Avondale Forest Park - Centenary Trail

Avondale Forest Park - Centenary Trail is a 2.5 km / 1.6 mi loop in County Wicklow with 51 m / 167 ft of climbing, making it a short but moderately graded walk with a few ups and downs through one of Ireland’s best-known forest estates. Starting at the Treetop Walk in Avondale Forest Park, it circles through mature woodland and reaches a highest point of 147 m / 482 ft. Most walkers will complete it in about 35 minutes.

The route

This is a compact loop, so it suits walkers looking for a shorter outing rather than a full day on the hill. The line of the trail weaves through the forest on park paths and tracks, climbing gently overall before returning to the start. Its moderate rating comes less from distance than from the rolling ground, with 48 m / 157 ft of descent as well as the steady 51 m / 167 ft ascent.

Highlights along the way

The Centenary Trail was created to mark a century of Irish forestry and includes waymarked stops that interpret the woodland around the route. The trees here are notable for their age, with many planted more than a century ago, and the trail is known for views from the Cairn across the Great Ride, the Vale of Avoca and the Avonmore valley. The wider park also centres on the Treetop Walk and viewing tower, which overlook the forest canopy and surrounding Wicklow landscape.

Getting there

The walk starts within Avondale Forest Park, making it straightforward to reach by car from Rathdrum and from the main road network through Wicklow. Rathdrum is the nearest rail stop, so walkers arriving by public transport can use the station there and continue on to the forest park. Parking is available at Rathdrum station and at Avondale Forest Park.

History and setting

Avondale is closely tied to both Irish political history and the story of forestry in Ireland. Avondale House was the birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell, while the estate is also associated with Samuel Hayes, whose tree planting helped establish the site’s long forestry tradition. The forest park is widely regarded as the birthplace of Irish forestry, which gives this short trail more historical depth than its length might suggest.

Terrain and practicalities

Walkers can expect forest paths and estate tracks, with a surface that is generally manageable but can be uneven or damp after wet weather. Sturdy shoes are enough for most people, though better grip is useful in rain. Because the route is short, it works well as part of a longer visit to the park, but the wooded setting and signed points of interest make it worthwhile in its own right.