In the wilds of Powerscourt Waterfall / La cascade de Powerscourt côté nature

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The Powerscourt Waterfall looks its best in autumn – in my opinion at least. We have visited it in October for the past three years, and it has never failed to wow us, nestled as it is between steep hillsides clad with russet bracken, mossy rocks and ancient trees adorned in autumn colours.

Still, despite visiting once or twice every year, we had never explored the wilds of Powerscourt Waterfall, i.e. the woodlands and trails on the opposite side of the Dargle River.

Like every time, the afternoon started at the wonderful playground, before moving on to the waterfall itself. The car park was full and the site was busy with Sunday visitors making the most of the calm and mild conditions.

It was one of those typically Irish ‘soft days’, as they are called here. Not really wet, not truly dry, not exactly misty. 

Duly kitted out in their Puddlegear rain gear and wellies, the acorns were ready for some serious river action. Walking up to the waterfall, they immediately clambered over the large damp boulders at the foot of the cascade.

We eventually crossed the river further downstream and climbed up the bank to find a surfaced trail meandering through the hillside.


En automne, la cascade de Powerscourt paraît plus belle que jamais. Ces trois dernières années, nous l’avons visitée en octobre et elle n’a jamais manqué de nous époustoufler, blottie dans son écrin autommnal de fougères rousses, de rochers moussus et d’arbres noueux aux feuilles multicolores.

Pourtant, même en y allant une à deux fois par an, nous n’avions jamais exploré le côté nature de la cascade de Powerscourt, c’est-à-dire les snetiers et les bois situés sur l’autre rive de la rivière Dargle.

Comme à chaque fois, l’après-midi a commené à la splendide aire de jeux, avant de poursuivre jusqu’à la cascade. Le parking était plein et le site regorgeait de visiteurs du dimanche profitant de la météo calme et clémente.

C’était une des ces journées “douces” typiques d’Irlande. Pas vraiment pluvieuse, pas exactement sèche non plus.

Dûment parés dans leurs impermébales Puddlegear et bottes en caoutchouc, les graines de chêne étaient prêts pour de sérieuses éclaboussures. En arrivant au pied de la cascade, ils ont immédiatement escaladé les gros rochers mouillés d’embruns.

Nous avons fini par traverser la rivière en aval avant de gravir la berge opposée, pour y trouver un sentier goudronné qui serpentait entre les arbres.

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Playing hide-and-seek among the thick bracken leaves, we soon reached a large stone archway build under the twisted roots of a huge oak tree. Squirrel climbed up and down the slope using one of the roots as a handrail, while Pebbles explored the mysterious grotto. Was it the entrance to a long gone tunnel on the Powerscourt Estate? If anyone knows, please get in touch so the acorns’ questions can be answered.


Jouant à cache-cache dans les fougères épaisses, nous sommes arrivés à une grosse arche en pierre construite sous les racines tortueuses d’une énorme chêne. Ecureuil escalada la pente en utilisant une racine en guise de main-courante, pendant que Caillou explorait la grotte mystérieuse. Etait-ce jadis l’entrée d’un souterrain du domaine de Powerscourt ? Difficile à savoir. Si quelqu’un connaît la réponse, j’aimerais bien la donner aux graines de chêne.

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Getting back on the trail, we followed the Dargle River from high above until reaching a pretty wooden bridge over the peaty water. The acorns didn’t just wade in, they ran across the stream. This, after all, was their plan all along.

Rain jackets dripping, wellies overflowing, socks soaking – this is what an afternoon of fun at the Powerscourt Waterfall looks like.

Needless to say that, back at the car, they were happy to change into dry clothes before heading home.


De retour sur le chemin, nous avons suivi la rivière en contrebas jusqu’à un joli pont de bois au-dessus du ruisseau aux eaux cuivrées. Les graines de chêne ne l’ont pas seulement pataugé, ils l’ont traversé en courant. Car c’était leur idée depuis le début !

Des impermébales qui dégoulinent et des bottes qui débordent : voilà la preuve d’un excellent après-midi à la cascade de Powerscourt.

Inutile de dire que, de retour à la voiture, ils ont apprécié de passer des vêtements de rechange avant de rentrer à la maison.

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Disclosure: I was given a complimentary annual family membership to the Powerscourt Estate. All opinions are honest and my own.
Divulgation : J’ai reçu une carte d’adhésion annuelle gratuite du domaine de Powerscourt. Toutes les opinions sont personnelles et honnêtes.

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Visitor information

Powerscourt logoPowerscourt Waterfall
Powerscourt Estate
Enniskerry
Co Wicklow
Tel. + 353 01 204 6000
Email info@powerscourt.net
Facebook @powerscourtestate
Open every day 10.30am-4pm Jan-Feb/Nov-Dec; 10.30am-5.30pm Mar-Apr/Sept-Oct; 9.30am-7pm May-June-July-August. Closed for 2 weeks before Christmas.
Admission: Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) €16; Adult €6; Senior/Student €5.50; Child (3 to 12) €3.50. Annual pass holders enjoy unlimited entry to the waterfall during opening hours.
There is ample parking, and toilet facilities at the playground. Dogs are allowed on a leash only.

