Co. Wicklow ‘The Garden of Ireland’, is renowned worldwide for its scenic beauty, offering a variety of walking challenges - from woodlands and rolling hills to wild craggy mountain climbs. The county lies just south of Dublin on the East Coast of Ireland. It is home to the largest area of unbroken high raised ground in Ireland, covering almost the same area as that of Mont Blanc, approximately 50km long by 40km wide.

For 2012, Footfalls Wicklow Walking Festival will run from Friday the 26th until Monday the 29th of October.

The Festival will be based in the Brockagh Resource Centre. The Centre is situated in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, on the road between the village of Laragh and Glendalough.
The weekend offers you a choice of:

• 1 night walks
• A selection of day walks from challenging, moderate and easy.

All walks are led by experienced walking leaders who will enhance your day with information on local history flora and fauna. The weekend will include:

• Photography Workshop with professional photographer, Tim Thornton;
  
• Nordic Walking with Michele Jameson
• A walk to see all the good work Mountain Meitheal has done in Co. Wicklow;
• Traditional music and song at the end of the day in the local pubs.
  

Most of the walks take us through the National Park. The Park covers approximately 90,000ha, in the central uplands of Wicklow. The park manages and protects some of Europe's oldest peat boglands, heather covered mountains, broad-leafed and coniferous woodlands, playing host to most of Ireland's native mammal species. Large herds of silka and red/silka hybrid deer, foxes, badgers, hares and birds of prey.

Please note: Walks may be changed on the day depending on weather conditions or the fitness level of the group at the leader’s discretion.

Sarah’s Packed Lunches

Lunch Includes: Sandwich, Chocolate Bar, Crisps and a Piece of Fruit €5
Add: A Bottle of Water  for €1
Or: Tea/Coffee for your flask
Medium €1.50 Large €2.50
Or
Homemade Vegetable Soup
For your Flask
Medium €2.50, Large €3.50

PROGRAMME

SPECIAL PACKAGES

You can choose from one of our special packages to arrange your whole walking weekend in one easy step.

2 Night Package
2 Nights B&B and two walks of your choice
Cost: €125 pps
Or book a hotel upgrade for €15 extra pps, per night and stay in the Glendalough Hotel.


3 Night Package
3 Nights B&B and three walks of your choice.
Cost: €175pps

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A SPECIAL PACKAGE



MULTIPLE DAY PASSES

You can also choose to get a multiple day pass.

2 Day Pass
2 Walks of your choice.
Cost: €36 pp

3 Day Pass
3 Walks of your choice.
Cost: €50 pp

4 Day Pass
4 Walks of your choice.
Cost: €65 pp

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A MULTIPLE DAY PASS

DETAILED PROGRAMME


Friday


Night Hike: Glendalough& the Spinc:
Level: Moderate (12km - 500m ascent)
Registration: Glendalough Hotel at 7.30pm, departing at 8.00pm sharp.
Route: Leaving from the hotel the walk takes us into the valley of Glendalough, following part of the Wicklow Way. This passes the Lower Lake and up by Pollanass Waterfall into Lug Duff Forest. From here, we leave the Wicklow Way and join a trail that leads us onto the Spinc.
Our return journey back to Glendalough takes us down into the historic Miners Village, along the Miners Road back to the hotel.
Important: All who partake in this walk must carry a torch/flashlight; failing to do so will eliminate you from participating in the walk.


Saturday


Walk A: Lugnaquillia

Level: Strenuous (20km – 810m ascent)
Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre at 08.30am, depart centre at 09.00am.
From the Resource Centre you will be bussed to the beginning of your walk, which is in the valley of Glenmalure (Baravore Carpark).
Route: The walk takes us into the Fraughan Rock Glen and out onto Cannow Mountain (625m) following the spur of Lugnaquilla that overlooks the North Prison and onto the summit (925m), the highest mountain in Leinster. The descent route takes us down via Carrigasleggaun (794m) and Carrawaystick (676m). From here we join a trail that takes us into Slieve Maan Forest, where we link up with the Wicklow Way to finish the day at the lively Glenmalure Lodge.
Cost:
€20 pp if you book online
€22 pp on the day  

Walk B: Ballard & the Vale of Clara Nature Reserve

Level: Moderate (17km – 420m ascent)
Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre at 09.30am, departing at 10am.
Route: From the Resource Centre we will walk through the village of Laragh and into Ballard forest, where we will start an easy ascent onto the town land of Ballard. Here we will have great views back over Laragh Village and the surrounding countryside.
Our route then skirts the side of Trooperstown Hill before starting our descent into Ballylug Forest to follow an old Mass Path that will lead us down into the Vale of Clara, where we will have lunch on the banks of the Avonmore River.
Our onward journey takes us into Clara Nature Reserve; an area that contains the largest area of semi-natural woodland in the county and is potentially one of the largest stands of native hardwoods in the country. The reserve is home to many species of birds such as tree creeper, woodcock, blackcap and long-eared owl.
Continuing on the trail leads us back onto the eastern side of Trooperstown and down into Trooperstown Woods, where we will be picked up by bus and taken back to the Brockagh Centre.

