencullen is still under discussion and alternative route to Glencullen can be taken via Kilternan village to Glencullen.   (This section of the DMW is not currently waymarked).  With the option of a rest break at Johnny Foxes the route continues along the Ballyedmonduff Road all the way to Carthy’s Green where it enters Tiknock forest and heads up to Three Rock Mountain. (The trail is only waymarked from the forest entrance).  The walk continues along forest roads to Ballyedmonduff and then follows a trail up to the open moorland on Two Rock and on up to the cairn at Fairy Castle.  Heading down from Fairy Castle the DMW joins the WW for a small section before the DMW heads towards Tibradden Mtn and the WW continues to Glencullen.

Fairy Castle - Tibradden

Here the DMW travels west over to the cairn on top of Tibradden Mountain.  This section of the trail was constructed in the autumn of 2008 with financial support from Comhairle na Tuaithe.  It is over 2.5 km in length and offers walkers excellent walking on a robust trail constructed to best international practice (modified for Irish conditions) and has already become hugely popular with walkers. The new trail cost over €100,000 to construct and includes bog bridge, reversal trail, robust stone stair case and water management features. The trail takes the walker across the heathland,  down through the spruce forest and into the beautiful mature Scots pine forest. 

Tibradden - Cruagh

From here you cross the road into the back of Cruagh forest and follow the forest road up along the river (there is a nice picnic stop along the river).  Nearing the top of the forest road in Cruagh there is another nice diversion route – the Cruagh Mountain Access Route (constructed in partnership with Mountain Meitheal volunteers) – a 400m bog bridge bringing you up to the open mountain and rewarding you with great views of Dublin city on the way back down.  The DMW continues down the forest road and then turns off to a small trail winding through the forest to link with Massy’s wood.  Again this section of trail was constructed in partnership with the Irish Ramblers Club, Mountain Meitheal and Dublin Mountains Partnership.  

Cruagh - Massy's - Hell Fire

Entering Massy’s Estate the Dublin Mountains Way follows the Owendoher river down through the estate passing wonderful stone bridges, an old icehouse and walled gardens.  There are also many wonderful specimen trees to see in Massy’s estate including Giant Redwood, Coastal Redwood, beech, lime, cedar, monkey puzzle, western hemlock, oak, Monterey pine and grand fir.  The DMW exits Massy’s Estate and crosses over to the Hell Fire Club and follows the forest road up to the Hell Fire Club on Montpelier Hill.  Here again the route of the DMW has not been finalised and is under discussion.

Glenasmole - Tallaght

The Dublin Mountains Way will make its way down through the Piperstown Gap towards St. Ann’s graveyard and into the Glenasmole or Bohernabreena reservoirs.  (Waymarking only from St. Ann’s to the entrance to the reservoir at present).  The Dodder has a long history of use for both drinking water and power for mills.  The peaty water from the upper slopes was used to supply the mills down the Dodder (the lower reservoir) and the lower non-peaty slopes is used for drinking supply (the upper reservoir – with pipes leading to Ballyboden works for treatment).  The scheme was begun in 1883 using local granite.  Bohernabreena supplies 18.2million litres of water per day to Dublin (which is only a small contribution to the overall Dublin use of up to 410 million litres, but in times of severe drought, its value is appreciated).

Leaving the reservoirs the DMW follows the Dodder through Kiltipper Park back into the housing estates of Tallaght, towards Sean Walsh Park.  The DMW finishes in Sean Walsh Park, close to the Luas Red Line. (Again this section through Kiltipper Park is currently under construction and will be finished in the coming months.  There is no waymarking along this section at present).

Dublin Mountaineer bus

An excellent way to walk some of the route in the summer and autumn is to make use of the Dublin Mountaineer bus service which lets you walk a linear section of trail from point A to B.  There are bus stops at Hell Fire, Cruagh, Tibradden, Glencullen and Ballyemdonduff Road.

Map of the Dublin Mountains Way

A map is currently being developed by the DMP and will be available shortly.