Easy Hill Walk Wicklow Way from Marlay Park

Marlay Park, Rathfarnham on the Wicklow Way to Fairy Castle (Dublin Mountains) and Return – 15.5km EASY HILLWALK

Meeting Point: Marlay Park Car Park, Rathfarnham (link below)

Time: 10.20am 

Walk Starting Point:  Marlay Park Car Park (toilet facilities available)

Walk Starting Time: 10.30am 

Route: Marlay Park, under the M50 via an underpass, Kilmashogue Lane, through Kilmashogue Forest, to Fairy Castle and return.

Distance: 15.5km

Duration: 4.5 hours (including a lunch break at Fairy Castle summit 

Co-Leaders: Shona Geraghty and Máire Jones.  Please text/WhatsApp Shona Geraghty by next Tuesday (30th June), 7pm if you intend going on the walk with your name.

We will be observing the 2m social distancing.  Please bring face covering, hand santizer and gloves in case of emergency where social distancing cannot be observed.

This is an EASY HILLWALK.

Leader’s Note:

This will be Skerries Walking Clubs second hillwalk since the restrictions have been lifted and is an ideal 13km easy hillwalk for club members who would like to get back into walking and also those who would like to try an easy hillwalk. 

 Marlay Park lies at the foothills of the Dublin Mountains.  The park is about 300 acres and is fed by the little Dargle River with lovely mature woodland and lawns, ponds and walkways.  The Wicklow Way starts and finishes at the car park near Marlay house and this is where we will start our walk.  After a lovely ramble through the park we will walk under the M50 via the underpass and carry on up Kilmashogue Lane with a steady ascent (we’ll take our time).  We’ll enter Kilmashogue Forest and carry on the Wicklow Way marked trail.  We’ll continue until we get to where the Dublin Mountains Way crosses the Wicklow Way and take the route to Fairy Castle.  A cairn lies there which is a collapsed passage tomb and is often referred to as Fairy Castle (see information in the link below).   We’ll stop for lunch and take in the breathtaking views of Dublin.  Then we will make our way on the same route back to Marlay Park.  You may like to take some time exploring this beautiful park when we get back.

1. Walking shoes/hiking boots (no trainers) and depending on the weather forecast – layers including warm jacket/fleece, hat and gloves, a waterproof jacket and trousers, a flask, sandwiches/snacks, a litre of water and small rucksack. If you are unsure about your gear check with the leader a few days beforehand as anyone turning up with inadequate gear will not be permitted to walk.  

2) It is highly recommended that you do not wear any clothing made from denim, corduroy or cotton on the hike.

3) The club is a supporter of the ‘Leave No Trace’ campaign so please ensure that you leave no litter (of any sort) on the hike route.

4) NEVER go ahead of the Leader without being sure of the way!

Marley Park Start Point Information

Fairy Castle Information