KINDLESTOWN

There are 35 hectares of mixed woodland within a network of roads and trails, a car park and viewing points. The forest roads and paths cover a distance of 3.5km with a looped walk of approx. 2.5km. A stretch of the woodland trail has been adapted for mobility impaired visitors to promote access and enjoyment for all. The length of this part of the trail is 1km (500m from the car park to the resting area and return back to car park)
Kindlestown is situated to the east of the Kings River Valley on the extensive coastal plain that stretches from the Wicklow Mountains to the sea. The area is called after Albert de Kinley, who was sheriff in the area in 1301. The wood formed part of the old Bellevue Estate, owned by the La Touche family until 1930 when it was purchased by the State. In 1934 it was planted with Scots pine and Sitka spruce. The mature Sitka spruce has been felled and replaced with a variety of species. The original Scots pine still remains. Today the wood contains native broadleaves of oak, ash, birch, holly and rowan along with introduced broadleaves such as beech, sycamore and sweet chestnut. Conifers include Scots, noble and Corsican pine Douglas fir and Sitka spruce.
The area is inhabited by many bird species including blackbird, robin, wren and bullfinch. It is a feeding ground for four species of bat, the Whiskered, Leisler, Pipistrelles and brown long-eared bat. There is also evidence of deer, red squirrel, fox and badger. The basic bedrock in the area is Cambrian shale while the rock outcrop at the top (eastern) end of the wood is Wicklow granite and is an excellent viewing point over the Irish sea with wonderful views of Greystones.
The wood is also an area of archaeological interest, as Kindlestown Hill is believed to be the location of a hill fort dating back to the Iron Age.