I’ve always been attracted to County Wicklow. It’s partly because of its nickname, “the Garden of Ireland,” and partly because it’s been in many Hollywood movies and TV shows. Movies like Braveheart, The Count of Monte Cristo, and P.S. I Love You, as well as the popular series Vikings, were all filmed here. Interesting, right?
Ballinastoe Forest is part of County Wicklow and it’s just as beautiful and well-known. It’s one of the most enchanting places in Ireland, like a fairytale land that looks straight out of the world of the Lord of the Rings.
So, today let’s take a closer look at Ballinastoe Woods Walk: where it’s located, how to get there, parking options, and all the other details you need to know.
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Where Can You Find This Beautiful Forest?
Ballinastoe Woods is in the Wicklow Mountains National Park in County Wicklow, near Sraghmore and Oldtown.
That might not mean much to most tourists visiting Ireland. But it’s basically an hour’s drive from Dublin or around a two and a half-hour drive from Belfast.
It’s close to Lough Tay and not far from Roundwood Village. So, if you’re up for it, you can easily add trips to places like the Sally Gap Drive, Lough Tay, and the Djouce Mountain Walk.
Also, many people come here to hike the Wicklow Way, a 128-kilometer national trail that goes from Rathfarnham to Clonegal.
But in my experience, most people visit Ballinastoe Woods just for the Boardwalk. It’s perfect for taking pictures and videos, and social media, especially Instagram, made it super popular.
The Diverse Trails of Ballinastoe Forest
Here, you will find many different walks to do, ranging from short ones that take about 30 minutes to longer ones that can take over three and a half hours.
Short walk (3.5 km / .5 – 1 hr)
This option is perfect for tourists who are short on time. You’ll get to see the Ballinastoe Woods boardwalk and enjoy stunning views from the JB Malone Memorial.
To start your journey, park your car at either the upper car park or Pier Gates. If you park at the upper car park, go to the memorial first and then walk down the boardwalk. After that, return to the car park the same way you came.
If you park at Pier Gates, walk up through the forest to the memorial, and then retrace your steps back.
Long walk (10km / 3 – 3.5 hrs)
The longer walk is quite similar to the shorter one, but after visiting the JB Malone Memorial, you continue on to include the Slí na Sláinte trail (I’ll discuss it later). The longer walk is a bit of an adventure, but most people find walking through the woods and reaching the Memorial the most enjoyable part, and I can’t argue with that.
If you opt for the longer walk, just make sure to stick to the path and keep an eye out for any bikes coming your way.
Slí na Sláinte (5km / 1.5 hrs)
Here’s another option for you. This one doesn’t include the famous boardwalk, but you can change the route if you want to include it.
To start, head to the Ballinastoe Woods car park. Look for signs with yellow arrows. Follow them, and the trail will take you up through the forest until you reach the JB Malone Memorial.
Finding the memorial might be a bit tricky, so using Google Maps to locate it is a good idea. Once you’re there, you’ll enjoy amazing views over Lough Tay and beyond.
Afterward, the trail leads back down to the Ballinastoe Woods car park.
My Journey Through Ballinastoe Woods
As you can probably guess, I opted for the short walk. I had other nearby places I wanted to visit, so a quick stroll suited me perfectly. I parked in the small lay-by on the hillside. When I looked it up online, finding the Ballinastoe Boardwalk seemed like a bit of a puzzle. Many people seemed confused about it!
I totally understand. Getting to Wicklow Mountains National Park is easy, but finding the boardwalk can be tricky if you don’t start in the right spot. Luckily, I figured out how to reach the boardwalk in less than 15 minutes using the short route.
And as for the place? No description needed. To me, it felt like stepping into the Forbidden Forest from Harry Potter. Majestic, with amazing views of Lough Tay. I was fortunate with the weather, but just a heads up, it gets dark early there, even if it doesn’t seem like it in pictures. I felt a little uneasy. Keep that in mind, bring a torch and warm clothes.
