Avondale: Beyond the Trees Treetop Walk & Tower Entry Ticket

Avondale’s 1.4-kilometer Treetop Walk takes you from forest floor to canopy before sending you up a broad, gently rising tower ramp. At the top, 38 meters above the ground, you get wide views across Avondale Forest Park and the Wicklow Mountains.

I like the mix of nature and hands-on fun, especially the information stations about 99 tree species and the play areas built into the walk. I also like that wheelchairs and prams can use the full route. The main drawback is that the best views depend on the weather, and the €2 tower slide can develop long queues.

Key points to know before you go

• The walk covers 1.4 kilometers: You move from ground level through the trees and out above the Avonmore River Valley.
• The tower reaches 38 meters: A ramped spiral boardwalk takes you upward without stairs.
• The route is wheelchair accessible: The gradient never exceeds 6 degrees, with resting points along the way.
• The slide costs extra: The 90-meter descent is €2 per person and may close in wet or humid weather.
• The ticket includes more than the treetop route: You also get access to forest trails, picnic tables, the Walled Garden, a children’s playground, and the Coillte Pavilion forestry exhibition.
• Reception comes first: Collect your entry QR code at the main reception before walking to the Treetop Walk gate.

Starting at Avondale Forest Park

You begin at Avondale Forest Park in County Wicklow. From the car park, follow the signs to reception. This first stop matters, since you must collect your entry QR code before going to the Treetop Walk entrance.

Bring your printed voucher, even though the QR code is issued at reception. Parking is not included. The car park costs €6, payable on arrival, and that fee covers the full day. Since the ticket remains valid for one day, you can make good use of the park after completing the main route rather than treating this as a quick stop.

The setting gives you a pleasant choice of pace. You can walk the route steadily, pause at the learning stations, spend time in the play areas, or return later to the picnic spots and trails. There is no guide leading the walk, so you set your own rhythm. English is the operating language for the attraction.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring clothing suited to the weather. You are outdoors for the full experience, and sunny conditions make the distant views much clearer. On a wet day, the route remains useful, but the high views may be less rewarding and the slide may be closed.

The boardwalk over the Avonmore River Valley

The walk starts on a boardwalk that carries you out over the Avonmore River Valley. The route changes gradually rather than forcing a sudden climb, so you get time to notice the forest from several heights.

At first, the trees surround you at a familiar ground-level distance. As the boardwalk rises, the view changes. You begin to look across branches and through gaps in the canopy instead of simply walking among trunks. That steady change is the central idea of the attraction, and it works well for people who want more than a standard woodland path.

You pass 99 different tree species, with information along the route to help you identify and understand them. One especially interesting detail is the group of trees planted by Samuel Hayes more than 300 years ago. Those trees give the walk a direct link to Avondale’s past without requiring a formal historical tour.

The learning points are short and easy to use as you go. I would not plan on reading every panel if you have young children eager to move on, but the route lets you stop when something catches your attention. That flexible format suits mixed-age groups.

Play areas that give children a reason to pause

Families get more from this attraction than a long walk among trees. Along the boardwalk, you find games focused on birds, animals, and forest habitats. These stations give children something active to do while adults take in the views or read about the trees.

The play areas also help break up the 1.4-kilometer route. A young child may not care about the age of a tree or the structure of the forest, but a game about the animals living there can hold attention. Children must be supervised at all times, so this is not a place where adults can simply send children ahead alone.

Once you finish the treetop route, you can continue the family day at the Walled Garden. The children’s playground beside the Seed Café adds another useful stop, particularly if your family needs a little more activity after the tower.

The tunnel and the climb to 38 meters

Near the end of the walkway, you pass through a short underground tunnel. You then emerge beside the Viewing Tower, where the route changes from a woodland walk into a long upward climb.

The tower uses a spiral ramped boardwalk rather than stairs. You rise slowly, with views changing at each level. The route never exceeds a 6-degree gradient and includes resting points, making it suitable for wheelchairs and prams. Medical-grade wheelchairs are allowed, and mobility scooters are permitted when a person cannot comfortably transfer to a manual wheelchair.

The gentle slope is a practical strength, but it also means the ascent takes some time. You do not reach the top in one quick flight of steps. Instead, the walk gives you repeated chances to stop, catch your breath, and look back over the forest.

Keep an ear out for the Great Spotted Woodpecker family nesting in nearby eucalyptus trees. You may not see them, but the detail adds another layer to the climb. It encourages you to pay attention to sounds as well as views.

People with vertigo should think carefully before booking. The tower rises high above the ground, and the open views may feel uncomfortable if heights trouble you. The route is accessible, but accessible does not mean suitable for everyone’s sense of balance or comfort.

The viewing platform and Wicklow views

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

The quality of the view depends heavily on the day. On a clear, sunny visit, you get the broadest sweep and the strongest sense of height. Cloud, rain, or mist can limit what you see, but the structure still gives you a different view of the forest below.

