Extract from 'Hill Walkers Wicklow'

© David Herman, Shanksmare Publications.

(Published 1997, ISBN 0 9514547 5 7 IR£3.75/ £3.95 Stg.)

One of the best routes in the Wicklow mountains: a lovely interplay of rugged mountain, wooded valleys and placid (well, usually placid) lakes.

Getting There: By car drive towards Glendalough, turning right off the R755 onto the R759 about 7 miles south of Kilmacanoge. Drive a further 2 miles to park near the prominent set of gate pillars on the left ('Pier Gates') (GR I 73064). If you are travelling by St Kevin's bus take it to the junction of the R755 and the R759 (GR 2005) and walk from there (3km extra each way).

Walking Time: 4.5 hours (distance 13km, c1imb 780m).

Difficulties: One usually deep stream to be forded. Otherwise easy.

Map: Sheet 56.

Route: From Pier Gates. you can see practically the entire route: the cliffs of Luggala topped by Fancy, bumpy Knocknacloghoge to its left, at whose foot and just out of sight lies Lough Dan. An inviting prospect!

Walk the tarmacadam road at the Gates, taking a short cut path on the left if you wish. rather than keeping to tarmac all the way. On the valley floor and now on a track, cross one bridge and immediately turn right to follow another track westward. Leave it shortly to c1imb directly to the summit of Fancy (595m). a tough c1imb but one with widening views, best towards the summit where cliffs close on the right plunge directly in rocky precipices into Lough Tay.

Fancy's summit is a letdown: a mundane, grassy plateau. Never mind, the long views are no disappointment. From Fancy head south-west over heather towards Knocknacloghoge. Do not go directly south as this would give a difficult river crossing: it's difficult enough as it is. Once across the Brook head to the summit of Knocknacloghoge (534m), a fine, rocky point giving excellent views of Lough Dan and much more besides. To its south follow a forestry fence to reach Inchavore River at the Copse. the group of deciduous trees on the opposite bank.

Walk east from here following the river downstream to pass through a wet area below cliffs flanking the southern side of Knocknacloghoge. Here a delightful path materialises along the shore of Lough Dan. Walk it to a two-storey house close to Cloghoge River, where it improves to a track, then continue along the valley floor, all the way In splendid country, to finally face the steep uphill to Pier Gates. There had to be retribution for the initial easy downhill!