Roundwood: Hiking at Vartry Reservoir

Roundwood offers hiking trips on different scales: two circular trails at Vartry Reservoir allow for direct comparisons of distance and walking time, while the Wicklow Way is a longer route with a stage starting in Roundwood. Village history and architecture provide additional areas of interest. When choosing between the trails, distance, approximate duration and starting point provide clear guidance.

Circular Trails at Vartry Reservoir

The Roundwood Reservoir Lower Vartry Trail is an easy 7.6-kilometre circular walk that takes about two hours. It starts and ends in the centre of Roundwood. A Bullaun stone stands along the shore of Vartry Reservoir, beside the trail. This means the route combines a specific historical feature by the water with information about the walk itself.

The Roundwood Reservoir Upper Vartry Trail is also a circular walk, but shorter at 6.6 kilometres. The estimated walking time is about one and a half hours. The trail starts at the Knockraheen entrance to the reservoir, and offers panoramic views of Sugar Loaf and Djouce mountains. The two circular trails differ in distance and starting point; the Upper Trail offers panoramic views of Sugar Loaf and Djouce. Walking times are approximate.

Another hiking option nearby is the Ballinastoe Slí, five kilometres north of Roundwood. This easy circular walk passes through Ballinastoe Forest and is 5.2 kilometres long. It has its own distinguishing features: it lies north of the village and passes through woodland, while the other two circular trails described here run alongside Vartry Reservoir. The three routes therefore offer different points of reference for planning, without implying that they share the same starting point.

The Wicklow Way and the Village’s History

The Wicklow Way is on a different scale from the circular walks: the long-distance trail is about 130 kilometres long and passes through the Wicklow Mountains. Its third stage runs from Roundwood to Glendalough. When comparing short circular walks with a long-distance trail, these details help distinguish their scope: the reservoir trails are individual circular routes, while the Wicklow Way stage connects Roundwood with Glendalough. The Wicklow Way was Ireland’s first waymarked long-distance trail.

The village itself also has a distinct historical character. Roundwood developed in the 19th century around the Catholic Church of St Laurence O’Toole. The village also has notable examples of Tudor Revival architecture. This local history offers a different focus from the hiking trails: it draws attention to Roundwood’s development and architectural styles rather than the length or course of a route. When choosing your destination, you can therefore take both walks and the village’s historical character into account.

County Wicklow as a Regional Context

Beyond Roundwood, County Wicklow offers further historical points of interest. In Glendalough, Saint Kevin founded a monastery in the 6th century. The remains of Glendalough’s Monastic City include a round tower, numerous medieval stone churches and carved crosses. Glendalough is also the destination of the Wicklow Way’s third stage from Roundwood, so the monastery’s history can be considered as a distinct regional aspect alongside the hiking route.

The Wicklow Mountains National Park is also part of County Wicklow’s regional context. It covers 20,000 hectares and is an important recreational area for locals and tourists. This figure gives an idea of the protected area’s extent; it does not describe the size of Roundwood. For planning a trip, the specific differences between the circular trails, the Wicklow Way stage and the village’s historical features remain useful points of reference.

Discover more destinations: Rathnew, Ballyknockan, Hollywood, Kilmacanoge, Kiltegan, Arklow, An Láithreach, Redcross.

For the wider travel guide: County Wicklow.