This walk is well within the capacity of most reasonably active walkers – the  vast majority is on the flat with only a very short mild ascent at one point. The valley – Gleann na Smól  is a piece of heaven and though the reservoir is man-made the whole area is a haven of the natural world.

The walk commences in the car park of the Dublin City Reservoir in Bohernabreena. There is parking for about 12 to 15 cars in the car park.

To get to the car park at the entrance to the Reservoir – from Rathfarnham – follow Butterfield Avenue and Firhouse Road – passing Firhouse Shopping Centre on the left, Firhouse Community College on the left, straight through the next junction (Millhouse Lounge on your right) and at the fork take the right fork. The left is signposted Bohernabreena Cemetery – please don’t take it).

Keep an eye for the sharp bends ahead – this zig zag gets you across the bridge. Immediately after this bridge there are green gates  on your left – this is the entrance to the Reservoir.

From the Tallaght by-pass take the turn for Old Bawn – straight through until you have Millhouse Lounge on your right. Turn right at the traffic lights at the Millhouse and follow the road keeping right at the fork as described above.

From Terenure, Kimmage, Walkinstown – Across Templeogue Bridge and take right turn (at Blue Haven Pub) on to Firhouse road.

From the car park  we will follow the path (most of it tarmacced) and at the sign (“Staff only beyond this” – or some such)swing right on to the gravel path bringing you to the upper reservoir. When you get to the gate at the far end of the upper reservoir, (about 45 minutes) exit by gate to tarmacced lane. Having exited turn left and after 30 metres on this tarmac lane take left turn by gate. This left turn brings you on to a gravel path. Follow this gravel path – this path completes a circuit of the upper reservoir and brings us back to our outgoing path. There is one very interesting diversion on this part of our walk – takes about 5 minutes!!

Because of the limited car park spaces (12 to 15) I suggest that we meet in the car park of the Millhouse Lounge (Formerly Brigid Burke’s Pub)  at 10.15am and car pool from there to the Reservoir Car Park. We will move off on our walk at 10.30am.

Suggest walking boots – good underfoot conditions though gravel path may have some surface water – not much.

Overall – two hours walking.