Wicklow Way Case Study

Case Study: Wicklow Way, Ireland

by Sam Demas, January 2016

Purpose, methodology, and notes

These case studies are building blocks towards a broader “Country Study” examining long distance walking in Ireland. The intent of the case studies is to paint a picture of the most salient features of each walk and to delve somewhat into operational details. The idea is that from these case studies a broader national picture will emerge.  Wicklow Way Case Study….

The intended audiences for these “Country Studies” are primarily American recreation planners and trail builders, and secondarily, others interested in how long distance walking came into being and is supported in other parts of the world. While they may hold some interest for a few serious recreational walkers, these case studies are not intended as planning guides for walkers.

Methodology: To prepare this case study the author:

  • researched publications about the Wicklow Way;
  • interviewed a number of B&B owners, the Rural Recreation Officer, staff of the Wicklow Uplands Council (WUC), and other walkers; and
  • walked five days for a total of 80 km, as far south as the Iron Bridge.

The outline below is based loosely on the criteria used by the European Ramblers Association in their Leading Quality Trails certification program, supplemented with my own areas of interest.

Suggestions on methodology, topics include, and organization of the case study are most welcome.

Notes: Many good guides already exist and some are listed for each trail profiled. Mention of specific accommodations or features on the trail are not meant as endorsements, but simply as examples that are typical of the offerings on or near the trail. There are many fine establishments that are not mentioned here. All references to “Ireland” are to the Republic of Ireland, unless otherwise noted. The author takes responsibility for any mistakes, misrepresentations and opinions; these are not to be attributed to the people with whom he spoke.   Finally, reader comments, corrections and suggestions are most welcome!

1       Overview

Completed in 1982, the Wicklow Way (WW) is the longest established (i.e. oldest) National Waymarked Way in Ireland. Historically it was, and it continues to be, highly influential in the development of hillwalking as a form of recreation in Ireland. Its proximity to Dublin makes it one of the nation’s most popular and heavily used long distance walks. The WW operates under the Rural Recreation Officer, with the guidance of the Wicklow Uplands Council (WUC) and Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Committee. The WUC is a unique (in Republic of Ireland) and progressive non-governmental coordinating body dedicated to preserving and promoting the uplands in County Wicklow.

The WW runs NE to SW for 132 km/82 miles, from Marlay Park in County Dublin to Clonegal in County Carlow. The Wicklow Mountains are fairly low in elevation. The highest point on the WW is at Mullaghmor, 661 m/2170ft.  Total elevation change is 3,500 meters over the length of the trail. The WW keeps mainly to east flanks for the mountains and generally skirts the summits.   According to JB Malone, who laid out the original trail, the WW “Traverses part of the largest unbroken block of mountains in Ireland”. The Wicklow Mountains comprise over 500 square km above 300 meters elevation.

Starting in the Dublin suburbs, the trail climbs into the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, and traverses the rural uplands from glen to glen through County Wicklow, — the “Garden of Ireland” — until it reaches Glenmalure, the halfway point. Continuing south, the trail moves onto lower hills with beautiful farmland predominating in the southern portion. At its southern terminus, WW connects with the South Leinster Way, forming part of the ERA’s 4,700 km E8 path. The Irish portion of the E8 extends 500+ km. from Dursey Island in the West to Dublin. The E8 then continues after a ferry ride, across the UK and on through Europe, terminating in Istanbul.

The WW offers a comfortable mix of nature and culture. It traverses woodlands, mountains, and farmlands, offering delightful glimpses into the old-ways of uplands agriculture.

