A free, family-friendly Coillte forest near Ashford where the Vartry River has carved a deep Ice Age gorge, with two waymarked loop walks, woodland sculptures and carved Seamus Heaney verses leading to a roaring waterfall.
The 5km red-marked loop (moderate, about 2 hours) drops steeply into the gorge and follows the River Vartry for roughly 2km before climbing to a small viewing platform above the waterfall. Ground gets muddy and slippery after rain, so wear proper boots.
A quieter 4km yellow-marked loop through the high forest, named for the poet who lived in the Glanmore Estate gate lodge in the 1970s. Expect uphill stretches and carved Heaney quotes set into the path, with a viewpoint at the forest edge near the 3km mark.
Art pieces from Coillte's late-1990s sculpture initiative still dot both trails, including the giant Chrysalis by Michael Quane near the main car park. Benches with carved verses make good rest stops.
Picnic benches sit beside the main car park, and mossy riverbank spots offer quieter lunch stops along the gorge. Bring your own food and drink.
About 10 minutes' drive away, Ashford has cafés and pubs for a post-walk meal, plus Mount Usher Gardens. Wicklow Town is a 20-minute drive.
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