MAP 1 Shankill - Barnaslingan

Travelling in a westerly direction, the trail starts on the main street in Shankill at a metal trailhead sign beside Brady's pub . The route brings the walker through a residential part of Shankill on a series of laneways before crossing the M11 motorway on a pedestrian bridge. The DMW route then travels on narrow County roads for 0.7km, it is advisable to wear high visibility vests for these road sections. What follows is a beautiful tree lined laneway which passes the beautiful Fassaroe Cross and leads into Rathmichael Wood named for the hill fort that dominates the summit. From Rathmichael Wood the route is along Pucks Castle Lane and onwards and upwards to Carrickgollogan Wood a mixed coniferous woodland with stunning views of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains, it is also known as the Lead Mines. From Carrickgollogan there is a short section of narrow County Road, Murphy's Lane, before entering Barnaslingan Wood also known as the Scalp Wood.

MAP 1 Barnaslingan - Fairy Castle/Three Rock

Leaving Barnaslingan Wood the route heads along the Enniskerry Road to the former Kilternan Sports Hotel where it turns west and travels through the grounds of the Hotel, past the Ski Slope, before emerging onto Killegar Lane, this is a new section as of April 2018.   From here the DMW heads north to join Ballybetagh road and onwards to Glencullen village, please take care on this narrow section of County road.  There is an option of a pit stop at the famous Johnnie Foxes pub in the village. From Glencullen Village the route travels a short distance on the Ballybrack Road before turning into the grounds of the GAP (Glencullen Adventure Park) where there is an option for another pit-stop at the GAP Kitchen (open Wednesday to Sunday). The DMW travels through this private land and private woodland before emerging into Coillte's Ballyedmonduff Forest.  The DMW follows a forest road from Ballyedmonduff into Tiknock forest before climbing up to Fairy Castle, the highest point on the Dublin Mountains Way at 537m. 

MAP 2 Fairy Castle /Three Rock - Cruagh

Heading down from Fairy Castle the DMW joins the Wicklow Way for a 1km  section. Be very mindful of junctions in this section as both routes are way-marked with a yellow hiker but do also have the route names in text on the way-marker plaque, i.e. Wicklow Way or Dublin Mountains Way.  At a junction beside a Trail Head map board the DMW heads northwest towards Tibradden Mountain while the Wicklow Way travels south onto the Glencullen to Tibradden County road.  The DMW travels across the open mountain passing Tibradden Cairn on the summit 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 DMW then travels downhill into Tibradden Wood also known as the Pine Forest and home to ZIPIT an exciting zip-line experience. The DMW crosses the Tibradden to Glencullen road into Cruagh Wood, be careful at this junction. The route through Cruagh  is a lovely upwards pull for approximately 2km before levelling out and descending out onto the Cruagh Road.  

MAP 2 Massy's Estate and Hellfire Club Optional Route

T here is an option on exiting Cruagh Wood to cross the County Road into Massy's Estate and onwards to Hell Fire Club Forest, note this would be an 8-10km detour.

MAP 3 Glenasmole - Tallaght

The DMW enters Dublin City Council's Glenasmole site, also known as Bohernabreena, for a beautiful 4km journey alongside the reservoirs which still supply drinking water to Dublin.  From the exit of Bohernabreena the DMW crosses into South Dublin County Council's Kiltipper Park, if you look back along this short  route through the Park there are stunning views of the Dublin Mountains.  From Kiltipper Park there is a short section through residential areas before the DMW enters Sean Walsh Park, from here it is just over 1km to the end of the DMW marked by a trailhead map.