Liffey Valley Trail

The valley of the River Liffey is a tranquil beauty spot on the city’s edge with the ability to be explored on foot or by water!

This almost circular walk takes you from a quaint village setting along a vigorous section of the main river that flows through Dublin to the vast expanse of a regional park and back to the village across one of the most unique bridges in Ireland. This walk is graded easy and is mainly in parkland.

The walk begins from Lucan village which is only a short 5 minutes’ drive from the hotel.

Heading west from Lucan village, you enter Lucan Demesne, a slender wooded park, which runs along the River Liffey. Here you might just catch a canoe or two coming down the rapids on the river.

Further upstream the path leads you across a pedestrian bridge to the vast green expanses of St Catherine’s Park. Have you spotted the unusual looking hairy cows yet? Or maybe you will have spotted the very talented BMX bikers doing bunny hops, tail whips and other such tricks at the BMX track. You will have strolled through the fairy trail, watch out for their front doors hidden in the bases of the trees!

Making your way out of the park, you find yourself approaching the River Liffey again, passing a splendid row of weir cottages, a great photo opportunity. Cross back into Lucan village over the unique Lucan Bridge, the widest single-span stone arch bridge in the country. Proceed down the steps to the right-hand side of the bridge to Lucan’s boardwalk, where the weir will be revealed. The weir is a favourite haunt of the local heron, which waits patiently and perfectly motionlessly for fish to accumulate at the weir drop before picking them off.

Whilst you head back to Lucan village to ponder which of the cafés you would like to reward yourself with a coffee from, consider popping into Lucan Village Park. The entrance to this small park is at the corner, down the semi-circular set of stone steps. It is an oasis of tranquility, cleverly recessed below the roadway, and is a pleasant location for a quick rest under the shaded wooden gazebo before proceeding.

Riverside walks are available at public parks at Waterstown Park, Lucan Demesne or St Catherine’s Park. All of these riverside walks are located only a stones throw from us here at Castleknock Hotel.