2       Challenges and opportunities

These are a combination of observations gleaned from interviews with locals and generated by the author. They are not meant as suggestions to those who operate the WW. Rather they are simply meant to point out to the American reader the nature of the challenges and opportunities each case study trail faces

  • Challenges

    1. Walkers bringing their dogs on the trail. The presence of dogs, particularly when not on leash, worries sheep and cattle. This can cause unfortunate incidents and makes for poor public relations with farmers/land owners.
    2. Trail maintenance:
      • The level of rainfall and boggy ground make the trail subject to erosion, and there is a need for more volunteers to assist with trail maintenance.
      • Motorbikes and off road vehicles damage the trail bed. They are prohibited on WW, but enforcement is difficult.
      • Use by mountain bikers causes trail damage on wet areas and fragile bog areas in particular.
    3. Rights-of-way: Attitudes of land-owners and existing property law can make it difficult to secure rights to optimal locations for routing certain sections of the Way. Most of this work was done long ago on WW and is not a major concern today.
    4. A small number of clueless and/or inconsiderate walkers whose callous behavior can be irritating to land-owners.
    5. A low level of problems with vandalism and theft at car parks.
    6. Generating more business for local services in the shoulder seasons, and getting day visitors to Glendalough to slow down, stay longer and spend more time and money in the region.
    7. Additional car parking is needed in some sections.

  • Opportunities

    1. Development of additional accommodations near the trail, particularly in the southern portion.
    2. Possible joint marketing of the trail as part of a coastal walk to the West (Dursey Island) and East on the E8 trail.
    3. Consider participating in the European Ramblers Association program “Leading Quality Trails Certification Program”, designed to give trail planners a fresh look at ways to improve the trail experience for users.
    4. Use of Google Street View technology and programs like EveryTrail to develop visual apps, e.g. Kilkenny to Bennetsbridge in County Clare.
    5. Develop an international partnership through the World Trails Network’s “Friendship Trails Program” for joint marketing and staff development.
    6. Conduct an economic impact study to determine the effects of the WW on the local and regional economy.

3       History

Following is a very brief sketch of the history of the Wicklow Way. More detail is provided in a separate article on JB Malone [note: still working on this piece], the man who came up with the idea and worked to implement it.

JB Malone was an obsessive walker and skilled way-finder. Through years of incessant walking he came to know intimately the topography and lore of Wicklow Hills. According to Michale Fewer, Malone seems to have come up with the idea as early as 1942, and first publicly proposed the concept of a circular Wicklow Way in talk to Án Oige in 1966.

Mr. Malone was hired by Cospoir in 1978 as its first Field Officer for Long Distance Walking Routes. Corspoir, the Irish sports council, wanted to develop a series of waymarked ways in Ireland to involve more citizens in leisure exercise.  There was interest on the part of the government in making the first such long distance path part of a peace and reconciliation effort with Northern Ireland. Thus it was initially proposed to connect a long distance trail in the Republic of Ireland to one in Northern Ireland. Once hired, it became clear that Malone had done so much preparatory work in Wicklow that the Corspoir focus soon shifted to development of a linear Wicklow Way route.

The first section of the WW opened 17 August 1980, from Marlay Park to Lugalla. The next stretch, Lugalla to Moyne, opened 27 September 1981. The full route of 132 km was completed in 1984, thus completing the first Waymarked Way in Ireland. Under Malone’s tenure as Field Officer, several additional Waymarked Ways were developed, and thus was launched a remarkable system of 44 National Waymarked Ways.

In the early 1980’s RTE (Irish TV) made a one-hour film about WW. The opening of the WW was heralded with much additional publicity and has since been the most heavily used trail in the nation.

4       Trail characteristics

The WW offers variety. Passing through the Wicklow Mountains National Park, it offers beautiful natural landscapes. Surrounded by picturesque farming country (familiar to many from the TV series Ballykissangel, which was filmed in nearby Enniskerry and Avoca), it passes fairly close to some tidy villages. These features, combined with its many cultural attractions, make the WW a delightful rural long distance walking trail.

Conceived by JB Malone as a mountain walk, the WW was not laid out as a route connecting a series of villages. In fact, when Malone’s idea was finally implemented the WW was extended further south than he originally envisioned, through a rolling farmland region with no villages on the trail until Clonegal at the terminus. The only village the trail goes through in its northern half is Laragh and its nearby tourist center of Glendalough.

Designed for beginners and families as well as for experienced hill walkers.

The trail is traditionally walked North to South, but some, including tour operators, prefer to start in the gentler southern section and end in the more challenging north. Apparently some people find the southern section less engaging, and it certainly has fewer amenities close to the trail.

