Help! I want to Walk on Royal Canal - Clondalkin

dewsbury

Hi,

I am looking for guidance on a short walk along the Royal canal.

In summary, I want a quiet walk probably from Clondalkin(ish) or thereabouts..

I will be with a friend and we will have one car (but maybe two). FLexible in location therefore.
The walk should last about 2.5 hours (possibly 1.25 there and the same back!).

Where should I start? Where should I end??
Is this a nice walk? Any tips?

As you may guess I know nothing about the area but fancied a canal walk (for a change)

Donny5

If you want to start in Clondalkin, then you probably want to walk the Grand Canal. The IWAI actually has a pretty comprehensive, if not visually appealing, site for the two canals, with a description and maps. You could start here. I haven't walked that section of the canal, so if you do go and just, as you say, walk out for an hour and then walk back, I'd be interested to see what state the canal there is in.

dewsbury

Thanks for contribution.

Yes, ... I meant to say Grand Canal.

I will check out the Irish Waterways site.

Has anybody else views on Grand Canal Walks . .... on the Dublin west side.

Krusty_Clown

I have been doing a bit of running along the canal of late. Parts of it have recently (last 12 months) been improved around Clondalkin. The stretch between Park West and Adamstown is all in good nick. After Adamstown the surface isn't the best; wet muddy, uneven, but probably ok if you're walking. I'd suggest parking somewhere in Park West and walking as far as Adamstown and back.

dogmatix

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I have been doing a bit of running along the canal of late. Parts of it have recently (last 12 months) been improved around Clondalkin. The stretch between Park West and Adamstown is all in good nick. After Adamstown the surface isn't the best; wet muddy, uneven, but probably ok if you're walking. I'd suggest parking somewhere in Park West and walking as far as Adamstown and back.

I would'nt suggest parking in Parkwest as the management company here has gone clamper-happy over the last six months. If you can get parking in the visitor section (around and behind the crescent building) then you should be okay - other wise forget it!

The new cycleway offers a good cycling and walking surface out as far as adamstown - thereafter it is a grassy towpath. But this "rough" section is actually very attractive, rural and quiet and well worth getting too. I managed to cycle from Parkwest almost as far as Hazelhatch last year and it is rough after adamstown but doable (and I was not on a MTB or anything). Should be even easier on two legs.

micawber

If you are happy to walk the Royal instead you can park your car at the Twelfth Lock, walk as far as you like and and get a train back to Castleknock station. Interesting canal architecture along the way, path in reasonable condition though muddy in parts and you can have a bite to eat and a pint to reward yourself at journey's end.

Fuinseog

if you want to walk west along the canal is it safe? someone told me certain areas in Dublin along it are no safe. opinions?

stoneill

The section from Lucan 12th Lock to Hazel Hatch is undergoing some remedial work. The tow path is rough and can be muddy and slippery.
This was the first section of canal originally built.
But if you persevere and continue you will pass a bridge over the canal that bears the rope marks from horses pulling barges, and the quarry where the stones were taken to build the 12th lock.

With a keen eye, you will see where the original lock gates were positioned, before being repositioned to standardise the locks along the canal. You can also note where the narrow gauge railway from Lucan to Baldonnel was crossing the canal. The old cottage on the left (Heading toward Newcastle) had it's thatched roof set on fire from burning embers coming from a passing steam train (1940's I think)
Also there is a half sunken reed clearing boat - I don't know who own this. The far bank is in a disgraceful state, looks like illegal fly tipping and waste dumping going on, plastic strewn about.

dewsbury

Some interesting contributions from Canal familiar people there...

Can anybody suggest a good (quiet) walk on the outskirts of Dublin.. about 2 hours long .. Grand Canal

stoneill

You can start from Leixlip and walk to Maynooth or continue to Kilcock.