Wicklow way. Party on....

New dawn

I'm turning 50 soon :eek: and am thinking of marking it by doing a stage of the Wicklow way with a group of pals- approx 12 of us. I'd like to book in somewhere reasonable and enjoy some food and wine with everyone after. Does anyone have any recommendations on
1. what the best stage would be-would like to keep off roads as much as possible and
2. Where would be a nice place to stay - preferably somewhere that we can eat in.

Thanks

Kat1170

Glenmalure Lodge is very nice and does food/accommodation.

byhookorbycrook

The way ends in Clonegal,where you will find the rather fab Sha-roe
http://www.lucindaosullivan.com/index.cfm/page/viewRestaurant/id/68

Some good pubs there too as well as Huntington Castle with the fascinating Temple of Isis.
http://www.turtlebunbury.com/history/history_houses/hist_hse_huntington.html

dogmatix

The first stage of the way (from Marley park to Knockree) is mainly off road. You could stay in the hostel at Knockree but if meals and pubs are important you would have to walk down into Enniskerry which is a good few miles on tarmac (and in some sections busy tarmac).

New dawn

Thanks guys. Maybe I'm approaching this from the wrong angle, should I pick a nice evening spot, informal but cosy and then create the walk? Glenmalure looks nice - any knowledge of walk from glendalough to there?

Donny5

New dawn wrote: »

Thanks guys. Maybe I'm approaching this from the wrong angle, should I pick a nice evening spot, informal but cosy and then create the walk? Glenmalure looks nice - any knowledge of walk from glendalough to there?

Yeah, the walk over from Glendalough is nice and undemanding, with good views if the weather's right.

hmmm

If you want good food, the Heather in Laragh would be my choice, and it's also a place you can stay. So, assuming you can car split, and also assuming you're not looking for an overly long hike, if I was doing it I'd start in Glenmalure and walk to Glendalough and then on to Laragh. The section of the WW from Mullacor (which goes into the forest) takes a route which avoids one of the best views in Wicklow - so instead of going into the forest, take the clear path to the left which goes down the Spink. It meets up with the Wicklow Way after a while.

Alun

hmmm wrote: »

If you want good food, the Heather in Laragh would be my choice, and it's also a place you can stay. So, assuming you can car split, and also assuming you're not looking for an overly long hike, if I was doing it I'd start in Glenmalure and walk to Glendalough and then on to Laragh. The section of the WW from Mullacor (which goes into the forest) takes a route which avoids one of the best views in Wicklow - so instead of going into the forest, take the clear path to the left which goes down the Spink. It meets up with the Wicklow Way after a while.

I agree. The Glenmalure Lodge has a great atmosphere but the food isn't great. Wicklow Heather does great food and they have a really nice B&B next door as well as the Trooperstown Lodge just outside Laragh if they're full.

hmmm

Alun wrote: »

I agree. The Glenmalure Lodge has a great atmosphere but the food isn't great. Wicklow Heather does great food and they have a really nice B&B next door as well as the Trooperstown Lodge just outside Laragh if they're full.

I have to disagree with you on Glenmalure. The food is excellent and there's plenty of it, but it's "ordinary" food if you know what I'm trying to say. The Heather is a great restaurant, and the food is on another level.

BarryD

These venues all have their pros and cons but if you want a bit of atmosphere, the Glenmalure Inn/ Lodge is a grand spot. Sha-Roe can be busy betimes, you might be best to book and make sure you've plenty of credit