Discover Oldbridge: River and Walking Trails

The Avonmore River and trails through the Wicklow Mountains shape the character of Oldbridge as a destination. The bridge spans the river, which flows out of Lough Dan; the Wicklow Way also crosses the Avonmore River at Oldbridge. Several experiences are central to planning your trip: long-distance hikes, circular trails across open mountain terrain, a hilly cycling loop and—if you have the right equipment and qualifications—kayaking on the river.

Walking trails for different day plans

The “Lap of the lakes” is a long, four- to five-hour circular walk along roads and forest tracks that leads to Old Bridge. If you are interested in this route, you can take both the stated duration and the change between roads and forest tracks into account when planning your day. As described, it differs from a mountain hike across open terrain.

The Scarr and Kanturk circular walk is an approximately 14 km mountain hike across open mountain terrain from Oldbridge. It reaches Scarr’s distinctive summit ridge at an elevation of 641 m. After the descent, the trail follows a flat, unpaved path along the shore of Lough Dan back to Oldbridge. Along the way, there are sweeping views of Lough Dan, Luggala Estate, Knocknacloghoge and Tonelagee. The combination of open mountain terrain, the summit ridge and the return route along the lakeshore gives this loop a different character from the route along roads and forest tracks.

The Scarr Mountain Loop is a separate route: it starts about 200 m above the village of Oldbridge, at the southern end of Lough Dan. Opposite the Lough Dan Scout Centre, a wooden sign points to the turn-off. The loop crosses open mountain terrain without waymarkers. In low cloud, only walk it if you are confident navigating.

The Wicklow Way and cycling

The sections of the Wicklow Way also differ considerably. From Knockree to Oldbridge is 20.4 km; the stage is rated challenging, and you should allow about eight hours of walking time. The section from Oldbridge to Glendalough begins with a short, steep climb on the road and then follows a farm track to Paddock Hill. It crosses the Glenmacnass River and continues to the Glendalough Visitor Centre. This information helps you plan longer hiking days and each trail section separately.

Further afield in the region, the Wicklow Way follows forest tracks, quiet roads, minor lanes and mountain paths across open bogland; some sections can be wet and muddy. If you would rather include a bike ride in your day, Cycling Loop 21 offers an alternative: on the return journey to Roundwood, it passes through Oldbridge along a scenic, partly hilly route.

The river and planning your trip

Groups with suitable equipment and the required qualifications can kayak on the Avonmore River; there is access to the river at Old Bridge. However, the Lough Dan Scout Centre does not itself offer whitewater canoeing as an activity. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Oldbridge, you can base your decision on the kind of excursions you plan to take—for example, longer hikes, a loop across open mountain terrain, a bike ride or a kayaking trip with a suitably equipped and qualified group.

You can also discover Wicklow, An Láithreach, Ballyknockan, Rathnew, Donard, Roundwood, Ashford and Aughrim as other destinations.

For the overview of the wider area, see County Wicklow.