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There
are two car parks for Ballinastoe Woods. The upper one is located off
the R759 to Sally Gap. Look out for signs for the Wicklow Way. The
other car park is located off the Roundwood – Enniskerry
road.
Ballinastoe
Woods are dedicated to mountain bike riding and there are many side
tracks for that purpose. I would advice sticking to the
forest roads
or the Wicklow Way to avoid injury from bikes.
Both
walks require a great amount of uphill walking.
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Walk One
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I
would suggest to use the lower car park when walking in the woods
except if you wish to travel along the Wicklow Way (second walk).
This will allow a downhill return to your car.
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This
is a strenuous walk of 1 ½ hour and a climb of 160 metres.
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For
a number of years I rode a bike to work a return trip of about 18
miles, and I might add got extremely fit. There was a number of us
who engaged in this activity including the head of the section and an
another member of the staff who was both a workmate and a friend.
Around the firm's premises were a number of terraced cottages. In one
of these cottages lived a notorious teenager, who's reputation
covered everything from house breaking to vandalism. In the street my
friend passed this youth carrying two bicycle wheels and the
comradeship of a fellow cyclist took over his thinking. Here is
Martin he thought to himself, everyone believes him an utter and
complete rough, yet he obviously has a good interest in cycling
that few people know about. His high opinions of Martin evaporated as
my friend turned the corner and observed a bicycle frame minus two
wheels chained to the lamppost.
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Views
of Calgary and Roundwood will be the reward for those doing this
strenuous walk
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Warning
not all roads go to the same place.
When
you have climb and are about to return down again to the car park.
Take
the first turn down as shown in green. The second turn shown in
yellow will take you to another part of the forest and will
necessitate a climb again to get back to the car park.
With far greater
urgency Jesus warned
of two roads to two
destinations.
Matthew chapter 7 verses 13 and 14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
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| Walk Two The Wicklow Way |
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For
spectacular views the second walk along the route of the Wicklow Way
is far superior to the first walk in Ballinastoe Woods. The route
from the upper car-park quickly leaves the woods behind as you enter
the upland moor of gorse and heather and views that follow.
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This
is a strenuous walk of 1 ½ hour and a climb of 160 metres.
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Lord, you have been our
dwelling-place throughout all generations.
Before
the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Psalm
90 verses 1 and 2
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| Looking
down into Lough Tay |
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Note
the rail sleepers that provide steps and a path for most of this
walk.
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The
route branched, one path went to the summit of Djouce and the other
path around the side of the mountain. (photo)
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A
most refreshing drink was provided from this small brook.
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I heard the voice of Jesus
say, “Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and
live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.
Hymn |
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The
Wicklow Way leads on down to the Crone Woods but the brook (above
this location) was the return point (for me) back to the car park.
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