The trail was laid out to be enjoyable for experienced hill walkers, but also suitable for families and less experienced walkers. While the trail crosses the flanks of the mountains, skirting most summits, it has an up/down/up/down rhythm that requires inexperienced walkers to pace themselves.

The entire trail is often divided into 8 segments averaging 17 km/ 11 mi apiece.   This makes for an easy day’s walk of 5-7 hours for each segment. Faster walkers can do it in fewer segments. These segments can be done as day hikes, over several days staying in B&B’s, or as a continuous 5-8 day walk.   In her The Wicklow Way A Rucksack Guide Jacquetta Megarry says that walking from the trail to the nearest village each day adds a total of about 23.5 km over the entire trail. By her particular trail segmentation, two days end in a village (Laragh/Glendalough), one segment ends at Glenmalure, where lodging is available, and the other segments require one to walk (or be picked up) to reach lodging. The longest walk to lodging is 9 km, with the others about 2-5 km.

Overall, about 28% of the trail is on paved roads. Most of this is in the southern portion, which includes of trail 63% on paved roads. This reflects both difficulties in securing trail rights-of-way from farmers, and the tradition of living in very small, highly dispersed villages in the Irish countryside. Fortunately most of the roads carry fairly limited motor traffic.

Off road, the trail tread is mostly natural surface, with significant stretches of boardwalk covered with poultry netting over boggy areas. Paths tend to be less than one meter wide, though there are the usual challenges of walkers creating new paths to avoid wet areas. Erosion and visual scarring are present in wet portions of the trail, exacerbated by bicycles and motorized vehicles.

The trail is well marked with a yellow walker symbol on a black background, generally mounted on wooden posts. There are also larger signposts at key junctures, and sign boards explicating special features.

Trail signage and maintenance are carried out by a combination of national land management agencies, volunteers, land-owners, and contractors under the supervision of the Rural Recreation Officer (see below for details on this key position).

Detours to summits include Fairy Castle, Prince William’s Seat, Djouce, and Lugnaquilla, the highest mountain in Leinster at 925 m/3,304 ft.

The climate in Ireland is sufficiently mild that one can walk the WW in any season. However, the days are short in winter, the season in which the author walked. The usual caveats about the rapidly changing and challenging weather conditions in Ireland apply to hiking on WW.

Other trails in Wicklow region:

There are nine “honeypot trails” in the Wicklow Mountains National Park at Glendalough. Ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours in duration, this collection of marked trails provides families and tour groups with a wide range of walks to choose from depending on their level of fitness and time available. The concept of “honeypot trails” appears to be used in Ireland to designate an area with a number of trails of differing characteristics to appeal to a broad spectrum of tourists.

The Wicklow region is a hikers paradise. For example, it is home to several of the National Looped Walks, Coillte forest trails, pilgrim paths, National Park walking trails, nine Sli na Slainte Routes (Irish Heart Foundation), Neighbourwood Scheme Trails, (Forest Service), Community trails (for example, Tinahely Railway Walk and Sean Linehan Walk in Aughrim), and Heritage Trails (e.g. Blessington Heritage Trail).

5       Trail access and logistics

With its proximity to Dublin, the steady traffic of walkers to the WW, and the huge tourist draw of ancient monastic community at Glendalough (many tourists visit from Dublin and return the same day on the bus), bus and service to the WW are reasonably good. In response to user demand, transportation services along the WW have improved greatly since the trail was formally established. Services include but are not limited to:

  • The St. Kevin’s bus, leaving downtown Dublin twice daily and stopping near the trail at Roundwood, Annamoe, Laragh, and Glendalough.
  • The Wicklow Way Bus service is a family owned business that developed in response to demand from walkers. They will provide airport transfer, transport to and from the trail and accommodations and/or train and bus stops, and run regular pickups between the Rathdrum train station and Glendalough.
  • Trains from Dublin or Bray to Tinahely and Rathdrum.
  • Dublin Buses run to Marlay Park and Enniskerry.
  • Bus Eireann runs twice daily to Kildavin and Bunclody.
  • B&B owners will frequently organize transportation to and from the trail and other destinations desired by walkers. This way one can walk along the WW and return to the same B&B for several nights in a row.

