Avondale: Beyond the Trees Treetop Walk & Tower Entry Ticket

That first step onto the boardwalk feels like a treat. The Avondale Forest Park Treetop Walk and Tower ticket takes you 1.4 kilometers through and above the forest, then up to a viewing platform 38 meters high. I love the mix of fresh-air walking plus real forest learning, like spotting 99 tree species and noticing trees planted by Samuel Hayes over 300 years ago. I also really like the payoff at the top, especially for clear days when the Wicklow Mountains show off. One thing to factor in is that it is not ideal if you have vertigo, since the tower experience and height are part of the deal.

Plan on a simple, self-guided route with an English host or greeter at the start. You’ll collect your QR code at main reception before going to the treetop gate, then follow boardwalk sections out over the Avonmore River Valley and into the tower. If you’re traveling as a family, note there isn’t a family ticket option listed here, so you may end up buying individual tickets.

Key things to know before you go

• 99 tree species on the walk plus learning stations along the route
• 38 meters up for panoramic views over the Avondale Forest Park and the wider Wicklow area
• Easy climbing feel with a spiral ramped boardwalk that never exceeds a 6 degree gradient
• Avonmore River Valley boardwalk for changing views from ground level into the canopy
• Kids have their moments, with boardwalk play areas and a playground in the walled garden
• Optional 90-meter slide for an extra fee, and it can close in wet or humid weather

Getting your QR code right, and finding the treetop gate

Your visit starts at Avondale Forest Park in County Wicklow. After you park, you’ll follow directions to reception. Here’s the one detail I would not skip: you must collect your QR code at the Main reception before proceeding to the Treetop Walk entrance gate.

Once you have the QR code, staff will direct you to the entrance. From there it’s a straightforward, walking-based experience, with signposted learning stops along the way. The whole setup is designed so you can just go at your own pace rather than waiting for a guided tour to start.

Practical tip: bring comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. The route includes boardwalk sections and a spiral ramp, so you’ll want grip even if the ground or wood gets damp.

The 1.4 km boardwalk over the Avonmore River Valley

The journey begins on the boardwalk heading out over the Avonmore River Valley. This is the part where the mood changes fast. At ground level you’re in the forest, then the path starts to give you longer views outward, and you slowly rise into the canopy.

You’ll get an easy strolling pace, but with enough variety that it doesn’t feel like a flat promenade. As you move along, the terrain and height changes help you see the same place differently at each stage.

Tree learning that doesn’t feel like a lecture

The walkway includes informative stations, and you’ll pass by 99 different species of trees. It’s a great match for mixed ages, because the content is built into the route instead of requiring a sit-down talk.

One of the coolest bits to keep an eye out for is that you can find trees planted by Samuel Hayes over 300 years ago. That’s the kind of fact that turns a walk into a time machine, even if you’re just there for the views.

Look, listen, and stop where you want

Along the boardwalk, there are also play areas if you’re visiting with kids. These include games that explore birds and animals and their habitats in the surrounding forest. Even if you don’t have kids, it’s a nice reminder that the park keeps things family-friendly without making the experience feel childish.

You can also keep an ear out for the Great Spotted Woodpecker family nesting in nearby eucalyptus trees. You might miss it. But when you do hear or spot something, the whole walk suddenly feels more alive.

The tunnel moment, then the tower ramp climb to 38 meters

When you reach the end of the treetop walkway, the experience shifts into the tower section. You go through a short underground tunnel before emerging to the viewing tower.

That tunnel is brief, but it’s a useful breather in the flow. It signals you’ve moved from “forest walk” mode into “take in the height” mode.

Spiral ramped boardwalk, built for steady climbing

Then comes the climb. You’ll move up via a ramped boardwalk that rises gradually. The gradient never exceeds 6 degrees, and there are resting points on each level. That matters because it makes the climb feel more like a long scenic ramp than a steep push.

The viewing platform is 38 meters above ground, and you reach it on a circular platform designed for wide, panoramic looking. If you like photos, this is where you’ll want to slow down and spend a bit of time. If you prefer less standing, aim for a couple minutes facing each direction, then come back down.

Who should skip the tower height

This is the one clear caution: the experience is not suitable for people with vertigo. If height makes you unsteady, that spiral ramp and the platform view will likely be too much.

The view, the slide, and how to manage the best timing

From the viewing platform, you’re rewarded with panoramic views over Avondale Forest Park, the Wicklow Mountains, and beyond. Clear weather makes a noticeable difference here. If you can pick a sunny day, you’ll usually get sharper visibility and better photo light.

Once you’ve had your fill, you have options for getting back down. You can simply walk back down to the base of the tower. Or you can choose the giant slide inside the tower.

The 90-meter slide is optional (and costs extra)

The slide is not included in the ticket price. It’s an additional €2 per person. The slide may also have long queues during busy periods. And it can close depending on weather and safety conditions, including when it’s wet or humid.

