Lots of Music Ceol & Craic promised.. Check back in January 2103 for further details

€90.00 per person sharing to book contact bernie@avocabandb.com

Cherrybrook Country Home Avoca

Walking Trails of Glendalough
There are nine way-marked walking trails in the valley of Glendalough. The walks vary from a short half hour stroll to a long four hour hillwalk. Large maps of the walks are displayed at the Visitor Centre beside the Monastic City and on the Notice Board at the Upper Lake car park. All the walks start at the National Park Information Office near the Upper Lake. Each trail is signposted with colour-coded arrows. Staff at the Information Office can help you choose a suitable route.

A map of the Walking Trails is on sale at the Information Office at the Upper Lake and from the Visitor Centre at the Monastic City. A copy of the map and descriptions of the walks are posted on the notice boards.

Below are the details of all the walks & trails in Glendalough

Miners’ Road Walk (Purple Route)

Grade: Easy

Distance: 5km

Time: 1hr 10 mins

Climb: 20m

This walk skirts one side of the Upper Lake. The trail passes through Scots Pine woodland before reaching the ruined miners’ village. Halfway along the trail, the cave known as St. Kevin’s Bed can be seen across the lake. Feral goats are common on this walk. Peregrine Falcons may on occasion be seen high in the sky soaring and calling to each other(a high-pitched cry).

Walkers on the Miners’ Road Walk may also want to download a Nature Trails leaflet to accompany this walk. Both the Bird Walk and the Mammal Walk follow this route.

Poulanass and St. Kevin’s Cell (Bronze Route)

Grade: Moderate

Distance: 2km

Time: 45 mins

Climb: 120m

This trail rises steeply alongside the Poulanass Waterfall, leading you through the Glendalough oak woodlands. It then winds gently down to the site of St. Kevin’s Cell. At this point there is a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Upper Lake, which is a good place to birdwatch. A visit to Reefert Church is worthwhile before ending your walk.

Green Road Walk (Green Route)

Grade: Easy

Distance: 3km

Time: 50 mins

Climb: 20m

The Green Road is an easy stroll on mostly flat ground. This walk passes through the Glendalough oak woodlands before dropping down onto the Lower Lake wetland edge. Views up the valley from the boardwalk here are spectacular. Lizards and dragonflies are often seen sunning themselves on the wooden trackway. The wetlands are a valuable breeding place for frogs.

Walkers on the Green Road Walk may also want to download a Nature Trails leaflet to accompany this walk. The Flower Walk follows this route.

Derrybawn Woodland Trail (Orange Route)

Grade: Ramble

Distance: 8km

Time: 2hrs

Climb: 160m

This trail climbs steeply up alongside the Poulanass Waterfall before leading you to the upper reaches of Derrybawn Mountain. Flanked by larch and pine trees, the route offers magnificent views of the whole Glendalough Valley. Red Squirrels and birds such as Treecreepers are often seen here. In early summer, wood sorrel, bluebells and wood anemones add colour to the woodland floor.

Poulanass (Pink Route)

Grade: Moderate

Distance: 1.7 km

Time: 45 mins

Climb: 150m

This trail begins with a short but steep climb up by the Poulanass Waterfall and plunge pools. (The name Poulanass is taken from the Irish ‘Poll an Eas’ which means ‘hole of the waterfall’). The trail crosses above the waterfall to drop down through mixed woodlands to the valley floor. Listen out for woodland birds, in particular Jays, which can be quite noisy.

Woodland Road (Silver Route)

Grade: Ramble

Distance: 4km

Time: 1hr 45 mins

Climb: 90 m

This is a pleasant walk through one of the more secretive areas of Glendalough. It weaves through mixed woodlands into neighbouring Glendasan Valley. The trail follows the Glendasan River back towards Glendalough, where it then joins up with the boardwalk which runs through the Lower Lake wetlands.

