The Great Sugar Loaf is a very distinctive hill that towers above the small village of Kilmacanogue on the N11 Dublin – Wexford road. Conical and pointed, it is the volcano that never was. (Many people believe it is an extinct volcano but it is in fact Cambrian quartzite) But what is important is the fantastic shaped hill that is present now. It appears as a smaller version of Croagh Patrick.

Despite its rock-strewn steep upper slopes, the hill is easily climbed. (Although the final 30 metres ascent require care). The relatively easy ascent, combined with its close proximity to Dublin, means that the Great Sugar Loaf is climbed by thousands of people a year. It is surely one of the most famous hills in Ireland, and it even featured in the opening credits of TV soap Glenroe back in the day! The Sugar Loaf commands fine views, especially across the coast and even the mountains of Wales are easily visible to the naked eye on a clear day.

A car park at 235 119 A will knock a couple of hundred metres off the ascent. A clear track leads up grassy slopes before contouring around the hill as it rises into the rocky upper slopes. The final rocky scramble might require steadying hands as you haul up a short steep gully. Car park to summit can be walked in about 45 mins on average.

Another route, with less usage, more climbing and more rugged quartzite slopes, starts from the small car park O2436 1410 B beside the Fitzsimons Park GAA ground which can be reached from Kilmacanogue and the N11.

Another places is from the free public car park in Kilmacanogue near Plucks (not Plucks own) at O24647 14626 C. You proceed west from here via the R755 and turn left at O24175 14695 D, initially up a concrete road and then onto open hillside.

You will probably meet dozens of folk out walking who haven’t climbed other hills, but for whom the Great Sugar Loaf is a must. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/455/comment/5214/

Occasionally, through the murky misty air above the Irish Sea there emerges a view of Wales in higher parts of Wicklow or the Dublin Mountains. And so it was on 26th December 2017 that this view of Snowdon 1085, appeared around 150km away.
Usually what you can see from this part of Wicklow is the distinctive shape of Yr Eifl (560m) which is on the Llyn Penisula and is a good bit nearer. Like Snowdon it appears as two summits, the rightmost being higher. However you can tell it apart from Snowdon because it appears steeper and the left peak Yr Eifl N has a visible vertical cliff to the left caused by quarrying. Had Yr Eifl been visible it would appear to the right of Snowdon.

Anyway on this occasion Snowdon was very visible to the naked eye and much enjoyed by the hordes visiting the top. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/455/comment/19818/

Occasionally you hear that the track wear on Djouce is so bad that it can be seen from Wales. Maybe so, but then it is hard to see any part of Ireland from Wales.
I was curious therefore to look at this picture of Djouce from very roughly 10km out of Dublin port.
And yes the east track up Djouce is visible from here at least appearing as a lighter streak from the top towards the Sugar Loaf. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/455/comment/19909/

Undoubtedly one of Ireland's Iconic mountains and one which always reminds me of Errigal. An impressive looking sight when driving down the N11. I had never climbed it so took advantage of a spare hour when driving down the country on a work-trip. Parked at the car-park on the Southern side of the mountain from which it's a relatively short walk along an obvious track which swings around and up the Western side of the mountain. Unfortunately, a low cloud cover meant that I didn't get to enjoy the views from the summit.

The mountain suffers from it's own popularity with the last section of the climb suffering badly from walker erosion. I'd venture a bet that it's one of Ireland's most climbed mountains. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/455/comment/6800/

Climbed Sugarloaf for the fifth time I think and it still has to be the coolest thing to do if you have a spare hour or so. Whether it is in snow or bathed in sunshine this little mountain really does give a great sense of fulfillment when summited.I have always gone for the direct approach from the southern side (small carpark just off L1031 I think) but will eventually try other routes when time is more abundant.Well worth a climb. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/455/comment/4678/

This was always going to be a very difficult weekend for me, sandwiched between two delicious Navan Hillwalker's outings (Mournes last Sunday -Wicklow next). Poor concentration. Weight gain. Irritability. Loss of libido. Urgency. Frequency. Flatulence. Alopecia. All the usual symptoms. I needed a fix. But I couldn't simply hare off on my own up another great mountain. After all I'm joint head of the family (according to the Constitution). They are entitled to some meaningful contact. Hmmm. Then it came to me. Bring them too! At least all except the eldest who's away. Given that our youngest lads are aged 4 and 6 we needed a mountain that would be accessible and not overly challenging...but with worthy views at the summit. The answer was the Great Sugar Loaf. After a surprisingly easy trip from Meath via the M50 we arrived at the well trodden base. Model planes were buzzing about. Then we had to get past the motorcyclists (who seemed to be aged between 8 and 12). Peter (4) quickly tired on the lower slopes which was exactly what I had hoped for: I carried him up "piggy back" style, loving every moment of the suffering, my mind totally fixed on next week's Navan assault and the need for preparation. When we reached the shoulder we faced a tricky little scramble up a steep stoney path to the summit. I was thrilled when the two little lads insisted on attacking the route like a pair of mountain goats. God bless them...you could see the magnificent Vertigo genes vibrating in their little limbs!! How proud I was as they munched their sambos and slurped their soup at "the top of the world". Now in case you think we're not safety conscious I want to assure you that the little lads were carefully monitored by three "big people" at all times. A great outing. Okay it would have been better if the mountain had been slightly less busy than Grafton Street, and if I could have taken pot shots at the Model Planes and the mad cyclists...and if the mountain wasn't so damaged...but its handy, and its perfect for kids and the views are stunning. So...hey...you can't have it all!!
P.S. Mummy has pointed out that John is aged 6 not 7. I have corrected this error above. Also I have been asked to point out that John climbed the G.Sugar Loaf from base to summit and back without so much as an "are we there yet?" He is a true natural. PPS Mummy points out that the scramble just before the Sugar Loaf's summit could be dangerous. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/455/comment/1588/