My advice: if you want the slide, plan for it as a bonus, not a guaranteed final act. If queues are long or the weather turns, you’ll still have the main experience already done.

What you can do after the treetop walk, not just before it

The ticket doesn’t end the moment you’re back at the base. Once you finish your trek, you can spend more time in Avondale Forest Park.

Here are the practical add-ons that make the day feel fuller:

• Picnic tables across the park, so you can eat at your own pace
• Seed Café for freshly prepared dishes using locally sourced ingredients
• Walled Garden with a children’s playground next to the café
• Multiple forest trails in Avondale Forest Park, in case you want more walking

There’s also a free exhibition on forestry at the Coillte Pavilion. Even if you mainly came for the walk and views, this kind of stop adds context to what you just saw among the tree species.

This is one of the best ways to use your time well. Instead of rushing straight out, give yourself space to enjoy the park at forest-walk speed.

Price and value, plus the small costs that can surprise you

The treetop walk and tower entry ticket is priced at $18 per person (check availability for starting times, since the ticket is valid for 1 day). On its own, that’s a fair price for a full-height viewpoint experience plus a structured walk with learning stations.

But two extra costs are worth budgeting for:

• Parking fee is €6 payable on entry, and it covers the full day
• Tower slide costs €2 per person, and it is weather-dependent

So the real value equation is simple: if you’re only doing the walk and tower and skipping the slide, you’re mainly paying for the ticket plus parking. If you want the slide, you’ll add the extra €2.

If you’re visiting as a family, keep one more point in mind. A family ticket option may not be available, so you might need to buy individual tickets rather than one combined pass.

What this ticket is best for (and when it may not fit)

This experience is a strong match if you want an outdoors day that doesn’t require long hikes. The route is designed as a clear, walking-first journey, with a satisfying “get high and look around” finish.

It’s especially good for:

• Families with kids, thanks to boardwalk play areas and the playground in the walled garden
• Mixed groups, because you can adjust your pace without breaking the plan
• People who like nature education, because the route includes built-in learning stations and tree labels

It may not fit well if:

• You have vertigo, since the tower height is part of the core experience
• You’re expecting a guided, interpretive tour throughout, because the stations and self-paced flow are the main way you experience the park

Tips to make your visit smoother

A few practical habits can make the day feel easier:

• Arrive with time to check in and collect your QR code at main reception before you go to the treetop gate
• Bring the right shoes and expect weather to matter, especially for the slide
• Plan for photos at the top, then decide early whether you want to wait for the slide
• If you’re traveling with kids, build in time for the boardwalk games and the walled garden playground

Also remember a simple safety and comfort truth: children need supervision at all times.

Should you book the Avondale Treetop Walk and Tower?

I think you should book if you want a high-value day trip in County Wicklow that combines a gentle walk, real learning, and big views from 38 meters up. The 99 tree species and the Samuel Hayes connection add something you won’t get from a generic scenic loop, and the spiral ramp setup helps keep the climb manageable.

I would hold off if height triggers anxiety or if you know you won’t enjoy the tower platform. And if you’re counting on the slide, don’t make it the only reason for the trip, since queues and weather can change the plan.

FAQ

How long is the Avondale treetop walk and tower ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for 1 day. Starting times depend on availability, so it’s worth checking before you plan your day.

What is included in the $18 per person ticket?

The ticket includes entry to the Avondale Treetop Walk and Tower, learning stations along the walkway, access to picnic tables, access to a free forestry exhibition at the Coillte Pavilion, access to the walled garden and children’s playground, access to multiple forest trails in Avondale Forest, and WC and changing places.

What extra costs should I plan for on site?

Parking costs €6 and is payable on entry for the full day. The 90-meter slide inside the tower costs €2 per person and must be paid separately on site.

Where do I pick up my QR code?

You must collect your QR code at the Main reception before proceeding to the Treetop Walk entrance gate.

How long is the treetop walk route?

The experience includes a 1.4-kilometer journey through and above the forest.

How high is the viewing platform?

The viewing platform is 38 meters above ground.

Is the viewing tower slide included?

No. The 90-meter slide is not included and costs €2 per person. It may close in wet or humid weather and can have long queues during busy periods.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The spiral ramped boardwalk rises with a gradient that never exceeds 6 degrees and includes resting points on each level. Medical-grade wheelchairs are allowed, and mobility scooters are permitted only if a customer is unable to comfortably transfer to a manual wheelchair.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are not allowed. Dogs are permitted on a leash throughout the forest trails and within the walled gardens. Only registered assistance dogs are permitted within buildings and on the Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower.

FAQ

Is there anything for kids besides the playground?

Yes. Along the boardwalk there are play areas with games that explore birds and animals and their habitats in the forest. There is also an adventurous playground in the walled garden beside the Seed Café.

Is the experience self-guided?

The information provided indicates learning stations along the walkway and an English host or greeter at the start for check-in and directions. The experience itself is based on following the route through the walk and tower.