Moanbane and Silsean from Ballyknockan Wicklow — Our Household Hikes

Moanbane is the eighty fifth highest mountain in Eire and sits at an elevation of 703m above sea degree. Silsean is 698m and is a 30-minute stroll from Moanbane.

Table of Contents

Moanbane to Silsean hike- Key info

Enable 2-3 hours to hike from Ballyknockan
Parking and picnic tables firstly level
Navigation Abilities- Important
No indicators or seen path to observe
Superb views
8 out of 10 for difficulty-Very steep
11 km out and again hike

Place to begin to hike Moanbane and Silsean

On the base of the mountain, there’s a designated automotive park with 2 picnic tables and sufficient parking for 5-10 vehicles. We parked our car here.

Initially, couldn’t see a definite climbing path to stroll the mountain. We began our hike to Moanbane by crossing the gate in entrance of the automotive park and strolling within the path of Silsean, first (RHS of the mountain).

Mountaineering to Silsean

We determined to hike to Silsean first, then we might cross over the ridge to Moanbane. After strolling by means of the 2 flat fields firstly of the hike, we got here to an open space beneath the bottom of the mountain. We stroll in the direction of a just lately cut-down forest to the precise as we appeared on the mountain.

We observe the road of the fence ascending in the direction of the summit till we attain the top of the fence. This part of the hike is EXTREMELY steep and really powerful on the legs.

From right here, we proceed in the direction of the summit. The panorama begins to show very boggy with giant peat mounds. After climbing 55 minutes from the automotive we see Silsean summit stone mount perception.

Mountaineering from Silsean to Moanbane

The summit of Silsean is distinct as a result of giant stone mount and the view over the Baltinglass lakes within the background. We flip left at Silsean summit, passing a small lake. We stroll within the path of Moanbane whereas descending barely and crossing the ridge between each mountains. The bottom could be very boggy on this location, with deep holes from water and peat.

We ascend once more to climb the aspect of Moanbane however it isn’t too steep or lengthy earlier than we see a submit within the distance marking the summit of Moanbane.

The summit of Moanbane is marked with a timber stake and a small lake.

Descending Moanbane to Ballyknockan

From Moanbane, we descend downward whereas attempting to trace again towards the bottom of Silsean. The descent is simple however navigation is required, because it’s straightforward to select the fallacious reference level to descent in the direction of. Our descent was fast and simple. We walked right into a herd of deer grazing whereas descending, it made for an ideal distraction on our descent.

Conclusion of Moanbane and Silsean hike

A really good hike with two nice summits. It took us 2 hours 10 minutes to summit each mountains and return again to the automotive. The hike is hard however very rewarding. Navigation is required on this mountain. We advocate the Viewranger app and an influence financial institution to your telephone.