Gateway to the Garden of Ireland
Perfectly situated on 38 acres only 30mins from Dublin, Powerscourt Springs is your gateway to the Garden of Ireland.
Pack your hiking boots and fill your lungs with fresh air. Enjoy the beauty of County Wicklow during your stay at Powerscourt Springs.
POWERSCOURT HOUSE & GARDENS
Powerscourt Gardens was Voted No.3 in the World’s Top Ten Gardens by National Geographic and is located just 2km from the gates of Powerscourt Springs. It took 150 years of careful design and meticulous planting to create these stunning gardens.
OUR TIP: Allow yourself at least 90 minutes to wander slowly through this spectacular garden followed by a tea/coffee in Avoca Cafe.
POWERSCOURT WATERFALL
Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland’s highest waterfall at 121m (398ft.) and is just 2km from Powerscourt Springs.
OUR TIP: We recommend booking a delicious Powerscourt Springs Picnic + Prosecco basket complete with blanket and dining at the foot of the Waterfall.
ENNISKERRY VILLAGE
This extremely picturesque village was built to accompany the manor house of the nearby Powerscourt Estate and is an excellent base from which to explore County Wicklow. There are a number of traditional shops in the village, including groceries, antiques and jewellery, along with traditional pubs and cosy cafés.
TOP TIP: Try OhSo Coffee Shop and tell Ian we sent you.
GLENDALOUGH
Glendalough is home to one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. This early Christian monastic settlement was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century and from this developed the “Monastic City”.
Glendalough is one of the top attraction on Ireland’s Ancient East.
THE SUGARLOAF
The Great Sugar Loaf Mountain (also featured in our logo) dominates the skyline as you drive south from Dublin into Wicklow. You can either start the Sugarloaf Loop at Kilmacanogue GAA pitch or at the car park on Red Lane. Add another kilometre to your walk if you are starting from Red Lane. Grade: Strenuous | Distance: 7km | Total height climbed: 275m | Terrain underfoot: Mountain track Notes: Upper section is steep and needs care especially when descending.
How to get to start point: Red Lane Car Park: GPS 53.144956, -6.155013 GAA Pitch: GPS 53.163322, -6.141358
GLENDALOUGH SPINC
WHITE ROUTE:
A tough climb is rewarded with breathtaking views not just of Glendalough Valley but as you climb high, the view over the Wicklow Uplands opens out around you. The Spinc ridge is considered one of Wicklow’s most scenic spots with great opportunities for photography.
The trail ascends steeply on a path up by Poulanass Waterfall before joining a boardwalk and wooden steps leading to a spectacular viewing point overlooking the Upper Lake.
Grade: Strenuous | Markings: Route is marked with white arrows – Loop trail
Distance: 9.7km | Estimated time: 3.5hrs | Total height climbed: 410m | Highest point: 500m | Terrain underfoot: Rocky trail, boardwalk, forest roads. Suitable for: Well equipped walkers with reasonable fitness Notes: High mountain route, exposed to the weather, proper footwear & rainwear required, dogs on leads at all times, dangerous exposed cliffs - do not leave the trail.
How to get to start point: Upper Lake Car Park Glendalough | GPS START POINT: 53.005,-6.3449
BLUE ROUTE:
The easier (yet still strenuous) of the Glendalough Valley hiking routes - the Blue Loop - this route is 6km and will take approximately 2hrs.
The walk ascends steeply up by Poulanass Waterfall before entering the Lugduff Valley where a steep climb up steps brings you onto the boardwalk which hugs the cliff of the Spinc before cutting down onto forest with a spectacular viewing point overlooking the Upper Lake from the Spinc.
Grade: Strenuous
Markings: The route is marked with blue arrows – Loop Trail
Distance: 6km | Estimated time: 2hrs | Total height climbed: 300m | Highest point: 400m
Terrain underfoot: Boardwalk, rough mountain tracks and forest roads
Suitable for: Anyone with reasonable fitness level looking for a shorter version of the Spinc Walk | Notes: Dangerous cliffs - do not leave the boardwalk. How to get to start point: Upper Lake Car Park Glendalough | GPS START POINT: 53.005,-6.3449
BRAY HEAD
This route will take you along the Cliff Walk route and over Bray Head to reach the Cross on the top of Bray Head. You will enjoy stunning views over the Irish Seas and the Wicklow Mountains.
Grade: Medium
Distance: 5.5km
Total height climbed: 250m
Highest point: 192m
Terrain underfoot: Trail. Can be wet in rainy weather. Some technical and steep sections.
THE CLIFF WALK
The Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk provides one of the most breathtaking views off the east coast. Bray Seafront itself is full of charm with coffee spots; eateries and nightlife while Greystones is a relaxed seaside village famous for The Happy Pear eaterie.
One of the highlights of walking in Wicklow. This linear walk takes you from Bray to Greystones along the stunning coastal path. The path is well maintained and you can return by light rail (DART) to the start point. Greystones has plenty to offer the hungry walker after beautiful views and a range of marine wildlife. From Bray start, there is a path leading to the top of Bray Head offering stunning views of the Irish Sea, The Wicklow Mountains and Bray.
This is a very enjoyable walk in a spectacular coastal setting linking Bray and Greystones. It brings you around the side of Bray Head above the railway line and rocky coastline on a path which is a bit rough in places. Views both up and down the coast are breath-taking.
Grade: Moderate | Markings: The route is marked with Red arrows – Linear Trail | Distance: 7.1km | Estimated time: 2.5hrs Total height climbed: 120m
DJOUCE WOODS
BLUE ROUTE:
The Blue Loop of Djouce Woods close to Powerscourt Springs Health Farm provides a relatively easy hike lasting approximately 1.5hrs and is under 5K long. Views of Powerscourt Waterfall, the Sugarloaf and the Wicklow Mountains all await you on this pleasant walk.
Starting at either Long Hill or Calary car parks this trail can be done in either direction. This marked trail on forest road and track follows one of the old driving roads returning by a pleasant gradual uphill climb with good views over the Deerpark and Powerscourt Waterfall. These directions are in an anticlockwise loop from Long Hill car park which is the first car park on the right as you approach from Enniskerry or Dublin.
Grade: Easy
Markings: The route is marked with Blue markers – Loop Trail
Distance: 4.5km | Estimated time: 1.5hrs | Total height climbed: 100m | Highest point: 410m | Terrain underfoot: Forest tracks and paths
Suitable for: All walkers.
Notes: Parts of the route are exposed to strong weather, rainwear is recommended.
How to get to start point: Long Hill car parks.
GPS FOR START POINT: 53.155945,-6.186972
RAINFOREST SPA
Discover our sister spa, Rainforest Spa, just 5 minutes up the road also conveniently located in Enniskerry. This cliffside Day Spa has been awarded Day Spa of the Year Ireland 2023 and Wellness Centre of the Year Ireland 2023.
It offers a full range of beauty; nails; MediSpa and relaxing wellness treatments. Enhance your visit to Enniskerry and add extra treatments to your trip.