A Small cache on Kippure! Again, fairly straightforward, in what is hopefully the obvious spot.
These caches exist because I had loads of old containers I didn't want because I've never seen a "cache size" trail anywhere. The views on the mountain speak for themselves so clever cache containers and tricks are not the priority here. I've numbered the series so you cache on the way back down, when you can appreciate the amazing views. Kippure isn't climbed nearly enough by Geocachers, so hopefully this little trail will bring more people to make the ascent. Expect the most fantastic scenery from the top with possibly the best panoramas in the Wicklow Mountains!
Kippure is a granite mountain that straddles the county boundaries of South Dublin and Wicklow. It is popular for hill walking and outdoor leisure activity owing to its proximity to Dublin city, with views over Dublin, across to Howth Head, right around to the Sugarloaf, the Sally Gap and to Blessington. It has convenient access and easy terrain. At 757 metres (2,484 feet), it is the highest mountain in County Dublin and the 73rd highest in the Republic of Ireland.
The trail is easy walking with a pathway from carpark to summit. There is 200m of height gain from start to finish and approximately 8km in the round trip, taking in the five caches in this series and 16 A Walk in the Garden-Kippure. Expect it to take about 2 1/2 hours for the whole trip, 3 hours with lots of photography and hunting!
Sadly: Wicklow Mountains Caching Car Precautions
It's always a risk to leave your car in the mountains so I recommend you empty your car COMPLETELY before doing so. Don't let the bad guys get anything! Take out your boot cover, open your glovebox and show the car is empty. If you are changing clothes/shoes, do so at a different carpark and drive here, so anyone watching/waiting wont see inside the car. I have taken to putting bin bags and duct tape into the boot so I can fix a smashed window onsite with minimal hassle if required. The Kippure carpark is notorious for break-ins, so be careful. Having a friend/family-member staying in the carpark is best, bribe them with food/drink/etc.
If its WINTER, bear in mind the whole Military Road can be closed if its snowing heavily. You'll be fine 95% of the time but just keep an eye out at that time of year.