There are numerous places along the way where one can join the trail, including a dozen or so designated car parks. A number of these include signboards and could be called formal trailheads. Day hikers accessing the trial by car either go out and back in a day, use the two-car system, or hitch-hike back to their car. Some people commented that more designated car parks are needed along the trail. Luggage transport is available through Wicklow Way Baggage and other services.

6       Natural features

WW provides a good variety of natural landscapes, from mountains in the north to farmland in the southern portion. Signboards feature explanations of the interesting geology and glaciation that shaped the region.

Most of the Wicklow landscape has long been managed for sheep farming and forestry, but the Wicklow Mountains provide a taste of the wild.   In the northern region a significant portion of the trail passes through the Wicklow Mountains National Park, the largest in the nation.

The trail also passes through and by a good deal of land owned by Collite, the national forestry agency. The woodlands, mainly of Sitka Spruce, but also including significant stands of European larch and lodgepole pine, are actively managed. Wicklow is the most forested county in Ireland, with 17% forest cover.

The uplands are home to traditional sheep farms, though the number of active farms appears to be diminishing and the traditional ways somewhat threatened. The uplands grazed by sheep or used for forage crops are covered with vast expanses of heather.

The Wicklow uplands are home to a significant population of deer, primarily a hybrid mix of the native red deer (hunted to extinction) with sika (introduced species). Birding is good in the region. The Wicklow Mountains National Park, for example, provides habitat for at least 100 resident and migratory species. Other wildlife sighted along the trail include hares, frogs, newts, lizards, and, in Glendalough, feral goats.

The landscape is graced with well-established hedgerows dividing fields and harboring a rich array of insect life, and wildlife, among the trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. While sounds of human activity are certainly present on the trail from time to time, the walks are consistently quiet and pleasant. Bog lands abound along the trail and crossing them can present challenges for walkers where boardwalks do not exist. The landscape in the southern reaches of the trail is rather civilized, featuring rolling farmlands, fenced pastures, hedgerows, and tidy farmsteads.

The trail is graced with a variety of viewpoints. Near the start of the trail there are views to Dublin Bay and Great Sugarloaf Mountain. In the uplands there are fabulous panoramas of Lough Tay (formed by a glacial moraine) and Lough Dan (where parts of The Vikings TV series was filmed) from the picturesque viewpoint at Lugalla. The trail also skirts the two lakes at Glendalough and provides excellent views of the lakes and valley. South of Glendalough one can view the mighty Lugnaquilla (925 meters), the highest peak in the Wicklow Mountains.

Like the rest of Ireland, the region abounds with water. Notably, the Powerscourt Waterfall, at 121 meters, is the tallest in Ireland. Just below these falls the Dargle River flows through an impressive series of water gates. The Poulanass waterfall at Glendalough is impressive. The Vartry Reservoir comprises two artificial lakes supplying South Dublin with drinking water. There are numerous streams, and at least a half dozen rivers on the trail. These include the Dargle and Derry, and the Avonmore from Lough Dan is joined by the rivers Glandassenn and Glendalough, and further south by the Avonbeg to form the Avoca River.

7       Cultural features

The WW provides a rich assortment of cultural attractions along the trail and opportunities for some easy side trips. Among the side trips are the Powerscourt House and Gardens, Glencree Center for Peace and Reconciliation, and Hundingdon Castle. The monastic city at Glendalough is a stunning historical site, and its Visitor Centre is extremely informative. Also in Glendalogh is Wicklow National Park Visitor Centre. Other cultural features include walking on the old Military Road and the legend of revolutionary Michael Dwyer, plus viewing the ruins of the Drumgoff Barrracks.   Also of interest are the church and cross at Aghowle, the holy Well dedicated to St. Colmalle/St. Columba, and Labbansighe-Moylish Dolmen, the “bed of fairies” Bronze Age communal burial site. In addition, the stretches of WW road-walking pass by some of the many charming vacation homes that dot the region.

The trail skirts most of the sizeable villages, but takes one close enough to stop for the night at many.

8       Accommodations

The trail was designed and built to feature the landscape. And it was laid out within the constraints of rights-of-way that could be secured. Thus, accommodations and grocery stores are not directly on the trail in many places. However it is possible to complete the WW on foot, but one needs to hike and additional 2-9 km from the trail for these amenities.

