Knockree

About Knockree

Overlooking the verdant Glencree valley, this modest Wicklow summit offers a gentler alternative to its loftier neighbours. Situated right on the Wicklow Way, the ascent through woodland and open pasture reveals an exceptional profile of the Great Sugar Loaf and the rugged slopes of Maulin and Prince William’s Seat.

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Did You Know?

• •The name derives from the Irish 'Cnoc an Rí', which translates to 'Hill of the King', likely referencing a legendary local chieftain or the hill's position as a landmark on ancient tribal boundaries.
• •The hill is a focal point of the Wicklow Way; its lower slopes house the Knockree Youth Hostel, a converted 18th-century farmhouse that has served as a primary stop for long-distance hikers since the trail opened in 1980.
• •The summit offers a clear perspective of the Glencree valley's history, looking directly toward the former British military barracks and the German Military Cemetery located on the opposite slopes.
• •Views from the top are particularly prized for the sight of the Dargle River cutting through the valley floor below, framed by the dark, heather-clad shoulders of Djouce and the granite cliffs of Eagle’s Crag.
• •The ascent from the Dargle River crossing is just steep enough to remind walkers that a hill needn't be a mountain to provide a thorough testing of the calf muscles.