Go Walk: South Wicklow Way, Co Wicklow

The walk itself, though not particularly strenuous, crosses some rough country with, at times, careful route-finding required. However this is compensated by wonderful views. On a fine Saturday in late July, I did not encounter a single walker during a five-hour hike in the beautiful Ow valley.

This walk begins at the Iron Bridge on the Ow River. Cross the bridge and walk uphill to a junction, turn right and left on to a high road signposted “Askanagap and Ballymanus 4km”. Walk along this heavily forested road where beech is intermingled with conifers and there are fine views across the valley.

After about 20 minutes, take the second right turn into a forest (just beyond a farmhouse) and on to a rising track. Another 25 minutes will bring you to a crossroads, at which you will turn right and walk uphill, joining the Wicklow Way. Five minutes later, turn left, staying on the Wicklow Way.

As the trees thin out and height is gained, one of the finest views in Wicklow unfolds, with Lugnaquilla to the north, swinging around northwest to the Glen of Imaal, the long hump of Keadeen and its sister mountain Carrig behind, the plains of Carlow, Croghan Kinsella to the southeast and Mount Leinster and the Blackstairs in the distance.

Continue along the track. As the Wicklow Way turns right, keep walking straight until the path ends. Turn left and up through a forest to a fence just below the summit of Shielstown Hill. Follow the fence downhill, over rough ground, for 20 minutes until you reach trees on your right.

Continue for a short distance, cross a stream and you will come to a track leading back up the hill. You will shortly come to the ruins of a cottage that once belonged to the Mulhall family. During a snowstorm in the winter of 1867, the roof of their cottage collapsed, killing the parents and four children as they slept in their beds. A plaque marks the spot.

From the cottage there is a stiff climb north to the summit of Shielstown Hill; turn right at the summit and cross over a fence to a line of fence posts which you need to follow as you descend over rough ground.

After 10 minutes, take a right at the posts and continue downhill. Ignore a forest road that bisects your route; continue downhill, crossing a stream, followed by a ditch, to a forest track. Turn right, passing a cottage, and you will come to Ballycurragh Bridge.

Cross the road at the bridge and immediately turn right at a forest barrier. Follow a track where some kind person has tied white markers on the trees to guide you. After 15 minutes, the path becomes overgrown with bushes but persevere as you emerge at Ballyteigue Bridge. Be careful because you come out near a bend in the road.

Depending on your humour and the day that’s in it, you now have a choice: you can turn left, and take a 30-minute walk back to the Iron Bridge or, alternatively, turn right.

If you turn right, after a kilometre turn left at a barrier on to a forest path. Take the first turn right followed by two left turns and come to a circular ditch. Cross the ditch by a path into Rosahane cemetery where some of the headstones go back to the early 18th century – well worth taking some time to look around.

From the cemetery, take the exit and turn left on to a mountain road. Cross Rosashane bridge as you descend with fine views of the mountains and the Ow River below. After two kilometres, you will be back at Iron Bridge.