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Tracks and Trails

P O Conghaile sugarloaf 2. T&T9 Image Name: P O Conghaile sugarloaf 2. T&T9
Pol looking over cliff Image Name: Pol looking over cliff
Pol O Conghaile Stile Tinahely T&T9 Image Name: Pol O Conghaile Stile Tinahely T&T9
Pol O Conghaile walking. T&T9 Pol Shot Image Name: Pol O Conghaile walking. T&T9 Pol Shot
Pol O Conghaile Sugarloaf. T&T9 Image Name: Pol O Conghaile Sugarloaf. T&T9
Tinahley Pol O Conghaile T&T9 Image Name: Tinahley Pol O Conghaile T&T9

Episode 2, Series 9

Pol is a travel writer and journalist who loves to hike. Pól undertakes two very different walks in Co. Wicklow.

The first is in the Tinahely area where he walks a long, hilly loopon the Tinahely Way. 

Before Pól starts on the main Tinahely loop he checks out one of the oldest woods in Ireland, TomnafinnogueWoods, which is a special area of conservation. This woods is flat and family friendly with the paths lined with ancient oaks.

Pól joins the the old railway that went from Woodenbridge to Shilelagh. It is flat, easy and tranquil and takes him onto the road just a few miles outside Tinahely onto a new loop that opened recently. The climb gets gradually steeper until he reaches the viewing point at Dr Macnamara’s monument . After about 15km in total he descends down Mangan’s lane to face a steep climb through the forest to the top of Muskeagh hill. Muskeagh hill is just under 400 meters high but the routes are easy under foot; mostly pathways and gravelled trails.  Pól then descends down along the road for the final stretch into Tinahely where he spend the night. 

Part 2.

Pól’s walk today starts at Bray promenade. The promenade is well known as the starting point for the Cliff walk which links Bray to Greystones. However he heads on a different loop today and one less travelled, to the peak at Bray head,  Bray head is just under 250 m high. This trail is a mixture of path, trail and steps. From the top, Bray head has some of the best views you’ll get in Dublin and Co. Wicklow.

Series Information

Tracks & Trails is back for a 9th series and is bursting with beautiful hikes, walks and cycles on newly developed and lesser travelled routes on the island of Ireland.  In this new series which returns after a two year break, the presenters are challenged to cover a lot of ground on foot or by bike and in some cases scale some steep yet very rewarding trails on hills and mountains around the country or to follow quiet, meandering peaceful paths getting away from it all. 

In series 9, Tracks & Trails will bring the viewer across spectacular mountain and cliff side trails in Northern Ireland; along inland cycle trails, forest, parkland and ancient paths of Westmeath; new and challenging routes that cross the hills of South Wicklow and the breathtaking coastline and mountains of North Wicklow; along ancient paths soaked in history of North Co Wexford, as well as along the magical beaches and bohreens around Rosslare in Co.Wexford in the final programme.