Knockree → Roundwood
Out of Knockree, up into Crone Wood and the spectacular viewing point over Powerscourt Waterfall, around the east shoulder of Djouce, across the White Hill boardwalk — one of the visual highlights of the whole Way — with the reveal of Lough Tay at the descent.
Why you’ll like it
- A scenic transition from the northern Wicklow uplands into the heart of the county
- Forest tracks, open mountain slopes and quiet countryside throughout
- Panoramic views towards Powerscourt Waterfall, Djouce Mountain and the Great Sugar Loaf
- One of the Wicklow Way's best-known upland sections near White Hill and Djouce
- Timber boardwalk sections across exposed mountain ground
- A strong sense of entering the central Wicklow landscape
Route & directions
This stage of the Wicklow Way begins near Knockree and finishes in the village of Roundwood. The route combines forest roads, upland mountain trails, open hillside walking and quieter country roads while passing through some of the best-known scenery in the northern Wicklow Mountains.
📍 Start: Knockree Youth Hostel · Finish: Roundwood
- Distance: approximately 18 km
- Estimated walking time: around 5–6 hours
- Terrain: forestry tracks, mountain trails, boardwalk sections, open upland terrain and minor roads
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
- Waymarking: yellow walking-man symbols on black marker posts
The route leaves Knockree and climbs steadily through forestry and upland terrain towards White Hill and the slopes of Djouce Mountain. Early sections provide increasingly wide views northwards towards Dublin Bay and the Great Sugar Loaf.
A major feature of this stage is the elevated boardwalk section crossing exposed mountain ground near Djouce. These timber walkways help protect the blanket bog landscape while providing a clear route across wetter upland areas.
Further south, the trail descends through forestry and hillside tracks towards the Vartry Reservoir area before continuing along quieter country roads into Roundwood village.
Local tips
- Knockree is a relatively remote trailhead with limited facilities directly on the route
- Conditions on the Djouce uplands can become windy, wet and exposed even during milder weather
- Waterproof footwear is strongly recommended due to boggy and uneven mountain terrain
- Roundwood has accommodation, cafés, pubs and small shops serving Wicklow Way walkers
- Visibility on upland sections can change quickly in low cloud or rain
- The boardwalk sections can become slippery during wet or icy conditions
Source: Stage distances, ascents, and waypoints verified against the official wicklowway.com trail description. Total route 127 km · 3,200 m ascent · traditionally walked north-to-south (Marlay Park → Clonegal).
Stage 2 on Komoot
Live route from the official Komoot Wicklow Way collection — pan, zoom, and tap waypoints.
Stage 2 GPX file
Direct download — works in Komoot, OS Maps, Garmin Connect, Strava, AllTrails. Sourced from the official Komoot Wicklow Way collection.
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Roundwood accommodation
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