On monday 26th July 2010 I drove out of Dublin to Enniskerry and headed for Roundwood turning right for the Sally Gap. I was endeavouring to do Paddy Dillons Walk No. 1 of White Hill, Djouce and War Hill. I parked on the right after Luggala Wood carpark, near the sign overlooking Lough Tay. A view worth driving for alone never mind the appearance of a reddish coloured hawk floating high on the warm summer breeze over the lake. I walked briskly along the forest path and stopped to view a second sign there. I should have gone down a path beside a stile nearly opposite the sign but erred and went along the forest path for nearly half an hour before turning back. I rued the loss of this hour but I did glimpse the mighty SugarLoaf when the horrid sitka spruce cleared for a few hundred yards. I returned to the sign, went down the bough covered path opposite and turned sharp left when it ended after a couple of hundred yards. This brought me to a wonder. I have to compliment and praise the wise people who designed and created the 'boardwalk'. What ever inspired them to place old railway sleepers side by side, end to end, cover them in chicken wire and staples for grip? Genius. I traversed the boardwalk over White Hill and with trusty stick braced myself against the ferocious gusts of wild wind blowing warm from the southwest in the gap between White Hill and Djouce. The wicklow way boardwalk veers suddenly to the right as one reaches the gravely trail to the top of Djouce. The views along the way are fantastic. Dublin Bay, Great Sugarloaf, Wicklow Harbour, The marvellous Wiclow Mountains all the way and further then Table Top, right over to Kippure. The vista from the Trig topped rock that is the zenith of mighty Djouce was breathtaking. The howling wind made sure that I was not without air for long! I clung to the Trig to take photo's and lingered for a good while over 'the sandwich' as I watched ships plough the waves of the Irsh Sea. I met but one family of Hikers, and that was at the start of the walk so I had the entire mountain to myself as I peered down at Poolbeg, Howth and beyond. Photo's don't do its grand views justice. I headed for Warhill but had to stop again to marvel at the 'Coffin' stone. I reckon it has to be a prehistoric tomb of sorts as other contributors have said. I sat in the sunshine for a break beside it and headed for War Hill across the boggy but passable gap, the wind still howling and the High Wicklow Peaks touching the clouds that threatened rain that thankfully never came. I intend to revisit this marvel of a mountain again God willing. (To end, I met a young Nordic couple as I left the 'hidden boreen' to the Wicklow Way and was delighted to spare them a wasted hour.). Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/91/comment/5978/

Climbing last Sunday on Djouce, came across a couple of young "mountain bikers". It is hard to put your nose up to young fellows getting out into the air, escaping from their Playstations. I was tut-tuting at the environmental damage they were doing, as I tried to keep myself between the track guides, to prevent erosion, when suddenly I was confronted by 3 motorcylists scrambling between Djouce and War Hill.
To make it worse, there is a dedicated scrambling track on the other side of the road.
Remembering Mark Twain's famous comment that you should never underestimate the power of ignorant people in large numbers, I kept to myself I'm afraid!

I don't know if anyone patrols these areas for the National Park or Coilte - I suppose not. Its all a pity. I travelled on, and had a marvellous walk regardless.

This is a great site. Keep up the good work. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/91/comment/2184/