Avondale: Beyond the Trees Treetop Walk & Tower Entry Ticket

Avondale’s 1.4-kilometer treetop walk turns a forest stroll into a slow climb through the canopy. You begin above the Avonmore River Valley, pass trees planted more than 300 years ago, then reach a 38-meter viewing platform with wide views across County Wicklow.

I like the mix of simple outdoor fun and useful tree information, and I like that the whole route is gentle enough for wheelchairs and prams. The main drawback is that the best views depend on decent weather, while the optional tower slide can have long waits and closes in wet or humid conditions.

Key points

• A 38-meter viewing platform gives you broad views over Avondale Forest Park and the Wicklow Mountains.
• The 1.4-kilometer route passes 99 tree species, with learning stations and details about the old trees planted by Samuel Hayes.
• A gradual ramp never exceeds a 6-degree gradient, making the walk accessible for wheelchairs and prams.
• Families get play areas along the boardwalk, plus a larger playground beside the Seed Café.
• The €18 ticket includes more than the walkway, with forest trails, picnic areas, the Walled Garden, and a forestry exhibition.
• The 90-meter slide costs €2 extra, and weather or queues may affect whether it is worth choosing.

Starting at Avondale Forest Park reception

Your visit begins in the car park at Avondale Forest Park in County Wicklow. Do not walk straight to the treetop gate. First go to the main reception, where you check in, present your printed voucher, collect your entry QR code, and receive directions.

That extra stop matters. The QR code must be collected before you proceed to the Treetop Walk entrance, so build it into your arrival plan. Parking costs €6 for the full day and is paid separately at the entrance.

The experience is not a guided tour in the usual sense. You follow the route at your own pace, with signs, activity stations, and information about the trees. An English-speaking host or greeter is available at the start, but you should expect to spend most of the time exploring independently.

The ticket is valid for one day, with starting times depending on availability. Since the exact length of your visit can vary, this works best as a half-day outing rather than a tightly timed attraction squeezed between other stops.

Walking above the Avonmore River Valley

The route begins at a low level on a boardwalk that carries you out over the Avonmore River Valley. This first section gives you time to get used to the height and the setting before the tower climb begins.

I like the way the walk changes gradually. You move from ordinary woodland paths to raised sections, then higher into the trees. The changing height gives the walk a sense of progress without turning it into a demanding hike.

Along the way, information panels explain the trees around you. Avondale is home to 99 different species, so this is not just a generic wooden walkway through a forest. You can look for the trees planted by Samuel Hayes more than 300 years ago, a detail that gives the woodland a strong sense of age.

The information stations are short and practical, which suits the setting. You can stop to read, look up into the branches, then continue without being held to a group schedule. If your children are with you, the activity points offer games about birds, animals, and forest habitats.

Keep an eye on supervision here. Children must be watched at all times, especially where the boardwalk rises and at the play areas. The route is gentle, but it is still a raised structure with open views into the trees.

The forest details make the walk worthwhile

The main appeal is not a single dramatic sight. It is the steady change in viewpoint. At ground level, you notice trunks, roots, and woodland paths. As you rise, the branches and canopy become the focus. Near the top, the trees form part of a much wider view over Wicklow.

You might also hear the Great Spotted Woodpecker family that nests in nearby eucalyptus trees. There is no promise that you will see them, and the experience does not depend on spotting wildlife, but the detail gives you something specific to listen for as you walk.

This is a good choice if you want a nature activity without committing to a strenuous mountain walk. You get fresh air, views, and some background about the forest, but the route itself is designed as an accessible attraction rather than a rugged trek.

The boardwalk also works well for mixed-age groups. Someone who wants a relaxed stroll can take their time, while children have games and play areas to break up the walking. Adults who enjoy trees and woodland design will find enough information to keep the route from feeling like a simple photo stop.

Passing through the tunnel to the viewing tower

At the end of the first walkway, you pass through a short underground tunnel. It is a small transition, but it separates the forest walk from the tower section and gives the route a clear change of pace.

When you emerge, you see the viewing tower ahead. The climb is made by a broad, ramped boardwalk that curls upward around the tower. It is not a narrow staircase, and the gradient never exceeds 6 degrees. Resting points are provided on each level, so you can pause as the views open up.

This ramp is one of the most useful features for practical reasons. Medical-grade wheelchairs are allowed, and mobility scooters are permitted when a person cannot comfortably transfer to a manual wheelchair. The route is also suitable for prams.

You should still dress for an outdoor visit. Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are sensible, even though the route is not a demanding walk. Rain and wind can affect how long you want to spend at the top, and the viewing experience is more rewarding when you can see across the countryside.

Reaching 38 meters above the forest

The circular viewing platform sits 38 meters above the ground. From here, you can look over Avondale Forest Park, toward the Wicklow Mountains, and across the surrounding countryside.

This is where a clear day makes the biggest difference. In good weather, the height gives you a broad view rather than a close woodland scene. On a dull or wet day, you can still enjoy the structure and the forest setting, but the distant views may be less impressive.

If you have vertigo, this is worth taking seriously. The route is accessible, but it is still high above the ground, and the tower has open views. The experience is not suitable for people with vertigo.

The platform is also the natural place to slow down. You have already covered the main route, so there is no reason to rush back. Take in the different layers of the forest, watch the weather moving across the hills, and decide how you want to descend.

