Avondale: Beyond the Trees Treetop Walk & Tower Entry Ticket

The best part of Beyond the Trees Avondale is the steady rise from forest floor to treetop height, then up to a viewing platform 38 meters above the ground. You begin with a calm boardwalk through County Wicklow’s woods and finish with broad views of the Avonmore River Valley and Wicklow Mountains.

I like two things here. First, the 1.4-kilometer route gives you more than a quick lookout: you see old trees, changing forest levels, and play stations along the way. Second, the ramped tower walkway is gentle enough for wheelchairs and prams, with resting points as you climb. The main drawback is that the best views depend on the weather, and the optional slide can have long waits or close when conditions are wet.

Key points before you go

• The route covers 1.4 kilometers: You move from ground level through the trees and out above the Avonmore River Valley.
• The tower reaches 38 meters: A circular platform gives you wide views of Avondale Forest Park, the Wicklow Mountains, and the countryside beyond.
• Ninety-nine tree species line the route: Look for trees planted by Samuel Hayes more than 300 years ago.
• The boardwalk is family-friendly: Play areas and learning stations explain forest birds, animals, and habitats.
• The €18 ticket is only part of the cost: Parking is €6 for the day, and the tower slide costs another €2 per person.
• Access is thoughtfully planned: The ramp never exceeds a 6-degree gradient, and medical-grade wheelchairs are allowed on the walk.

Starting at reception, not at the forest gate

Your visit begins at Avondale Forest Park in County Wicklow. From the car park, follow the signs to the main reception before walking toward the Treetop Walk entrance. This order matters: you must collect your entry QR code at reception first. Do not go straight to the walk gate and expect to check in there.

You need a printed voucher, so bring it with you. The activity is valid for one day, with starting times dependent on availability. The ticket costs about $18 per person, while the car park charges €6 on arrival for the full day. That parking fee is separate, and payment for the car park and slide is made on site.

This setup makes the ticket fairly good value if you plan to spend several hours in the park. You are not paying only for a tower climb. Your admission also covers the full Treetop Walk, activity and learning stations, forest trails, picnic tables, the Coillte Pavilion forestry exhibition, the Walled Garden, and children’s playground access.

The first 1.4 kilometers through Avondale Forest

The route begins on a boardwalk that reaches out over the Avonmore River Valley. At first, you are close to ground level, with forest habitat around you and fresh air coming through the trees. As the walk continues, the boardwalk gradually changes height, giving you a new angle on the woods every few minutes.

I like this slow start. You have time to look around instead of being pushed straight toward a single photo stop. The route works as a comfortable stroll, but it still has enough changes in height and scenery to keep the walk interesting.

Information along the way introduces the trees you pass. Avondale includes 99 different species, which gives the route a clear educational purpose without turning it into a formal lesson. You can take your time identifying trees and looking for older plantings connected with Samuel Hayes, who planted some of them more than 300 years ago.

That age gives the forest a sense of time you do not get from a simple treetop zip line or viewing tower. The attraction is not about speed. It lets you notice how the forest changes from the lower trunks and undergrowth to the canopy above.

Play stations and forest lessons for children

If you are visiting with children, the boardwalk includes play areas and learning stations about birds, animals, and their habitats. These stops give young visitors something to do besides walk and look at trees, which can make a real difference on a family outing.

Children must be supervised at all times. The activity is also useful for adults who like to understand what they are seeing, since the information points help connect the forest to the wildlife that lives there.

The route has a pleasant balance. You can pause at the stations, take photographs, or simply keep walking. Families should allow extra time rather than treating the 1.4 kilometers as a quick point-to-point route.

One specific sound to listen for is the Great Spotted Woodpecker family nesting in nearby eucalyptus trees. You may not spot the birds, but the detail gives you a reason to slow down and pay attention as you climb toward the tower.

