The Wicklow Way: Rucksack Readers [Spiral-bound]

Jacquetta Megarry (Author), Sandra Bardwell (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Wicklow Way is Ireland's first and most popular Waymarked Way, running between Marlay Park (Dublin) and Clonegal, 82 miles (132 km) to the south. This new edition is based on a research trip in Spring 2008. It has many route updates, 30 extra photographs and fresh options for accommodation.

The Way offers varied and scenic walking on the flanks of the rugged Wicklow mountains with loughs and waterfalls, passing historic buildings and hospitable villages. Much of the route lies over 1600 feet (500 metres) giving glorious views. Lower sections run through forests and farmland, over a mixture of tracks, roads and pathways rich in wildlife.

It contains all you need to plan and enjoy your trip:

* drop-down map of the whole route in five panels (1:100,000)

* waterproof paper throughout

* the Way in sections, with summaries of distance, terrain and where to find food and drink

* the secret of how to book accommodation to avoid walking extra distances

* concise background on history, geology and wildlife

* extended 6-page feature on the monastic city of Glendalough

* planning information for travel by car, train, bus or plane

* in full colour, with 80 photographs.

About the Author

Jacquetta Megarry is an enthusiastic walker turned publisher. She devised the Rucksack Reader format in 2000 to suit the needs of hikers, and has walked the Wicklow Way several times, most recently in 2008. Sandra Bardwell is a dedicated, lifelong walker who also works as an archivist and historian. In her native Australia, she wrote extensively about bushwalking and national parks. Now based in Scotland, she writes walking guides for Lonely Planet, Sunflower Books and Rucksack Readers.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 64 pages
• Publisher: Rucksack Readers; 2 Spi Pap/ edition (October 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1898481318
• ISBN-13: 978-1898481317
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #752,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #22 in

  Books > Travel > Europe > Ireland > Dublin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Wicklow Way, November 15, 2004

By	Tami Brady "Whole Health Therapist" (Calgary, Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Wicklow Way (Rucksack Readers) (Map)

The Wicklow Way is a guide detailing Ireland's longest established Waymarked Way. This trail starts in Dublin and ends at the Village of Clonegal , County Carlow. The route is broken down into seven sections: from Marley Park to Glencree; from Glencree to Oldbridge; from Oldbridge to Glendalough; from Glendalough to Glenmalure; from Glenmalure to Iron Bridge; from Iron Bridge to Tinahely; and from Tinahely to Clonegal. The sections of the Wicklow Way range from 10 to 31 kilometers (plus the distance to accommodation in nearby towns) and each portion of the trail can either be completed individually for a day hike or as a one continuous route for a week long hike as time schedules and inclination permit.

The Wicklow Way traverses three different environmental habitats: the uplands, the woodlands, and the hedgerow. Each of these environments contains different geological, floral, and faunal aspects creating an exceptionally varied and beautiful landscape.

In addition to the breathtaking view, the Wicklow Way also contains a number of interesting historical sites. One of the oldest and most awe inspiring site is the monastic city of Glendalough. Glendalough was founded in honour of St. Kevin. St. Kevin was a monk that legend states lived from 498-618 AD. Various legends abound about how this monk left his life as a royal descendent of the house of Leinster to become a solitary monk and how the monk achieved his extraordinarily long lifespan. Glendalough was in use from the seventh century to the late 1530's. Nonetheless, the St. Kevin's Church, the Cathedral, and the Round Tower (complete with gravestones) still stand on the site today as does the Glendalough Visitor Centre.

The Wicklow Way outlines not only the background and the various sections of the trail (including waterproof full color maps) but also details various long walking and hiking fundamentals. These details include what types of equipment the participant should bring to complete the walk, how long the various sections of the journey will take, and how temperature and seasonality will affect the walk. There are also helpful tips especially for novices about daily mileage, feet, weight, and the right gear.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent background information, not very useful map, July 13, 2006

By	Remko Scharroo - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Wicklow Way (Rucksack Readers) (Map)

This guide provides excellent background information on the flora and geophysical and cultural history of the area on top of detailed information on the walk and beautiful photographs.

But there are some negative points too:
- The map is useful as an overview, but do not assume you can hike with it. Elevation countours are barely indicated, other paths and junctions are not shown (except major roads). So buy Ordinance Survey maps in addition! Do not think you can do without!
- The guide is low on alternatives. No word about the beautiful Spink trail.
- The guide emphasizes three reasons to start the Wicklow way in the South and walk in Northerly direction, but then continues to describe the walk North to South. It would be useful to finally have a guide that does it the other way around.
- You will find little to no information about accommodation. For that you'll need Lonely Planet's "Walking in Ireland" or sources from the web, like wicklowway.com.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Immensely useful - in fact essential, April 4, 2003

By	Miss H M Bligh (London, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wicklow Way (Rucksack Readers) (Map)

This is vital reading for anyone intending to walk all or part of the Wicklow way. Even if you have no plans to do so you will finish wishing you did. Packed full of useful, interesting and informative advice as well as essential maps and marvellous photography, the book is set out in a clear and concise manner. It can be used as either a practical guide full of helpful tips and must know facts or just an absorbing read. This is the third Rucksac Reader I have read and they just keep on getting better.