Moments from Glendalough
A hike up the Spinc — Chapter 01
In mid-February, I visited the stunning Glendalough in Co. Wicklow, Ireland with my partner and a friend. We hiked out from the "Upper Lake" car park on the Miner's Trail, then continued on the Spinc route and across the top of the ridge. The day was overcast, and the brisk wind rolling down the trail towards us stung as it whipped by our faces.
I was apprehensive about the gradient as we headed up, but to my surprise, I managed it well. I've been working towards being fitter and healthier, and this hike was a great way to benchmark my progress over the previous 4-5 weeks.
The journey up begins with a forest trail over relatively level terrain, then gradually increases as you make your way up to the Miner's Village. From there, it's a relatively steep & rocky route ahead with a gravel trail giving way to stone steps and some trickier terrain, until you reach a railway sleeper trail that leads you along the ridge. You'll reach a total elevation of about 500m and be atop an exposed ridge in the Wicklow mountains at the highest points of your journey. If you plan to take on this route, be sure to bring proper footwear and clothing, as you will encounter a mix of quickly-changing conditions and it's important to be prepared.
The views from the top are worth the physical challenges, and even though the light on the day was fairly flat, the breathtaking vista made even the dull shots pop a bit more. You'll have the opportunity to meet other hikers and observe an abundance of local birds, frogs, and deer.
Below you can find some of the photos I captured along the way, and let’s call this chapter 01, because I’m definitely going back!