Through the tunnel to the viewing tower

At the end of the forest boardwalk, you pass through a short underground tunnel. It creates a small change of mood before you emerge near the Viewing Tower. The walk has been gradual and quiet up to this point, and the tower gives the visit a clear sense of arrival.

The climb uses a broad, ramped boardwalk that spirals upward. You do not need to manage a steep staircase. Instead, you gain height slowly, with views changing at each level.

The ramp never exceeds a 6-degree gradient and includes resting points. That makes the tower practical for many wheelchair users, people using medical-grade wheelchairs, and families with prams. Mobility scooters are also allowed when a visitor cannot comfortably transfer to a manual wheelchair.

This is one of the strongest features of the attraction. A tower experience often excludes anyone who cannot handle stairs, but here the route is designed as a gradual climb. You should still bring comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the weather, since much of the experience takes place outside.

The 38-meter platform and Wicklow views

At the top, the circular viewing platform sits 38 meters above the ground. From here, you look across Avondale Forest Park, toward the Wicklow Mountains, and beyond into the surrounding countryside.

A sunny day will give you the clearest views. Good weather also helps you appreciate the way the boardwalk connects the forest below with the open countryside in the distance. On a gray or rainy day, the views will be more limited, but the forest portion remains worthwhile.

The platform is the high point of the visit, both literally and photographically. If you want a wide view of Wicklow without tackling a mountain hike, this is the easy option. You gain height without a demanding climb, and you can choose your own pace.

There is one practical caution: this is not a good choice for people with vertigo. The height is central to the experience, and the open views from the platform may feel uncomfortable if you are uneasy above the ground.

The optional 90-meter slide

After reaching the top, you can walk back down the ramp or take the giant 90-meter slide inside the tower. The slide costs €2 per person, paid separately.

It adds a burst of fun to what is otherwise a gentle nature walk. Families and anyone young at heart may consider the extra cost worthwhile. One visitor specifically enjoyed the slide, describing it as great craic, but you should plan around possible queues during busy periods.

The slide does not always operate. It can close in wet or humid weather, and opening depends on safety conditions. If it is closed, you can still descend by the normal ramp, so the main attraction does not depend on the slide being available.

My advice is to decide after you reach the tower. Check the queue and the weather rather than treating the slide as an essential part of your booking.

What the $18 ticket includes

At about $18 per person, the ticket offers decent value for a half-day outing, especially if you use the other park facilities. The central feature is the Treetop Walk and Tower, but you also receive access to several extras:

• Forest trails in Avondale Forest
• Picnic tables around the park
• The Coillte Pavilion forestry exhibition
• The Walled Garden and children’s playground
• Toilets and changing places
• Activity and learning stations along the walkway

This matters because the walk itself may take less time for a fast-moving adult than for a family with children. You can stretch the visit with a picnic, a forest trail, or time in the Walled Garden.

The Seed Café provides freshly prepared food using locally sourced ingredients. You can eat there or use one of the picnic tables. If you are making the trip from elsewhere in Wicklow, these options make it easier to turn the ticket into a longer outing instead of a short stop.

The only price issue is the lack of a family ticket option. The ticket is sold per person, so families should calculate the total before booking. Carers go free, but the carer ticket is available at reception on arrival.

A practical visit for families and wheelchair users

The attraction suits families particularly well because it offers several speeds of visit. Adults can enjoy the forest and views, while children can stop at the play stations and later use the playground beside the café.

You need to keep children supervised throughout. The height, boardwalk edges, and tower make this a place for attentive adults, even though the route itself is designed for easy movement.

The accessibility arrangements are unusually useful. The spiral ramp has resting points on every level, and the gradual gradient avoids the need for stairs. Medical-grade wheelchairs are permitted on the full Treetop Walk. Mobility scooters are allowed in the stated situation where a visitor cannot comfortably transfer to a manual wheelchair.

Registered assistance dogs are allowed on the Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower, as well as inside the buildings. Other dogs may walk on a leash along the forest trails and in the Walled Gardens, but pets are not permitted on the Treetop Walk itself.

