Hiking in County Wicklow

Our Woodlands Walk will take you right into the heart of the Glen. At the end of the carpark, where the walk begins, you will instantly be immersed in greenery on either side of a well-chipped path, with a spectacular view of the Great Sugarloaf Mountain. Continue on this path until you reach a wooden bridge. Take a few moments to stop at the slow paced brook and breathe! Listen to the sound of falling water wash over you and allow yourself to be refreshed and restored.

Once you reach the next wooden bridge take a left turn to walk downstream alongside the Three Trout Stream into the meadow before ending at the bottom of the gardens with a flat pathway leading you back to the hotel.

For a more intense walk, after the bridge at the Three Trouts Stream, continue to the right – up into the wooded hillside where you will find signs of woodland living, including shelter from our animal friends. If you’re lucky (and quiet), you may even sight a family of deer! At the end of this trail is a rest point, when you reach here you will loop back towards the stream and descend into the Lower Woodland Walk, into the meadow and through our beautiful Formal Gardens.

On arrival to the Glenview Hotel you will be consumed by the incredible skyline which is host to both the Great Sugar Loaf, and its little sister, the Little Sugar Loaf. The two mountains stand apart from the rest of Wicklow’s hilly landscape with their instantly recognisable features.

The Great Sugar Loaf is a 3 minute drive from the hotel’s carpark – where the trail begins on arrival to the concrete arch carpark. The trail will take you up an accessible track until you reach the mountains shoulder. To gain access to the peak, you will take a right turn here – up a path with loose rock underfoot.

On a clear day, you will have views of not only Dublin City and the Wicklow Mountains from the summit, but also views of the Mourne Mountains in Co. Down and Snowdonia, Wales in the United Kingdom.

The Little Sugar Loaf is adjacent to The Great Sugar Loaf, with the N11 separating the two. It is a 5 minute drive from the hotel’s carpark. There is no carpark at this walk however, there is roadside parking. This walk is easier than its big sister, it is a manageable climb. A peaty path will lead you to the shoulder, from here it turns into a loose rock path for the last 200 metres to its double headed summit.

You can also gain access to the Little Sugar Loaf from Belmont Demesne, where there is a carpark available. Belmont Demesne is also home to Bak’d at Arthur’s café, where one can purchase refreshments before or after their walk.

The Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve is located on the adjacent side of the glen. The trail leads you on a 7.4km loop where you will be immersed in a forest of Sessile Oak, Holly, and a carpet of Bilberry, Heather and Woodrush. The babbling brook which runs through the Glenview’s Woodland Walk continues onto this trail and makes for a pleasant, relaxing sound when accompanied by the singing birds.

On arrival to the top of the hillside you will come across a hexagon ruin. Once a home to banquet rooms, it has impressive panoramic views of the Great Sugar Loaf, rolling tree covered hills, and of course, the Glenview Hotel. Access to the carpark is from the N11 southbound, in between the Glenview Hotel and the Delgany exits.