Crone Woods Maulin Loop (Parking & Hike 2026 Guide)
The Crone Woods to Maulin Hike is one of the most rewarding mountain walks near Dublin. Starting from Crone Wood car park near Enniskerry, this route combines forest trails, panoramic viewpoints, open mountainside walking and a summit that delivers big views on a clear day.
What I really liked about this hike is how quickly it starts to feel special. The opening section through the forest is lovely, but before too long the views begin to open up, first toward the Great Sugar Loaf and later across Powerscourt Estate, Powerscourt Waterfall, Glencree, and out toward Dublin Bay. I did this hike on a sunny, clear day, and the conditions could not have been better. Even before reaching the summit, the scenery was already superb.
This is not just a casual forest loop. Although the trail starts gently enough, it builds into a proper Wicklow mountain hike with steady climbing, exposed sections and a final push to the top of Maulin, which stands at 570 metres. With a recorded distance of around 8.8 km, roughly 460 m of ascent, and a hiking time of about 3.5 hours, this is a trail that feels like a real adventure without needing a full day.
Bellow see the Hike Map I have done using Hiiker App.
The Crone Woods Maulin Loop Hike Snapshot
| Hike Distance | 8.8 km |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Duration | 3.5 hours |
| Total Ascent | 460 m |
| Trail Type | Loop |
| Dog | Allowed on leash |
| Hike Trail Map | Crone Woods to Maulin Hike Map |
| Dublin Drive | 45 minutes from Dublin |
| Driving Directions | Click here for Google Map |
| Town Nearest Hike | Enniskerry, Roundwood |
| Beauty | Waterfall views, forest, panoramic views, mountain scenery |
| Activities | Picnicking, hiking trails, photography |
Crone Woods Maulin Loop: Directions and Trailhead
The Crone Woods Maulin Loop starts from Crone Wood car park, near Enniskerry in County Wicklow. This is a popular trailhead for several walks in the area and the starting point for both the Maulin Loop and part of the Wicklow Way.
If you are driving from Dublin, the journey usually takes around 45 minutes, depending on traffic and where exactly you are traveling from. The easiest option is to head toward Enniskerry and then follow the signs for Crone Woods. The car park is easy to find and acts as the main access point for the hike.
Crone Wood car park is fairly large, but it can still get busy if you do not arrive early, especially on sunny weekends and bank holidays. The car park is free and open daily with seasonal opening hours: 7:00 am to 9:00 pm from April to September and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from October to March.
From the car park, enter the forest and follow the main track. After around 200 metres, take the left turn to join the route. From here, simply follow the red disc way markers with a footprint, which mark the Maulin Loop. For roughly the first 2 km, the route shares the same trail as the Wicklow Way, so you will also see the familiar yellow man and yellow arrow way markers.
Because Crone Woods is such a popular starting point for walks, it is worth arriving a little earlier on fine-weather weekends or during holiday periods. An early start not only makes parking easier, but also gives you a better chance of enjoying the trail before it gets too busy.
If you’re looking for more ideas like this one, check out my full collection of hikes near Dublin for more scenic walks, mountain trails, and forest hikes within easy reach of the city.
Crone Woods Maulin Loop: Hike Details
The hike starts from Crone Wood car park. From the car park, enter the forest and follow the main track. After around 200 meters, you need to turn left. From here, the route begins to climb steadily uphill through the forest.
One of the helpful things about this trail is that it is way marked. You can follow the Maulin Loop, which is marked by a red disc featuring a footprint. For roughly the first 2 km, the Maulin Loop follows the same line as the Wicklow Way, so you will also see the familiar Wicklow Way markers with the yellow man and yellow arrow. This makes the opening section fairly straightforward to follow.
The first stretch of the hike is on a forest track, and although it is uphill, it is a very enjoyable start. After around 1 km, the scenery begins to change. The tall trees on your right start to thin out and give way to gorse shrubs, and the views begin to open up. This is the moment where the hike really starts to come alive. In the distance, you can spot the Great Sugar Loaf, and it is a lovely early reward for the effort of the climb.
As you continue, the path narrows and the sense of elevation increases. After just under 1.5 km, you reach Ride Rock, which is one of the true highlights of the walk. From here, you get a stunning panoramic view over Powerscourt Estate and Powerscourt Waterfall. On the day I did this hike, the weather was absolutely perfect, with blue skies and bright sunshine, and the view from Ride Rock was incredible. I had not even reached the summit yet, but already this felt like one of the most scenic parts of the route.