Getting there

Travelling northbound (Dublin) on the N11, take Exit 8 (Kilmacanogue), then the first exit on the roundabout, signposted for Roundwood and Glendalough (R755). At the next roundabout, take the second exit and continue straight ahead on the R755.
Travelling southbound (Wexford) on the N11, take Exit 8 (Kilmacanogue), immediately after the Topaz petrol station, following signposts to Roundwood and Glendalough (R755). At the roundabout, take the last exit, to Kilmacanogue and Roundwood (R755). At the next roundabout, take the first exit for the R755.

Follow the R755 until a fork in the road. Turn right onto the R760, signposted for Powerscourt Waterfall and Glencree Drive. At the next junction, leave the R760 on the right and continue straight ahead onto a minor road, following signs for the waterfall and Glencree Drive. Follow this narrow road all the way to the gate for the waterfall.


logo-ireland-tourism-visitInfos pratiques

Cascade de Powerscourt
Powerscourt Estate
Enniskerry
Co Wicklow
Tel. + 353 01 204 6000
Email info@powerscourt.net
Facebook @powerscourtestate
Ouvert tous les jours 10h30-16h janvier-février/novembre-décembre ; 10h30-17h30 mars-avril/septembre-octobre ; 9h30-19h mai-juin-juillet-août. Fermé pendant deux semaines avant Noël.
Tarifs d’entrée : famille (2 adultes et jusqu’à 3 enfants) €16; adulte €6; étudiant/3e âge €5.50; enfant (3 à 12 ans) €3.50. Entrée libre pendant les heures d’ouverture pour les détenteurs d’une carte annuelle.
Grand parking et toilettes à côté de l’aire de jeux. Chiens en laisse autorisés.

S’y rendre

Circulant en direction du nord (Dublin) sur la N11, prenez la sortie 8 (Kilmacanogue) puis, au rond-point, la première sortie, en direction de Roundwood et Glendalough (R755). Au deuxième rond-point, prenez la deuxième sortie et continuez tout droit sur la R755.
Circulant en direction du sud (Wexford) sur la N11, prenez la sortie 8 (Kilmacanogue), tout de suite après la station service Topaz, et suivez les panneaux indiquant Roundwood et Glendalough (R755). Au rond-point, prenez la dernière sortie pour Roundwood et Glendalough (R755). Au rond-point suivant, prenez la première sortie pour la R755.

Continuez sur la R755. A la fourche, tournez à droite sur la R760 et suivez les panneaux pour Powerscourt Waterfall et Glencree Drive. A la prochaine intersection, là où la R760 vire à droite, continuez tout droit sur une route secondaire, signalée pour Powerscourt Waterfall et Glencree Drive. Suivez cette route étroite jusqu’au grand portail d’entrée de la cascade.

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13 Responses to “In the wilds of Powerscourt Waterfall / La cascade de Powerscourt côté nature

  • Wow, such beautiful colours and photographs! I’m very intrigued by the stone archway. I’m looking forward activities when my 1 year old is old enough! #CountryKids

  • Oh my goodness, it is beautiful there. They look so happy splashing in the water. Your pics are gorgeous! #countrykids

  • Your pictures are wonderful. They capture the beautiful scenery as well as the fun the children were having. Their waterproofs were certainly put to good use!! #countrykids

  • Soggy sacks have to be the sign of a great day out. My favourite shots are the ones of them having fun in the stream. Thank you for linking up to #PointShoot

  • wow, what a beautiful location. Can’t beat going out in nature and exploring. They look like they had the bestest of times X #pointshoot

  • What a beautiful location, your photos are gorgeous. You can see that the kids had an amazing time exploring, and I love the pictures of them splashing through the water 🙂 #countrykids

  • Those trees, roots, and holes! What fun outdoor play for all! Lovely! #pointshoot

  • Ireland is a fantastic place and it looks like the children thoroughly enjoyed their experience .#countrykids

  • Soft Days is such a great term, I think living along the west coast we have similar weather. This week we have had plenty of soft days too. they are fine for getting out and enjoying the outdoors though. What a beautiful place the Estate is and water is always an attraction to kids. I love the joy in their faces as they run across the river ignoring the fact it must be coming in over their wellies. Childhood memories are made from days like this.

    Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids

  • It looks like such a beautiful location for a autumn setting! You got so many great pictures of your acorns all having so much fun. Hope you managed to find out about the tunnel, just seems spooky!! #contrtkids

  • These photos are just amazing, all the colours and water splashing looks wonderful! #countrykids

  • Waterfalls are really beautiful and that tree looked very cozy! Your kids look like they had a very fun day:) #FamilyFunLinky

  • What a beautiful place! And so many gorgeous photos, looks like a great day was had by all.
    Thank you for joining #FamilyFunLinky x

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