This is a brief photo tour of the "White Route" around the upper lake at Glendalough in Co Wicklow. I am often asked by people about a good introductory walk in Wicklow and this is the one I usually recommend. Last Sunday (July 27th 2004) I took my camera the walk.

The route is short circuit around the upper lake at Glendalough. It is almost all on a railway sleeper trail and it's well sign posted. So it's easy to follow. The route also is through some amazing scenery, it's less than an hour drive from Dublin, and if you are reasonably fit it can be done in 2-3 hours, even at a gentle pace.

If you want to do the route boots are not really needed. However you should have good footwear (runners) and rain gear at a minimum. On Sunday when I was doing this route I was alternating between my goretex rain jacket and a hat with sunglasses!

The route can be done clockwise or anti-clockwise. I prefer anti-clockwise as shown below. It gets the ascent out of the way early and I think the view is better this way. You start from the Upper Lake car park. In the corner (away from the shop and toilets) there is a notice board with information and maps. The white route is marked there. So follow the arrows and you are off!

Beyond the car park there is a picnic and BBQ area. And beside it are some of the medieval ruins including this stone cross which is over 1300 years old.	Very rapidly you start to gain height. There is a lovely waterfall by the path as you ascend.	This part is through a relatively young growth forest. It gets steeper. But console yourself with the thought that you get almost all of the climbing out of the way in one go.
Eventually you leave the trees. Crossing a stile there is a spot to stop and admire the view back down the valley towards the lower lake.	I zoomed in on the round tower at St. Kevin's monastary here.	Directly below you is the upper lake. Did you know the underwater scenes from "The Field" were filmed in it?
At this stage the path is much more level. And you get to fly along on the "boardwalk" which was laid a few years ago with railway sleepers to prevent trail erosion.	The miner's village is visible below you. This was part of an active lead mine from which was abandoned around 1900.	After going over the "Spink" the route drops. If you are feeling more adventurous (and are properly equipped) you can leave the path. Going to Lugduff. and the reservoir at Turlough Hill completes the full circuit of Glendalough. That will take you about 4-5 hours.
At this point the sleepers run out. While most of the trail continues with a stone path some is on dirt and can be mucky in wet weather.	The OPW have provided a bridge to cross the river. I always felt that is was more fun to cross the hard way!	Now you follow the river back down the center of the valley.
There is a fine view back down the valley from here.	As you descend by the zig-zag path back to the valley floor you pass under the Glerndalough Crag. One of the finest multi-pitch climbing crags in the country.	At the bottom of the zig zags the path winds it's way through a boulder field.
And where you get boulders, you get boulderers! They only climb 3 or 4 metres, but boulderers maintain they are the hardest 4m!	Now you pass through the Miner's Village. And from here you will meet loads of tourists. The sort in town shoes pushing strollers.	But you can take a last look back at the Wicklow wilds beyond the head of the valley.
From here back to the car park the path is paved and wide.	When I was there on Sunday the Park Rangers were running a Peregrine Falcon watch, with telescopes set up for the public.	Somewhere on these cliffs is the falcon nest. By the way the walking route is along the top of these cliffs.
The last part of the route is shaded by trees as you walk alongside the lake to the car park.	On the far side of the lake you can see St Kevin's bed. The saint was reputed so sleep here in a notch in the rock to avoid the attentions of a young woman!