There is a wooden bench at Ride Rock, which makes it an ideal place to stop for a few minutes and take in the view. If you are doing this hike on a clear day, it is well worth slowing down here before moving on.
Around 100 metres after Ride Rock, the Maulin Loop splits from the Wicklow Way, so this is a point where you need to pay attention. Look out for the sign and take the right turn. From here, I much prefer doing the rest of the route in a counter-clockwise direction around the side of Maulin before climbing to the summit.
This next section is excellent. The trail takes a high line across the slopes of Maulin Mountain, with the forest below and wide open views all around. As you contour along the mountainside, you get magnificent views into Glencree and across the surrounding mountains and valleys. On a clear day, you can also see Dublin and Dublin Bay in the distance. This is the kind of section that really shows off what makes Wicklow so special.
You continue gaining height as you follow the trail along the side of Maulin, skirting the edge of the forest for around 2 km until you reach a wooden gate. At roughly 4.5 km, you arrive at this gate, and this is the point where you can turn left to begin the final 300-metre climb to the summit of Maulin, at 570 metres.
The final climb to the top is short but rewarding. On a fine day, the summit views are fantastic, and this is where all the effort of the hike really pays off. As the photos from the day show, when the weather behaves itself, the views from the top are panoramic in every direction. It is a brilliant summit for such a relatively short hike from Dublin.
After taking in the views, begin descending eastward from the summit. The descent continues for around 1 km until you reach a stone wall. At this point, turn left and follow the wall for about 500 metres until you reconnect with the path you were on earlier.
From there, turn left again and you will soon reach Ride Rock for a second time. This is another nice feature of the route, as it gives you one more chance to enjoy that brilliant viewpoint before retracing your steps back down through the forest to the car park.
Overall, this is a really satisfying Wicklow hike. It has a bit of everything: forest walking, a steady climb, open mountain views, a great summit and one of the best viewpoints near Dublin. On a sunny day, it is hard to fault.
Final Thoughts
The Crone Woods to Maulin Hike is one of those walks that feels bigger and better the higher you go. What starts as a steady forest climb soon becomes a scenic mountain route with big views and several memorable moments along the way.
For me, Ride Rock was a standout, and the combination of that viewpoint with the summit of Maulin makes this a seriously rewarding hike. If you catch it on a clear day, this is one of the best half-day mountain walks near Dublin.
It is a great choice for anyone who wants something more adventurous than a simple woodland trail, but without committing to a very long day in the hills. Add in the easy access from Dublin and the scenery throughout, and this is a hike that fully deserves its place among the best walks in Wicklow.
For more scenic routes like this, explore my full list of hikes near Dublin, including forest walks, coastal trails and mountain hikes.
FAQ
How long is the Crone Woods to Maulin Hike?
This route is around 9 km in total based on my recording.
How hard is the Crone Woods to Maulin Hike?
I would describe it as medium, though the steady climbing and total ascent mean it can feel tougher than expected.
How long does the hike take?
Allow around 3.5 hours, depending on your pace, stops and weather conditions.
Is the route signposted?
Yes. The Maulin Loop is marked with a red disc featuring a footprint, and for the first part of the hike it overlaps with the Wicklow Way.
Can you bring a dog?
Yes, dogs are allowed, but they should be kept on a leash.
What is the best part of the hike?
That will vary from person to person, but Ride Rock and the summit views from Maulin are the two standout highlights.
Is this hike suitable for beginners?
It could suit a reasonably fit beginner in good weather, but it is better for walkers who are comfortable with uphill climbing and longer hill walks.
Things to Do Nearby
If you want to turn this hike into more of a day out, Enniskerry is the obvious place to head afterwards. It is a lovely village with cafes, a few nice spots to sit outside on a good day, and it works perfectly for a post-hike coffee or lunch.
You could also visit Powerscourt Estate and Gardens, which is only a short drive away and makes a great add-on if you still have energy after the walk. If you prefer to keep things simple, even just wandering around Enniskerry village after the hike is a nice way to round off the day.
For hikers exploring more of Wicklow, Roundwood is another nearby option and a handy base if you are planning more walks in the area.
