Walks & Trails
Ticknock
You can start or finish this trail at Johnnie Fox’s as one route leads to The Gap, which is 3 minute walk from our door. The route to watch out for is the Fairy Castle loop and it spans across the Dublin Mountains Way and the Wicklow Way. With a beautiful, scenic offering along the way, this will give you a real taste of country living with the Bay stretching gloriously from Howth to the Wicklow Mountains. Ticknock Forest has numerous trails for mountain-biking so if you’re an enthusiast, this route will provide you with the challenges you’re looking for! The trails have fast descents, ups and downs, tight twists and turns with the usual rocky parts and, all are waymarked in one direction to keep you safe. There are also two, very achievable orienteering courses going from 1.1km to 2.6km. And of course, when you have battled with all those outdoor elements and your body wants a rest, you can pop in to the highest pub in Ireland, Johnnie Fox’s Pub & Restaurant for a much-deserved meal and a thirst-quencher!
Two Rock Mountain
Homeland of Johnnie Fox’s Pub & Restaurant, is also known as Binn Dá Charraig (Black Mountain) or Sliab Lecga (meaning mountain of Flagstones) and is a mountain in the South East of Dublin. The mountain is traversed by the Dublin Mountains Way hiking trail that runs between Shankill and Tallaght, while the Wicklow Way hiking trails runs the West of the Summit. This expansive Pine Forest, owned and maintained by Coillte, is surrounded by an army of flagstones, and contains a beautiful selection of Prehistoric tombs, where the names above originate from the two Granite Tors also known as the Giant’s Grave, a 1700BC Megalithic Tomb Walk, positioned South East of the Summit. The summit, itself, is known as Fairy Castle, and has a Bronze Age ‘Cairn’. The views are, undoubtedly, beautiful and very snap-worthy, especially on a clear day.
Hell Fire Club
It’s base on the 383m high Montpelier Hill, is a hugely popular site for Dubliners and Tourists alike, most significantly, for it’s breath-taking views of Dublin Bay and the City. It is just a 16 minute drive or 9.8 km drive to Johnnie Fox’s Pub & Restaurant in Glencullen, and a great pitstop for lunch or dinner after a gratifying easy to moderate walk. On Montpellier Hill, a hunting lodge built in 1725 and now in ruins, has an infamous and fascinating history of occult activities, including Devil-worshipping, hauntings, debauchery and wild parties with many tall, traditional tales relating to the occupation of the House by a club of “Wild Young Gentlemen” a.k.a. the Hellfire Club. There is a 4km loop walk which will bring you to this Hunting Lodge. This is a particular hotspot, today, for Motor Biking Clubs, Cyclists, walkers and hikers alike.
Massey Estate
A stone’s throw from the Hell fire Club and about 15 minutes from the front door of Johnnie Fox’s, this early 19th century Estate, called Kilkee House, was originally owned by a Cromwellian, Protestant family in Ireland back in 1641. Up to 1880, the house, land, gardens and glasshouses were lovingly attended to by another family, the Whites. However, in the late 19th Century, John Thomas Massey, known as the ‘Penniless Peer’, acquired the property & land. Haplessly, over a period of time and crippling debt from his lavish lifestyle, Massey allowed it to slip into decline. He was finally evicted in 1924 by the bank and the house was demolished in 1941. Since the 1930’s planting of a new urban forest was undertaken with new tree species and this brought about a new thriving ecological and geological environment for the resource of flora, wildlife, remaining garden walls and artefacts of the Estate. It even holds even an ancient ice house. No doubt a good stew and a glass of your choice would go down well after this beautiful nature trail.
Cruagh Wood
About 11 minutes by car or 1 hour 32 minutes walking (7.1km via the R116) Cruagh Wood is a short ‘stretch’ through rich forests and farmland from Johnnie Fox’s. Cruagh Wood gets it’s name from the Old Irish ‘An Chraobhach’ which means ‘branches’. It contains eight townlands and there is evidence to show that it was inhabited since the Neolithic period, with an example of a chambered cairn near to Tibradden Mountain. In addition, a discovery of a 2nd century BC cemetery in the 1950’s reveals it’s continuation through to the Bronze Age in Ireland. Circa 460AD, a small church by the name of ‘Dun Tighe Bretan’ was likely built by a former 5th century Saint and disciple of St. Patrick called ‘Dalua’. In the 12th century, the Archbishop of Dublin was granted this church by Prince John and it subsequently was run by the Vicar of Tallaght for up to 600 years thereafter. But thereafter it fell into decay and the ruins were written about in the1870’s. Today, very little remains of this historical church.
