The Lug Endurance Challenge is a three-day camping expedition in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains covering a distance of 85 km with 3500 metres of ascent. This linear traverse, through mainly open mountain, takes in more than 20 summits.
About nine kilometers from the start, this walk joins the tamer classic Lug Walk, following it for the next 51 km to Seskin, and then it curls back for another 26 km until it reaches the finish in the monastic settlement of Glendalough.
In fact, I created this route as a way to do a recce (reconnaissance) on the classic Lug Walk, which as a linear route makes the logistics of getting to and from the start and end points frustrating. The pleasure of this route is that it can be done completely from the center of Dublin via public transport.
This expedition is an extreme test of endurance, navigation, camping and survival. You will need to carry your own shelter and food for at least three days. The shelter should be a tent, or if more daring, a bivouac. The weather on the Wicklow mountains can change very quickly with temperatures plummeting and increasing the risk of hypothermia, so you should ensure that you have sufficient clothing to stay warm and proper rain gear to keep it dry.
Travelling from the center of Dublin, there are frequent trams (Red Line Luas) that will take you to the start of this expedition in Tallaght. At the end, in the Glendalough Visitors center, the St Kevin’s bus service will ferry you back to the center of Dublin. Normal, the last bus from Glendalough to Dublin leaves at 16:30, however you should check the latest bus timetable for any changes.