I’ve always been drawn to County Wicklow. Partly because of its reputation (known as “the Garden of Ireland”) and partly because it’s been featured in many Hollywood movies and TV shows.  Movies like Braveheart, The Count of Monte Cristo, and P.S. I Love You, along with the popular series Vikings were all filmed here, fascinating right?

Ballinastoe Forest is part of County Wicklow and it’s just as charming (and of course famous). It is one of the most magical places in Ireland, a fairytale place that looks like you’re walking into the world of the Lord of the Rings. 

So, today let’s deep dive into  Ballinastoe Woods Walk: where it’s situated, how to get there, parking options, and all the other details that you need to know.

Where is This Beautiful Forest?

Ballinastoe Woods is in the  Wicklow Mountains National Park in County Wicklow, near Sraghmore, Oldtown. 

Now, that might not mean a lot to most tourists visiting Ireland. But, it’s basically an hour’s drive from Dublin or around 2 and a half hours drive from Belfast. 

It’s close to Lough Tay and not far from Roundwood Village. So, if you’re up for it, you can easily add a trip to places like the Sally Gap Drive, Lough Tay, and the Djouce Mountain Walk.

But in my experience, I’ve seen that most people want to go to Ballinastoe Woods just for the Boardwalk. It’s perfect for taking pictures and videos and social media,  especially Instagram, made it super popular. 

Also, many people visit here to hike the Wicklow Way. A 128-kilometre national trail that goes from Rathfarnham to Clonegal.

My Experience of Ballinastoe Woods

As you guys can guess, I chose to do the short walk. I had other places nearby I wanted to visit, so a quick stroll was perfect.  I parked up in the small lay-by on the hillside. When I was looking it up online, it seemed like finding Ballinastoe Boardwalk was a bit of a puzzle. So many people seemed confused about it!

I totally get it. It’s easy to get to Wicklow Mountains National Park, but finding the boardwalk could be tricky if you don’t start in the right spot. Fortunately, I managed to find a way to reach the boardwalk in less than 15 minutes using the short route. 

And about the place? I don’t think any description is needed. To me, the place was like stepping into the Forbidden Forest from Harry Potter. It felt majestic, with amazing views of  Lough Tay. I lucked out with good weather. But just a heads up, it gets dark early there, even if it doesn’t look like it in pictures. I felt a little bit scared. Try to keep that in mind, bring a torch and warm clothes.  

I’d say the most beautiful sections of the Ballinastoe Woods walk are from the J B Malone Memorial to the Luggala car park and back, passing through the Ballinastoe Boardwalk. But, it’s up to you.

Let’s not get caught up in details— move on to how to get to the Ballinastoe Woods boardwalk.

How To Get There? 

Now, getting there. Driving is the most common option. There are a few different car parks you can choose from, depending on which part of the walk you want to start from.

People love to cycle here too. It is famous as a bike-riding spot. So, you can have a bike/ cycle as an option but most tourists opt for the car. 

If you’re not driving, don’t worry! You can still get to Ballinastoe Woods by public transport or maybe even a taxi if you’re feeling fancy. Once you’re there, you can start your adventure into the woods.

But most people who visit Ballinastoe Woods will probably want to visit the mystical-looking Ballinastoe Boardwalk. I will write the details about this one. 

Different Trails Of Ballinastoe Forest

Here, you will find many different walks to do, ranging from short ones that take about 30 minutes to longer ones that can take over 3.7 hours. 

The short walk (3.7 km / .5 – 1 hr)

This option is perfect for tourists who are short on time. You’ll get to see the Ballinastoe Woods boardwalk and enjoy stunning views from the JB Malone Memorial.

To start your journey, park your car at either the upper car park or Pier Gates. If you park at the upper car park, go to the memorial first and then walk down the boardwalk. After that, return to the car park the same way you came.

If you park at Pier Gates, walk up through the forest to the memorial, and then retrace your steps back.

The Slí na Sláinte (5km / 1.5 hrs)

Here’s another option for you guys. This one doesn’t include the famous boardwalk, but you can change the route if you want to add it in.

To start, you have to head to the Ballinastoe Woods car park. You will find signs with yellow arrows. Follow them and the trail will take you up through the forest until you reach the JB Malone Memorial.

It might not be easy to spot the memorial, so it’s a good idea to use Google Maps to find it. Once you’re at the Memorial, you’ll get amazing views over Lough Tay and beyond.

Then, the trail goes back down to the  Ballinastoe Woods car park.

The long walk (10km / 3 – 3.7 hrs)

The long walk is pretty much the same as the shorter walk, but after you visit the JB Malone Memorial, you keep going to include the Slí na Sláinte trail (I will talk about it). The longer walk is a bit of a journey, but people think walking through the woods and reaching the Memorial is the coolest part, and will not argue about that.

If you decide to do this longer walk, just be careful to stay on the path and watch out for any bikes coming your way.

The entrance points of the Ballinastoe Boardwalk

1. Halfway up the hill 

The easiest way to access the Ballinastoe Boardwalk would be to park around halfway up Wicklow Way hill in this small lay-by and use a mid-way entrance nearby to enter the wood. There are two wooden entry barriers and a walking trail marker 

When you start walking here, just keep going until you reach a small intersection (about 2 minutes later). Then, turn left to reach the Ballinastoe Boardwalk. Here’s a simple summary:

• Follow the straight path into the forest until you see a small mound. Hop over it, turn left, and you’ll find the Ballinastoe boardwalk. It should take about 10 minutes to get there.
• Ahead, the Boardwalk then curves upwards through the woods and this is the spot that looks like you’re in Lord Of The Rings. This spot is super popular for photos. Cloudy or rainy days are best for soft lighting. After photos, explore more magical spots in the woods.