Historically it seems there was an assumption that accommodations would gradually be developed to supply a demonstrated need. This has happened to a considerable extent, but there is room for further accommodations development in the southern portions. In summer the demand for rooms is particularly great and walkers need to book in advance. Weekends in winter can also be quite busy. Further accommodations development will depend on the extent of foot traffic on the Way over time and the responsiveness of locals to perceived demand, which is likely to be high. The following types of accommodations are available:

8.1      Bed and Breakfasts

B&B’s are the primary from of accommodation. Many offer meals, including pack lunches, but some are self-catering. The website http://www.wicklowway.com/index.php lists several dozen B&B’s located nearest the trail and in nearby villages.

There are several that can be singled out as “signature” B&B’s, exemplifying the B&B’s available on the WW:

  • Kyle Farmhouse, a traditional Irish Farmhouse
  • Lough Dan House, specializes in accommodating walkers and provides a range of associated services.

8.2      Pubs and lodges

There are four signature pubs directly on or very close to the WW. These lend great character to the rural quality of the trail. All provide meals and a some also provide rooms:

  • The Glendalough Hotel
  • Glenmalure Lodge (Drumgoff)
  • Tallons, aka The Dying Cow (near Tinaely)
  • Osborne’s (outside Clonegal)

8.3      Self-catering hotels and cottages

Several self-catering hotels are available, and groups and families can rent cottages near the trail to use as a base for day hikes.

8.4      Hostels

Án Oige (Irish Youth Hotel Association) operates three youth hostels on the WW: one at Knockree (a new, full service facility open year-round), one in Glendalough (also fairly new and full service, open year-round), and one some distance from the trail in Glenmalure/Drumgoff (a charming, rustic structure open in summer only). The Youth Hostels fill rapidly and reservations are needed, particularly on weekends and in summer. At one time An Oige operated more hostels, but had to close some in a retrenchment due to financial problems.

8.5      Shelters

In recent years Mountain Meitheal has constructed three Adirondack style shelters on the WW. These provide water (collected from the shelter roof) and pit toilets, and appear to be well used, particularly in the warmer seasons.

8.6      Camping

Camping is prohibited in the Wicklow Mountains National Park and on Coillite (National Forestry Service) lands. There are some campgrounds in the vicinity of the trail, but none on the trail. Apparently some farmers and guesthouses will grant permission for camping.

I have not found any usage data on the different types of accommodation, e.g. what percentage of walkers use B&B’s Pubs, Hostels, Camping, etc.

9       Organizations involved with the trail

The WW coordinates with and is supported by a wide range of organizations. Following is a summary of how the WW is managed and of the key organizational relationships inherent in its operations:

9.1      Trail management structure and operation

The Rural Recreation Officer (RRO) for the region manages the WW. In this capacity, RRO Pat Mellon is embedded in the County Wicklow Partnership. Their website states that:

County Wicklow is fortunate to be one of the 12 areas in the country to have been allocated the services of a Rural Recreation Officer to support the expansion of outdoor recreational opportunities in County Wicklow for residents and tourists alike. The programme is funded by: the Department of Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs, Fáilte Ireland and the Wicklow County Council.

The aims of the County Wicklow Partnership are:

  • To implement the Walks Scheme in County Wicklow
  • To coordinate and oversee the management and enhancement of trails in the county
  • To assist local communities developing new routes
  • To assist in the marketing and promotion of other trails in the region

Mr. Mellon works very closely with the Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Committee, the Wicklow Uplands Council, and with other community groups to advance these aims. He meets with land-owners to iron out any access or insurance issues and to renew access authorization and payments under the national Walks Scheme for and heavily used waymarked trails. He works with National Park officials, rural development authorities and various community groups. Overall his roles are: to manage relations with land-owners; to coordinate trail maintenance, way-marking, marketing and promotion; to assist in regional and local conservation efforts; and to facilitate outdoor recreation in the county and help implement the National Recreation Scheme.

Under the Walks Scheme, the County Wicklow Partnership will pay out €45,950 per year for 5 years to the current participants on the scheme.

