Dublin & Wicklow Walks

Duration: About 4.5 hours

Lugnaquilla is the highest mountain in Wicklow and the only Munro (i.e. hill above 3000ft). It rewards the effort of climbing it with panoramic views over Glendalough and the Wicklow hills and views inland over the Blessington Lakes and Co. Kildare. There are a number of possible routes up Lugnaquilla – the one given here passes the dramatic cliffs of Fraughan Rock Glen and takes a short but steep route to the summit.

Fraughan Rock Glen	Fraughan River	Lugnaquilla summit from Clohernagh

Route

• Start from the car park at the end of the Glenmalure road, near to the youth hostel. Follow the small path north-west from the car park along the side of the river to find a small footbridge. Cross the river and continue along the road past the youth hostel.
• Fork left uphill a short distance after the youth hostel, following a forestry road up into Fraughan Rock Glen.
• In Fraughan Rock Glen the path follows beside the river, with the path gradually deteriorating as the river descends the steep slope at the head of the glen. Follow the path up to emerge onto an open area at the head of the glen with the summit of Lugnaquilla now visible in front.
• At this point one option is to bear right to reach the lower part of the northern shoulder of Lugnaquilla and then follow the shoulder to the summit. A shorter alternative is to bear left and take a more direct (and steeper) path up to the shoulder. In either case, once on the shoulder, the path to the summit is clear.
• Returning from the summit, head east along a gentle slope to reach the summit of Clohernagh.
• Follow the path east that descends the shoulder of Clohernagh (keep to the north of the shoulder to find the path) to join the Wicklow Way at the dramatic Carrawaystick Waterfall. Follow the path down to the Glenmalure road and return to the car park.

• An alternative descent is to begin following the path east from Clohernagh, but then bear north and descend to Arts Lough. Then follow the forest road down into Glenmalure.

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