Go Walk: Lugnaquilla, Wicklow Mountains, Co Wicklow

The fine stretch in the evenings allows walkers to take to the hills without the pressure of having to be down by mid-afternoon. Lugnaquilla, the highest peak in Wicklow is always a challenging walk and not to be undertaken lightly in the depths of winter. Most ascents of Lug start from Glenmalure or the Glen of Imaal so it’s a plus to discover a new route which provides a challenging day’s walk while taking in a number of smaller peaks.

The walk starts at the entrance to a forest at Slievenamough, on the road between Aughavannagh and Rathdangan. (The forest roads are marked on both the OS and EastWest map, but easier to follow on the EastWest map.) This first leg of the walk, which takes about 50 minutes, follows a gradually rising path. Take the second turn right after a sharp bend, followed 10 minutes later by another right turn. This leads to a fence and, from there, on to the open mountain.

Follow the fence which leads down and then up to the summit of Carrigatheme (595m/1,900ft).The next stretch of the walk follows a rough path northwest towards Lybagh (652m/2,100ft). Conditions underfoot, though wet and mucky, are more than compensated by wonderful views. Dropping away to the northeast is the heavily forested Ow Valley, with the massive bulk of Lugnaquilla to the north. To the west is solitary Keadeen while to the south lies Mount Leinster and the Blackstairs Mountains

From Lybagh continue in a northwesterly direction, crossing energy sapping peat hags to Slievemaan. The one compensation is a rough path which leads eventually to the summit of Lugnaquilla itself. Slievemaan (761m/2,500ft) is a bleak featureless peak scarred by tracks left by quad bikes.

Descend from Slievemaan to the aptly named “Mud Floor” which is a good place to stop for lunch before commencing the ascent of Lugnaquilla.

The ascent itself is sharp and steep (220m/720ft) along a clearly marked path and takes about 35 minutes. Near the top you reach a broad plateau which brings you to Lugnaquilla itself (925m/3,000ft), crowned by a massive cairn. On a clear day, the views are incomparable, taking in Mullaghcleevaun and Tonelagee to the north, Croaghanmoira to the southeast and Mount Leinster to the south. In the distance, the distinctive shape of Slievenamon in Tipperary can sometimes be seen along with the purple profile of the Comeragh Mountains.

Allow three and a half hours, including 30 minutes for breaks, for this part of the journey. While you still have two and a half hours to the finish, all the major climbing has been done. Head west for the descent into the Glen of Imaal.The navigation is simple: start retracing your steps along the route you came up and after eight minutes turn right, while avoiding the steep cliffs on the right.

The first part of the descent is through boulder strewn country, so be careful and take your time. A well used path soon develops that brings you to Camara Hill, a journey of 3km. As you descend, the Glen of Imaal opens up taking in a horseshoe of mountain peaks, with Carlow and the plains of Kildare ahead. From Camara to the end of the walk takes another 70 minutes through fine open country. You pass warning signs for the Glen of Imaal shooting range before crossing a fence. Another track is crossed at right angles and the track flattens off and leads into the town land of Seskin, past the Michael Dwyer memorial and Fenton’s Imaal Bar where refreshments, and hopefully a lift, await.