Lugnaquilla
(31 votes, average: 3.42 out of 5)
Loading...Duration: About 6 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.
This walk is not suitable for inexperienced walkers.
 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.
Descent Option 1:
- Follow the path east that descends the shoulder of Clohernagh (keep to the north of the shoulder to find the path) to join the path at the dramatic Carrawaystick Waterfall. Follow the path down to the Glenmalure road and return along the road to the car park.
Descent Option 2:
- An alternative descent is to again begin following the path east from Clohernagh, but then bear north and descend to Arts Lough. The path turn-off to Arts Lough is about 300m after a post marking the boundary of the wicklow mountains national park. The landscape is rather featureless, but the path down to Arts Lough is marked by white cairns.
park boundary post
white cairn marking path
- The path descends to Arts Lough via a grassy ramp, with great views. At Arts Lough there is a fence running parallel to the lough. Follow this fence past the lough and you will find yourself overlooking Fraughan Rock Glen. Continue following the fence line down a steep grassy slope to reach the river. Cross the river to rejoin the path you took on the way up – turn right on the path to return to the start of the walk.
Looking back at grassy ramp down to Arts Lough
Descent Option 3:
- At Arts Lough, an alternative descent is through the woods beside the lough. To find the path, look for the fence running parallel to the lough and follow this to your right (heading back away from the lough). You will pass a stile, the fence then takes a sharp turn to the left. There is a second stile and then the fence tales a turn to the right and passes a large white rock. The start of the forest path is 20-30m past this rock – see photo below. Initially the path is quite faint but quickly becomes more distinct. After about 300m the path passes a collapsed hut and then heads more steeply downhill to join a forestry road. Turn right along this road heading downhill. The road makes a few switchbacks. Keep heading right and downhill when you reach a junction with a second road. Follow to the Glenmalure road and return along the road to the car park.
Route from Arts Lough
Collapsed hut
Path to forest road
Other Maps
The google map above lacks detail and is indicative only. Do invest in a suitable map before going on this walk (e.g. see links below).
June 28th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
lookin for a guide for a charity walk sat 2nd
July 3rd, 2011 at 9:36 pm
The map is wrong. Fraughan Rock Glen is the one to the South.
July 5th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Thanks, should be fixed now.
August 1st, 2011 at 7:31 am
would the people in the two cars which were parked near the barrier at the start of walk (just above the An Oige centre) please go back and cleanup after you the only word that describes you people is knackers
August 1st, 2011 at 10:38 pm
I agree with Des. My first visit to the Glenmalure area over the weekend and I was appalled by the mess left up toward fraughan rock Glen by the knackers that were parked up. Also a car was in the ditch near the youth hostel on Sunday morning and by Sunday afternoon it was completely burnt out! Plenty of well meaning campers in the area but I wouldn’t be enticed, I can only imagine what happens after dark up there.
August 11th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Looking for accommadion near the mountains and a bar for two adults and two children. Were climbing the four highest peaks in the four provinces of lreland. Have completed three and this will be our last! !!
August 12th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
The Glenmalure Inn does bed and breakfast. There is also a hostel near by.
January 2nd, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Please can you send me some information on Lughnaquilla.
My address Shanid 166 Rochestown Avenue Dun Laoghaire Co Dublin.
Such as best/worst time weather etc. Also send same to Mr David O’Farrell 95 Beaumont Road Cambridge CB1 8PX Cambridgeshire England.
January 3rd, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Stephen
Mountain can be climbed at any time of year but take care in winter as snow and ice are not always obvious from base. Make sure you have decent boots and proper all weather gear as its definitely not a stroll. Map compass etc all essential as the summit can be shrouded in cloud with very little warning and there are steep cliffs at the south prison leading from summit. Most strightforward route is from Fentons pub in Glen of Imaal. In winter in particular note that this can take 5 or 6 hours – make sure you leave enough daylight to complete safely.
see http://www.holidaywicklow.com for accommodation
Happy Hiking
Dave
February 10th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
Hello new to site and sport planing to do lugnaquilla by end of feb
Any advice warmly wellcomed also is there a book of maps for each
Mountain range and best place to get them
Thanks
February 10th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Adventure, if you’re new to hill-walking I’d very much encourage you to try a few of the other walks first before doing Lug – its one for more experienced walkers only, see sound advice from wicklowcottage above. As for a good walking map, the amazon link above is the one I’d recommend (and use myself).
February 13th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Thanks hot advice might leave it till April
Looking for books now any advice on out door
Shops with keen pricing
February 19th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Did sugar loaf today the long route a good
Warm up for the next one
February 20th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Any ideas for one that’s of similar endurance
February 26th, 2012 at 4:57 am
On public transport whats the best way to get there from Dublin
March 14th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Great site! Thanks for putting up all this info.
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:46 pm
Hello does anybody know of any WW 2
Crash sites that are reachable in the
Wicklow area
March 24th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Blackhill nearLacken/ Blessington has a commerative marker to a WW2 bomber crash, with details of crew, dates,etc.
http://www.generator21.net/g21archive/irish44.htm
March 26th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Hi two more questions to ask
Do I need to do a course on
Map reading
Is there any dog friendly walks
In the Wicklow area
Thanks
March 27th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Ahem! – in relation to the Lugnaquilla Walk:
1) The Wicklow Way is NOT at the Carawaystick Waterfall. It’s on the far side of Glenmalure.
