After a ruined plan to go to Kilkenny when was late and missed my bus, I was stranded at Heuston Station wondering what I ought to do next. It was already afternoon. Suddenly it struck me that I could take bus 145 that starts at Heuston Station and go directly to Bray.
After an hour and half, I found myself in the nice town of Bray. The Main Street is long and has a variety of shops and cafes on both sides of the road. Next, I headed along Florence Street, across the DART tracks, and reached Bray beach to begin the actual purpose of my trip. Many of my friends had talked about climbing Bray Head to reach the cross at the summit and this was something I had wanted to do for a while. Before I go on, this is a picture of Bray beach. It is a lovely pebbly beach and the day I went, the sea was calm as well. Interestingly, I found that a lot of seaweed had washed up on the shores.
After an hour and half, I found myself in the nice town of Bray. The Main Street is long and has a variety of shops and cafes on both sides of the road. Next, I headed along Florence Street, across the DART tracks, and reached Bray beach to begin the actual purpose of my trip. Many of my friends had talked about climbing Bray Head to reach the cross at the summit and this was something I had wanted to do for a while. Before I go on, this is a picture of Bray beach. It is a lovely pebbly beach and the day I went, the sea was calm as well. Interestingly, I found that a lot of seaweed had washed up on the shores.
There is a long promenade walk leading up to Bray Head along the beach. Along this walk you will see coffee docks and ice cream parlours which I found charmingly vintage. I must make it clear that right before you ascend Bray Head, you have the option of taking the other route that will bring you on a two-hour walk to Greystones. The ascend of Bray Head begins at a point where you will see a large sign with 'The De Buitléar Way', informing you on the flora and fauna you will see as you climb Bray Head. Initially there are wide steps, but as you keep climbing, the steps are reduced to well-worn paths used by explorers on foot. There is more than one way to get to the top of the mountain, so if you find yourself having to decide which path to choose, select the one that seems most straightforward. Along the way, you will need to scramble over rocks and push through vegetation, but it is well worth it. You will be greeted with lovely views as you climb. It is advisable to not visit Bray Head if it is rainy, as the rocks will be slippery and the ground mushy. These are some of the views I got:
Finally, you will see it - the Bray cross!
The views from the summit are spectacular. The sun was setting just as I reached the top. That was the second time my mind was overwhelmed by Wicklow's beauty.
After revelling in the lovely views from the summit for a while, I begin the descent down Bray Head. It took me a lot less time than when I ascended, but one will definitely have to be careful because the strength of gravity can be strongly felt as you come down the rocks. Wear proper shoes like boots or sneakers; absolutely no flip-flops or heels. The sky had turned an enchanting old-rose colour and this was especially pretty at the beach. When it's raining or it has rained and the ground is mushy, you have to be all the more careful!
On a sunny day, it's great to buy a Ninety-nine (ice-cream) from a stall near Bray beach! After your hike down, you can have a nice meal at the various eateries near the beach and along Bray Main Street.
That's all I had for you! Also, make sure you note when the sunset time is before going on your climb. You wouldn't want to go on a late-afternoon hike only to be stuck halfway up the mountain when its 5:18 p.m. and pitch-dark.
That's all I had for you! Also, make sure you note when the sunset time is before going on your climb. You wouldn't want to go on a late-afternoon hike only to be stuck halfway up the mountain when its 5:18 p.m. and pitch-dark.
October 2017