O1710 : The Wicklow way from Djouce Mountain
Strenuous; exposed, unmarked summit paths

Djouce

726m Elevation
205m Prominence
I Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

O1710 : The Wicklow way from Djouce Mountain

sarah gallagher Photo source

Overview

Djouce (725.5m) is an exposed mountain in northeastern County Wicklow, with a rocky summit and trig point. The Wicklow Way crosses its slopes, but reaching the top requires a separate, steep mountain-path ascent. Approaches from Lough Tay, Ballinastoe, Djouce Woods and Crone Woods have different lengths and terrain; the short woodland loops do not reach the summit.

Djouce

Djouce is an exposed, rocky Wicklow mountain, recorded at 725.5m with a trig point at O 17861 10336. The Wicklow Way passes below its summit. Reaching the top requires leaving the boardwalk or waymarked trail for a steep, unmarked mountain path.

Landscape and name

The summit is schist: NPWS describes Djouce’s irregular rock forms as distinct from the rounded granite hills nearby. The Irish name is Dioghais. Paul Tempan gives “fortified height” as its gloss, while noting the older sense of dígas as high or lofty and the name’s uncertain medieval interpretation.

Complete mountain outings

  • Lough Tay viewpoint, Route A: 7.4km, 2.5 hours and 270m climbing in Wicklow Tourism’s itinerary. Start at O169074 on the R759, pass the J. B. Malone memorial and White Hill boardwalk, climb the summit path and return the same way. The JB Malone car park is a different start.
  • Ballinastoe forest centre, Route B: 12.3km, 4 hours and 540m climbing. Ascend through forestry to White Hill, take the eastern shoulder and summit, then descend south and return by the memorial and forestry loop to O194077.
  • Djouce Woods Paddock Lake, Route C: 10.7km, 3 hours and 460m climbing. From O210109 use the woodland/stream approach and eastern summit path; descend south, follow the east-shoulder trail and complete the northern woodland return.
  • Crone Woods: CarpeDiemEire gives 14km, about 4 hours and 810m climbing for the summit return via Ride Rock, the Dargle valley and eastern approach. Descend to the Wicklow Way and return around the east shoulder to Crone. The return includes another valley climb; Maulin is not included.

The three tourism routes are graded strenuous for fit, experienced walkers; the Crone account rates its route difficult. Their figures belong to those complete routes. Woodland loops, a walk only to the memorial, and the linear Knockree–Roundwood Wicklow Way stage are separate outings.

Access and safety

Coillte’s pages checked on 16 October 2026 say Djouce Woods is open with possible internal restrictions from storm damage, while Ballinastoe is open with restricted access after Storm Chandra water damage. Follow on-site closures and detours; do not enter forestry work or damaged-tree areas. Use walking paths rather than mountain-bike singletrack.

Crone gates are listed as 07:00–21:00 April–September and 08:00–17:00 October–March. Djouce Woods lists winter hours of 08:00–16:30. Check posted hours and finish before closing. Park only in appropriate spaces and keep access clear.

Djouce is exposed to wind, rain and low cloud. Wet rock and timber may be slippery; snow or ice can hide the boardwalk, and the adjacent peat can be deep and wet. Carry a map and compass, suitable clothing, food and water. Do not attempt flooded stream crossings. Keep dogs on a lead within the National Park and follow any stricter local signs. In an emergency call 112 or 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.

Getting there and surroundings

St Kevin’s bus serves Ballinastoe Cross Roads and Roundwood; TFI Local Link 183 serves Roundwood. Neither is a promise of delivery to the chosen mountain car park. Plan the onward connection and return service separately.

Djouce Woods and Crone Woods have parking, picnic areas and walking trails. Roundwood offers shops and refreshments. Clear-weather views reach towards the Irish Sea, Dublin, Bray and Arklow; Lough Tay and Luggala are especially prominent from the southern memorial viewpoint. Nearby DoBIH summits include Maulin (567m), Kippure (757m), War Hill (684.8m) and White Hill (631.1m).

Explore routes near Djouce

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Lough Tay viewpoint to Djouce and back (Route A)

Start at the R759 Lough Tay viewpoint car park, O169074 (53.1046,-6.2548). Follow the woodland path to the J. B. Malone memorial, then the White Hill boardwalk. Where the Wicklow Way turns onto Djouce’s eastern slope, leave it for the steep, unmarked path to the summit trig point. Retrace the southern path, boardwalk and woodland approach to the same car park. Wicklow Tourism gives this exact return as 7.4km, 2.5 hours and 270m of climbing. Do not substitute the shorter JB Malone car-park start or stop at the memorial expecting to have reached the summit.

7.4 km ~2.5 hours Strenuous

Ballinastoe forest-centre summit circuit (Route B)

Begin at Ballinastoe forest entrance/mountain-bike-centre parking, O194077 (53.1073,-6.2171). Follow the official walking route uphill through the forest to the White Hill boardwalk. Take the longer Wicklow Way branch around Djouce’s eastern shoulder, then climb the unmarked east-side summit path. Descend south from the trig point to the boardwalk, return over White Hill and past the J. B. Malone memorial, and follow the forestry-track loop back to the same Ballinastoe start. Wicklow Tourism lists 12.3km, 4 hours and 540m climbing. Coillte reports restricted access after Storm Chandra water damage; follow current closures and detours, and avoid bike-only singletrack.

