Wicklow Way

namurt

We're thinking of doing the Wicklow Way with the dogs this summer. Obviously will do plenty of training before then but just wondering if anyone has done this recently. Would appreciate any info or tips. Thanks in advance.

Evil Phil

Off the top of my head I would say the dogs are going to be a problem. I have taken my dog up the djouce board walks in Wicklow but kept him on a lead at all times. Livestock owners don't take kindly to the old woof woofs however so you might be better off leaving them at home.

Slogger Jogger

Lots of sheep and cattle on or near Wicklow way in the southern part of it, so dogs off a leash could be a problem.

Apart from your general fitness you'll need to plan your logistics, which can be challenging enough - breaking it into stages, the transport, accomodation etc.

Cookie_Monster

Only bring the dogs if on a lead all the time.

Fitness wise it's realativly easy, bypasses all major peaks. If fit will do it in 5 days, if not then 7 should suffice. There are a lot more options for accommodation than there used to be. A good few B&B's have popped up along the way. Whether or not they will accept dogs is questionable.

If camping there are a number of places to free camp. If camping in Lough Dan (Scout site) one of the night this will cost little and no dogs allowed.

namurt

Thanks Cookie Monster. We were planning on camping, although I might try to convince himself to stay in a B&B or something one night half way there just to freshen up etc.

hmmm

If you want to stay in the Glenmalure Inn in Summer you need to be booking well in advance.

denissheridan

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Only bring the dogs if on a lead all the time.

If camping there are a number of places to free camp. If camping in Lough Dan (Scout site) one of the night this will cost little and no dogs allowed.

Due to resent improvements on lough dan the wardens are on site every weekend and allot during the week. The Camp site is strictly scouts and guides only (partly because the neighbors would go mad it it became public)

The car park just after the center is the last place you will find to park your car without causing an obstruction but the walk to the top of the lake is a nice one.

PS The midgets around the lake may be small but they do fight in numbers

Cookie_Monster

denissheridan wrote: »

Due to resent improvements on lough dan the wardens are on site every weekend and allot during the week. The Camp site is strictly scouts and guides only (partly because the neighbors would go mad it it became public)

The car park just after the center is the last place you will find to park your car without causing an obstruction but the walk to the top of the lake is a nice one.

PS The midgets around the lake may be small but they do fight in numbers

Lough Dan is back in the game big time. Hostel opened last weekend, I stayed there, it great. Scouts only though.

Midges have been greatly reduced due to clearout of the blocked up river and swamp, there are two machines on site that kill them too apparently.

There was a legal issue with the residents about non scout use, this has been resolved and the WAR (Wicklow Adventure Race) made use of it a couple of weeks ago. Doubt it will allow camping of non-scouts as yet but no harm in asking on their website. loughdan.ie

Alun

Was around there at the weekend ... it was a positive sea of typical scout style green ridge tents.

loobylou

denissheridan wrote: »

PS The midgets around the lake may be small but they do fight in numbers

That's no way to talk about the scouts and guides.:D:

loobylou

HilltopTreks wrote: »

Your dogs would definitely have to be kept on a leash at all times/QUOTE]

This is not true. The law states that your dogs have to be under "effective control". This does not mean they have to be on a leash. If they are properly trained and respond to your commands then there is no need for a leash.
That said, most dogs I come across do not meet these criteria.

Wool

Just did WAR down in Wicklow reckon it would be a little bit of a challenge getting the dogs up the steps on Djouce mountain and Spink mountain. Enjoy the scenery, it is spectacular.

Cookie_Monster

Wool wrote: »

Just did WAR down in Wicklow reckon it would be a little bit of a challenge getting the dogs up the steps on Djouce mountain and Spink mountain. Enjoy the scenery, it is spectacular.

Spink is not on the WW.

EDIT: and anyway you see loads of dogs up there all the time, I doubt they'd have more of a problem than you. they do have 2 extra legs to help out after all :D

duckysauce

Wool wrote: »

Just did WAR down in Wicklow reckon it would be a little bit of a challenge getting the dogs up the steps on Djouce mountain and Spink mountain. Enjoy the scenery, it is spectacular.

have done both with my dog just have a long lead , the dog will prob walk on the ground and not the steps