I’d say the most beautiful sections of the Ballinastoe Woods walk are from the JB Malone Memorial to the Luggala car park and back, passing through the Ballinastoe Boardwalk. But, it’s up to you.
Let’s not dwell on the details—let’s move on to how to get to the Ballinastoe Woods boardwalk.
How To Get There?
Now, let’s talk about getting there. Driving is the most common option. There are several different car parks you can choose from, depending on where you want to start your walk.
Many people also enjoy cycling here. It’s renowned as a great spot for biking. So, biking is an option, but most tourists prefer driving.
If you’re not driving, don’t worry! You can still reach Ballinastoe Woods by public transport or perhaps even a taxi if you’re feeling fancy. Once you’re there, you can begin your adventure into the woods.
But for most visitors to Ballinastoe Woods, the main attraction is the mystical-looking Ballinastoe Boardwalk. I’ll provide details about that next.
Access Points to the Ballinastoe Boardwalk
1. Halfway up the hill
The easiest way to reach the Ballinastoe Boardwalk is by parking about halfway up Wicklow Way hill in a small lay-by and using a mid-way entrance nearby to enter the woods. Look for two wooden entry barriers and a walking trail marker (Google PIN).
Once you start walking here, just keep going until you reach a small intersection (about 2 minutes later). Then, turn left to reach the Ballinastoe Boardwalk. Here’s a simple summary:
- Follow the straight path into the forest until you see a small mound. Hop over it, turn left, and you’ll find the Ballinastoe boardwalk. It should take about 10 minutes to get there.
- Further ahead, the Boardwalk curves upwards through the woods, resembling scenes from Lord Of The Rings. This spot is incredibly popular for photos. Cloudy or rainy days provide the best soft lighting. After taking photos, explore more magical spots in the woods.
2. At the top of the hill
If the halfway parking area fills up (it only holds two cars), don’t worry! You can park for free at the Ballinastoe Car Park at the top of the hill. From there, just walk down the main road to reach the same midway entrance.
From this car park, the walk to the Ballinastoe Boardwalk will take about 10-15 minutes, just like before.
3. The Don’ts
The third entrance at Pier Gates used to take only 10-15 minutes. However, it’s now fenced off, so it’s best to avoid this illegal option.
Some might suggest parking at the J B Malone car park and entering from there. However, in my opinion, this is quite far from the Ballinastoe Boardwalk, and you might end up getting lost.
The parking area section will give you a better understanding.
My Preferred Parking Spots
You can probably guess that I prefer the small lay-by for parking. Here’s a summary of the parking options for better understanding:
- Small lay-by next to Ballinastoe Woods on Wicklow Way
- Ballinastoe car park
- Wicklow Way car park at Luggala
- J B Malone car park
- Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Trail car park
Small Lay-by by Ballinastoe Woods Along Wicklow Way
The small lay-by next to Ballinastoe Woods on Wicklow Way is the most convenient parking option, located less than a minute’s drive from the Ballinastoe Car Park. We already talked about it—it holds around two cars, so space is very limited. However, it will get you to the Ballinastoe Boardwalk in less than 10 minutes.
Ballinastoe car park
If the small lay-by is full, there’s a bigger off-road car park opposite the Lough Tay/Luggala estate viewpoint. It’s free, but spaces are still limited.
A path leads you into the woods from above, but for the easiest access to the Ballinastoe Boardwalk, walk down the main road and enter the woods about halfway through, as mentioned earlier. This will take you around 15 minutes to reach the boardwalk. Click Here for a Google Pin!
Wicklow Way car park at Luggala (Paid)
This popular paid parking area at the bottom of Wicklow Way Hill offers facilities like a port-a-loo toilet and refreshments. However, it has opening times (9 am – 7.30 pm) and locks up in the early evening. It’s also further away from the boardwalk, requiring about 20-30 minutes to reach it.
J B Malone car park
This is another option for busier days, like weekends, when the other car parks are full. However, it is further from the Ballinastoe Boardwalk, so I would only choose this if you prefer a longer walk.
Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Trail car park
This location is on the opposite side of the woods and does not provide access to the boardwalk. Therefore, it’s best to skip it unless you’re interested in mountain biking.
That concludes your quick guide to the Ballinastoe Woods Walk. To enhance your trip, consider visiting these nearby attractions.
Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Trail car park
This location is on the opposite side of the woods and does not provide access to the boardwalk. Therefore, it’s best to skip it unless you’re interested in mountain biking.
That concludes your quick guide to the Ballinastoe Woods Walk. To enhance your trip, consider visiting these nearby attractions.
Incredible Destinations Near Ballinastoe Woods Walk
Lough Tay viewpoint aka the Guinness Lake
If you want to add something extra magical to your Ballinastoe Woods walk, be sure to make a stop at the Lough Tay viewpoint.
It’s famously known as the Guinness Lake, not just because of its appearance (resembling a pint of dark beer), but also because the land was once owned by Arthur Guinness, the founder of the Guinness beer company.
Here’s an interesting tidbit: Lough Tay is the filming location for Kattegat in the Vikings TV show! But don’t worry, you won’t encounter any Vikings during your visit.
On sunny days, the views of Lough Tay are breathtaking! There are plenty of spots along the road where you can capture stunning photos. So, make sure to take some time to appreciate the beauty!
The Sally Gap Drive
If you’re up for a scenic drive, consider taking a trip on Sally Gap Drive. Along the way, you’ll be treated to breathtaking sights such as Lough Tay and Glenmacnass Waterfall.
Other Walks
There are plenty of other walks nearby to explore, such as the Djouce Mountain Walk, the Lough Tay to Lough Dan Walk, the Djouce Woods Walk, and the Lough Ouler Walk.
Don’t forget to capture some photos of the various viewpoints along the road. I assure you, you will thoroughly enjoy your day trip in this area.
Local folklore suggests that if you stand among the trees and listen carefully, you can feel the special magic of this forest, even if you don’t believe in it. So get ready to experience this hidden gem.
Some quick tips for the Ballinastoe Woods walk
Timing matters –
For a better experience, aim to visit early or late in the day, and avoid weekends if possible. Weekends tend to be crowded because of the nearby Lough Tay, even though the pictures might not always show it.
Wear a good pair of shoes –
The woods are usually dry in summer but can become quite muddy in winter. Additionally, the Ballinastoe Boardwalk can get slippery in the rain. So, make sure to wear your best shoes.
Bring a torch (or your phone light)
The woods can get quite dark, especially in the afternoon. Be sure to bring a torch or use your phone’s light to see better.
Bring water and snacks (but keep the place clean)
Remember to bring water and snacks with you. Although there’s a refreshment van at the Wicklow Way car park, it’s always a good idea to have your own supplies. And don’t forget to take your rubbish with you when you leave.
Dress Warmly
As the area is open and can quickly become dark, it might feel chilly. Dress in warm layers to ensure your comfort.
FAQs about the Ballinastoe Woods Walk
- How far is Ballinastoe Woods from Dublin?
It’s approximately a 60 – 90 minute drive from Dublin, depending on whether you take the toll roads or not!
- Is Ballinastoe Woods safe?
Yes, but it’s important to be cautious. It’s a popular spot for mountain biking, so stick to the main trails and watch out for bikes. They can move quickly, so stay alert and avoid walking on the main biking paths.
- What is the best time to visit Ballinastoe?
I would recommend visiting on a cloudy or rainy day and avoiding weekends! Additionally, earlier or later in the day is ideal for photography to avoid crowds.
- What are the opening times for Ballinastoe?
The Ballinastoe Boardwalk is open 24 hours a day, so you’re not restricted on when you can visit.
- Is Ballinastoe Woods free?
YES! It’s completely free to visit Ballinastoe Woods, and there is free parking available nearby.
- Are there toilets at Ballinastoe?
No, there are not. However, there are some port-a-loos available in the paid Wicklow Way car park.
- How long does the Ballinastoe Forest walk take?