12.3 km ~4 hours Strenuous

Paddock Lake to Djouce circuit (Route C)

Start at Djouce Woods Paddock Lake car park, O210109 (53.1354,-6.1924). The official route descends through the woods, crosses a stream and climbs to the stile onto open ground. Follow the eastern approach to Djouce, leave the Wicklow Way for the summit path, then descend south to the boardwalk junction. Turn onto the east-shoulder trail to regain the woodland access stile, then use the northern forest return to the same lake car park. Wicklow Tourism lists 10.7km, 3 hours and 460m climbing. This is not the Deerpark woodland loop. Turn back at unsafe water or closures; Coillte warns that storm damage can restrict access.

10.7 km ~3 hours Strenuous

Crone Woods to Djouce summit and return

From Crone Woods car park follow the Wicklow Way past Ride Rock above Powerscourt Waterfall. Continue beneath Maulin, descend to the Dargle crossing and climb towards Djouce’s eastern shoulder. Leave the waymarked trail for the steep summit path to the trig point. Descend the southern summit path to rejoin the Wicklow Way, follow it around the eastern shoulder and retrace the Dargle-valley and forest approach to Crone. CarpeDiemEire describes this complete outing as 14km, about 4 hours and 810m climbing, graded difficult. Allow for the climb out of the valley on the return and the car-park closing time. Maulin’s summit is an additional detour.

14 km ~4 hours Difficult
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Simm Hewitt Dillon Arderin Vandeleur-Lynam

Elevation

726m

2,380 ft

Prominence

205m

Coordinates

53.1308, -6.2399

O178103

OS Map

56

At the Summit

A trig point stands among the rocks at the summit, recorded by DoBIH at O 17861 10336. The Wicklow Way boardwalk and the J. B. Malone memorial are below the summit; neither marks the top of Djouce.

Terrain & Geology

Woodland tracks rough mountain paths exposed schist and grass wet peat raised timber boardwalk a steep rocky summit climb

Djouce has a rocky schist summit. The National Parks and Wildlife Service describes how the Wicklow granite intrusion heated and altered neighbouring sedimentary rocks into schists, and identifies Djouce as an example of their irregular summit forms.

Views & Scenery

In clear conditions the upper mountain has wide views over the Wicklow hills and towards the Irish Sea, Dublin, Bray and Arklow. The southern approach near the J. B. Malone memorial is a notable viewpoint over Lough Tay and Luggala; the Crone approach overlooks Powerscourt Waterfall.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The Irish name is Dioghais. Paul Tempan gives the gloss “fortified height” and relates it to Old Irish dígas, meaning high, lofty or a height. He notes that its meaning was already obscure in medieval accounts; Dowse is a historical spelling.

Historical Significance

The J. B. Malone memorial on the southern approach commemorates the advocate of the Wicklow Way. Djouce Woods formerly belonged to the Powerscourt Estate; its old drives and Paddock Ponds are surviving features of that landscape. The mountain boardwalk protects vulnerable peat from erosion.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Choose the car park for your route: Wicklow Tourism Route A starts at the Lough Tay viewpoint on the R759 (O169074; 53.1046,-6.2548), Route B at Ballinastoe forest entrance/mountain-bike centre (O194077; 53.1073,-6.2171), and Route C at Djouce Woods Paddock Lake (O210109; 53.1354,-6.1924). Crone Woods is a separate northern start. The J. B. Malone car park gives a different, shorter southern approach. Coillte lists Crone gates as 07:00–21:00 April–September and 08:00–17:00 October–March, and Djouce Woods winter gates as 08:00–16:30. Follow posted hours, keep roads and entrances clear, and check current storm/forestry restrictions.

Public Transport

St Kevin’s Dublin–Glendalough bus serves Ballinastoe Cross Roads (Djouce Outdoors) and Roundwood Inn. TFI Local Link 183 serves Roundwood on its Arklow–Glendalough route. These stops are separate from the summit-route car parks: plan a safe onward connection and check the operator’s dated timetable and last return before travelling.

Nearby Facilities

Coillte lists parking, picnic areas and walking trails at Djouce Woods and Crone Woods. Roundwood has shops, pubs and places to eat. Carry food and water for the whole mountain outing and return before your car-park gate closes.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • The summit and open slopes are exposed to strong wind, cold rain and rapidly reduced visibility. Carry navigation equipment, waterproofs and warm layers; turn back when conditions exceed your ability.
  • The summit paths are steep and unmarked. Wet rock and timber can be slippery; the boardwalk does not continue to the trig point. Keep to existing paths to protect the bog.
  • Coillte currently warns of possible storm-damage restrictions in Djouce Woods and restricted access after Storm Chandra water damage at Ballinastoe. Obey closures and diversions; avoid damaged trees and forestry work.
  • Ballinastoe has dedicated mountain-bike trails and shared forest roads. Use walking routes and take care at crossings rather than following bike-only singletrack.
  • The Paddock Lake circuit includes a stream crossing; do not cross unsafe or flooded water. The Crone route also loses height into the Dargle valley and must regain it on the return.
  • Keep dogs on a lead throughout the National Park and follow any stricter local signs. In an emergency call 112 or 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow and ice can conceal or make the raised boardwalk treacherous, while the surrounding peat remains soft and wet. Short winter days and locked forest gates require an early return: check the opening hours of your chosen car park before setting out.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Djouce?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Djouce through the maps

Are there other walkers around Djouce?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Djouce search or of course create your own walk for Djouce

Can I organise a walk to Djouce?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Djouce.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Djouce?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Djouce here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Djouce location map

Grid reference: O178103

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Mullaghcleevaun

847m

Lugnaquilla [Log na Coille]

925m

Slieve Foye

587m

Slieve Gullion

576m

Slieve Binnian

746m
See 5 more nearby hills