Tibradden Wood*(Pine Forest)
Very close to Johnnie Fox’s, is a group of hills which form part of a group of hills in the Dublin Mountains. These comprise of Two Rock, Three Rock, Kilmashogue and Tibradden Mountain. A lovely scenic, picturesque route, it contains a wonderful burial site with a prehistoric chambered Cairn and Cist likely to belong to a member of the Bródáin clan. A burial urn, with cremated remains, now resides with The National Museum of Ireland. On the ground of the burial chamber, close to the summit, a beautiful piece of spiral rock art can be seen. Pine Forest is an extensive plantation on the upper slopes with different international species of trees and granite boulders strewn across the lower or southern slopes. Driving to and from Johnnie Fox’s offers the traveller or walker views of stunning patchwork of lush green forests, farm and wild animals feeding off the land and varied hues of grey and brown stone. Glorious, especially on a sunny day.
Local Attractions
Zipit Forest Adventures
A mere 10 minute scenic drive from our doorstep. Zipit is an outdoor adventure park located in Tibradden Wood. The park features a variety of high ropes courses, ziplines, and other outdoor activities that are suitable for people of all ages and skill levels. It’s a popular destination for families, school groups, and corporate team building events. The courses range in difficulty from easy to challenging, and visitors can choose from a variety of different packages to suit their interests and time constraints.
The Gap – Glencullen Adventure Park
GAP, is an exciting addition to the mountain biking scene in the Dublin Mountains & is only a 2 minute walk from us. With over 400 acres of land, GAP offers a variety of trails for all levels of riders, from beginners to experts. The park features a range of technical features, including jumps, drops, and rock gardens, as well as fast and flowing trails that are perfect for honing your skills.
GAP also offers a variety of services and amenities for visitors, including bike rentals, repair services, and coaching sessions for riders of all levels. The park is open year-round, and visitors can purchase day passes or season passes to access the trails.
Powerscourt Gardens & Waterfall
Powerscourt Gardens & Waterfall is a popular destination located in Enniskerry, County Wicklow and about 15 minute drive from Johnnie Fox’s. The gardens cover over 47 acres and are known for their stunning beauty and unique features. The gardens feature a variety of themed areas, including the Italian Garden, Japanese Garden, and Walled Garden, as well as a pet cemetery and a variety of ornamental lakes and water features.
The nearby Powerscourt Waterfall is also a popular attraction and is one of the highest waterfalls in Ireland, with a drop of over 120 meters. Visitors can take a scenic walk through the surrounding forest to reach the waterfall.
In addition to its natural beauty, Powerscourt Gardens & Waterfall is also home to a variety of shops, offering visitors the chance to shop for local souvenirs.
Powerscourt Distillery
Powerscourt Distillery is a renowned Irish whiskey distillery located on the Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, a 15 miniute drive from Johnnie Fox’s. The distillery is housed in a 19th-century millhouse and is known for its dedication to traditional whiskey-making methods, as well as its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Powerscourt Distillery produces a range of premium whiskeys, including single malt, single grain, and blended whiskeys, all of which are aged in a variety of casks to produce unique and complex flavors. Visitors to the distillery can take a guided tour of the production facility and learn about the history and craft of Irish whiskey-making, as well as sample some of the award-winning spirits produced on site.
Visit to Dundrum Town Centre
For a premier shopping experience, only 15 minute drive away. It is one of the largest shopping centers in Europe and attracts millions of visitors each year.
The shopping center offers a wide variety of stores, ranging from luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Hugo Boss to high street favorites like H&M and Zara.
Races at Leopardstown
Leopardstown Racecourse is a premier horse racing venue located in Leopardstown, & about 10 minutes from us. It is known for hosting some of the biggest and most prestigious horse racing events in Ireland, including the Irish Champion Stakes, the Irish Gold Cup, and the Christmas Festival.
Glendalough
Glendalough is a historic and natural wonder located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. It is a drive of about 45 minutes from our door. It is known for its stunning scenery, rich history, and archaeological sites. The name Glendalough means “valley of two lakes,” which refers to the Upper and Lower Lakes located in the heart of the valley.
Glendalough was founded as a monastic settlement in the 6th century by St. Kevin and his followers. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the monastery, including the Round Tower, St. Kevin’s Church, and a number of other ruins that date back to the 11th century.
Overall, Glendalough is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Wicklow area. With its unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, it’s easy to see why Glendalough is one of the most popular destinations in Ireland.
