Sugar loaf

maxamillius

Hi guys,

I am looking to climb the sugar load at the weekend with my girlfriend . Just looking for the best route?

I will be coming from sandyford.

Thanks

sebcity

There's a few ways to go up it I think.

There's the most popular way where you park at the south of the hill and literally just walk straight up it. You can see a beaten track on Google maps.

Another way is to park beside the GAA club in Kilmacanogue and approach the hill from the east. It's a much longer walk. You'd probably need to google that to get the exact route up the hill.

If you're not driving, just get the 145 from the N11 to Kilmacanogue.

Alun

sebcity wrote: »

If you're not driving, just get the 145 from the N11 to Kilmacanogue.

The 145 no longer goes to Kilmacanogue, it terminates in Bray at Ballywaltrim, and you have to switch to the 45A (less frequent service than the 145) to get there now.

There's a decent overview of the tracks over the Sugarloaf on OpenStreetMap http://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/53.1575/-6.1482

Be aware that on the lower slopes, the bracken (ferns) can be very high at this time of the year and might make some of the smaller tracks difficult to follow.

maxamillius

Thanks guys,seeing as I've never done it before I might just take the easy route,

Anyone tell me how I get there from the n11?

unkel

Very easy. Take exit 9 (Glenview Hotel) and drive west on the local road (there is only one option) until you see the car park on your right, which is easily recognisable as it has a concrete arch over it (presumably to prevent caravans from entering)

Was there a few days ago with the kids - their first mini hike + scramble

Alun

unkel wrote: »

Very easy. Take exit 9 (Glenview Hotel) and drive west on the local road (there is only one option) until you see the car park on your right, which is easily recognisable as it has a concrete arch over it (presumably to prevent caravans from entering)

That is a pretty narrow road. If coming from Dublin, a better route is to take the Roundwood / Kilmacanogue R755 exit 8 and keep going until you reach the brow of the hill and turn left onto the same road. There's a small semi-derelict building surrounded by a fence there that used to be a filling station back in the day, and you turn left just after it.

swingking

just be careful. A friend of mine went up the sugar loaf and they were watched. They came back and the car was broken into and everything taken.

maxamillius

Thanks for all the info guys much appreciated!

DubOnHoliday

For any back woods car park in Wicklow, sugar loaf, glen of the downs, baravore etc leave your car empty and visibly empty.

Alun

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

For any back woods car park in Wicklow, sugar loaf, glen of the downs, baravore etc leave your car empty and visibly empty.

Very true.

BTW I was up at Crone Woods yesterday checking out what time they closed (6pm in the height of summer!!!!!) and there were loads of handwritten signs up warning people that there had been loads of break-ins there very recently.

Gasherbraun

Alun wrote: »

Very true.

BTW I was up at Crone Woods yesterday checking out what time they closed (6pm in the height of summer!!!!!) and there were loads of handwritten signs up warning people that there had been loads of break-ins there very recently.

Do you think this is more of an issue in Wicklow than elsewhere? I have never seen much evidence of break in's - broken glass, warning signs - in other areas I frequent (mainly Mournes and Kerry) but maybe I am just missing it.

I have never been broken into in Wicklow but guessing it is just a matter of time.

sebcity

I'd be up in Ticknock a lot, there's always fresh broken glass on the ground. Luckily I've never been broken into.

Macy0161

There's a few of the car parks that have a reputation for break-ins, with the two with the worst reputation the Sugar Loaf and Crone Woods. Djouce woods wouldn't have a great reputation either.

I live in the area, it would generally only be those three that people think of as dodgy. I'm sure there's a chance at other locations, but those are the ones that locals seem to actively avoid. Rightly or wrongly, "opportunists" coming out of Bray is who normally get the blame!

Alun

I've been broken into once in approx. 14 years, and that was at Glenmacnass. I'm always wary of the main trouble spots like the Old Long Hill (Djouce Woods, Ballinastoe) and Crone Woods, but you can get broken into anywhere. I know of people who've had their cars broken into in Baravore, Trooperstown (down by the river past the Mountain Rescue base), Kippure Bridge and at the base of Black Hill for example. The Glendalough visitors' centre is a favourite spot too. Also one of our group was broken into in the Mournes so that's not immune to it either.

The big problem with Wicklow is the (mainly foreign) tourists who park their cars full to the brim with their luggage for just a few minutes at viewing spots on the Wicklow and Sally Gaps, just out of sight of their cars. Such cars are easy pickings, and just serves to make it worthwhile for them. If all you left in the car was a pair of old runners and a change of clothes like I do, then it wouldn't be worth their while any more.

maxamillius

Hi guys,

Decided to take the long route from the GAA club. Very enjoyable walk I must say,apart from the swarms of flys.

Thanks for the directions and tips!

TheBody

A load of cars were broken into on the 8/8/15 up near Djouce. They tried to get into my car but failed. I had absolutly nothing in it.

They broke the window of the car beside mine and took a bag.

Utter scum who do this.

Charlie19

I'd say a large chunk of break ins are people leaving items in view. Some people will just not learn. There will always be scumbags looking for an easy target.

ronan45

Anyone ever slept on the summit overnight??????
Is it legal?

markc2951

ronan45 wrote:

Anyone ever slept on the summit overnight?????? Is it legal?

I was thinking the same thing,I think it would be an awesome camp with maybe just a tarp and walking poles and a great view too

Losty Dublin

ronan45 wrote: »

Anyone ever slept on the summit overnight??????
Is it legal?

If you ask me it would be irresponsible to sleep or camp on the summit. It's an exposed summit with no shelter. Setting a tent down is going to be difficult; sleeping without a tent is a bypass to exposure and potential hypothermia. Only yesterday the summit was covered in cloud; 500 metres it may be but it's not to be sneezed at.

Alun

Losty Dublin wrote: »

If you ask me it would be irresponsible to sleep or camp on the summit. It's an exposed summit with no shelter. Setting a tent down is going to be difficult; sleeping without a tent is a bypass to exposure and potential hypothermia. Only yesterday the summit was covered in cloud; 500 metres it may be but it's not to be sneezed at.

I agree, a daft place to even attempt to camp, even if you could find sufficient space to pitch a tent and secure it properly.