Ballinastoe Woods — Local services in The Municipal District of Wicklow

Ballinastoe Wood is a renowned forest area located in County Wicklow, Ireland, near Sraghmore, Oldtown, and close to Lough Tay (also known as Guinness Lake). It is part of the Wicklow Mountains National Park and is about an hour’s drive from Dublin, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors. Key Features and Activities: • Scenic Walks & Boardwalk: Ballinastoe Woods is famous for its picturesque boardwalk, which winds through dense pine forest and offers stunning views, particularly from the JB Malone Memorial overlooking Lough Tay. The boardwalk’s atmospheric setting has made it popular for photography and social media, often compared to scenes from Lord of the Rings. • Walking Trails: There are several walking routes of varying lengths: • Short Walk (3.5 km, 30 min–1 hour): Takes you through the woods and onto the boardwalk, with views from the JB Malone Memorial. • Long Walk (10 km, 3–3.5 hours): Extends the short walk by including the Slí na Sláinte trail and deeper forest sections. • Slí na Sláinte Trail (5 km, 1.5 hours): A looped route with marked yellow signs, which can be modified to include the boardwalk and memorial. • Djouce Mountain and White Hill Loop (8–13 km, 4–5 hours): For experienced hikers, this loop includes mountain and forest terrain with panoramic views. • Mountain Biking: Ballinastoe is also a major hub for mountain biking, offering a dedicated network of singletrack trails graded blue (moderate), red (difficult), and black (severe). These trails traverse forest and open land, with challenging sections and spectacular views over Lough Tay and the Irish Sea. The routes are waymarked and designed for experienced riders. • Parking: There are several car parks: • Upper Ballinastoe Car Park: Free, closest to the boardwalk, fills up quickly on weekends. • Wicklow Way Car Park (Luggala): Larger, paid, further from the boardwalk, with basic facilities. • Small Lay-by: Midway up the hill, limited spaces, quick access to the boardwalk. • Access & Safety: As of early 2025, some access through Ballinastoe may be restricted due to storm damage, so visitors should heed safety signage and updates. Nearby Attractions: Ballinastoe Woods is close to other Wicklow highlights such as Sally Gap, Lough Tay, Djouce Mountain, and the Wicklow Way long-distance trail, making it an excellent addition to a day trip in the area. Summary: Ballinastoe Wood offers a blend of accessible forest walks, dramatic viewpoints, and challenging mountain bike trails, all set in the scenic Wicklow Mountains. The iconic boardwalk and proximity to Dublin make it a must-visit for walkers, cyclists, and nature...

I took my parents and my father-in-law to the Ballinastoe Woods walk, and they loved it! It’s a beautiful, scenic place featuring a wooden boardwalk surrounded by tall trees on both sides.

Here are a few key points to consider:

No tickets are required; it’s free to visit. There aren’t dedicated parking lots, but there are multiple roadside parking spaces available. The best time to visit in the summer is early morning or during the morning hours.

I wouldn't recommend this walk for elderly individuals with joint pains, as the path is rough and includes an uphill section before you...

Watch your step walking in!!! Please! There’s a row of rocks that is covered with shrub growing over it so my foot went straight down about a foot and half. Could’ve broken something and hope no one else does. Put a long stick in it but maybe someone else can bring something better so no one else hurts themself. After that, see the barbed wire fence with board holding it open, which after it’s an easy and lovely walk uphill about a 30 degree angle on boards with traction. Walk as long as you walk or as short as you want but get as fast as the break in the trees that goes in both directions...