Advice
General Advice
Anyone setting out to walk a long distance trail such as The Wicklow
Way is embarking on a challenge that will test fitness, stamina, planning
and orienteering skills. Each stage involves a period of several hours
spent outdoors, frequently in isolated and remote locations sometimes
at altitudes above 400 metres. Various factors must therefore be taken
into account before you grab your walking boots and saunter out the
door.
In An Emergency
In case of emergency call the emergency services on 999 or 112 and ask
for Wicklow Mountain Rescue. This is a voluntary rescue service and
should only be contacted in a genuine emergency. If you need to send
someone to phone for help, make sure they can find their way there and
back. Also make sure to give details of the injured party's location
and the nature of any injuries. Prepare as much as you can for unforeseen
circumstances and remember; don't panic.
NB: The most common injury on the Irish hills is to the ankle or lower leg, usually resulting from a simple slip or fall. This is less likely to happen if you wear comfortable walking boots with good ankle support and a rugged sole. If you get lost Stay calm and collected. Look at what's around you and think about where you have walked and the last place you saw a waymarker or signpost. You may have missed a marker or there may be a marker missing so your best option is to go back to the last marker you remember seeing and figuring out the correct way from there. Study the map and try to work out your location, your direction of travel, where you are now and where you are going. If still lost, look for alternative routes like roads and tracks that may also get you back on the Way, or to somewhere you recognise. As a final alternative, bring a mobile phone and ring someone who knows the area very well and will be able to help you get back on track.
Mobile Phones
Remember that reception in some areas of the countryside can
be patchy. It is best on high ground, nearly always non-existent in
the valleys. Make those all important telephone arrangements before
you leave an area where you know reception is good or enquire into the
availability of public telephones.
Cash
Bring plenty of cash with you as there are only one or two cash points
along the whole Wicklow Way route (although you will find more in towns
which you have to travel off the route to get to) and not everywhere
will accept credit cards.
Best Time of Year
Winter (December - February) is the probably the least favorable time
of year to go walking in Ireland. The weather conditions are usually
cold, wet and rainy, and daylight only lasts for seven or eight hours.
Also, for those seeking accommodation, some B&B owners shut up shop
for the winter months. However, for those seeking more of a challenge,
these may be the months for you. Some good, weatherproof gear and a
strong immune system are all the safeguards needed for the winter challenge
and in December and January you are likely to be rewarded with heart
stopping views of pristine, snowy mountain peaks and the pleasure of
a crisp, frosty morning underfoot crunch.
Spring (March - May) is an excellent time of year to go discovering Wicklow’s walking trails. Although you may be met with some showers overhead the weather should be mild and sunny enough to suit most constituencies. Flowers really only begin to fully bloom at the end of Spring however.
Although in the summer (June - August) midgets might be more of a problem, a spray or two of insect repellent should keep those pesky flies away. Sun is never a guarantee in Ireland no matter the season but you will be most likely to catch the best of it in May to September. Expect many a delightful eyeful in the blossoming summer months. Wicklow is known as the Garden of Ireland for a very good reason.
Autumn (September - November) can be a bit too wet and windy to provide ideal walking conditions although September tends to have quite a few summery moments. Remember that it is hard to beat that feeling of kicking your way through an underbrush of crunchy autumnal leaves. Walking in these conditions can provide one of those rare opportunities to let that five year old inside of you run free.
July and August are the busiest times of year, months to be avoided by those who prefer a bit more solitariness, but over crowding is rarely a problem.
Novices
It is essential you buy a good pair of hiking boots and break
them in well before planning to go on your first big hike, especially
one as long as the Wicklow Way. You are advised to practice on a few
shorter walks before setting out on a particularly long one, getting
used to different terrains and altitudes. Plan your walk as much as
possible trying to conceive of every possible situation you could find
yourself in and the equipment, knowledge or training you would need
to stay safe. For more in depth information for novices go to rucsacs.com
Planning
Decide exactly how much you want to challenge yourself before embarking
on your walking adventure. Sections are graded easy to hard and you
must familiarize yourself with the nature of the terrain you are about
to face. Buy a good guidebook that will inform you of all aspects of
the walk and bring this with you at all times (insert links to rucksack
reader and eastwest mapping).
Make sure to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. You can get an up-to-date regional weather forecast by calling or texting the Weatherdial service.
Allow plenty of time for your walk - at least 1 hour for every 4km and add extra time for any uphill sections (2 minutes for every 10 meter ascent), rests, food breaks and for taking photos. Know what time it gets dark at, and plan to finish your walk well before that time.
Leave details of your plans with somebody and don't forget to contact that person later to say that you have returned safely.
For a more in depth view on the issues covered above, see the Kerry Mountain Rescue website.
Weather: RTE Teletex page 161
Calculate sunrise and sunset times at mountaineering.com
Emergency Services: (0404) 69117
Glendalough Visitor Centre: (0404) 45688
Wicklow Mountains National Park: (0404) 45425
Iarnrod Eireann: (01) 8366222
Bus Eireann: (01) 8366111
An Oige: (01) 8304555
Independent Holiday Hostels: (01) 8364700