Mullacor loop from Glenmalure

Come for the mountains. Stay for the pint. Join us on the Mullacor loop from Glenmalure — a cracking 12 km circuit through Wicklow Mountains National Park. About 458 m of climbing, roughly 4 hours on the trail, and a proper sense of “we actually did that” at the end. Moderate, but you’ll want decent fitness and decent boots. What the day actually feels like We start and finish at Glenmalure Lodge. From there the path pulls you through quiet forest — tall Scots pines, that good damp-wood smell — before it opens onto the mountain. As you climb, Glenmalure Valley unrolls beneath you like a postcard that keeps getting better. On a clear day you can pick out the Glendalough Lakes from higher up. That’s the moment phones come out and nobody talks for a minute. Near Mullacor Peak it can get soggy and a bit swampy. That’s part of the deal. The views more than pay you back. We’ll move as a group, stick together, and navigate together. It’s still a free hike, and you’re responsible for yourself — bring what you need, know your limits, and look after the person next to you. The best bit When we’re down, we head straight into Glenmalure Lodge for something to eat and a drink. Fire, food, and the usual “that last bit was steeper than I remembered” conversation. Start: Glenmalure Lodge Finish: Glenmalure Lodge (the civilised way) Bring layers, waterproofs, and a bit of appetite. The mountain does the rest.