9.2      International organizations

The EU program LEADER makes grants available for projects at local level focusing on the diversification of rural economies and the improvement of the quality of rural life.

The European Ramblers Association is responsible for the E8 trail, of which the WW forms a segment.

9.3      National bodies

The National Trails Office (NTO) inspects the route and approves it for eligibility for insurance to indemnify the landowners from claims by users. It’s Guide to Planning and Developing Waymarked Walking Trails in Ireland outlines the NTO’s procedures and criteria for certification. The WW has long been certified, but is inspected annually.

Department of the Environment provides funding for the Rural Recreation Officers. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is a branch of Department of Environment, as is National Monuments, which is a resource in trails development. The trail runs through lands administered by the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Similarly, the WW runs through land managed by Coillte Teoranta, the State owned Forestry Company. Both land management agencies have recreation in their remit and are said to be highly cooperative in WW trail management.

9.4      Local government bodies

  • The County Wicklow Partnership (see 9.1 above) is responsible to the Wicklow County Council. Other county level organizations/staff concerned with the Wicklow Way and other trails in the county include: the County Wicklow Heritage Officer, Wicklow Sustainable Trails, Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Committee, and Wicklow County Tourism.

9.5      Non-governmental organizations

Wicklow Uplands Council: According to its website, the Wicklow Uplands Council (WUC):

”is an independent, voluntary organisation which represents the shared interests of over 50 member groups and individuals. It takes a partnership approach to sustainable development and promotes projects which bring value to people who live and work in the uplands area and those who use it for recreational purposes.”

This unique coordinating body has been in operation for 20 years now and brings a wide range of stakeholders together on a monthly to share views and find common cause in conserving the Wicklow Uplands and advancing it interests.  The WUC operates by consensus and is comprised solely of private citizens, i.e. no local, or state government officials are members of the WUC.  Intriguingly, the skills central to peace and reconciliation efforts are central to the success of the WUC. See a brief history of how the WUC came to be and how it operates in a separate Profile of Sean and Theresa Byrne. The WUC seems to me to be a model worthy of close study by those charged with the complex task of managing trail systems across multiple jurisdictions, and building consensus and cohesion among disparate groups of stakeholders. There appear to precedents for this type of organization in Northern Ireland and Scotland that would also be worth researching.

Most relevant to trails work is its work in Outdoor Recreation, which includes working with the ROR on the Walks Scheme, and a Wicklow Sustainable Trails Network, which developed a very useful guide that has use nationally: “Developing a New Walking Trail: a step by step guide for community groups”.

Other relevant WUC programs include:

  • PURE (Protecting Upland Rural Environments) an interesting educational program working, in part through the schools, to combat illegal dumping,
  • A vegetation management program,
  • A village interpretive panels program, and
  • A rural security initiative.

Operating through a wide range of partnerships, according to its website:

“…the Wicklow Uplands Council participates in a number of key structures and fora with a view to representing the shared interests of the Wicklow upland communities at local, national and European level. By engaging with decision makers Wicklow Uplands Council ensures that the views and diverse needs of the upland communities are highlighted and addressed. This also facilitates a two way communication process whereby representatives report back to the Wicklow Uplands Council Board of Directors.

Structures and fora that Wicklow Upland Council currently participates on:

  • Board of Wicklow County Tourism
  • Wicklow Heritage Forum
  • Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Committee
  • Wicklow Joint Policing Liaison Committee
  • Irish Uplands Forum
  • Dublin Mountains Partnership
  • The Council of Leave no Trace Ireland and the Europarc Federation.

Wicklow Uplands Council also engages with statutory stakeholders and organisations through innovative projects which address common areas of concern. See our projects page for further information.”

Mountaineering Ireland has long and close ties with WW and is a valuable resource for WW, particularly in terms of environmental monitoring and mitigation issues.

An Oige, the Irish Youth Hostel Association, operates three hostels on the WW and has long been involved in hillwalking in Ireland.

