Day 6 - Glendalough, Ireland

We picked up our rental car from the Airport and for the first time I drove a stick-shift on the other side of the road. I hadn't driven a manual in over 5 years and I was quite nervous about driving one all around Ireland. However, since getting an automatic in Ireland was going to be $400 more, we quickly decided on the stick-shift.

Finding my way out of the parking lot at the airport WAS the hardest part :D

Off to Glendalough, which is part of the Wicklow Mountains, in Wicklow, Ireland! We were heading about 2 hours south of Dublin. Our plan was to hike a 9 km (5 mile) section that included to gorgeous views and a waterfall. According, to the research we had done all we had to remember was to take the path to the right to avoid climbing 600 steps. What our information NEGLECTED to tell us was that we needed to park in the 2nd parking lot for easy access to the trail.

So we arrive at Glendalough, park in the first parking lot, visit the information center, buy a map, and start on the trail that leads to the main trails.



Along the way, we stop at a section which was visited by a lot of tours. It was of an old church grounds and cemetery. The historical significance is escaping me at the moment, all I can remember is them pointing out that the door to the grain silo was 12 ft off the group for safety reasons, and that the cats had their own tiny entrances so they could kill the rats. Oh yes! I remember now, it was a monastery where they translated biblical texts.





Onward with the walk! We keep walking and walking, and about a 1.5 miles later we arrive at the beginning of our trail... except the beginning we are not supposed to take (remember 600 steps?). We look across the lake shore to find what must be the beginning of our trail. We press forward.






We finally arrive at the beginning of our trail. By this time we must've already walked 2 miles, we have a 5 mile moderate to difficult hike a head of us, and barely any food in our tummies. Plus, did I mention it is getting late in the afternoon?



Still we press on!

Our trail is still basically a road... not much hiking going on... but we are passing by other groups and talking and having a good time.



We finally reach a point, where we realize that at some point we are going to have to climb that mountain on the other side of the lake. And our trail is not ascending but descending... which is quite cruel. The change in elevation of the trail is supposed to be around 1000 ft. Which doesn't sound like a lot, until you realize that it's going to be a short, steep climb, in the cold waning afternoon of Ireland, on a relatively empty stomach. I think it was at that point we decided to turn around.

We walk back to the beginning of the trail and low and behold what is in front of us... the second parking lot ... the one with food. We eat.

We walk back to the fork in the road, and decide that we can still see the waterfall. Having walked on trails that were more like roads all day, I was really looking forward to the challenge of the uphill/stairs to get to the waterfall. I was not prepared for what we found.

Look Closely.... :)



We headed back to the car, but this time with a detour through the woods. I think we were both feeling that need to say we had hiked!





All in all, we still "hiked" about 5 miles. Saw some absolutely gorgeous views of Glendalough Valley. And I would really like to go back there again someday and hike it for real. Of course, I will park in the second parking lot next time :)




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After we left Glendalough, we headed to Waterford, Ireland! Home of Waterford Crystal! We arrived at our hotel just in time to catch the last round of room service and we found this hysterical world song competition on the television. All in all, and awesome day :)

Eeeeee