A Sunday Walk
The Sunday Walk series is intended to introduce you to some of Co. Wicklow's lesser hills - not lesser in beauty, history or interest, but certainly lesser in height. Consequently, many walks are only 90-180 mins long, which makes them perfect for A Sunday Walk! While perhaps you may not need your full mountain kit for many of these walks, for this one, you probably will - proper boots are a must, as well as waterproofs and a map and compass. Chicken sandwiches are optional.
Cullentragh Mountain 510m
This walk takes you to the very heart of the Wicklow mountains - you will be surrounded by the wonder of nature, with amazing views (that may not be available to you, of course), and you will come to the 'summit' of Cullentragh Mountain (Sliabh na Cuileanntraí - perhaps meaning an abundance of holly trees, but honestly, I saw none whatever), which, due to its lack of specific prominence, does not have a classification on any of the lists - by this I mean it is simply a bump on a ridge. It is, notheless, the 530th highest place in Ireland. Moreover, it's on the way to higher place that you really should visit, like Mullacor (661m), which has genuinely fabulous views. So, if you like the views at Cullentragh, then you'll love what Mullacor has to offer.
View from Cullentragh Mountain
The 3 Routes
The cache is located at the highest point on Cullentragh; it is more or less at the centre of a triangle of car parks - Shay Elliott (at the Glenmalure pass above the Vale of Clara), Ballinafunshogue, deep below in Glenmalure itself, and the paid carpark at the Lower Lake in Glendalough. Each hike has its own specific character and its own particular difficulties.
From Shay Elliott
This is the easiest route to the cache - the traditional 'Sunday Walk' - reasonably easy ascent of just 127m via a direct path of 2.4km each way. There's a bit of a pull at the end, but nothing mad. Bring the kids. Enjoy. But there's not much of challenge and no glory to be had on this route... so... read on, if you're man/woman enough for it!
From Ballinafunshogue - the Miners' Way (here lies glory!)
This is a short sharp shock to the legs - and the longest route - the initial ascent to Mullacor is designed to kill - it took me 45 mins pushing hard. The total ascent on this route was 836m over a return journey of 13.2 km. The views from Mullacor are to die for, on the right day, and this route, at the time of placement, has a substantial number of caches nearby.
From Glendalough (for the photographer)
This is a shorter route than the last, but perhaps has the best views, with a very nice workout for the legs ascending Derrybawn (and that can be like a riverbed in winter), and then a windy ridge walk over to Cullentragh. I have a multi and an earthcache that complement the route and it also passes a very old cache called Merry Christmas Mr Jones from Dec. 2003. At 9.8 km and a surprisingly small 381m of ascent (all taken in one horrendous push) this route gives nice views of Derrybawn, a stunning peek at the Upper Lake in Glendalough and nice views towards the sea.
Leave No Trace
The cache has been placed in accordance with the "Leave No Trace" principles. Please respect these principles when searching for the cache.