Choosing the €2 tower slide

The optional 90-meter slide runs inside the tower and costs €2 per person. It is not included in the entry ticket, and you pay separately on site.

For children and anyone who enjoys a little extra excitement, the slide can turn the descent into the most memorable part of the visit. One important catch is timing. Queues can be long during busy periods, so the slide may add more waiting than you expect.

The slide also depends on weather and safety conditions. It closes in wet or humid weather, so do not count on it as part of your plan. If it is closed, you simply walk back down the ramped boardwalk.

I would treat the slide as a bonus, not a reason to buy the ticket. The main value is the forest route and the viewing platform. The extra charge is modest, but families should remember that each person using it pays €2.

What the €18 ticket includes

At $18 per person, the ticket is reasonably priced if you plan to use more than the raised walkway. You are not only paying for access to the boardwalk and tower. The ticket also includes several useful parts of the park:

• The Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower
• Learning stations along the route
• Picnic tables throughout the forest park
• The Coillte Pavilion forestry exhibition
• The Walled Garden and children’s playground
• Multiple forest trails
• Toilets and changing places

This makes the attraction easier to justify as a longer outing. You can complete the treetop route, eat lunch, let children play, and continue on a forest trail without paying for another main attraction.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick tower visit. The ticket is built around a complete park visit, so give yourself enough time to use the surrounding facilities. Parking is an extra €6 for the day, and the slide is another optional cost.

There is no family ticket option listed, so a family group may pay more than expected when each person is charged individually. Carers go free, but the carer ticket is available from reception on arrival rather than through the standard advance booking process.

Food, picnic time, and the Walled Garden

You can bring your own food and use the picnic tables placed around the park. This is useful for families, particularly if you want to avoid building the day around a restaurant booking.

The Seed Café offers freshly prepared food made with locally sourced ingredients. The supplied information does not give a full menu or prices, so I would see it as a convenient on-site option rather than assume it will suit every budget or dietary need.

Beside the café, the Walled Garden has an adventurous playground for children. This gives younger visitors something to do after the treetop route, when their interest in tree species and distant views may be fading.

You can also visit the free forestry exhibition in the Coillte Pavilion and use the other forest trails included with your ticket. These extras help turn the visit into a flexible day outdoors instead of a single attraction with a fixed finish.

Accessibility, pets, and useful planning details

The Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower are wheelchair and pram accessible. The spiral ramp rises gently, never exceeding a 6-degree gradient, and has resting points on each level.

Registered assistance dogs are permitted inside the buildings, on the Treetop Walk, and at the Viewing Tower. Ordinary dogs may be taken on a leash throughout the forest trails and Walled Gardens, but pets are not allowed on the treetop attraction or inside the buildings.

Bring a printed voucher, since it is required at check-in. Then collect your QR code at reception before walking to the entrance gate. This is the key arrival instruction, and missing it could send you back across the park.

The experience is in English, and the activity ends back at the original meeting point. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the visit, and a reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to hold a place without paying immediately.

Who will enjoy Avondale most

I would recommend this for families, mixed-age groups, and anyone who wants Wicklow views without a hard uphill walk. The activity stations, playgrounds, and optional slide give children several points of interest, while the tower and old trees give adults more than a basic play attraction.

It also suits wheelchair users and visitors with prams because the entire raised route is designed around a gentle ramp. The rest points matter if you want to take the climb slowly.

I would be more cautious if you dislike heights or need guaranteed clear views. Vertigo is a stated concern, and bad weather can reduce the reward at the viewing platform. The slide is not guaranteed to operate either.

For the best outing, allow time for the full 1.4-kilometer route, the tower, and at least one of the park extras. A sunny day is not essential, but it can make the distant Wicklow views much more satisfying.

Should you book this treetop walk?

Book it if you want an easy, family-friendly woodland activity with a strong viewpoint and useful extras included. The gentle accessible ramp, old trees, play stations, and 38-meter platform give the visit more substance than a quick photo stop.

Skip it if you have serious vertigo, want a challenging hike, or are visiting in weather that will keep you from enjoying the top. Also budget separately for the €6 car park and optional €2 slide.

For most people spending a day in County Wicklow, the $18 ticket offers fair value, especially when you add the forest trails, picnic areas, exhibition, Walled Garden, and playground. Arrive through reception first, bring the right clothing, and treat the slide as an optional extra rather than part of the promise.

FAQ

Where is the Avondale Treetop Walk and Tower?

It is located at Avondale Forest Park in County Wicklow, Ireland.

How long is the Treetop Walk?

The route covers 1.4 kilometers through and above the forest.

How high is the viewing platform?

The circular viewing platform is 38 meters above the ground.

Is the walk wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The ramped boardwalk never exceeds a 6-degree gradient and includes resting points on each level. Medical-grade wheelchairs are allowed, and mobility scooters are permitted in the stated circumstances.

Is the tower slide included in the ticket?

No. The 90-meter slide costs €2 per person and must be paid for separately on site.

Can I bring a dog?

Ordinary dogs are allowed on a leash on the forest trails and in the Walled Gardens. Only registered assistance dogs are allowed inside the buildings and on the Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower.

Do I need to check in at reception first?

Yes. You must go to the main reception before proceeding to the Treetop Walk entrance gate. Reception provides your entry QR code and directions.

What happens if the slide is closed?

You can walk back down the tower using the ramped boardwalk. The slide may close in wet or humid weather and can also be affected by safety conditions.