Avondale: Beyond the Trees Treetop Walk & Tower Entry Ticket

The forest rises beneath your feet. At Avondale Forest Park in County Wicklow, you walk 1.4 kilometers from woodland floor to treetop height, then climb a gentle spiral ramp to a viewing platform 38 meters above the ground. I like the changing views and the clever mix of nature, play, and simple learning stations.

I also like that the route passes 99 tree species, including trees planted by Samuel Hayes more than 300 years ago. The main drawback is weather: cloudy skies can soften the views, and the optional 90-meter slide closes in wet or humid conditions. People with vertigo may also find the tower uncomfortable.

Key points at a glance

• A 1.4-kilometer forest route: The boardwalk shifts from ground-level woodland to the treetop canopy above the Avonmore River Valley.
• A 38-meter viewing platform: The circular tower platform gives you wide views over Avondale Forest Park, the Wicklow Mountains, and the surrounding countryside.
• 99 tree species along the way: Signs and learning stations help you notice the forest rather than simply walk through it.
• Wheelchair and pram friendly: The ramp never exceeds a 6-degree gradient and includes resting points on each level.
• A €2 tower slide: You can ride the 90-meter slide down, though queues and weather-related closures are possible.
• More than a single attraction: Your ticket also covers forest trails, the Walled Garden, the children’s playground, picnic tables, and the forestry exhibition at the Coillte Pavilion.

Walking into Avondale Forest Park

Your visit begins at Avondale Forest Park, not at the Treetop Walk entrance itself. From the car park, follow the signs to the main reception and collect your entry QR code and directions before going any farther. This step matters. You must check in at reception first, and a printed voucher is required.

Parking costs €6 for the full day, paid separately on arrival. That fee is worth factoring into the total, especially if you are visiting as a family or planning to stay for the forest trails, café, playground, and Walled Garden rather than leaving after the tower.

Once you have checked in, you follow the directions to the Treetop Walk gate. The route returns you to the same general meeting point, so you do not need to arrange separate transport at the far end. The activity is valid for one day, giving you room to enjoy the wider park at your own pace.

The 1.4-kilometer boardwalk through the trees

The walk begins on a boardwalk extending over the Avonmore River Valley. At first, you are close to the forest floor. As the route continues, it gradually carries you upward and outward, giving you a different view of the woods with each change in height.

I like this gradual start because it lets you settle into the setting. You are not rushed toward a single viewpoint. Instead, the walk gives you time to notice trunks, branches, river-valley views, and the changing shape of the woodland around you.

The attraction includes information stations and activities about the trees, birds, animals, and forest habitats. These are useful for children, but they also give adults a reason to pause. The route is more engaging when you take time to read and look closely rather than treating it as a quick walk to the tower.

One of the more unusual details is the chance to see trees planted by Samuel Hayes over 300 years ago. The route includes 99 different tree species, so the educational side is not simply a few signs added beside the path. It gives the forest a sense of variety and helps explain why the woodland looks different from one section to the next.

Family play areas beside the forest route

Families should allow extra time along the boardwalk. Play areas include games that explore local birds, animals, and their habitats. These stops break up the walking and give children something active to do while adults take in the views.

The route is comfortable enough for a relaxed family outing, but children still need supervision at all times. The height and open views can be exciting, and the boardwalk is not a place to let younger children race ahead.

You will find more child-friendly space after the walk. The Walled Garden beside the Seed Café includes an adventurous playground, while picnic tables are spread through different parts of the forest park. This makes the attraction easier to use as a half-day outing instead of a short, isolated activity.

The Seed Café serves freshly prepared food made with locally sourced ingredients. The supplied information does not give opening times or a sample menu, so check current details before planning your meal around it. Still, having food, toilets, changing facilities, picnic areas, and a playground on site gives the visit useful flexibility.

Passing through the tunnel to the viewing tower

At the end of the boardwalk, you pass through a short underground tunnel. This small transition marks the change from the forest walk to the main tower climb. You emerge with the Viewing Tower ahead, and from here the route begins its long upward curve.

The tower is reached by a ramped boardwalk rather than a conventional staircase. It rises gradually, with a maximum gradient of 6 degrees and resting points on each level. That design makes the climb accessible to wheelchairs and prams, and it also helps anyone who prefers a steady pace.

As you climb, the view changes in stages. The forest that seemed tall from below begins to spread out beneath you. You can pause along the way, catch your breath, and watch the tree canopy shift from eye level to below you.

Keep an ear open for the Great Spotted Woodpecker family that nests in nearby eucalyptus trees. Seeing wildlife is never guaranteed, but the reminder gives you a useful reason to slow down and listen. The route works best when you treat it as a forest observation walk, not just a climb to a photo stop.

The 38-meter platform and Wicklow views

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 County Wicklow countryside.

Clear weather makes a real difference. One visitor specifically recommended choosing a sunny day because the view is beautiful, and that is sound advice. On a gray or rainy day, the walk can still be pleasant, but the long-distance views may lose much of their appeal.

