Little Sugar Loaf

About Little Sugar Loaf

Rising as a sharp, quartzite contrast to the rolling green fields of Wicklow, this rugged hill offers a short but rewarding scramble. Though overshadowed by its taller namesake to the west, its proximity to the coast provides immediate, dramatic views over the Irish Sea and the nearby cliffs of Bray Head.

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Did You Know?

• •The Irish name for the hill is Giolla na hAille, meaning 'the servant of the cliff', though it is also commonly referred to by locals as Kilmacanogue Mountain.
• •The hill is composed of Cambrian quartzite, a hard, ancient rock that gives the summit its pale appearance and distinctive conical shape, mirrored by the Great Sugar Loaf just across the valley.
• •From the summit, the view stretches across the Victorian seaside town of Bray to the north, while to the south, the coastline curves away past Greystones towards Wicklow Head.
• •Despite standing at a modest 342 metres, the hill is classified as a Marilyn due to its significant prominence; it stands isolated enough from the main Wicklow massif to feel like a mountain in its own right.
• •The final pull to the summit involves enough loose rock and steep gradients to make those who underestimated its 'Little' moniker quickly regret wearing their casual Sunday trainers.