Glendalough Miners' Village

What makes it special

Despite the name, this was more a production site than a home: lead dug from galleries in the slopes above was processed here as late as 1935. The galleries themselves are closed to visitors.

What survives is a cluster of ruined buildings in heavy stone, with a square tower among them. Mangled, rusted machinery lies between the walls, beside the foundations of buildings that have gone. Information boards on site explain the wider mining area.

The Miners' Road follows the old lead-mining track, and it is less walked than the south shore of the lake. The Scots pines beside it were planted to make pit props for the mines. Below the buildings, the granite scree is popular for bouldering.

Visiting

From the National Park Information Office, follow the yellow arrows and the yellow pickaxe symbol onto the Miners' Road along the north shore of the Upper Lake. The track is easy and mostly flat. Halfway along, look across the water to the cliff opposite for St Kevin's Bed, a small cave, and watch for the feral goats that live in the valley in their hundreds.

The first ruins appear where the grass gives way to broken rock. Keep on along the rocky path to the end of the valley floor, where the rest of the village stands. The ruined buildings offer some shelter for a snack if the weather turns, but keep clear of loose stone.

Before you turn back, look up the slope behind the ruins for the spoil heaps left by the old galleries. Then walk back along the shore the way you came. The Spinc loop that climbs on from here is a separate, harder walk.

Tips

Pack insect repellent for warm, humid days, when midges swarm in the park, and check yourself for ticks if you leave the track. Dogs are welcome but must stay on a lead the whole way.

If you boulder on the scree, keep clear of nesting birds from about April to June, when the peregrine falcons breed. Wear proper boots if you go on to the Spinc loop, because its rocky descent is slippery in the wet. Back at the Upper Lake car park you can get hot food, coffee and cake.