Overview
The Inchavore River is about the closest thing Wicklow has to a geography lesson on the ground. As it crosses the flat floor of its valley toward Lough Dan, it loops in ox-bow bends so neat they look traced from a textbook. This is a slow lowland river, not a mountain torrent: inse means river meadow and mhór means great, so the name (Irish: Inse Mhór) is simply the Great Inch. The wide wetland plain is a classic feature of eastern Ireland’s river systems, where the western Irish would use srath for the same kind of valley.
Landscape & Geology
The valley sits within a deep, U-shaped glacial trough carved by ice during the last Ice Age. As the river slows across the flat floor, it has cut textbook-perfect ox-bow bends that look as though they were lifted from a geography textbook. On the far side of the valley, the terrain shifts dramatically into the steep, rocky slopes known locally as the Scoils or Scoyles. Derived from the Irish scoilt (split), the name refers to the fissured, broken ground that drops away from the Cloghoge peaks. The entire catchment is protected as a Special Area of Conservation, ensuring the delicate balance of wetland, broadleaf woodland, and open meadow remains intact.
The Walk: Accessing the Valley
Visitors typically reach the river via a short, self-guided trail starting near the Lough Dan Scout Centre. By Wicklow standards this is an easy walk – flat for the final stretch – and a good one for families or a quiet hour with binoculars rather than anyone chasing a summit. The catch is the car park: the Scout Centre lot is tiny and full by mid-morning on a fine weekend, and there is nowhere else to leave a car.
From the Scout Centre car park (grid reference 0 156023), walkers follow a narrow paved country road for about 1 km, gaining roughly 50 m in elevation. The road is single-track, so walking facing oncoming traffic is advised. At the road’s end, cross the bridge and climb a stile to reach an access path kindly maintained by local landowners. The path contours briefly before descending gently into the valley floor. The final 2 km stretch is largely flat, taking around 40 minutes to reach the river’s floodplain. The return journey retraces the same route but feels slightly steeper, adding about 10 minutes to the walk.
Wildlife & Nature
The slow-moving water and surrounding rushes create an ideal habitat for wetland species. Keep an eye out for dippers and grey wagtails darting through the shallows, while herons and cormorants often roost near the river’s mouth. The steep cliffs overlooking the valley provide nesting sites for peregrine falcons, and the broader woodland edges shelter red grouse, merlin, and hen harriers.
Mammals are more elusive but regularly spotted; deer, hares, and otters use the river corridor, particularly in the quiet light of early morning or late afternoon. The valley’s wetland character also supports a variety of invertebrates, which in turn sustain the local bird population. Arctic char have also been recorded in the adjacent Lough Dan, a rare and ancient species in Irish waters.
Connecting to Longer Routes
The Inchavore Valley loop works well as a standalone walk, but it also serves as a useful junction for longer hikes in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. From the valley, the route can be extended westward along the Cloghoge River toward the northern shore of Lough Dan, or pushed upward toward the summit of Knocknacloghoge (532 m) for panoramic views across the lake and surrounding peaks.
To the north, the trail links with the historic Pier Gates, a traditional entry point to the Wicklow Way. Further afield, the Ballinastoe MBT mountain-bike trails and the Avonmore River valley provide additional options for multi-day itineraries.
Practical Information
Access to the Inchavore River trail is free, but there are no on-site facilities. Plan your visit with the following details in mind:
- Parking: The Lough Dan Scout Centre car park holds a limited number of spaces and fills quickly on fine weekends. Arriving early is strongly recommended.
- Facilities: No toilets, cafés, or shops exist along the route. Bring water, snacks, and a bin bag for any waste.
- Trail Conditions: The access path can become muddy after rain. The narrow country road requires careful navigation; yield to oncoming vehicles and walk single file.
- Conservation Guidelines: The valley lies within a protected Special Area of Conservation and crosses private land. Stay on the marked route, keep dogs on a lead, and take all litter back to the car. Noise levels should be kept to a minimum to respect both the landowners and the wildlife.
- Navigation: OS Map sheet 56 (1:50,000 scale) covers the area comprehensively. The route is clearly waymarked near the Scout Centre, and a GPX file is available for download from the official Lough Dan Scout Centre website.
Time your walk for early or late in the day: deer, hares and otters use the river corridor at first and last light, and the cliffs above the valley hold nesting peregrine falcons. Bring binoculars and sturdy boots – the access path turns muddy after rain.