Weather, clothing, and timing

Bring comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. The walk is outdoors, and the tower platform is exposed to the conditions. A clear day will make the distant views more rewarding, while damp weather may affect the slide and make the boardwalk less comfortable.

The ticket is valid for one day, but starting times depend on availability. Check the available time before you book and allow time to park, reach reception, collect your QR code, and walk to the entrance gate.

The activity is hosted in English. You do not need a guide walking beside you, since the route includes its own information points. That gives you freedom to stop when you want, but it also means you should read the displays if you want the full educational side of the experience.

If you want to avoid a rushed visit, plan time for the café, picnic areas, playground, or forest trails. The ticket covers these facilities, so there is little reason to leave immediately after coming down from the tower.

Who will enjoy Avondale most

I would choose this outing for families, casual walkers, nature lovers, and anyone who wants Wicklow views without a strenuous hill walk. The route is gentle, the information is easy to use, and the playground and café provide useful breaks.

It also suits a mixed group where some people want an accessible walk and others want a high viewpoint. The ramped tower lets everyone follow the same basic route, and the optional slide gives younger visitors an extra thrill.

Photographers should aim for a dry, clear day. The views from the platform are the main reward, and sunlight will bring more detail to the countryside and mountains. If the weather is poor, you will still have the woods, old trees, learning stations, and café, but the tower may feel less worthwhile.

I would not book it if you have serious vertigo or if your main goal is a fast, adrenaline-heavy activity. The slide is short, optional, and weather dependent. Most of the visit is a slow walk through the forest, followed by a gradual climb.

Booking and cancellation details

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Bring the required printed voucher, and remember that QR codes are collected at the main reception before you proceed to the Treetop Walk gate.

The main entry ticket, parking payment, and slide payment are separate. That is easy enough to manage, but you should budget for all three if you are driving and want to use the slide.

Should you book the Avondale Treetop Walk?

Book it if you want an easygoing Wicklow outing with real forest content, family facilities, and a high viewpoint reached without stairs. The strongest reasons are the 99 tree species, the old Samuel Hayes plantings, the accessible ramp, and the broad views from 38 meters up.

For the best version of the day, go when the forecast is dry and clear, arrive early enough to check in at reception without rushing, and allow time beyond the walk itself. Add the €6 car park charge and optional €2 slide to your budget.

Skip it if you dislike heights, need a fully indoor activity, or want a short thrill ride rather than a nature-focused visit. For everyone else, the $18 admission is a sensible buy because it covers a full forest attraction, tower, trails, play areas, picnic space, and the Walled Garden.

FAQ

How long is the Avondale Treetop Walk?

The Treetop Walk covers 1.4 kilometers through and above Avondale Forest Park. The ticket is valid for one day, so you can also spend time on the forest trails and in other park areas.

How high is the Viewing Tower?

The circular viewing platform is 38 meters above the ground. It provides views across Avondale Forest Park, the Wicklow Mountains, and the surrounding countryside.

Is the Treetop Walk wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The ramped boardwalk never exceeds a 6-degree gradient and has resting points on each level. Medical-grade wheelchairs are allowed, and mobility scooters are permitted in the stated situation for visitors unable to transfer comfortably to a manual wheelchair.

How much does parking cost?

Parking costs €6, paid on entry to the car park. The fee covers the full day and is separate from the Treetop Walk ticket.

Does the tower slide cost extra?

Yes. The 90-meter slide costs €2 per person. It may have long queues and can close in wet or humid weather, depending on safety conditions.

Are dogs allowed?

Pets are not allowed on the Treetop Walk or Viewing Tower. Registered assistance dogs are permitted there and inside the buildings. Dogs may be walked on a leash along the forest trails and within the Walled Gardens.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and your printed voucher. You must check in at the main reception to collect your QR code before going to the Treetop Walk entrance gate.