Tonelagee Mountain
Mountain in Wicklow Mountains, popular hiking destination
A broad peak in the Wicklow Mountains, Tonelagee rewards hikers with open ridges, peat hags and views over Lough Ouler; walkers use marked trails on the Lugnaquilla massif and often combine the climb with nearby Glendalough.
Tonelagee at a Glance#
Address: Tonelagee (Tóin le Gaoith), Wicklow Mountains, Leinster, Ireland (approx. 53.05426°N, -6.38258°W)
Hours: Public access (no formal hours)
Admission: Free (public mountain; no entry fee)
About Tonelagee#
Tonelagee is a mountain in the Wicklow Mountains of eastern Ireland with a summit at about 817 metres above sea level, making it one of the range’s higher peaks. The mountain is popular with hillwalkers for accessible ridgelines and panoramic summit views.
Routes to Tonelagee commonly approach via corrie lakes and mountain tracks, with the lake Lough Ouler lying beneath the northern face and forming an attractive feature on standard circuits. The summit is a broad plateau marked by cairns and offers wide views over the Wicklow uplands and, on clear days, toward the Irish Sea.
Weather in the Wicklow Mountains can change rapidly and paths can be boggy in places, so walkers should be prepared with suitable footwear, maps, and navigation equipment. Access is typically from nearby valley roads and village trailheads in County Wicklow.
- Elevation and popularity: Summit elevation is 817 metres, making it one of the higher peaks in the Wicklow Mountains and a frequent objective for day hikers from Dublin and the surrounding counties.
What to See#
- Lough Ouler: A corrie lake known as Lough Ouler sits below the mountain’s northern escarpment and is a common turnaround point for popular walking routes.
- Summit plateau and views: The summit plateau and cairn offer wide-ranging views over the Wicklow Mountains, including nearby peaks such as Lugnaquilla and the Wicklow uplands to the east and north.
How to Get to Tonelagee#
Access routes begin from Glenmalure or the scenic R759 (Military Road) area. The nearest larger town is Wicklow or Laragh; local bus services to Glendalough or Laragh operate seasonally, from which taxis or local walks connect to trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Tonelagee#
- Start from the Glenmalure valley or the Carrickmines side depending on desired routes - some approaches are steep but direct.
- Bring windproof layers - Wicklow summits can be exposed and changeable even in summer.
- For a classic route, include the Easternmost summit at 817 m and aim for clear days for the best views toward Dublin and the Wicklow massif.
Best Time to Visit Tonelagee#
Summer and shoulder seasons are best for hillwalking; check weather forecasts and route conditions before planning.
Weather & Climate near Tonelagee#
Tonelagee's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 0°C to 16°C. Abundant rainfall (1899 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 0° - 5° | -3° | 216 mm | overcast | 92% | 8.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 5° | -3° | 161 mm | overcast | 91% | 8.1 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |
| March | Poor | 1° - 6° | -2° | 161 mm | overcast | 89% | 7.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Poor | 1° - 8° | 0° | 122 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Poor | 4° - 11° | 4° | 131 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 108 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.6 m/s | 1.5 high | 16.7h |
| July | Acceptable | 9° - 16° | 12° | 106 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 9° - 16° | 12° | 137 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.6h |
| September | Poor | 7° - 13° | 7° | 161 mm | overcast | 88% | 6.1 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 4° - 10° | 3° | 193 mm | overcast | 89% | 7.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 2° - 7° | -1° | 190 mm | overcast | 91% | 7.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 6° | -2° | 213 mm | overcast | 92% | 7.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
