Avondale: Beyond the Trees Treetop Walk & Tower Entry Ticket

Trees and views, without the sweaty climb. I like how the 1.4-kilometer treetop walk takes you from the boardwalk out over the Avonmore River Valley straight into the canopy zone, and I love the tree learning along the way, with signs for 99 species plus the ones planted centuries ago. The whole experience feels designed for your senses, not just your feet.

The tower part is what makes the ticket feel special. You climb up a spiral ramped walkway to a circular viewing platform 38 meters above the ground, and the panoramas can be seriously worth the effort. One thing to plan for: the extra 90-meter slide can get long queues at busy times and may close in wet or humid weather.

Key things that make Avondale Beyond the Trees worth your time

• A 1.4-kilometer walk that rises into the treetops, not just a flat stroll
• Boardwalk views over the Avonmore River Valley from the ground up
• Tree spotting with 99 different species, plus plantings tied to Samuel Hayes from over 300 years ago
• A spiral tower climb on a ramped walkway, with resting points along the way
• A circular viewing platform at 38 meters, for wide views over the Wicklow Mountains and beyond
• Family extras along the route, including play areas and a walled garden by the Seed Café

First, get your QR code at the right desk

Your visit starts at Avondale Forest Park reception. Before you even think about heading toward the Treetop Walk entrance gate, you must check in at the main reception and collect your QR code. This step matters because they direct you to the correct entrance once your ticket is scanned.

Practical tip: wear your comfy walking shoes immediately. You’ll be on boardwalk surfaces for the main section, and you will likely want to stop for photos at multiple viewpoints along the way.

If you’re traveling with kids, this is also a good moment to do a quick snack-and-water check. There are places to sit later in the park, including picnic tables, but you will still want everyone feeling steady before the upward climb begins.

The treetop walk: 1.4 km of forest views that slowly get higher

The main draw is a self-guided route that feels like a walk plus an educational tour rolled into one. You begin on a boardwalk that stretches out over the Avonmore River Valley. From the start, you’re not just looking at trees, you’re also looking out, and then gradually looking higher.

The walking pace is easy. It’s described as a comfortable stroll with views changing as the terrain rises, from ground level right up toward the canopy. If you like travel experiences that are active but not exhausting, this fits.

What you’ll notice while walking

You’ll pass learning stations and information points about the forest around you. The big promise is tree education: you’ll see 99 different species of trees, each one marked so you can connect the plants to the habitat. You’ll also find references to trees planted by Samuel Hayes over 300 years ago, which adds a sense of continuity to what you’re seeing.

Then there’s the sensory part. Keep an ear open for birds while you move. One standout detail is a family of Great Spotted Woodpeckers nesting in nearby eucalyptus trees. You might not spot them on every visit, but being on the lookout makes the walk feel alive.

Boardwalk play areas that actually break up the route

If you’re visiting with children, the route includes play areas along the boardwalk, including games that explore birds and animals and their habitats. Even if your kids are older, these stops help reset attention spans, and you’re back on the trail soon after.

The underground tunnel and the moment the tower adventure begins

When you reach the end of the treetop walkway, the experience switches gears. There’s a short underground tunnel, then you come out into the tower area.

That tunnel sounds like a small detail, but it works. It marks a clear transition from forest-level walking to higher elevation movement. It also gives you a brief pause point before the climb, which is helpful if you’re with kids or anyone who likes to conserve energy for the later views.

Climbing to 38 meters: the spiral ramped walkway inside the tower

Once you enter the tower section, the climb is on a spiral ramped boardwalk, not steps. The gradient stays gentle. It’s listed as never exceeding 6 degrees, and there are resting points on each level. This is a big deal for many visitors because you can take it at your own speed, without that stop-start feeling that some step-heavy towers create.

You’ll keep getting a new angle on the park as you rise. Each curve changes what you can see, so even during the climb you’re not just counting steps.

Viewing platform payoff

At the top, you reach the circular viewing platform, 38 meters above the ground. The views are panoramic over Avondale Forest Park, the Wicklow Mountains, and beyond. If you care about photography, bring a phone with enough storage and plan to spend a few minutes just looking around, not constantly snapping.

If the weather is clear, the tower gives you that classic high-ground travel feeling. If it’s cloudy, you still get depth and layered views, even if they’re more muted.

