Avondale Forest Park is a region located in County Wicklow, Ireland, characterized by its extensive woodlands, river valleys, and rolling hills. The park spans approximately 500 acres on the west bank of the River Avonmore, offering a diverse natural environment for outdoor pursuits. This area is known for its forestry heritage, featuring experimental tree plots and an arboretum with various tree species. It provides opportunities for several sports like hiking, road cycling, jogging, and touring cycling.
58
Routes
4.5
(37)
Average rating
1027
People visited

4.1
(10)
80
hikers
5.20km
01:28
110m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
43
hikers
11.2km
03:04
170m
170m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
23
hikers
9.32km
02:34
160m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

21
hikers
3.62km
00:59
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
260
riders
97.0km
04:41
1,340m
1,340m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
87
riders
80.1km
03:39
860m
860m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

69
riders
33.2km
01:50
540m
540m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

13
riders
112km
05:09
1,230m
1,230m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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3.5
(2)
47
riders
34.7km
02:22
530m
530m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

25
riders
44.5km
03:16
980m
980m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
8
riders
51.1km
03:27
840m
840m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
67.1km
04:02
480m
480m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
49
runners
3.77km
00:26
50m
50m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

30
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

19
runners
23.8km
03:00
550m
550m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

4.0
(1)
18
runners
8.16km
01:00
140m
140m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Avondale Forest Park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, road cycling, jogging, and touring cycling. The park features 6 routes across these sports, with more than 2,000 visitors having rated them an average of 4.72 out of 5 stars. Specific guides are available for Hiking around Avondale Forest Park and Road Cycling Routes around Avondale Forest Park.
Yes, Avondale Forest Park provides several easy walking trails suitable for various visitors. The "Below the Trees Walk" is an 0.5-mile (800m) route, and the "Multi-Access Loop" is a 0.7-mile (1.2km) path designed for wheelchairs and buggies. For more options, explore Easy hikes around Avondale Forest Park.
A primary attraction is the "Beyond the Trees Avondale" experience, featuring a 0.9-mile (1.4km) treetop walk culminating in a 125-foot (38-meter) viewing tower. The park also includes Avondale House, historical experimental tree plots, and the Avonmore River. Visitors can also find a playground and the Seed Café.
Avondale Forest Park is well-suited for families, offering accessible trails like the "Below the Trees Walk" and the "Multi-Access Loop." A dedicated playground and picnic areas are available. A Family-friendly hikes around Avondale Forest Park guide is available.
Yes, Avondale Forest Park offers a 2.5-mile (4km) "Family Cycle Trail" utilizing the forest road network. The surrounding area also features scenic rural roads for road cycling, with routes ranging from easy to difficult. Guides for Road Cycling Routes around Avondale Forest Park and Cycling around Avondale Forest Park are available.
Hiking trails range from easy strolls to more strenuous climbs. Options include the 0.5-mile (800m) "Below the Trees Walk," the 1.9-mile (3km) "Cairn Walk," and the 3.1-mile (5km) "River Walk." The "River Walk" is the longest and most challenging, offering views of the Avonmore River. More details can be found in the Hiking around Avondale Forest Park guide.
The Treetop Walk is a 0.9-mile (1.4km) accessible walkway that gradually rises through the forest canopy to a height of 75 feet (23 meters). It culminates in a 125-foot (38-meter) viewing tower, providing panoramic views of the Wicklow Mountains and Avonmore River valley. An optional 295-foot (90-meter) spiral slide offers a descent from the tower.
Yes, Avondale Forest Park provides visitor amenities including the Seed Café, which offers refreshments. There is also a playground located near the Walled Garden, and picnic areas are available throughout the park. Accessible toilets and parking are also provided.
Avondale Forest Park is historically significant as the home and birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell, a prominent Irish statesman. The estate is also known as the "birthplace of Irish forestry," with Avondale House offering insights into Parnell's life and the history of forestry in Ireland. Samuel Hayes, an earlier owner, planted thousands of trees, contributing to its forestry heritage.
Trail lengths vary, from shorter routes like the 0.5-mile (800m) "Below the Trees Walk" to longer options such as the 3.1-mile (5km) "River Walk." Other trails include the 0.7-mile (1.2km) "Multi-Access Loop," 1.9-mile (3km) "Cairn Walk," and 1.2-mile (2km) "Railway Walk." A 2.5-mile (4km) "Family Cycle Trail" is also available.
Komoot offers several guides for Avondale Forest Park, covering various activities and difficulty levels. These include Hiking around Avondale Forest Park, Family-friendly hikes, and Road Cycling Routes. Guides for jogging and touring cycling are also available.
The official website for information regarding Avondale Forest Park and the "Beyond the Trees Avondale" experience is www.beyondthetreesavondale.com. This site provides details on attractions, accessibility, and visitor information. For direct inquiries, a general phone number is also available.
Avondale Forest Park, known as the "birthplace of Irish forestry," features an impressive arboretum and experimental tree plots. Visitors can observe a variety of species, including mighty Sequoia (Giant Redwood) trees, Eucalyptus, Western Red Cedars, Silver Fir, and Monkey Puzzles. The "Exotic Tree Trail" highlights some of these unique specimens.