2) There is NO forest road leading downhill from Art’s Lough. There are forest tracks in the woods below but they have to be found. Art’s Lough area has many boulders and holes in deep heather..
Trust this is not representative of the rest of your route descriptions!!!
March 27th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Thanks for the comments. You’re right about the waterfall path not being the Wicklow Way – I’ve updated the route notes. Its a big, easy to find path all the same ;-) As for Arts Lough, I’d say the best thing is if I go and take some photos to make clear where the path/road can be found. Will see if I can make some time this weekend.
May 14th, 2012 at 10:01 am
Yesterday, I completed the Fraughan Rock / Clohernagh circuit and ran into trouble desending to Arts Lough, using Great Iriah Walks as a reference. Apart from not finding the grassy ramp, I finished up beside the Fraughan Glen river and saved a few km walking back to the car park. So the desent from the Lough must be on the left of the lake, as I followed the right fence.
July 21st, 2012 at 11:17 pm
My family and I climbed Lug on Saturday July 21 2012 starting at the Youth Hostel and proceeding via Frauchan Rock Glen to the top. on our decent, about 2km from the top heading towards the zig zags to Glenmalure ,our dog , a Cavalier King Charles wandered back in the direction of the summit. We have been unable to locate him since. His name is Bobby ,he is 10 years old and is quite deaf. I would dearly love to hear from anyone who knows of his whereabouts. Thank You
Noel 0868625414
August 5th, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Noel
The path you were descending is across a private sheep farm and dogs are strictly forbidden according to the sign at the entrance to the path. If walkers insist on bringing dogs along this path it will end up being closed to walkers altogether. No body wants this to happen so please leave your dogs at home.
August 10th, 2012 at 6:06 am
Got any stamps there Stephen!!?
Cheers for site info. Planning on hitting the mountain tomorrow. Weather should be good
August 12th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Walked the Arts Lough routes last friday – beautiful sunny weather but still quite wet underfoot from all the rain. Hadn’t done these routes in a good while and I found that the original route through the forest has become overgrown with trees. Have updated the route notes to describe an alternative descent through the woods from Arts Lough (marked option 3), and have also included a new descent from Arts Lough into Fraughan Glen (marked option 2).
August 16th, 2012 at 10:38 am
I have just discovered this site and find it excellent and informative. I have been up and down Lugnaquilla a few times on the Fenton Pub route. The drawback at the moment is the extremely boggy conditions after all the rain, particularly in the valley after Camara. I believe there is an interesting loop route commencing on Ballineddan and finishing up back over Camara to Fenton’s. Is anyone here familiar with this ? Is it well marked and easy to follow, as I usually walk alone, and approx how long does it take ? Would be grateful for any info. Many thanks
August 17th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Just a note to all, the Father Willie Walsh Walk is on this sunday, 19th August at 11am leaving Barravore Glenmalure and finishing at Fentons, Glen of Imaal. The route goes via Table Mountain. All sponsorship goes to charity. A great days walking and a bit of craic and a few pints after in Fentons Pub.
September 4th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
I did this climb (hardly a walk!) on the hot sunny fri end of July, there was only one! It was quite a challenge as I’ve not been hillwalking for some time. We had a guide who had done it before a few years ago, however even with his quide book he had difficulty finding ‘paths’, which I wouldn’t have called paths at all. We took the steepest way up, you need to be fit, not ideal for your first time. You absolutely need proper hiking boots (waterproof) as it’s full of wet bogs and little rivers and very muddy at times. A walking pole would be useful also and lots of fluids. On our decent we headed south west and turned left at the cairn past the park boundary. It was quite scary as the ‘path’ was only wide enough for one foot at a time and a steep fall to our right, you would need a head for heights. We met a hiker on his way up who was able to tell us that the path our guide used to get out last time was blocked off, so he pointed out the ‘white rock’ which led us through the forest. This was completely overgrown with trees and deep with mud, not pleasant. We made our way to a roadway, no signs, we walked to the right, hairpin bend, then to the left, hairpin bend, to the right and so on, which was quite boring apart from spotting a deer and a beautiful waterfall. Then we came to a T junction, no sign, we felt our car park was to the left, but that was leading back uphill again, which we didn’t want. So we turned right. We eventually found a car park but it wasn’t ours. Our guide very kindly suggested he would walk to the car park and pick us up, as we were quite tired by then. Relieved to be back down but quite happy to have achieved this climb :)
September 15th, 2012 at 8:16 am
hi
i am a regular mountain climber from co kerry and am visiting wicklow from sun 23rd to thursday 27th septembr inclusive and am looking to see if anyone is available to do this mountain walk wth me. i will of course return the favour should anyone ever want to climb any of the mountains in co kerry>please reply to me here if anyone is available and we can arrange furthur contact>michael
November 4th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Just wondering if Noel found his dog. I would die if I lost my dogs!!
