The trail begins at the Dublin Mountains Way trailhead in front of Brady's pub in the main street. The initial section - as far as Rathmichael Wood - follows the route of the Dublin Mountains Way, marked by the traditional yellow walking man waymarker.

This small cross, found at the end of Rathmichael Lane, dates from the 12th century and is one of what are known as the Fassaroe Crosses, all of which are believed to have been the work of the same stonemason. The cross consists of a crucifixion scene in high relief on one side and false releif on the other. It is believed the cross may have marked... More the route between the churches at Rathmichael (which is close-by) and Kiltuck to the east.Less

Shortly after entering Rathmichael Wood the trail diverges from the Dublin Mountains Way, following the Rathmichael Walk, marked with green arrows.

Rathmichael Wood is a mixture of coniferous and broadleaf woodland and gorse covered scrub. The trail ascends a small grassy hill from which there are splendid views towards Bray Head. This area was the site of a former ringfort or rath, the remains of which can be discerned among a copse of trees close to the top.

At this point the trail leaves the Rathmichael Walk and rejoins the Dublin Mountains Way to reach Carrickgollogan Wood.

At this junction, shortly after entering Carrickgollogan Wood, the trail again leaves the Dublin Mountains Way continuing straight ahead to reach the lead mines chimney.

The chimney formed part of the Ballycorus lead mining and smelting operation, which was active from the early 19th century up to the 1920s. Mining began in 1907 and soon a major smelting operation established itself at Ballycorus, located in the valley below the location of the chimney. The lead works processed not only lead and silver mined locall... Morey but also lead mined in Glendalough, which was transported by train from Rathdrum to Shankill, and from the Laxey mine on the Isle of Man. The lead was mainly used for pipes and roofing in many of the houses built in Dublin at this time.

The chimney was constructed in 1836. A 2km long flue connected it to the lead works in the valley below. The vapours from the lead furnances travelled down the flue before escaping into the air through the chimney. Lead precipitated on the walls of the flue and was then collected by hand. It is the only example of such a flue and chimney to have been built in Ireland.

The chimney, which is made of granite, was originally much taller with a slender brick section, now dismantled, rising high above a viewing platform that was reached by a spiral staircase. The staircase and platform is still intact, although the lower sections have been removed for safety reasons.Less

Approaching the exit to Carrickgollogan Wood, the trail again rejoins the Dublin Mountains Way, this time following the yellow waymarkers all the way to The Scalp.

Once part of the Powerscourt Estate, planting in the woods around Barnaslingan has been going on since the 1900s. The oldest trees are the Scots Pine and oak found in the southern part of the woods. More recent plantings include Monterey pine, Douglas fir. beech and larch.

The trail emerges from Barnaslingan Wood at the eastern summit of The Scalp (238m). This narrow rocky gorge was created around 12,000 years ago close to the end of the last Ice Age. At this time, a great glacial lake formed near Enniskerry, enclosed by the mountains and the ice sheet. The pressure of the water in the lake acted on a weak spot in th... Moree bedrock and gouged out the channel now known as The Scalp. Similar channels exist at the Glen of the Downs and the Rocky Valley to the south. From the viewpoint it is possible to look down on the cars driving through The Scalp on the main Dublin to Enniskerry road. The area is also home to a herd of feral goats who may be spotted from time to time grazing on the rocky slopes.Less

For the initial stage of the return journey, the trail joins the Scalp Lookout Trail, marked with red discs, to return to the entrance to Barnaslingan Wood. It then rejoins the Dublin Mountains Way to return to Carrickgollogan Wood.

Reaching Carrickgollogan Wood, the trail follows the Lead Mines Way, marked with orange discs. This diverges from the Dublin Mountains Way in order to take in the summit of Carrickgollogan.

Carrickgollogan Wood consists of around 85 hectares of mixed woodland as well as furze and heather. Forest plantations began in this area in the 1950s. Species planted include lodgepole pine, noble fir, Japanese larch, Scots pine, birch and beech.

The last stop on this trip is the summit of Carrickgollogan Hill, a 276m high outcrop of Cambrian quartzite. The view from the top is spectacular offering a 360 degree view over Killiney and Dalkey to the north and east, the Bray Group of mountains - consisting of Bray Head, The Little Sugar Loaf (or Giltspur mountain) and the Great Sugar Loaf - to... More the south and the main Dublin and Wicklow range to the west.Less

For the final leg back to the start, the trail follows the Dublin Mountains Way out of Carrickgollogan Wood, through Rathmichael Wood and back to Shankill.

The trail finishes back on the main street in Shankill.