The Spinc: The Boardwalk Above Glendalough's Upper Lake
Wicklow, Ireland
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White Route
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300
XP
1 day
The Spinc: The Boardwalk Above Glendalough's Upper Lake
300 XP
Everybody walks the valley floor at Glendalough. The Spinc goes up instead — a climb on the zig-zag path that replaced the old railway-sleeper steps in 2020, up past the Poulanass waterfall onto the cliff line above the Upper Lake, then a long boardwalk of sleepers along the top with the whole glacial valley dropping away on one side. The White Route carries on west above the lake into the Glenealo valley and comes down past the ruins of the old lead-minc mining village at the head of the valley and the Poulanass waterfall. It is the best half-day in Wicklow and most visitors never see it.
Required Activities
1
of 5
Climb the zig-zag path from the Upper Lake car park, up past the Poulanass waterfall, onto the Spinc
2
of 5
Walk the boardwalk along the cliff top with the Upper Lake directly below
3
of 5
Come down past the ruins of the miners' village at the head of the valley
4
of 5
Carry on west along the cliff into the Glenealo valley and look for the red deer
5
of 5
Look down on St Kevin's Bed in the rock face above the Upper Lake
Climb the zig-zag path from the Upper Lake car park, up past the Poulanass waterfall, onto the Spinc
Walk the boardwalk along the cliff top with the Upper Lake directly below
Come down past the ruins of the miners' village at the head of the valley
Carry on west along the cliff into the Glenealo valley and look for the red deer
Look down on St Kevin's Bed in the rock face above the Upper Lake
Before you go
A steep climb on wooden steps that are slippery in wet weather, and an exposed boardwalk along a cliff edge. Keep to the boardwalk — the ground either side is eroding badly.
The White Zig Zags between the Miners' Village and the footbridge are being upgraded and the work runs for several months — check nationalparks.ie for the current route before you set out.
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Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
300 XP
Potential total
300 XP
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