I really like the Crone Wood and Maulin Loop. The highlight of the trail has to be the majestic views of Powerscourt Waterfall on offer. I just love the section of the walk when you turn a corner and suddenly get to see the Waterfall. The subsequent couple of hundred metres along the face of the cliff with views across the valley are really cool too. However, the hike up to the top of Maulin Mountain also packs a punch.
I completed the Crone Wood and Maulin Loop during the winter months. While the wind and rain made this a tough winter walk, I definitely still enjoyed it. This article will fill you in on everything you need to know about this great trail.
Details of the Crone Wood and Maulin Loop
- Type of Walk: Looped walk starting from Crone Wood Car Park.
- Distance: Just under 8km.
- Time Required: It took me 2 hours to complete but I was moving at a nice pace. Allow yourself 3 hours for this one.
- Elevation Gain: 418m – lots up uphill as you would expect to summit Maulin Mountain (622m).
- Difficulty Level: Moderately challenging. Significant elevation gain to the summit of Maulin Mountain. The descent from the mountain is steep in places so caution needs to be taken as you move downhill.
Where to Start the Crone Wood and Maulin Loop
The trails starts from Crone Wood Car Park. I completed this hike on a wintry Wednesday. I arrived at the car park about 10.30am to find it surprisingly busy – about half full. This is a good indication of how hectic the facilities can get over the weekend (especially in good weather). So best to arrive early.
Alltrails.com provides a nice map which details the 7.7km looped walk. The trail starts off following the waymarked Maulin Loop trail. The red markers outline the path to follow for the shorter 5km route which doesn’t actually go to the top of Maulin. Reaching the summit of Maulin extends the walk beyond the marked trail just after the lookout point to Powerscourt Waterfall.
In my opinion, the additional few kilometres are definitely worthwhile and I would recommend the extended route.
Beginning the Crone Wood and Maulin Loop
I got out of the car to breezy but overcast conditions. As a result of recent bad weather, it had been a few weeks since my last hike. While the forecast for the day wasn’t good, I was itching to get out and about. I hoped (rather than expected) that I might stay dry for this short hike. (Spoiler – I did not stay dry for this short hike).
I moved through the gate at the entrance to the wood. While the map above directed me to take an earthen path to the left through the trees, you can also follow the road a little further and take the left turn uphill – just follow the signposts. Both the red and yellow Wicklow Way markers follow the route up to the Powerscourt Waterfall viewing point just after the 2km mark.
Heading Uphill
Unsurprisingly, the route is all uphill until you get to the top of Maulin Mountain. With good conditions underfoot, I made steady progress as I followed the gravel roadway. At the 500m point, I turned left and continued uphill. The trees to my left thinned out and offered glimpses of the Wicklow countryside.
I found the walk through the trees and woodland pleasant if unspectacular. Having walked this section previously when I completed the Wicklow Way, I knew what lay in store though. The viewing point for Powerscourt Waterfall is known as Ride Rock. The wide pathway below me narrowed and became steeper as it zigzagged its way upwards.
I could hear the waterfall before I could see it. The anticipation grew inside me. Finally, just after 2km of walking, I took a right turn and marvelled at the views out to the valley below me.
Powerscourt Waterfall
The Waterfall drew my attention straight away – just like it always does. I’ve written previously about visiting the base of the waterfall. So I always find it nice to get this other perspective of the second highest waterfall in Ireland.
The grey clouds diminished the view somewhat but I still sat down on the wooden bench in front of Ride Rock and admired the scene in front of me for a few minutes.
It seemed like I had the whole valley to myself and I enjoyed the moments of serenity.
Along the Ridge
The shorter red marked trail veers right after Ride Rock. I continued along the ridge keeping the waterfall on my left.
As mentioned above, I really enjoyed this section of the walk. For the next kilometre of so, the path overlooks the scenic valley below. For some section, rocky cliffs form rough walls on the right of the path.
To the Top of Maulin
Just after the 3km mark, I reached a T-junction. The Wicklow Way sweeps down to the left and over the Dargle River. While the few hundred metres down to the river is worth a quick detour, the rain had started to come down on me.
As such, I instead turned right and continued on my way upwards towards Maulin.
The route followed a crumbling stone wall for the next 400m or so. Then it branched off to the left and makes a direct path to the top of Maulin.
The rain steadily got heavier and heavier. With each step I moved away from the shelter afforded by Crone Wood, the wind seemed to pick up in force.
The summit of Maulin loomed ominously in the distance through murky clouds.
I moved uphill slowly. I definitely felt glad of the waterproofs I had on me.
As I reached the top (after about 4.5km) the wind thundered in my ears and the rain drove at me sideways.
Mindfulness on the Mountain
Beside the stone cairn at the top of Maulin, I reached out both my hands as wide as I could. I wanted to experience the raw power of nature. I closed my eyes and just tried to let it engulf me.
Finally, I started moving again and made my way down the other side of the mountain. That’s when something beautiful happened. Within a short number of steps, I now had the huge hulk of the mountain behind me blocking off the wind.
From the deafening noise in my ears only moments ago, I now experienced what felt like such a pure and beautiful silence. I took some time to just soak in the contrast. It really was a wonderful feeling.
Downhill at Last
I moved downhill smiling and thinking to myself how great it is to get out hiking and into nature. However, I quickly had to snap back into focus. The descent is quite steep and had become slippy in the rain. I needed to be cautious and watch each step with care.
By peering carefully, I could just make out the outline of the trees below through the cloud and fog. I followed the path until I got back to Crone Woods through a wooden gateway.
Completing the Crone Wood and Maulin Loop
Once back in the woods, I felt glad of the added shelter from the rain. My path quickly rejoined the shorter Maulin Loop. This made it easy to follow the red markers again and head back to the carpark.
As the trail zigzagged and moved downhill, the path widened and became much more defined until just after the 7km mark. Here, the route takes a left, off the gravel roadway and down an earthen path through the trees.
I pretty much kept straight then until I returned to the car park and completed the Crone Wood and Maulin Loop.
I was cold and wet and glad of the heaters going full blast as I drove towards home. Despite the cold, I felt invigorated from a really great walk.