Sunday, October 1, 2023

Moanbane and Silsean from Ballyknockan Wicklow — Our Household Hikes


Moanbane is the eighty fifth highest mountain in Eire and sits at an elevation of 703m above sea stage. Silsean is 698m and is a 30-minute stroll from Moanbane.

Moanbane to Silsean hike- Key data

  • Permit 2-3 hours to hike from Ballyknockan
  • Parking and picnic tables initially level
  • Navigation Expertise- Important
  • No indicators or seen path to comply with
  • Superb views
  • 8 out of 10 for difficulty-Very steep
  • 11 km out and again hike

Place to begin to hike Moanbane and Silsean

On the base of the mountain, there’s a designated automobile park with 2 picnic tables and sufficient parking for 5-10 vehicles. We parked our automobile right here.

Initially, couldn’t see a definite mountaineering path to stroll the mountain. We began our hike to Moanbane by crossing the gate in entrance of the automobile park and strolling within the course of Silsean, first (RHS of the mountain).

Mountaineering to Silsean

We determined to hike to Silsean first, then we’d cross over the ridge to Moanbane. After strolling by way of the 2 flat fields initially of the hike, we got here to an open space under the bottom of the mountain. We stroll in the direction of a not too long ago cut-down forest to the correct as we seemed on the mountain.

We comply with the road of the fence ascending in the direction of the summit till we attain the top of the fence. This part of the hike is EXTREMELY steep and really robust on the legs.

From right here, we proceed in the direction of the summit. The panorama begins to show very boggy with massive peat mounds. After mountaineering 55 minutes from the automobile we see Silsean summit stone mount perception.

Mountaineering from Silsean to Moanbane

The summit of Silsean is distinct because of the massive stone mount and the view over the Baltinglass lakes within the background. We flip left at Silsean summit, passing a small lake.  We stroll within the course of Moanbane whereas descending barely and crossing the ridge between each mountains. The bottom could be very boggy on this location, with deep holes from water and peat.

We ascend once more to climb the aspect of Moanbane however it’s not too steep or lengthy earlier than we see a put up within the distance marking the summit of Moanbane.

The summit of Moanbane is marked with a timber stake and a small lake.

Descending Moanbane to Ballyknockan

From Moanbane, we descend downward whereas attempting to trace again towards the bottom of Silsean. The descent is simple however navigation is required, because it’s simple to select the improper reference level to descent in the direction of. Our descent was fast and simple. We walked right into a herd of deer grazing whereas descending, it made for a terrific distraction on our descent.

Conclusion of Moanbane and Silsean hike

A really good hike with two nice summits. It took us 2 hours 10 minutes to summit each mountains and return again to the automobile. The hike is hard however very rewarding. Navigation is required on this mountain. We advocate the Viewranger app and an influence financial institution in your cellphone.

Map of Moanbane to Silsean Wicklow hike

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