{"id":3575,"date":"2026-10-07T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/?p=3575"},"modified":"2026-10-02T13:45:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T12:45:44","slug":"the-waterfall-walk-that-closed-after-the-2024-storms-reopens-in-a-wicklow-valley-this-month-with-a-longer-path-and-no-fee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/the-waterfall-walk-that-closed-after-the-2024-storms-reopens-in-a-wicklow-valley-this-month-with-a-longer-path-and-no-fee\/","title":{"rendered":"The waterfall walk that closed after the 2024 storms reopens in a Wicklow valley this month with a longer path and no fee"},"content":{"rendered":"

The valley\u2019s song of water<\/strong> is back, and with it a revived trail<\/strong> that\u2019s longer, gentler in places, and free to wander<\/strong>. After months of repairs<\/strong> and patient planning<\/strong>, the path threads towards a roaring cascade, beneath silver birch<\/strong> and moss-dark granite<\/strong>, feeding the simple joy of stepping where river<\/strong> meets rock<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A valley stitched back together<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Storms in early 2024<\/strong> tore into this quiet glen<\/strong>, ripping out footbridges and carving fresh scars<\/strong> on the hillside<\/strong>. What followed was a careful rebuild<\/strong>, part craft and part listening<\/strong> to the land. Local crews set stone by stone<\/strong>, and volunteer groups hauled timber<\/strong>, brush, and gravel<\/strong> to mend the most fragile<\/strong> bends.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to put the valley first<\/strong>,\u201d said a project engineer<\/strong>, pausing by a knot of alder<\/strong>. \u201cThat meant slower work<\/strong>, lighter touches<\/strong>, and structures that yield<\/strong> before they break<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Today the route feels familiar<\/strong> yet new\u2014recognisably wild<\/strong>, but subtly guided<\/strong>. You notice it in the way drainage<\/strong> gullies pull heavy rain from the tread<\/strong>, and in the way path<\/strong> lines avoid the boggy<\/strong> temptation of a shortcut<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What\u2019s new on the trail<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

The path now unfurls<\/strong> a little further, adding a loop<\/strong> that skirts a ferny shoulder<\/strong> of the valley and returns with a wider<\/strong> view of the falls<\/strong>. There\u2019s a compact boardwalk<\/strong> across a seep, a low footbridge<\/strong> placed just above flood reach<\/strong>, and a couple of new viewing<\/strong> nooks where spray dusts your sleeves<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Look for waymarks\u2014small, timber posts<\/strong> with understated arrows<\/strong>\u2014that keep you off the eroding<\/strong> braids of older tracks<\/strong>. A short section<\/strong> near the car park is now smoother<\/strong>, welcoming prams and steady<\/strong> wheelchairs, before the surface turns rockier<\/strong> and the climbing grows playful<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople asked for more<\/strong> time with the water<\/strong>,\u201d a local ranger noted<\/strong>. \u201cSo the loop<\/strong> lingers near riffles and pools<\/strong>, then climbs just high enough for that big breath<\/strong> of the valley.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Access, cost, and timing<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no entry fee<\/strong>\u2014a deliberate choice<\/strong>, the team says, to keep the walk<\/strong> open to all and to share<\/strong> stewardship rather than sell<\/strong> it. Parking is limited<\/strong>, as always in a narrow glen<\/strong>, and weekends can feel busy<\/strong> by late morning<\/strong>. Come early for low light<\/strong>, birdsong, and cooler air<\/strong>, or drift in late afternoon<\/strong> when the gorge turns amber<\/strong> and the falls glow<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Public access runs from dawn<\/strong> to dusk; beyond that, the valley is for the owl<\/strong> and the otter<\/strong>. Buses serve the wider area<\/strong>, but the last stretch remains a rural<\/strong> approach best tackled by foot<\/strong>, by bike, or with a designated<\/strong> driver who truly likes<\/strong> hairpin bends.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Safety and stewardship<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

This is a living<\/strong> landscape, and even with new drainage<\/strong> and handlines, water moves where water<\/strong> wants. Expect slick rock<\/strong>, shifting gravel<\/strong>, and the kind of wind that changes<\/strong> conversations at the falls<\/strong>. Good footwear, a light shell<\/strong>, and a pocket snack<\/strong> will tilt the day in your favour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n
  • Pack out all rubbish<\/strong>, stick to waymarked<\/strong> paths, and give wildlife space<\/strong>\u2014your quiet is their shelter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n

    \n<\/ul>\n

    <\/p>\n

    \u201cCare isn\u2019t a rulebook<\/strong>,\u201d said one volunteer, shouldering a muddy spade<\/strong>. \u201cIt\u2019s how we say thanks<\/strong> to a place that holds<\/strong> us up.\u201d<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    What you\u2019ll notice when you return<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    The soundscape is richer<\/strong> after heavy rains<\/strong>\u2014a bassy rumble<\/strong> under a lace of spray<\/strong>\u2014while dry spells pull back the curtain<\/strong>, revealing the sculpted ribs<\/strong> of the river\u2019s bedrock<\/strong>. You\u2019ll walk through cool pockets<\/strong> of shade and sudden shafts<\/strong> of light, catching a dipper\u2019s<\/strong> arrow-flight or the white wink<\/strong> of a wagtail\u2019s tail<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Benches appear where a view<\/strong> pulls you to pause<\/strong>, not where a planner<\/strong> thought you might sit. Steps are cut low and honest<\/strong>, fit to the grain<\/strong> of stone so your stride feels natural<\/strong>. In muddy places, crushed aggregate<\/strong> firms the ground without that concrete<\/strong> glare that can drain a wild<\/strong> path of its character<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Why longer feels better here<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    More distance doesn\u2019t mean more effort<\/strong>; it means more choice<\/strong>. The extended loop gives families<\/strong> a gentler outing<\/strong>, while restless legs can tack<\/strong> on steeper spurs<\/strong> that flirt with heather and height<\/strong>. The route now breathes<\/strong>, letting people spread into pockets<\/strong> so the waterfall keeps its spell<\/strong>, not a crowd\u2019s clamour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    The valley\u2019s custodians hope that free access<\/strong> fosters a culture<\/strong> of reciprocity: pick up a wrapper<\/strong>, close a gate<\/strong>, nod to the next walker<\/strong>. The absence of a pay barrier<\/strong> is an invitation to be present<\/strong>, not a dare to be careless<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Planning a simple, good day<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Bring a small flask<\/strong> for that fairytale moment when steam curls into mist<\/strong>, and the river\u2019s voice<\/strong> folds around your break<\/strong>. If weather darkens<\/strong>, the forest rises like a wall<\/strong>, but the waymarks stay honest<\/strong>, pulling you back to the lane<\/strong> and a waiting boot<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Local caf\u00e9s in nearby villages<\/strong> lean into the season<\/strong>\u2014brown bread, strong tea<\/strong>, and that fireside heat<\/strong> that turns a wet walk into a story<\/strong>. You\u2019ll carry it home: the clean ache<\/strong> of calves, the pebble in a pocket<\/strong>, and the hush that follows<\/strong> water long after the trail<\/strong> ends.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    \u201cSometimes the best fix<\/strong> is time,\u201d a warden murmured<\/strong>, watching the gorge breathe<\/strong>. \u201cWe just helped the path<\/strong> find its shape<\/strong> again.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3634,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3575"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3575\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3605,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3575\/revisions\/3605"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}