Things to Do around Poulaphouca Reservoir
Poulaphouca Reservoir, also known as the Blessington Lakes, is a region in West County Wicklow, Ireland, characterized by its expansive artificial lake and surrounding diverse landscapes. Nestled in the western foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, the area features a long shoreline, forests, woodlands, and wet grasslands, providing varied terrain for outdoor pursuits. This setting makes it suitable for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more. The reservoir, Ireland's largest artificial lake, was created by damming…
69
Routes
4.2
(105)
Average rating
1438
People visited
4.8
(27)
109
hikers
12.6km
04:15
550m
550m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.7
(19)
104
hikers
4.96km
01:20
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(4)
106
hikers
13.9km
03:35
70m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.7
(3)
45
hikers
3.99km
01:13
150m
150m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.0
(3)
106
riders
34.4km
01:31
300m
300m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(3)
23
riders
36.0km
01:39
370m
370m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
122
riders
108km
05:38
1,910m
1,910m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(2)
62
riders
51.9km
02:26
580m
580m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.9
(7)
63
riders
33.2km
02:04
340m
340m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(3)
17
riders
36.8km
02:19
380m
380m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(3)
11
riders
47.5km
03:02
550m
550m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
8
riders
56.7km
03:47
820m
820m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
4
riders
29.6km
02:43
720m
720m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
47.9km
04:54
1,150m
1,150m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
74.1km
07:23
1,710m
1,710m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
61.7km
04:43
1,130m
1,130m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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22
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
20
runners
7.76km
00:48
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
14
runners
4.79km
00:30
20m
20m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
8
runners
11.2km
01:15
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Poulaphouca Reservoir?
Poulaphouca Reservoir, also known as the Blessington Lakes, is Ireland's largest artificial reservoir. Located in West County Wicklow, it was created by damming the River Liffey to provide water supply for Dublin and generate hydroelectricity.
What outdoor activities are available at Poulaphouca Reservoir?
The region offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, mountain biking, and jogging. There are 17 routes available, with more than 6,000 visitors having shared experiences.
Are there easy hiking trails at Poulaphouca Reservoir?
Yes, easy trails are available around the reservoir, featuring lake views, forests, and grasslands. The Easy hikes around Poulaphouca Reservoir guide provides suitable options.
What are some popular hiking routes at Poulaphouca Reservoir?
Popular easy routes include the "Radio Tower hike with Blessington Lake views," the "Blessington Greenway Loop," and the "Russborough House – Lady's Island Fairy Trail loop." More options are available in the Hiking around Poulaphouca Reservoir guide.
Are there family-friendly activities at Poulaphouca Reservoir?
Yes, the region offers family-friendly hikes and activities. The Family-friendly hikes around Poulaphouca Reservoir guide lists suitable options for families.
What cycling routes are available at Poulaphouca Reservoir?
Road cycling, touring cycling, and mountain biking routes are available. Road and touring cyclists can explore scenic routes around the lake, while mountain bikers can find challenging trails with elevation gains. Guides such as Road Cycling Routes around Poulaphouca Reservoir and MTB Trails around Poulaphouca Reservoir offer specific routes.
What is the Blessington Greenway?
The Blessington Greenway is a path approximately 4 miles (6.5 km) long, connecting Blessington with Russborough House. It offers scenic lakeside woodland paths suitable for hiking and cycling, with plans for further extension.
What natural features characterize Poulaphouca Reservoir?
The reservoir is nestled in the western foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, featuring a 27.5-mile (44.3 km) shoreline. It encompasses diverse ecosystems including forests, woodlands, and wet grasslands, and is a Wild Bird Conservation Area.
Is Poulaphouca Reservoir important for wildlife?
Yes, Poulaphouca Reservoir is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for wild bird conservation. It is nationally important for its Greylag Goose population and attracts various waterfowl species, especially during winter.
How popular is Poulaphouca Reservoir on komoot?
Poulaphouca Reservoir has more than 6,000 visitors who have shared their experiences on komoot. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.35 out of 5 stars.
Are there komoot guides available for Poulaphouca Reservoir?
Yes, komoot offers several guides for the region, including Hiking around Poulaphouca Reservoir, Road Cycling Routes around Poulaphouca Reservoir, and MTB Trails around Poulaphouca Reservoir.
What is the official website for Poulaphouca Reservoir?
The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) operates the reservoir for water supply and hydroelectricity. Their official website is https://www.esb.ie.
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