The slide option: fast fun, possible queues, and weather limits

You have two ways to get back down from the tower: you can walk down, or you can use the giant slide inside the tower. The slide is an add-on and costs €2 per person.

Here’s the practical side. During busy periods, the slide can have long queues. Also, opening depends on weather and safety conditions, and it may close in wet or humid weather. So if you’re traveling with kids and the slide is the highlight, consider having a Plan B mindset, meaning you’re happy to walk down if the slide isn’t running.

After the tower: where to linger in Avondale Forest Park

Once you finish the trek, you’re not done. Your ticket lets you spend more time in the park afterward. That matters because it turns the day into an easy half-day or longer nature break instead of a rigid timed activity.

You can:

• Sit at picnic tables placed around the forest park
• Visit the Seed Café for freshly prepared dishes using locally sourced ingredients
• Spend time in the walled garden next to the café, which includes an adventurous playground for kids

There’s also a free exhibition on forestry at the Coillte Pavilion. Even if you don’t read everything, it gives you a nice context layer for what you just walked through.

If you’re with teens or adults who want a little extra variety after the walk, the exhibition plus a slow snack break is a good combination. It also gives everyone time to cool down if you climbed the tower earlier in the day.

Price reality check: $18 ticket plus a couple of extras

The ticket price is $18 per person, and your entry is valid for 1 day, with starting times listed based on availability.

What can change your total cost:

• Parking costs €6.00 and is payable on entry, covering the full day
• The tower slide costs €2 per person and is not included

So the best value thinking is this: the main ticket covers the treetop walk and tower entry, the learning stations along the walkway, and access to key areas like the walled garden and picnic table spaces. The main optional fun add-on is the slide, plus parking.

If you’re just doing the walk and taking the ramp down, you can keep costs closer to the advertised ticket. If you want the slide, budget for it upfront so it doesn’t feel like a surprise.

Accessibility and who will enjoy this most

This is one of the more accessible nature attractions in the area, based on how the route is described.

• The spiral ramped boardwalk rises gradually and never exceeds a 6-degree gradient.
• Resting points exist on each level.
• Wheelchair and pram access is specifically supported by that gradual rise.
• Medical-grade wheelchairs are allowed.
• Mobility scooters are permitted, but only if someone cannot transfer comfortably to a manual wheelchair.
• WC and changing places are available.

One important note for suitability: it is not suitable for people with vertigo. If that describes you, skip the tower section and consider a different type of nature outing.

Best fit for:

• Families with kids who enjoy hands-on learning and short activity bursts
• People who want great views without extreme hiking
• Anyone who likes self-guided experiences with clear interpretive stations
• Visitors who appreciate accessibility details planned into the route design

My booking advice: choose the right day and plan your descent

Should you book it? If you want a day in County Wicklow that mixes outdoor time, learning, and a genuine view payoff, yes. The combination of the boardwalk out over the river valley and the tower climb makes the ticket feel like more than a single attraction.

I’d book it especially if:

• You’re traveling with children and want play points along the route
• You like nature experiences where you can stop, read, and look around without a strict schedule
• You want a high viewpoint but still prefer a ramp-style climb

Skip or adjust your expectations if:

• You or someone in your group has vertigo
• You strongly care about the slide being available at a specific time, since weather and queue length can affect it

If you’re able, aim for good visibility conditions. Clearer days usually make the tower views more satisfying, and that’s the moment everyone will remember when the day is over.

FAQ

Do I need to collect a QR code at reception?

Yes. You must check in at the main reception first to collect your QR code before proceeding to the Treetop Walk entrance gate.

How long is the treetop walk and tower ticket?

The ticket is valid for 1 day. The treetop walk route is described as a 1.4-kilometer journey through and above the forest, with tower access afterward.

How high is the viewing platform?

The viewing platform in the tower is 38 meters above the ground.

Is the 90-meter slide included in the ticket price?

No. The slide is an extra add-on that costs €2 per person.

Is there a parking fee?

Yes. Parking costs €6.00 payable on entry, and it covers the full day.

Is the Treetop Walk accessible for wheelchairs and prams?

Yes. The spiral ramped boardwalk rises gradually and never exceeds a gradient of 6 degrees, with resting points on each level. Wheelchair and pram access is supported.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are not allowed in the forest. Assistance dogs are allowed.

What should I bring for the walk?

Bring comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.

Is this suitable for people with vertigo?

No. It is listed as not suitable for people with vertigo.