Walk C: Monastic Settlement & The Glendalough Lakes Area

Level: Easy to moderate (12.5km – 400m ascent)
Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre at 10am, depart centre at 10.30am.
Route: From the Centre at Laragh, we follow the Wicklow Way into the valley of Glendalough, where we will do a short tour of the 6th Century Monastic Settlement. From there, we continue into the valley of Glendasan, over the side of Camaderry Mountain and make a short descent to the lakes in Glendalough for lunch.
After lunch we continue our walk up by Pollanass Waterfall and into Lugduff and Derrybawn Forest, where we will follow a forest trail that will give us some spectacular views back over the valley, its two lakes, Monastic City and imposing Round Tower. We return via the Green Road to Glendalough and back to the Brockagh Resource Centre.
Cost:
€18 pp if you book online
€20 pp on the day


Digital Photography Workshop & Short Walk:

Level: Easy (1 or 2Km max- 150m ascent)
Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre starts at 11.30 am
Details: Have you ever taken that magical picture and gone home only to find you have destroyed the whole moment by having the wrong setting on your camera, or only capturing half the picture, sure we have all done it!
Today is your chance to rectify and develop your photography skills by coming along to this workshop with professional photographer, Tim Thornton.
Tim is a native of Co. Wicklow and has being a professional photographer for most of his working life; he is also a member SWPP “Society of Wedding and Portrait Photography“. Tim’s style of working with his clients is in a relaxed and friendly manner, to help you capture that magical image.  
“Helping you capture the memories of life”
Cost:
€18 pp if you book online
€20 pp on the day


Other events for Saturday
Live traditional music in the Glendalough Tavern:
We will supply free transport from and back to your B&B for participants of the walking festival, simply let one of your guide know or tell them at registration when you are checking in after your walk. Entrance to the music is FREE

Sunday


Walk A: Wicklow Way

Level: Moderate to Strenuous (26km – 950m ascent)
You have the option to retire at 18km point on this walk and be transported back to the Brockagh Resource Centre.
Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre at 08.30 am, depart centre at 09.00am.
Route: Depart the Brockagh Centre by bus for Crone Forest Carpark, which is the starting point for our walk along the Wicklow Way. This was Ireland’s first way marked trail, pioneered by J.B. Malone back in the 1960s.
The way takes you through Crone Woods where you will have aerial views of the Powerscourt Waterfall and Estate. Onto the side of Djouce Mountain, here you will have the option to take a short diversion from the trail and climb to the summit of Djouce (725m).
Crossing Black Hill and down over Lough Tay, where you will have outstanding views over the Guinness Estate and adjacent countryside.
The final part of the trail takes you down to Oldbridge and across the side of Scarr Mountain, into the Glenmacnass Valley and back to the centre.
Cost:
€20 pp if you book online
€22 pp on the day

Walk B: Wicklow Way, Scarr Mountain and Kanturk

Level:  Moderate (16.5km – 690m ascent)
Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre at 09. 30am, depart centre at 10.00am.
Route: Depart the centre to follow the Wicklow Way through Brockagh Forest, over the Glenmacnass River, onto Paddock Hill. From here we follow the spur onto the summit of Scarr Mountain (641m). On a clear day the views from this point are simply breath-taking. You can enjoy views towards the Irish Sea and back inland to our highest mountain Lugnaquilla. Our descent route takes us north west onto Kanturk (523m) and along the spur of Brown Mountain, where you will be offered some stunning views down over Lough Dan, Wicklows largest lake. The day finishes at Old Bridge, where you will be transported back to the Brockagh Centre.
Cost:
€18 pp if you book online
€20 pp on the day

