Dublin Mountains Way

Overview

The Dublin Mountains Way (DMW) is a 42.6 km national way‑marked trail that cuts across the Dublin Mountains from the seaside village of Shankill in the east to Sean Walsh Memorial Park in Tallaght to the west. Classified by Sport Ireland as a strenuous route, the trail combines forest tracks, open mountain ridges, historic lanes and quiet county roads. Roughly 12.5 hours are needed to walk the whole line in one go, but the DMW is deliberately broken into eight manageable stages, allowing hikers to tailor the experience to a single day, a weekend, or a multi‑day adventure.

The trail is fully way‑marked with the familiar yellow walking‑man symbol; where it shares the path with the Wicklow Way, dual plaques read “DMW / WW”. Dogs are welcome on a lead, and the route is free to use – the only cost may be parking at the trailheads.

History & Development

The idea of a cross‑mountain trail dates back to the 1980s, but the project stalled after a 1988 Department of Energy veto. In May 2008 the Dublin Mountains Partnership (DMP) – a coalition of Coillte, South Dublin County Council, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Dublin Mountains Initiative – finally gave the idea momentum. Volunteers, including Google staff and members of the Irish Ramblers Club, upgraded paths, installed way‑marks and built structures such as a sleepered bog bridge on Tibradden Mountain.

The first official opening was on 19 June 2009 (Tibradden to Cruagh Wood) by Minister Éamon Ó Cuív. The full east‑to‑west route was inaugurated on 31 October 2010 at a ceremony in Ticknock Forest. Since then the DMW has earned a Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Award (2011) and a European Ramblers’ Association Eco Award (second prize, 2011) for its environmental stewardship.

What to See & Do

Beyond the listed points, walkers will encounter numerous prehistoric monuments (wedge tomb at Ballyedmonduff, Bronze‑age cairns on Two Rock and Tibradden) and scientific sites such as The Scalp, an important glacial‑lake overflow.

Practical Information

• Length & Difficulty: 42.6 km, classified strenuous (moderately steep climbs up to 20 minutes). Total ascent recorded by Sport Ireland is 895 m.
• Way‑marking: Yellow “walking man” on black background; extra attention needed on Two Rock (shared with Wicklow Way) and in Barnaslingan where some markers are painted on trees.
• Start / End Points:
  • East – Shankill village, Main Street beside Brady’s Pub (mapboard and metal trailhead sign). Parking is available at the Shankill DART station car‑park (€3 per day).
  • West – Sean Walsh Memorial Park, Tallaght (pedestrian gate on Whitestown Way). Several car‑parks serve Tallaght, including the Square Shopping Centre.
• Public Transport:
  • Shankill – DART (Connolly → Shankill) and Dublin Bus E1 or 44 (stops opposite Brady’s).
  • Barnaslingan – Dublin Bus 44, stops 4088 & 4121.
  • Glencullen – Dublin Bus 44b, stop 3508 at Johnnie Fox’s.
  • Tibradden Wood – Local Link SD4 (Saturday service) – note a new Saturday service (four trips each way) was introduced in September 2024, also serving Cruagh Wood and the Hell Fire Club.
  • Bohernabreena – Local Link SD03 (Saturday service), stops at Upper Reservoir Gate, Glenasmole Community Centre, Cunard, Head of Brakes, and Tallaght Luas Bus Stop 4348.
  • Tallaght – Luas Red Line (Tallaght stop) and numerous Dublin Bus routes.
• Facilities & Pit‑stops:
  • Glencullen Village – Johnnie Fox’s Pub (open daily) and the GAP Adventure Park café (Wednesday‑Sunday).
  • Tibradden Wood – Zip‑it centre (seasonal zip‑line, hot drinks).
  • Glenasmole Valley – Community Centre (coffee, toilets, Mon‑Fri 09:00‑17:00).
• Detours: Following Storm Darragh, Barnaslingan Wood is closed; a signed detour via Barnaslingan Lane is in place. Temporary diversions also exist in Rathmichael Wood and at the Tallaght start/end due to age‑friendly housing works.
• Dog Policy: Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times to protect wildlife and livestock.
• Maps & Guides: Download the official PDF brochure from the DMP (DMW brochure) or request a paper copy by emailing info@dublinmountains.ie. Detailed stage maps are available for each segment (e.g., Shankill‑to‑The Scalp PDF, Glenasmole‑to‑Tallaght PDF). An interactive map is also provided by DLR Tourism’s Dublin Mountains Experience.
• Safety: Over 40 % of the route follows quiet county roads; high‑visibility vests are recommended on these sections. Carry a torch for early‑evening walks and wear sturdy, waterproof walking boots. The Road Safety Authority advises walking on the right‑hand side of the road and using footpaths where they exist.
• Leave No Trace: Follow the guidelines from Leave No Trace Ireland – pack out all litter, stay on way‑marked paths, and avoid disturbing wildlife, especially in the SAC areas of Glenasmole and the reservoirs.
• Badge: Upon completion, walkers can request a Dublin Mountains Way badge by emailing their postal address to info@dublinmountains.ie.

Seasonal Highlights & Wildlife

• Spring brings a carpet of wildflowers in Glenasmole Valley, where the Green‑winged Orchid and Small‑white Orchid are at their peak. Birdwatchers can spot migrating whooper swans around the Bohernabreena reservoirs.
• Summer offers the best weather for the open ridge sections and the zip‑line at Zip‑it. The Fairy Castle (Two Rock) provides 360° views of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains.
• Autumn colours the mixed woodlands of Cruagh and Tibradden, making the forest walks especially photogenic.
• Winter can bring icy patches on the exposed mountain sections; sturdy boots and gaiters are advisable. Some sections of the trail (e.g., the bog bridge on Tibradden) may be slippery.

Additional Activities & Facilities

• Zip‑it Adventure Centre near Tibradden offers a seasonal zip‑line, climbing wall and a café – a fun break for families.
• Orienteering events are occasionally held in Cruagh Wood and Glenasmole; check the DMP website for the latest schedule.
• Running: The trail’s varied terrain makes it popular with trail‑run clubs; the most challenging sections are the climbs to Three Rock and the Scalp.
• Cycling: While the DMW is primarily a walking route, several short off‑road sections (e.g., around Barnaslingan) are suitable for mountain bikes – always respect way‑markings and give priority to walkers.
• Accommodation: For multi‑day hikers, the Knockree Hostel (near Enniskerry, just off the Wicklow Way) provides budget lodging and a base for the eastern stages. Private B&Bs are available in Glencullen and Kilternan.

Safety, Navigation & Leave No Trace

• Navigation: Carry a paper map (OS Discovery Series 50 14) or a downloaded GPX file from the DMP. Mobile apps such as Komoot, AllTrails or the TFI Live App work well, but always have a backup.
• Road‑walking: Follow the RSA’s pedestrian safety advice – stay on the right‑hand side of the road, wear high‑visibility clothing, and use a torch after dark.
• Leave No Trace: Pack out all litter, keep dogs on leads, stay on marked routes, and avoid disturbing nesting birds, especially around the reservoirs.
• Emergency: In case of injury, call 999 and give the nearest landmark (e.g., “near the Scalp, Barnaslingan”). Mobile coverage is generally good, but can be patchy on the highest sections.

The Dublin Mountains Way offers a blend of natural beauty, historic intrigue and easy access from Dublin’s transport network – whether you walk a single stage, a full day or the entire 42 km, the trail rewards every step.