December 8th, 2012 at 11:43 am
Would like to draw your attention to the fact that cottage at the bottom of the zig-zag path in Glenmalure, known as Kellystown, is now available for rent. You can find us on
http://www.facebook.com/kellystowncottage or 0874109259. Thank you!
March 25th, 2013 at 11:07 am
my family and i attempted to climb the lug via glen of lmaal on Sat. snow and ice prevented us from finishing it. it became very dangerous and the mist was well down. we could see 2 things that resembled curved walls off to the right hand side. we were wondering how close to the top were we. we will go back and finish it in better weather.
April 10th, 2013 at 10:55 pm
did lug today. great day. zero visibility!! snow and ice on top but had a ball. we went up glenmalure side. my first time this route(i usually go glen of imaal side) went through fraggle rock glen and back down through carrysticks. felt like i was carrying sticks at this point. (sorry for changing names but they made me laugh all day !!)
April 11th, 2013 at 3:10 pm
Climbed The Lug yesterday, 10th April. Zero viability but had maps and compass. All went well until we met a blonde who told us to head for places that didn’t appear on our maps………. I think she thought we were Muppets.
Hey, Lesley, we did alright!! Not even a blister today. Great walk/climb. Great company
April 14th, 2013 at 8:47 pm
:))))))))
June 8th, 2013 at 10:26 pm
Is the diretions from above reliable? Want to walk Lug Monday :) Please help, Thanks :)
June 9th, 2013 at 11:51 pm
Hi Claire, Im wondering the same. Planning to do the walk on Monday (tomorrow) also. There are a lot of conflicting messages. Can anyone recommend the best/ safest route? Thanks
July 16th, 2013 at 10:00 pm
Anyone know if there are guided walks available og lugnaquilla
August 2nd, 2013 at 11:41 am
Hi
Can anyone tell me if the Father Willie Walsh Walk is on this year and if they have the details?
Missed it last yr and finding it difficult to get any info about it
Thanks
Barry
November 6th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
I have done this before, the steep side. I would just like to ask people where do I start to do this again. I remember a bit of a walk down roads first to eventually get to the bottom of Lug, then was the steep climb. I am just not sure where to start. Coordinates would be fantastic if anybody can help
From what comes back to me was a hostel too that we drove past and a pub we parked nearby (and a well deserved pint after)
Thanks in advance
Ken :-)
November 15th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Hello, your site is very informative and helpful, I am planning a trip to ireland from essex england for the first time, and would like to walk some of the wicklow way south from dublin into the wicklow mountains, then catch a bus back, does anyone know a regular bus route in and out of the wicklow mountains,is the st kevins bus still runing?,i am realy looking forward to my first
Trip to your fantastic country,ive been wanting to go there since i was 15,now 34 its long over due.ps,i hope Noel mcmullen found his Dog.jamesHobbs.UK.
February 26th, 2015 at 4:03 pm
[…] This is not one for the faint-hearted with over seven hours of walking involved! Those attempting it are advised to get some up-to-date advice from the Army Information and Advice Centre before setting off and to ensure they have mobile phones with them. Foolow the route on the Wicklow Walks website. […]
July 12th, 2015 at 3:43 pm
I’ve just come back from this walk, and have to say it was absolutely fantastic. It’s certainly not and easy or short walk, but definitely worth the effort. There are a number of notices about erosion damage, and in places the path is fairly rough as a consequence.
The top was a little busier than I prefer, even for a mid-week, but wasn’t exactly what you’d call crowded.
If you fancy a longer walk as I did, then start at the Glenmalure Lodge car park (free, but make sure you get some food or something on the way back), and walk south-west down the road, turning right onto the Wicklow Way (incidentally the 1/2 way point), then travel up the hill to Carrawatstick, before walking along the ridge towards Lugnaquilla. The ridge is a bit boggy in places even on hot sunny days (following a few previous days of sun), but nothing a decent pair of waterproof boots cannot handle. This route is longer, but personally I though it was much easier than the ascent listed in the route description above.
“highest mountain in Wicklow and the only Munro”, yet Wikipedia says “A Munro is a mountain in Scotland with a height …”, so probably not a Munro then (unless Scotland has invaded, or my geography skills are worse than I thought).
July 15th, 2015 at 10:48 am
@Derek, as far as i remember there are ca 30 recognized Munros outside Scotland. Wikipedia is a poor source of information.
April 14th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
A great winter season on Lugnaquilla – loads of snow and ice since December. Although it has almost melted please do take care if you are hiking the mountain this summer – it needs to be treated with respect all year ! http://www.holidaywicklow.com
September 21st, 2016 at 8:28 pm
Hi, just wondering if dogs are permitted on lug?
November 14th, 2016 at 10:06 pm
No issues with dogs on lug. Although it could be a tricky climb for the dog depending on your route and dog.
January 22nd, 2017 at 10:00 pm
Looking to climb this on Feb 25th or 18/19 of March. Anyone know of any organized walks or climbs? Any advice?
March 14th, 2017 at 12:45 am
[…] the road where you will turn left and walk to the car park. Other descent Routes can be seen here. Other Walks Nearby […]