Glendalough Lower Lake

What makes it special

The Lower Lake lies beside the monastic city that St Kevin founded in the sixth century, so a walk round the water is also a walk round the ruins. The Round Tower stands 30 metres high.

Look for the stone cross that stands beside the lake. It is one of four crosses in the valley that mark stations on the Glendalough pilgrimage route, so stop and find it on your way round.

This is the smaller and more accessible of the valley's two lakes, with the main ruins close to its shore. Its edge is wetland, a breeding place for frogs, which is why the path turns to timber here.

Visiting

Easiest is to start at the Visitor Centre car park and walk through the monastic city first, then on to the lake shore. The monastic city has no entry fee. At the shore the timber boardwalk crosses the wetland, or you can keep to the path along the lake's side.

For a longer walk, start at the National Park Information Office and follow the loop through the oak woods. It comes down to the wetland, and you can return through the ruins.

On a warm day, walk the boardwalk slowly and watch the timber, where lizards and dragonflies sun themselves. If you want to go on, the Upper Lake is about a 20 minute walk from the Visitor Centre, along the Green Road or the boardwalk.

Tips

The loop is short and easy, so the only real planning is the light: check the forecast and the dusk time before an afternoon walk. From mid October to mid March the Visitor Centre toilets close at 16:15, so use them before you set off.