Up in the treetops, the world shrinks. This Avondale Forest Park ticket gets you onto the Treetop Walk and up to the 38-meter viewing tower, with a 1.4 km route that lifts you from river-valley views toward the Wicklow Mountains. I like that it feels like a proper walk in nature, not just a ticketed viewpoint.

I also like the park’s brainy side. Along the way, you pass 99 different tree species and you learn about trees planted long ago by Samuel Hayes. If you’re traveling with kids, the boardwalk includes play areas with games about birds and animals, so you get scenery plus distractions that actually fit the setting.

One consideration: the big finish can cost extra. The 90-meter slide is optional, and at busy times you may face queues, plus it can close in wet or humid weather.

Key highlights you will feel right away

• A self-guided treetop route: 1.4 km that climbs from boardwalk level to the tree canopy
• Tree learning built into the walk: stations with info on 99 tree species, including older plantings tied to Samuel Hayes
• A real tower climb: spiral walkway up to a circular viewing platform 38 meters above ground
• Kid-friendly wayfinding: play areas along the boardwalk plus a playground in the walled garden
• Optional slide exit: a 90-meter tower slide for an added fee when open and safe

Getting In: QR Code at Avondale Reception, Then the Boardwalk Begins

Start at the carpark, then follow the signs to Reception. Here is the one step you cannot skip: collect your QR code at the main reception before you go through the treetop walk entrance gate. It’s the kind of rule that seems small until you are standing there at the gate wondering why it will not scan.

Once you’re through, you’re guided onto the boardwalk. The first section tracks out over the Avonmore River Valley, so the air feels cooler and the sound of the river adds a nice rhythm under your feet. This is not a sprint. It’s a comfortable stroll, with changing views as the terrain starts to rise.

Also note the practical stuff. You’ll want comfortable shoes and weather gear, because Wicklow weather likes to change its mind. Your voucher is printed, and the host greeter is English.

1.4 km Through the Trees: From River Valley Boardwalk to Treetop Canopy

The walk is built as a gradual shift. You begin out over the valley and then work your way into higher perspectives as the trail rises. The best part is that the views stay varied. Ground level feels different from the mid levels, and canopy-level sightlines feel different again.

Along the route, you pass learning points tied to the forest around you. That matters because it turns a scenic walk into a walk with a purpose. Instead of just looking up, you start noticing patterns, tree shapes, and how the park’s planting supports different kinds of habitat.

You also get a helpful built-in “tempo shift” at intervals. The boardwalk includes resting points, and the climb is designed so you can keep going without feeling like you are tackling a steep hike. Even the tower approach is planned to be manageable, which becomes important later when the spiral section starts to rise.

Tree Learning That Actually Fits the Walk: 99 Species and Samuel Hayes

This is not a museum you visit and forget. The park plants the learning into the route, so you are constantly pairing what you see with what you learn.

You’ll see 99 different tree species identified along the walk. Some of them are meant to be understood at a glance, like how the bark or overall form might differ from others nearby. Other details are likely to be more “notice it as you go,” which is a great format if you do not want a heavy lecture.

Then there’s the Samuel Hayes connection. The route includes trees planted by Samuel Hayes over 300 years ago. That one detail adds weight to the walk. It makes you feel time passing, even while you are just moving slowly through the forest and getting fresh air.

Boardwalk Play Areas for Kids: Games, Animals, and Breaks That Keep Them Engaged

If you’re traveling with children, this is where Avondale scores easy points. Along the boardwalk, you’ll find play areas with games tied to birds and animals and their habitats. That means kids are not just waiting for adults to finish climbing. They can interact with the environment in a way that still makes sense in a forest park.

It’s also smart that the play areas show up during the walk itself, rather than being a separate stop you only reach after you are tired. Kids can burn energy, and you can regain focus before the tower portion begins.

And if you need a breather, the walk is designed for comfortable pacing. There are rest points along the levels, which helps a lot when you’re managing strollers or simply keeping the mood calm.

Tunnel to the Tower: The Spiral Ramp Climb and Woodpecker Clues

When you reach the end of the treetop walkway, you hit the part that feels like a step up in “adventure.” There’s a short underground tunnel before you emerge near the Viewing Tower.

Then comes the climb on the spiral ramped walkway. You can move at your own pace, and the structure is built for gradual ascent. The gradient is stated to never exceed 6 degrees, and there are resting points on each level. That makes the tower section feel more like an architectural ramp than a punishing climb.

Keep an ear out too. The experience includes a clue about a Great Spotted Woodpecker family nesting in nearby eucalyptus trees. It’s one of those hints that makes you listen more closely while you’re climbing, which can turn a routine ascent into a small moment of wildlife connection.

At the Top: Panoramic Views from 38 Meters Above Ground

Once you arrive, you step onto the circular viewing platform 38 meters above the ground. This is your payoff. You get panoramic views across Avondale Forest Park and out toward the Wicklow Mountains and beyond.

What I like about this height is that it changes your sense of scale. You stop thinking in terms of trees-as-objects and start seeing trees as a whole system. The forest becomes a pattern, with different shades and textures stretching outward.

