Djouce Woods – Deerpark

Start from the Long Hill Car Parks and follow the forest road and track in to the Paddock Ponds, which are now dry but once supplied the fountains on the Powerscourt estate. From there the route climbs by a switchback road up to the forest boundary, then finishes with a gradual climb back around towards the start. The payoff comes on the higher and returning sections, with views over Powerscourt Deerpark and Powerscourt Waterfall, out to the Sugarloaf, Bray, Killiney Hill, Dublin Bay and Howth, and inland towards the Glensoulan Valley and Maulin.

The climbing is spread out rather than steep, so the main effort is the length. Forest roads and tracks can be wet, stony or rutted after rain, and the open boundary section is more exposed to wind and changing weather than the sheltered woodland lower down. Sturdy walking boots are sensible, along with a layer for the exposed high ground.

Red waymarkers guide the loop, and the forest entrances and junctions are straightforward for most of the way. Walkers have noted that one Y junction deserves a little extra attention, so it is worth carrying the route map and checking the markers there rather than relying on the widest-looking road.

Start from either of the two Long Hill Car Parks on the old Long Hill Road, roughly 5.5 km south of Enniskerry. Visitor directions point to the first car park on the right when you approach from Enniskerry or Dublin. Dogs are welcome but only on a lead.

This is a longer and more forest-road-oriented outing than the shorter Djouce Woods Blue Loop, so if you want a quick woodland circuit or a soft-surfaced path, the blue route suits better. The reward for the extra distance here is the wider sweep of estate, coast and valley views that the shorter loop does not reach.