Great Sugar Loaf Mountain
Conical hill near Dublin popular with hikers
Just outside Dublin, the Great Sugar Loaf is a steep, short hike with clear views over Wicklow Mountains and Dublin Bay; popular for half-day walks.
Great Sugar Loaf at a Glance#
Address: Great Sugar Loaf, County Wicklow, Ireland (near Kilmacanogue)
Hours: Open access (daylight hours recommended)
Admission: Free (open access)
About Great Sugar Loaf#
The Great Sugar Loaf is a conical quartzite hill rising to about 501 metres on the eastern approaches to the Wicklow Mountains in County Wicklow, Ireland. Its distinctive steep profile makes it a locally prominent landmark.
Short walking paths lead to the summit ridge, where walkers are rewarded with wide views over the Irish Sea, County Wicklow and parts of the Dublin region on clear days. The terrain is heath and rocky outcrop typical of the foothills of the Wicklow range.
The hill sits near the towns of Bray and Kilmacanogue on Ireland’s east coast, at the northern edge of the Wicklow Mountains and within easy reach of the Dublin area.
- Elevation and views: At 501 metres elevation it is a distinctive conical peak of quartzite and stands visibly above nearby lowlands, providing panoramic views on clear days.
How to Get to Great Sugar Loaf#
The Great Sugar Loaf (near Enniskerry, County Wicklow) is about 25-35 km south of Dublin city centre. By car follow the N11/M11 south toward Bray/Enniskerry and then local roads into Enniskerry village; parking/ trailheads are reached from the village and the walk up to the hill base from Enniskerry is typically a 15-30 minute walk. Public buses and local services run from Dublin to Enniskerry-once in the village the Sugar Loaf is reached on foot.
Tips for Visiting Great Sugar Loaf#
- Start your walk from the village of Kilmacanogue to follow the most commonly used and well‑waymarked path up the Great Sugar Loaf; this approach concentrates parking and gives a clear, stepped route to the summit.
- Go early on weekends or choose a weekday to avoid the busiest times - the Sugar Loaf is popular with day‑walkers from Dublin and can be crowded on fine days.
- Walk the ridge anticlockwise if you want steadier footing on the ascent and clearer views down to Bray Head and Dublin Bay on the return; many casual walkers miss the different panorama you get by completing the loop rather than an out‑and‑back.
Best Time to Visit Great Sugar Loaf#
Best visited late spring through early autumn (May-September) for the mildest conditions and best visibility from the summit.
Weather & Climate near Great Sugar Loaf#
Great Sugar Loaf's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1287 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 7° | -1° | 140 mm | overcast | 92% | 7.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 7° | -1° | 104 mm | overcast | 91% | 7.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 102 mm | overcast | 89% | 7.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 3° | 86 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 6° | 87 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 80 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.3 m/s | 1.5 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 75 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 10° - 17° | 14° | 102 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 12° | 110 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 6° - 12° | 5° | 131 mm | overcast | 89% | 6.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 3° - 9° | 1° | 127 mm | overcast | 91% | 7.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | -1° | 143 mm | overcast | 92% | 7.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