Spinc and Glenealo Valley (White Route)

Grade: Hillwalk

Distance: 9km

Time: 3hr 30 mins

Climb: 380 m

This popular walk leads you through some of the most spectacular scenery in Co. Wicklow. (The name Spinc comes from the Irish ‘An Spinc’ and means ‘pointed hill’). The trail ascends steeply up by the Poulanass Waterfall before joining a boardwalk. More than 600 wooden steps lead you to a viewing point overlooking the Upper Lake. The boardwalk skirts the top of the cliffs before descending through blanket bog and heath into the picturesque Glenealo Valley, home to a large herd of deer. A rough track then leads you back down into Glendalough Valley.

Spinc and the Wicklow Way (Red Route)

Grade: Hillwalk

Distance: 11km

Time: 4hrs

Climb: 490m

This walk follows the same route as the other Spinc trails up onto the boardwalk. It stays on this boardwalk for 1.7km before turning off in the direction of Lugduff Mountain. This Section of the trail is a good place to spot deer and birds such as Raven, Merlin and Kestrel. Finally the trail links up with the Wicklow Way track to lead you back to the Information Office.

Spinc (short route) (Blue Route)

Grade: Hillwalk

Distance: 5km

Time: 2hrs

Climb: 280m

Although this walk is short in comparison to the other Spinc routes, it still leads you into mountainous terrain where navigational experience is necessary. The walk follows the Poulanass Waterfall before entering the Lugduff Valley. From there, a steep climb up steps brings you onto the boardwalk which hugs the cliff of the Spinc, before cutting down through forest to lead back towards the Information Office.

MORE WALKS IN WICKLOW
Djouce holds its own in Wicklow for its centrality (it’s something of a lynchpin along the Wicklow Way), its striking shape, and the sheer variety of terrain you encounter along the way.
The length of the walk depends on where you start — kicking off at Enniskerry is a popular, if masochistic, choice, as you can cut a couple of hours by parking at Crone Wood.

From there, proceed towards smashing views of Powerscourt Waterfall, before skipping through a brief valley and coming face to face with the mountain herself. Djouce looks simple, but invariably has the last laugh. The final stretch is a real calfbuster, and believe me, the winds will take the map right out of your hands.

Distance: c.10km. Walking time: 4hrs (allow 6hrs from Enniskerry)

THE DEVIL’S GLEN IN ASHFORD 20 MINUTES FROM AVOCA

The Devil’s Glen, a short drive from Ashford, is basically the artistic equivalent of golf. In the thick of a gorgeous flush of woodland is a sculpture trail laid out along a family-friendly path with some perfect picnicking spots along the way. The glen is beautiful, the kind of gorge you wouldn’t be surprised to see crop up in the next Mel Gibson opus.

Cut by a retreating glacier during the last ice age, today it nestles the River Vartry, a cool waterfall, and a pool known as the Devil’s Punchbowl. I recently walked a stretch of this with my toddler, and nary a tantrum was had.

Distance: 4km. Walking time: 1.5hrs.

LUGNAQUILLA FROM THE GLEN OF IMAAL

Lugnaquilla (or ‘Lug’) is Leinster’s highest peak, with an elevation of just over 3,000 feet. On a clear day, views stretch across the Irish Sea to the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales.

On a foggy one, however, you can barely see your nose. The mountain can be tackled via a number of routes, but if you’re looking for a test, hit it from the Glen of Imaal. The route skirts the perimeter of a military range, mind, so call the Army Information and Advice Centre (tel: 045 404653) to avoid making it more demanding than necessary. Lug can be a moody beast, so be sure to check the weather and follow the usual advice: dress appropriately, tell someone where you’re going, avoid hiking alone, and remember to bring a mobile phone.

Distance: 20km. Walking time: 7.5hrs.

COASTAL WALK, BRAY TO GREYSTONES

Bray is 30 minutes drive from Cherrybrook Country Home

Kicking off at Bray Head, a souvenirsized hill lifts you up on to the cliffs, and from then on you’re on the level.

