09 Dec Glenmacnass Waterfall to Tonelagee
I would describe this route as a moderate level hike even though it is quite short. To get to the summit involves a bit of a scramble and due to the exposed nature of the mountain you won’t find any shelter if the weather turns on you. The starting point is the car park at Glenmacnass Waterfall and the first thing you need to do is cross the river. Your options vary depending on the time of year and the level of water in the river so take the first opportunity you find to cross. Finding the track is a bit of a guessing game and can be very boggy in the wet season (11 months of the year) so good boots are a must. Once you find the trail get up on to the hip and head in the general direction of the top of the mountain as the route is visually vague in places. Once there are no clouds there is little chance of getting lost even if you don’t find the route so just keep on the hip overlooking the lake and then take the easiest and safest route you can find to the top. If you have watched the video you will see the gullies in the peat which take you naturally to the top of the third highest peak in Wicklow, standing at 817M above sea level.
On the descent head to the rim overlooking the lake and you will see the standing stone with the cross inscribed in it overlooking the majestic heart shaped lake below. To get off the mountain just follow the edge of the rim until you get to the point of the like and there is a track on the left of the river that flows out of the lake that you can follow till you meet the Glenmacnass River below. Follow it to get back to your start point at the carpark.
And as always remember to leave no trace after you’ve left for home.
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