Hellfire Club
(4 votes, average: 2.50 out of 5)
Loading ...Duration: About 45 minutes.
A short walk for a summer evening, the main highlights being the ruined Hellfire Club and the spectacular views across Dublin city. The walk is circular and can be done in either direction, but its recommended to go clockwise (starting out along the forestry road, returning directly downhill) to best enjoy the views on the return leg.
 Hellfire Club |
 Path from Hellfire Club back to car park |
Route
The route is straightforward and follows well trodden paths. Starting at the car park, walk the length of the car park to where a forestry road starts. Follow this road for about 1km as it twists through the woods, then take the sharp right turn onto another forestry road that appears as the main road bends to the left and heads downhill. Although there a few muddy paths leading off from the main road, the right turn you want is the first one onto a proper forestry road and so is easy enough to spot. Follow the road for about 300m to find the Hellfire Club. This is a ruined building with a colourful history – see, for example wikipedia for more details. There are great views over Dublin city from here. Continue past the Hellfire Club following a narrow path downhill through the trees. This leads directly back to the car park.
View Hellfire Club in a larger map
August 16th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Last time I did this walk there were kids buzzing about on trail bikes, which fairly ruined the atmosphere of the place. Not sure whether this is common or not – hopefully not.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Are there any groups walks out there? We have a very enthusiastic 7 year old son and would love some company for him.
Cheers
R.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:00 am
There are some local walking clubs in Dublin/Wicklow:
- Bray Strollers Hillwalking Club
- The Irish Ramblers Club
- The Wayfarers Association
And probably some others that I don’t know about. I haven’t been on any of their outings myself, so can’t comment on how child friendly they are I’m afraid.
April 1st, 2011 at 12:36 pm
The description says, ‘walk the length of the car park to where a forestry road starts’. Which car park? Is this in Marlay Park? If so I think there are more than on car park.
April 1st, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Frank, the Hellfire Club is further up in the hills than Marlay – near to Massey Woods if that’s any help. I’d suggest taking a closer look at the map on this page as that shows precisely where the walk starts, and also the road numbers etc to take to get here. Its possible to zoom out from the map to get a wider view by clicking the + button the map – that might help put the location of the walk in the right context.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:24 am
Its a pity the hellfire car park is closed most of the time, you can park at Massey woods just opposite. There are a few club and orginisations using this as a starting point: http://www.theramblers.ie have a few grades so do http://www.theamblers.ie great for kids though. A walk down to Carthy’s Castle is always worth it too.
September 7th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
Check out mountaineering Ireland for info on clubs/walking groups!
October 10th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
This is a nice, pleasant walk any day, and if you want to extend it you can do so simply by:
Doing a circuit of Massey’s Wood – there are two trails marked out around the wood the entrance to which is slightly downhill from the Hellfire car park.
From Massey’s Wood there is also a marked trail on to the Dublin Mountain Way. Following this will take you up a steep climb beside a river to Cruagh, where another circuit awaits you if you are really adventurous.
Be warned: Both are extremely wet and muddy in the Autumn – Spring months.