2. At the top of the hill

The halfway parking area only fits two cars, so it might be full when you arrive. But don’t stress! If that happens, you can park for free at the Ballinastoe Car Park at the top of the hill. From there, just walk down the main road to reach the same midway entrance.

From this car park, the walk to the   Ballinastoe Boardwalk will be the same, around 10-15 minutes.

3. The Don’ts

There was a third entrance at Pier Gates that took only 10-15 minutes. But now it’s fenced off, so it’s best to skip this illegal option.

Some may also suggest parking up in the J B Malone car park and taking an entry from there. But, in my opinion, this is quite far from the Ballinastoe Boardwalk and you may end up losing your way.

The parking area section will give you a better understanding.

My preference for parking

You guys can already guess that I love the small lay-by for parking. I am summing up here for better understanding. In my list, I have- 

• Small lay-by next to   Ballinastoe Woods on Wicklow Way
• Ballinastoe car park
• Wicklow Way car park at Luggala
• J B Malone car park
• Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Trail car park 

Small lay-by next to Ballinastoe Woods on Wicklow Way

It is the most convenient parking option, less than a minute’s drive from Ballinastoe Car Park. We already talked about it. It holds around two cars so it’s very limited. But, it will get you to the Ballinastoe Boardwalk in less than 15 minutes.

Ba

llinastoe car parkIf the small lay-by is full, this is a bigger off-road car park opposite the Lough Tay/Luggala estate viewpoint. It’s free but spaces are again limited. 

There is a path that leads you into the woods from above. But, for the easiest access to the Ballinastoe Boardwalk, walk down the main road and enter the woods around halfway through as we talked before. This will take you around 15 minutes to the boardwalk.  Click here for a Google Pin!

Wicklow Way car park at Luggala (Paid)

This popular paid parking area at the bottom of Wicklow Way Hill has facilities like a port-a-loo toilet and refreshments. But, it has opening times (9 am – 7.30 pm) and locks in the early evening. It’s also further away from the boardwalk around 20-30 minutes. 

J B Malone car park 

This is also an option on busier days like weekends when the other car parks fill up. But, again, it’s further from the Ballinastoe Boardwalk. I would only choose this if you want a longer walk.

Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Trail car park

This spot doesn’t have access to the boardwalk and is on the other side of the woods. So, unless you’re into mountain biking, it’s best to avoid it.

So this is your quick guide for the Ballinastoe Woods Walk. And to make your trip even better, here are some other nearby places you might want to check out.

Amazing places near Ballinastoe Woods Walk

Lough Tay viewpoint aka the Guinness Lake

If you want to add something extra magical to your Ballinastoe Woods walk, you must make a stop at the Lough Tay viewpoint.

It’s known as the Guinness Lake not only due to the way it looks ( It looks like a pint of dark beer) but also as the land used to be owned by Arthur Guinness, the guy who started the Guinness beer company.

Here’s a cool fact:  Lough Tay  is where they filmed Kattegat in the Vikings TV show! But don’t worry, you won’t see any Vikings during your visit.

On sunny days, the views of Lough Tay are amazing! There are lots of spots along the road where you can take great photos. So, make sure you stop by and take in the beauty!

The Sally Gap Drive

If you’re up for a scenic drive, consider heading out on Sally Gap Drive. Along the way, you’ll pass by stunning sights like Lough Tay and Glenmacnass Waterfall.

Other Walks 

There are plenty of other walks nearby to try out, such as the Djouce Mountain Walk, the Lough Tay to Lough Dan Walk, the   Djouce Woods Walk, and the Lough Ouler Walk.

Don’t forget to snap some photos of the various viewpoints along the road. I assure you, you will enjoy your day trip fully in this place. 

Local folklore believes if you stand among the trees and listen carefully, you can feel the special magic of this forest, even if you don’t believe in it. So get ready to feel this gem. 

Some quick tips for the Ballinastoe Woods walk

Timing matters – 

Try to visit early or late in the day, and avoid weekends if possible. It can get crowded on weekends because of nearby Lough Tay (Yeah, I know the pictures don’t show that)

Wear a good pair of shoes – 

The woods are dry in summer but can get quite muddy in winter. Also, the Ballinastoe Boardwalk can get slippy in the rain. So bring your best shoes.  

Bring a torch (or your phone light)

The woods get really dark, especially in the afternoon. Bring a torch or use your phone’s light to see better.

Bring water and snacks (but keep the place clean)

Bring water and snacks with you. While there’s a refreshment van at the Wicklow Way car park, it’s good to have your own supplies. Hey, remember to take your rubbish with you when you leave.

Dress Warmly 

The area is open and can get dark quickly, so it can feel chilly. Dress in warm layers to stay comfortable.

FAQs about the Ballinastoe Woods Walk

• How far is Ballinastoe Woods from Dublin?

It’s around a 70 – 95 minute drive from Dublin depending on if you take the toll roads or not! 

• Is Ballinastoe Woods safe? 

Yes, but you need to be cautious. It’s a popular spot for mountain biking, so stick to the main trails and watch out for bikes. They can come by quickly, so stay alert and avoid walking on the main biking paths.

• What is the best time to visit Ballinastoe? 

I would say on a cloudy or rainy day and avoid weekends! Earlier or later in the day is also good for photography to avoid other walkers.

• What are the Ballinastoe opening times? 

The Ballinastoe Boardwalk is open 24 hours a day so you’re not restricted on when you visit. 

• Are Ballinastoe Woods free? 

YES! It’s completely free to visit   Ballinastoe Woods and there is free parking nearby. 

• Are there toilets at Ballinastoe? 

No. There are some port-a-loos in the paid Wicklow Way car park though.

• How long does the Ballinastoe Forest walk take?

It ranges from 35 minutes to 3.5 hours, depending on the route (see the different options on the map above).