I like that the viewing platform is the payoff for a gradual walk rather than an elevator ride. You notice the height building level by level. That said, the route may feel long to anyone who mainly wants a quick lookout. The attraction works best when you treat the walk itself as the main event, with the panorama as the reward.

The platform can be a lively point in the visit, especially when families are waiting for the slide. Take your time, but keep an eye on children near the edges and open sections. Supervision remains the responsibility of the adult accompanying each child.

The 90-meter slide costs €2 extra

After reaching the viewing platform, you can walk back down or take the 90-meter slide inside the tower. The slide costs €2 per person and must be paid separately on site.

It is a fun option for children and anyone who enjoys a quick finish. The catch is timing. Queues can be long during busy periods, and the slide closes in wet or humid weather for safety reasons. Do not build your whole visit around it, since opening depends on conditions.

If the slide is closed, the ramp gives you a calm descent and another chance to take in the views. Walking down also works better for anyone who dislikes enclosed slides or prefers not to pay an extra charge after buying the main ticket.

What the $18 ticket includes

The entry price is $18 per person. For that amount, you receive access to the Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower, plus several park facilities that can extend your day:

• Forest trails throughout Avondale Forest
• Picnic tables in different parts of the park
• The Coillte Pavilion forestry exhibition
• The Walled Garden
• The children’s playground beside the Seed Café
• Toilets and changing places
• Learning and activity stations along the route

The value is strongest if you plan to stay for several hours. The ticket is less compelling if you only want a short viewpoint visit, since the route takes time and parking adds another €6. Families should also allow for possible extra slide charges.

The Seed Café serves freshly prepared food using locally sourced ingredients. You can eat there or use one of the picnic tables around the park. Bringing your own food gives you more control over cost, while the café offers an easy option after the walk.

A family ticket is not available in the supplied booking information, so families should calculate the total using the individual rate. Carers go free, but the carer ticket is available at reception on arrival rather than through the advance booking.

Accessibility, dogs, and practical limits

This is one of the more accessible treetop attractions you can choose. The full spiral route is designed for wheelchairs and prams, with a maximum gradient of 6 degrees and resting points at each level. That makes the tower climb possible without stairs.

Assistance dogs are allowed on the Treetop Walk and inside the buildings. Other dogs may be taken on a leash through the forest trails and Walled Gardens, but not on the Treetop Walk or Viewing Tower.

The attraction is best for people who enjoy a self-guided outdoor visit. You will not have a named guide explaining each stop, and the route is designed for you to read, pause, and move on at your own pace. That independence is helpful for families and photographers, but anyone wanting a detailed guided forest talk may find the format limited.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the visit, and you can reserve now and pay later. The ticket is valid for one day, with starting times shown during availability checks. The activity begins and ends at the forest park meeting point.

Who will enjoy Avondale most?

I would recommend this for families, couples, and anyone who likes a walk with a clear destination. Children get play stations and a playground, adults get forest information and views, and wheelchair users can use the same main route rather than needing a separate experience.

It also suits people who want an easy addition to a Wicklow day out. The forest trails, picnic areas, café, and exhibition mean you can stay after the tower instead of driving on immediately.

I would be more cautious if you have vertigo, dislike heights, or want a short and quiet walk. The tower is high, the route is open in places, and busy periods can bring queues for the slide. Poor weather will not remove access to the walk, but it can reduce the quality of the panorama.

Should you book the Treetop Walk?

Book it if you want an active, family-friendly forest experience with a strong viewpoint at the end. The accessible ramp, variety of tree species, children’s play stations, and extra park facilities give the $18 ticket solid value when you stay for much of the day.

Skip it if you only want a quick lookout, cannot tolerate heights, or are visiting in weather that will hide the Wicklow views. If you do go, collect your QR code at reception first, wear proper shoes, and decide in advance if the €2 slide is worth waiting for.

FAQ

Where is the Avondale Treetop Walk and Tower?

It is located at Avondale Forest Park in County Wicklow, Ireland. From the car park, follow the directions to the main reception and then to the Treetop Walk entrance.

How long is the Treetop Walk?

The route covers 1.4 kilometers. It moves from ground level through the forest and up toward the treetop canopy before reaching the Viewing Tower.

How high is the Viewing Tower?

The viewing platform is 38 meters above the ground. From there, you can see Avondale Forest Park, the Wicklow Mountains, and the surrounding area.

Is the Treetop Walk wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The ramped boardwalk never exceeds a 6-degree gradient and has resting points on each level. Medical-grade wheelchairs are allowed, and prams can use the route.

Are mobility scooters allowed?

Mobility scooters are permitted when a person cannot comfortably transfer to a manual wheelchair.

Is parking included in the ticket?

No. Parking costs €6, payable on entry, and the fee covers the full day.

How much does the tower slide cost?

The 90-meter slide costs €2 per person. It can have long queues and may close during wet or humid weather.

Can I bring my dog?

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.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the weather. You must also check in at reception first to collect your entry QR code before proceeding to the Treetop Walk gate.