Mountain Meitheal has built three Adirondack Style shelters on the WW and undertakes trail maintenance projects.   According to its website:

MM “is a volunteer group who undertake projects to protect and conserve mountain and forest areas in Ireland. We aim to counteract the pressures which are evident on our fragile landscape by building and maintaining trails which are sympathetic to the surrounding countryside. We promote sustainable recreation by encouraging personal responsibility and awareness.

“Meitheal” is the Irish word for a workgroup usually made up of volunteers who come together to work on a project for the common good or to benefit the community.”

Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team provides mountain rescue services on the WW and in the region.

10   Safety, security, and insurance

The Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team (DWMRT), located in Roundwood, is the primary group responsible for search and rescue on the Wicklow Way. It is one of 12 Teams of the Mountain Rescue Ireland. A volunteer organization, the DWMRT had its origins in the An Oige Mountain Rescue Team, formed in the early 1960’s. The DWMRT website describes the protocol for calling for assistance:

The tasking agency for mountain rescue in Ireland is An Garda Síochána (Irish Police Force). When a person dials 112 or 999 and requests help from mountain rescue, their call is routed through the local Garda command and control centre and the Gardaí will then notify the appropriate MR team that covers the area to respond. The Gardaí will work in conjunction with the team to supply logistical support and if required Garda personnel on the ground to assist with the running of the operation. The local Gardaí will appoint a member to liaise with the MR rescue base coordinators.

In addition to the Garda, DWMRT works with the National Park, Glen of Immal Mountain Rescue Team (neighboring jurisdiction), ambulances services, Irish Coast Guard (helicopter service), Irish Air Corps, Civil Defense, Coillte Ireland, and Scouting Ireland.

Members of Ireland’s many walking clubs affiliated with Mountaineering Ireland receive insurance coverage as part of their club membership. Walkers who are not affiliated with a walking club or other entity providing insurance are on their own. Property owners on Waymarked Trails certified by the National Trails Office, like the WW, are covered with indemnity insurance under a Public Liability Scheme operated by the National Trails Office for about the last 20 years. See Country Study for detail on the Walks Scheme and the Occupiers Liability Act, 1995, which address exposure of landowners to claims arising from recreational use.

11   Cost/affordability

A range of options is available, making walking the WW affordable for most people. As discussed, lodging options include camping, shelters, self-catering hotels, B&B’s, cottages, and hotels. For example, Youth Hostels on WW charge 15-22 Euro per person per night in dormitories, and 22-32 Euro per person per night for private rooms. B&B’s range from 45-60 Euro per person per night for a single. See WicklowWay.com for details.

12   Access/private property arrangements

The WW is long established and access arrangements are quite stable. A good deal of the WW (percentage?) passes through Coillte and National Park Service Lands, which include recreation in their remit and are very cooperative. The Rural Recreation Officer for the region, Pat Mellon, is in regular consultation with all property owners (number?) who have granted permission for the trail to cross their land. Disputes and revocation of permission is rare at this time. See Country Study for detail on landowner consultations and agreement.

13   Trail impacts (demographics of use, economic impacts, environmental impacts, etc.)

Communities along the trail have responded to a steady stream of walkers by developing a range of services. In my research I have not yet found any specific data on the numbers and demographics (e.g. age, gender, domestic or international) of walkers on the WW or on the economic impact of the WW on the communities nearby or on the region.

There does not appear to be any overall analysis of the environmental impact of the WW, but there is work on a number of specific issues, including: path erosion caused by walkers and, more gravely, by use of off road vehicles such as motorcycles and four wheel vehicles. Other issues that affect the integrity of uplands have included applications for windfarm and uncontrolled dogs worrying sheep.

14   Resources

14.1   Maps

The most commonly used maps are the Ordnance Survey’s “Discovery Maps”. Numbers 50,56, and 62 cover the WW at a scale of 1:50,000 (1.25 in. = 1 mile/2cm. = 1 km).

14.2   Guide books

The Wicklow Way, and edition, by Jacquetta Megarry with Sandra Bardwell, Rucksack Readers, 2008,

Dublin and Wicklow: A Walking Guide by Helen Fairbairn, Collins Press, 2014.

The Wicklow Way Map Guide by Barry Dalby, EastWest Mapping, 2015

The Complete Wicklow Way by JB Malone.