The Bray to Greystones Walk: All There is to Know About the Trail
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The Bray to Greystones Walk: All There is to Know About the Trail
Often times I have to pinch myself due to the fact that I live in this stunning little country, Ireland. We as a country have so many beautiful hiking trails and nature opportunities, right on our doorsteps, just waiting to be explored. One of them being, the Bray to Greystones walk. The trail is home to some outstanding views of the Irish coastline, endless green fields and plenty of wildlife sightings galore. I for one, find myself itching to walk this beautiful coastal route on any hot summers day. In fact, it’s one of the best walks in Wicklow. And today, I want to share with you all the information needed so you can too!
What is the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk?
For those of you who are visiting the Emerald Isle from abroad. You may find yourself a little bit confused and have plenty of questions about the trail. The Bray to Greystones walk typically starts in a small coastal town, just 17km from Dublin city called Bray. The town is easily accessible by public transport and is an exciting way to spend the evening away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
How Easy is the Bray to Greystones Walk?
The good news is there are a handful of ways to complete this walk, each trail varying in length, difficulty and experience. As a result, there is an option for just about anyone. Down below I will highlight the various ways route options and individual information about them.
Route 1: Bray to Greystones
The Bray to Greystones is the most popular route, the journey begins on the Bray promenade and continues all the way to Greystones Town. The trail is 7.5km long and typically takes anywhere from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete. The most difficult part about the trail is the length, it can get steep at times but only for a short period. Once walkers arrive in Greystones, it is possible to get the DART back to Bray or Dublin City centre.
Summary of the Bray to Greystones Route:
Distance: 7.5km
Time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate, with a short period of steepness
Route 2: Greystones to Bray
Alternatively, it is possible to start the trail in Greystones and walk towards Bray. This is personally my favourite way to do it as I think the best viewpoints are on the Bray side of the trail. This route takes the same amount of time, 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours and is of the same distance, 7.5km. I once again recommend it to those who take part in the walk have a moderate fitness.
Summary of the Greystones to Bray Route
Distance: 7.5km
Time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate, with a short period of steepness
Route 3: Greystones to Bray + Bray Head
Ok, so you like the sound of the Greystones to Bray walking route, but are looking for something slightly longer. Or, maybe you want to know about the secret bonus views? If so, keep on reading.Start by following the way markings towards Bray, this will take about an hour and a half. Once you arrive at Lord Meath Lodge(an old building ruins) keep an eye out for a marked way heading towards Bray Head. You will know you are on the right one if you begin to ascend up a few steps and then onto a Forrest trail. If you find yourself walking towards the Bray Promenade turn back, you are going the wrong way. The trail leading up to Bray Head is rather steep and a high level of fitness is needed to complete it. Both walks combined are roughly about 9km long and will take anywhere from 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours to complete. This uphill climb is 100% worth it for the phenomenal views at the summit, from there you can see the stunning Wicklow mountain, look over the bray promenade and even see Dublin in the distance.
Summary of the Greystones to Bray + Bray Head
Distance: 9km (estimate)
Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours
Difficulty: High Level of Fitness Needed
Route 4: Bray to Greystones Loop (or vice versa)
If you are up for the challenge then the next option is for you. It is possible to complete this walking trail in a loop formation. Meaning, you will start and end the same place. This option ensures that you don’t miss any of the beautiful viewpoints along the way. It is also a fantastic workout and means you well and truly deserve an ice-cream once you finish.The loop version of the walk is 15km long and takes anywhere from 3 hours to 4 hours to complete. The trail isn’t all too strenuous, but I would recommend a high level of fitness due to the length of the walk.
Summary of the Bray to Greystones Loop Walk:
Distance: 15km
Time: Between 3 to 4 hours
Difficulty: High Level of Fitness
When is the best time to do the Cliff Walk Bray to Greystones?
This walk is suitable for any time of the year. It is particularly pretty in the summer and spring months due to the green grass and beautiful flowers. However, as this is one of the most popular Cliff walks in Ireland I’d recommend arriving early to avoid the crowds. It also may be a good idea for those of you walking from Greystones to Bray to consider planning time accordingly. The Start or Summit of Bray head is one of the best places to watch the sunset. I’d highly recommend giving this a go!
How do I get to Greystones & Bray from Dublin City Centre?
DART: The most efficient way of getting to Greystones and Bray from the city centre is by using DART. The train takes 45 minutes to arrive, although you will barely notice the time go by due to the stunning coastal views out the window. At the time of writing a return journey from Tara Street Station to Bray costs €6.75 for non-leap cardholders. For those with a leap card, the journey costs €5.60. I will attach Google Map directions here.A return journey from Tara Street to Greystones costs €11.20 and €9.80 for Leap Card holders.What is a Leap Card? A Leap Card is a tap on tap off card that can be freely topped up in various newsagents, online and at selected ticket machines. If you are planning on spending a few days in Dublin consider purchasing the visitor’s leap card online to have it arrive at your home before going on your trip. You can also buy this card in varies agents across the city. The card can be used on Dublin Bus, Luas and DART services.By Car: It is also possible to drive from the city centre to Bray. The journey takes around 45 minutes to complete. On-street parking is available along the Bray Promenade but please be mindful that most of these are pay and display. Therefore, the max parking time is 3 hours. On Sunday’s Street parking is mostly FREE. Of course, always check the signage before leaving your car.https://d570a54c1556dc5ff9a0cbd591466cfd.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.htmlI’d recommend those of you wanting to walk the trail starting from Greystones to leave your car in Bray and get the DART to Greystones. It will cost €2.70 for normal purchases and €2.10 for Leap Card Holders.
Where to eat in Bray
There are many delicious places to eat along the Bray promenade, my favourite being the Martello. The restaurants downstairs area invites guests to dine in a more relaxed environment while serving pub grub style food. The upstairs, known as the ‘Tower Bistro’ allows customers to experience the Martello in a more formal setting. If you’re not quite in the mood for a full meal, why not reward yourself after all the walking with a crepe or ice-cream from Ginos.
Where to eat in Greystones
If you are looking for a nice healthy and refreshing meal, consider stopping by the Happy Pear. If you are looking for a quick snack check out Spend Love Coffee and Ice Cream. They sell really nice milkshakes, ice cream and homemade bakery items.
What should I bring on the Bray to Greystones Trail?
I would suggest bringing a bottle of water and some snacks for the walk. There are no shops along the trail. It is also a good idea to check the weather before heading out for the day. Ireland’s weather can be super unpredictable so consider bringing waterproof clothing if there is even the slightest chance of rain. Hiking boots are not needed but they certainly will come in handy in the colder months as the trail can get mucky at times.
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More Photos from the Bray to Greystones Walk
Thanks for Reading and I hope you enjoyed it. If you have any further questions be sure to reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram. As Always, happy travels and see you in the next blog!
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