The route is easy, taking you past cliffs, seabird colonies and hidden coves before hitting the gradual incline to Greystones’ Victorian seafront.

And therein lies the beauty — done in this direction, the walk lands you in one of the best café towns in Ireland. Push on into the village for nibbles in the Happy Pear, Nosh n’ Coffee or the Three Qs, before plonking yourself on the Dart back to Bray.

Distance: 6km. Walking Time: 1.5-2hrs.

LUGGALA

Also known as Fancy Mountain, Luggala’s main selling point is a showstopper.

You really haven’t lived until you’ve seen the peaty blue water and shockingly white beach of Lough Tay from these heights, smack in the middle of the Wicklow Mountains. Beginning at the entrance of the Guinness Estate of Lord Iveagh, this walk carries you along the cliff top of Luggala, and can be lengthened, if you’re feeling frisky, to include Knocknacloghoge (it takes roughly the same amount of time to climb and pronounce).

Knocknacloghoge peers over Lough Dan too, so be prepared to wax lyrical in the pub when you get home. Distance: 13km (including Knocknacloghoge). Walking time: c.4.5hrs

Glendalough is approx 15/20 minutes drive from Cherrybrook Country Home, Avoca

The Vale of Avoca is steeped in history & our heritage in mining dates back to the early 1900s. Copper was mined in Avoca until 1983 when the mine closed permanently and the shafts were flooded, today there are many very pleasant walks around the open cast mine area where there are splendid views of the valley from The Miners Cross which is currently being restored & is to be replaced, illuminated & rededicated to The Miners . (to be dedicated on 4th June 2012)

Avoca is immortalised in the famous song The Meeting of the Waters by Thomas Moore. The meeting of the Waters is about 3 miles from Cherrybrook Country Home and Bernie can advise on a walk there & back which will take in the splendid views of the vale & valley, Lunch can be had at the famous Meeting of the Waters Bar/Lounge. Music is outdoors most evening s during the high season June, July & August. Music at week ends through out the year.
The Mottee Stone is to be found on one of the highest points in Avoca , take the redcross road from Avoca Village turning left about 2.5 miles from the Village & then left again about a mile further on. The stone lies halfway between Dublin and Wexford and legend has it that Fionn MacCumhaill ( stories of Old Ireland for Children by Eddie Lenihan features our Fionn!) hurled the stone from the top of the Lugnaquilla mountain . On a clear day the hills of wales can be seen and there are magnificent views from this point. Again a walk to here & back can be done as part of a walk around the wonderful Vale of Avoca.

Fitzgerald’s Bar in Avoca where food is served from 12 noon is famous as the Pub run by Assumpta of Ballykissangel fame. This is about 5 minutes’ walk from Cherrybrook Country Home.
There are many tracks & trails around Avoca Village for Walking. If you are a Golkers then Wicklow will be your paradise and Avoca is central to many famous Golf Clubs, Woodenbridge, Arklow, Blainroe, Druids Glen and only an hour’s drive from The K Club & Carton House
If you feel like a spot of gambling then there’s the weekly community Bingo Session in the Community Hall evening Wednesday evening at 8.30pm
All of this & much much more is available whist staying at Cherrybrook Country Home Avoca
www.avocabandb.com bernie@avocabandb.com

Wicklow known as the Garden of Irelan hosts the Wicklow Garden Festival annually .  The knockenree garden is Avoca is open to visitors and is only 5 minutes drive from Cherrybrook Country Home.

Our cooked selection has A full Irish of Bacon Sausage, black and white pudding and grilled tomato Eggs cooked to suit the individual taste

Mushrooms and crostini, Homemade American Style pancakes served with crispy bacon and maple syrup

Smoked Irish Salmon served with scramble eggs and garnished with grilled tomato and crostini

Quiche for vegetarians or with bacon

Baked beans on brown toast and baked cherry tomatoes

Toast

Early buffet breakfast is available for guest leaving early for flights and ferries.

Bernie