Walk C: Trooperstown Hill and the Two Glens

Level: Easy to moderate (12km – 490m ascent)
Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre at 10.00am, departing at 10.30am.
Route: From the Resource Centre, our walk takes us through the village of Laragh and into Ballard Forest and onto the town land of Ballard (Baile-ard), translated into English as 'High Town or Village'. This area was once densely populated prior to the Great Famine of 1845-1849 and clear evidence of the small fields and potato furrows can still be seen to this day. From here, our walk takes us onto Trooperstown Hill, where on a clear day it is possible to see almost all the peaks in the Wicklow Mountain range. And if luck is on our side, we can see as far away as the Snowdonia Mountains National Park in Wales.
Our way travels down through Trooperstown Forest, over the Avonmore River and onto the side of Paddock Hill, where we will join the Wicklow Way. This scenic trail will lead us to the valley of Glenmacnass and back to the Brockagh Centre.
Cost:
€18 pp if you book online
€20 pp on the day

Nordic Walk: Brockagh Forest and the Glendalough Valley

Level: Easy (Distance: 7 Km-150m ascents)
Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre starts at 11.30 am.
Details: Nordic Walking is one of the most sociable and effective exercise techniques around. From the social walker enjoying the outdoors with others, to the elite athlete needing sports specific cross training, Nordic Walking (or Nordic Running) is suitable for everyone.
Nordic Walking works your upper and lower body at the same time, strengthening your back, legs and arms, and reducing neck and shoulder tension - all this while improving the health of your heart and lungs. And you can gain all these health benefits and more, while Nordic Walking with your friends; exercise intensity is determined by upper body effort so people of differing fitness levels can walk and talk together, while working to their own level with Nordic Walking.
Trainer and guide for the day will be Michele Jameson from Roundwood.
Cost: €15 pp book online now. Please Note: only 12 spaces available on this walk


Yoga Walk: the Glendalough Valley & Two Lakes

Level: Easy (Distance: 8 Km-150m ascents)
Registration: Brockagh Resource Centre starts at 11.30pm,
Details: 1.5hrs of Yoga followed by a brisk walk into Glendalough
Yoga asanas or postures, when practised with care and attention, exercise all the muscles, lubricate the joints, strengthen the bones and massage the tissues of the body. No other exercise routine is so comprehensive and therefore so beneficial to our overall well-being.
Everyone can do Yoga. Small children quite naturally adopt the postures, but we lose the ability to move freely as we grow up and spend long periods of time sitting behind desks, in cars and on sofas. Our ancestors worked with their bodies, we work with our minds which means that the intellectual centre becomes overactive while the physical body can be quite neglected. Sound familiar? Bad posture and/or slumping over work can cause pressure on the inner organs, causing sluggishness, congestion and malfunctioning.
When mind and body move out of balance, we start to suffer from stress. An over-active (racing) mind is one of the main causes of fatigue and illness. So many of us lack energy; Yoga can restore vital energy and leave one feeling calm, yet at the same time strong. One can take up Yoga at any age. Anyone from trendy teens to sprightly seniors benefit. Yoga is non-competitive -- all that is necessary is to work wholeheartedly to the best of one's ability.
Trainer and guide for the day will be, Hilde Eiselen from Yoga Tree Ireland.
Cost: €15 pp book online now.

MAKING A BOOKING

To book a special package, one or more walks or a workshop, please fill in our booking form.
Click here to go to the booking form.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Telephone: +353 (0)404 45152; Mobile: 087 2698659
E-mail: info@walkinghikingireland.com


RULES

• Every walker must have submitted an entry form and paid the fee.
• Everyone must be in possession of a numbered identification card, which will be issued at registration. This card must be handed in at the finishing point to your lead guide.
• It is forbidden to light matches or discard litter along the routes.
• Dogs are not allowed
• Participants on moderate and strenuous walks must be 16 years or older. An adult, who will assume complete liability, must accompany participants under 16 years of age on easy walks.
• Walkers must be satisfied that they are fully equipped and capable of undertaking their chosen walk.
• The committee will not accept responsibility for any accident however it may arise.
• If you need to cancel a walk that you have already paid for, please contact us before Friday 19th October 2012.

EQUIPMENT

• Good waterproof walking boots, with good ankle support, especially if you are doing some of the high level walks.
• Good rain jacket & over-trousers
• Warm clothing, dress with layers rather than one heavy swatter
• Back Pack, lined with a plastic bag to contain some extra clothing
• Hat and Gloves
• Head Torch/Flashlight for the night walks
• Walking poles and gaiters (Optional)
• Lunch pack & water 
• A good sense of adventure & fun

It is the responsibility of the participants to ensure they are suitably equipped for the walks. Jeans and trainers/runners are not suitable for mountain walking.
Unless walkers are wearing suitable walking boots and clothing, they will not be allowed to participate in their chosen walk!

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