The platform is the emotional high point of the route, but it is not a silent lookout. You may find other people stopping for photographs or waiting for the slide, particularly during busy periods. If you want a calmer visit, arrive with enough time to pause without feeling pressed to move on.

The tower can be challenging for anyone uncomfortable with height. Since the walk rises gradually, you may notice the height building slowly rather than facing one sudden exposure. Still, the platform is high, and the experience is not suitable for people with vertigo.

The optional 90-meter slide

For €2 per person, you can return to ground level on the 90-meter slide inside the tower. The ride is not included in the entry ticket, and payment is made separately on site.

One visitor described the slide as great craic, and it adds a playful finish to the more thoughtful forest walk. It is especially likely to appeal to older children and anyone who enjoys a small burst of speed after the slow climb.

Do not make the slide the main reason for your visit. Long queues can form during busy periods, and the slide operates only when weather and safety conditions allow. It closes in wet or humid weather, so a damp day may leave you with the ramp as your only way down.

The ordinary descent is not a problem. You can simply walk back down the ramped boardwalk, taking in the view from a lower angle as you return to the base.

What the $18 ticket really covers

At $18 per person, the admission price is reasonable if you use more than the tower. Your ticket includes the Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower, learning stations, forest trails, picnic-table access, the Walled Garden, the children’s playground, and the forestry exhibition at the Coillte Pavilion.

That wider access is important. If you arrive, complete the walk, and leave immediately, the ticket is mainly paying for one attraction. If you stay for the café, a picnic, playground time, the exhibition, or another forest trail, the price begins to feel much stronger.

The separate €6 car park fee adds to the cost, and the optional slide costs another €2 per person. There is no family ticket option available in the supplied booking information, which can make the total less attractive for larger groups. A carer ticket is available free at reception on arrival.

The ability to reserve now and pay later, along with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit, can help if your Wicklow plans depend on the weather. Check the available starting times before booking, as the ticket is valid for one day but does not mean you can ignore any time information shown during booking.

Accessibility and practical comfort

This is one of the stronger points of the attraction. The ramped boardwalk is wheelchair and pram accessible, never exceeding a 6-degree gradient, and includes resting points. All medical-grade wheelchairs are allowed on the Treetop Walk.

Mobility scooters are also permitted, but only when a person cannot comfortably transfer to a manual wheelchair. If accessibility is important for your group, confirm your needs at reception and allow time for the check-in process.

Comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the weather are the sensible choices. The route is outdoors, and conditions can affect both comfort and the long-distance views. Toilets and changing places are available in the park.

Pets are not allowed on the Treetop Walk or Viewing Tower. Dogs may be on a leash along the forest trails and in the Walled Gardens, but only registered assistance dogs are permitted inside the buildings and on the Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower.

Who will enjoy Avondale most?

I would recommend this experience to families who want more than a playground, couples looking for a gentle outdoor outing, and anyone interested in trees, views, and a little height without a strenuous hike. The gradual ramp makes it approachable for a wide range of fitness levels.

It is also a good choice for a flexible day in County Wicklow. You can complete the main walk, then decide if you want food, a picnic, forest trails, the exhibition, or time in the Walled Garden.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a dramatic adventure ride. The route is designed as a calm, educational walk, and the slide is optional, weather-dependent, and sometimes busy. People with vertigo should skip it, and anyone hoping for guaranteed wildlife sightings should treat the woodpecker family as a pleasant possibility rather than a promise.

The experience is not guided in the usual sense. You receive directions at reception and follow the route independently. That suits people who prefer to stop for photographs, read signs at their own speed, and avoid being tied to a group.

Should you book the Avondale Treetop Walk?

Book it if you want an easygoing outdoor attraction that combines Wicklow views with a proper forest walk. The best value comes from staying several hours and using the wider park, not from racing to the tower and leaving.

Choose a clear day if the platform views matter most, and arrive prepared for the €6 parking charge and possible €2 slide fee. Families should note that no family ticket is available, while wheelchair users and pram users can benefit from the gradual, accessible route.

For a sunny-weather outing with children, the play areas, tower, and slide can make this a memorable stop. For a quieter nature visit, skip the busiest slide periods and give yourself time to notice the old trees, learning stations, and changing views over the Avonmore River Valley.

FAQ

How long is the Avondale Treetop Walk?

The route covers 1.4 kilometers through and above Avondale Forest Park. The ticket is valid for one day, so you can spend additional time using the park facilities and forest trails.

How high is the Viewing Tower?

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

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 permitted, and mobility scooters are allowed in specific circumstances.

Is the Treetop Walk suitable for prams?

Yes. The spiral ramped boardwalk is designed to be pram accessible. Children must still be supervised throughout the experience.

Does the ticket include the tower slide?

No. The 90-meter slide costs €2 per person and is paid for separately on site. It may have long queues and can close in wet or humid weather.

How much does parking cost?

Parking costs €6 and is paid separately when you enter the car park. The fee covers the full day.

Can I bring a dog?

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

Do I need to check in before reaching the Treetop Walk gate?

Yes. You must go to the main reception first to collect your entry QR code and receive directions. A printed voucher is required.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.