Also, plan a moment here for weather. If the day is clear, the views feel crisp. If clouds roll in, the view still has drama, but you will likely want to wait a few minutes to see if visibility improves.

This is also where you decide your exit strategy: slide down if you want the thrill, or walk back down the tower access.

Slide Down or Walk Back: Optional 90-Meter Thrill and Realistic Timing

The tower has an optional slide exit: a 90-meter slide for an additional fee of €2 per person. It’s not included in the ticket price, so think of it as a fun add-on rather than part of the core experience.

Two practical points matter. First, queues can happen during busy periods. Second, slide openings depend on weather and safety conditions, and it can close in wet or humid weather. If you want to keep your day flowing, decide in advance that you’re fine walking down if the slide is closed or slow.

If you do use the slide when it is open, it’s a different kind of memory than the quiet boardwalk. It’s loud, fast, and fun in a very different way, which is why kids often light up here.

Beyond the Walk: Coillte Pavilion Forestry Exhibit, Seed Café, Picnic Tables, and Trails

Your ticket also gives you time in the park after the trek. You can head to picnic tables around the forest park and use that space for a relaxed break.

There’s also the Seed Café, where you can grab freshly prepared dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Since there’s a walled garden beside the café, it’s easy to pair food with more kid energy. The walled garden includes an adventurous playground.

If you want something a bit more structured without hiring a guide, there’s a free forestry exhibition at the Coillte Pavilion. It’s a good match for this type of visit, because it gives you context on the broader forest work behind what you saw during the walk.

And if you still have legs, you can use access to multiple forest trails in Avondale Forest.

Price and Value in County Wicklow: What You Get for $18, Plus Extras

At about $18 per person, the core ticket is reasonably priced for what it delivers: a self-guided treetop walk, tower entry, and a whole set of learning stops plus time in the park.

But the value gets even clearer when you separate what’s included from what’s optional. Included highlights cover:

• Avondale Treetop Walk and Tower entry
• learning stations along the walkway
• access to picnic tables
• a free forestry exhibition at Coillte Pavilion
• access to the walled garden and children’s playground
• access to multiple forest trails
• WCs and changing places

Not included items are where you might spend a little extra:

• parking fee is €6, payable on entry for the full day
• the slide is €2 per person

So your real decision is how much thrill versus slow-and-savor you want. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes views plus nature facts, the ticket is a solid value. If you only want the tower photo and hate walking, it may feel like more effort than you want.

A tip that helps your budget: plan the slide as a bonus, not a requirement. That way you are not annoyed if weather shuts it.

Who This Treetop Walk Fits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)

This works well for families because it mixes height, learning, and play. I also like that it can be done without a guide, since the route and information points keep you moving naturally.

It is also a nice option if you want outdoor time but not a strenuous hike. The walk is framed as a comfortable stroll, and the design of the spiral ramp to the tower is gradual.

Two things mean it is not for everyone. People with vertigo may want to skip it, since it’s explicitly not suitable. And if you want a totally hands-off experience with minimal waiting, remember that the slide can have queues at busy times.

On the logistics and flexibility side, it is wheelchair accessible, including prams and medical-grade wheelchairs. The spiral ramped boardwalk is designed with a gradient that never exceeds 6 degrees, plus resting points at each level. Mobility scooters are also permitted if you cannot comfortably transfer to a manual wheelchair.

Pets have a few rules to know. Pets are not allowed, and assistance dogs are allowed. Separately, dogs can be on a leash throughout the forest trails and within the walled gardens, but only registered assistance dogs are allowed within buildings and on the treetop walk and viewing tower.

Should You Book Avondale Beyond the Trees?

Book it if you want a forest experience that mixes big views, kid-friendly distractions, and simple learning you can take in at walking speed. The tower height makes it feel special, and the tree species stops give you more than just pretty scenery.

Skip it if you are avoiding any height, or if you are sure you only want the quickest possible photo stop. In that case, the tower and walk length may feel like too much.

If you can, plan for a clear day. On sunny weather, the Wicklow countryside and Wicklow Mountains views look their best, and the walk feels extra rewarding.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the treetop walk ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for 1 day. You also need to check availability to see the starting times.

Where do I collect my QR code?

You must collect your QR code at the main reception before going to the treetop walk entrance gate.

How far is the treetop walk?

The walk route is listed as 1.4 kilometers.

Is the 90-meter tower slide included in the ticket price?

No. The slide is not included and costs €2 per person. It may have long queues during busy periods and can close in wet or humid weather.

What height is the viewing platform?

The viewing platform is 38 meters above the ground.

Are there play areas for children?

Yes. There are play areas along the boardwalk, and there is also a playground in the walled garden beside the Seed Café.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The spiral ramped boardwalk never exceeds a gradient of 6 degrees and includes resting points. Medical-grade wheelchairs are allowed, and mobility scooters are permitted if the customer cannot comfortably transfer to a manual wheelchair.

Are pets or dogs allowed?

Pets are not allowed, though assistance dogs are allowed. Dogs are permitted on a leash on the forest trails and in the walled gardens, but only registered assistance dogs are permitted within buildings and on the treetop walk and viewing tower.