Lough Tay is a magnificent lake that is located beneath the Luggala mountain of Wicklow. This lake is privately owned (by Guinness Estate) and the public has a very limited access from the top of the hill (as a bird’s eye view). Despite of being in a private property this Lough Tay is probably the second most visited lakes after iconic Glendalough. Even the tour buses use to give a pause beside the lake so that tourists could have a glimpse of it.
This scenic Lough Tay is also known as The Guinness Lake as the shape of the lake is something similar to a pint of Guinness beer. The sandy beach at the northern side of the lake resembles the foam atop of beer pint. And obviously the peat color of the lake’s water finishes the final touch to the Irish pint. Just an FYI, the white sandy beach is not naturally created, rather the sand was imported to construct the beach.
Lough Tay gets the inflow of water from the Cloghoge River (that is originated from the valley of Sally Gap which is not from from the lake). Since the lake has a constant input from a river that’s why it never gets dry or never decreases in water level. Once the water feeding is done to the lake, Cloghoge River flows further down towards another attractive lake named Lough Dan (yet less popular due to less easy access).
Where to Park
All the car parkings around Wicklow mountains are free. To visit the Lough Tay there are several road side parking spaces available which are Ballinastoe, JB Malone, and View point parking. These are enough space to hold tourist’s cars as most of the people do not spend too much time around there (as they only can view the lake from the far).
Driving is adventurous
Although it is not that much extreme driving you need to do to go there. But having few narrow passes around the road make it more adventurous. If you are not used to with these kind of driving, then suggestion is to drive slowly and watch upcoming vehicles. You can wait in a suitable place to let the upcoming car to pass. During your drive you should expect myriad of scenic beauties from the wicklow.
Best time to visit
In my opinion, other than winter all other times are the best to visit Lough Tay. During autumn the surrounding hills looks brownish. Whereas in summer those are all green. During the Heather blooming (end of July to mid August) the surrounding area looks pink in color. During a sunny and clear day the sky reflects in the lake water, and also you’d get a clear view towards far mountains. So decide yourself which time you want to go.
What else to do
Lough Dan is near from this lake but it takes a slight trekking to go and come back. The Wicklow way is passing beside the lake that could take you to the peak of Dijouce, and even further to the peak of the Powerscourt Waterfall. The driving through Sally Gap is always scenic. You could even drive further through the Old Military Road when your hunger towards beauty and adventure is more.
Lough Tay aka The Guinness Lake,
County: Wicklow,
Country: Ireland,
GPS Coordinate (53°06’22.1″N, 6°15’58.8″W).
Written by Lonely Traveler,
For blog alonelytraveler.com
Throughout the year 2019
