Bray Head

Bray Head is a 241-meter (791 feet) summit located between Bray and Greystones on the County Wicklow coast. The peak rises steeply from wooded slopes and opens onto expansive views across Dublin Bay.

The Dublin-Wicklow railway line, designed by engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was rerouted multiple times due to coastal erosion and instability affecting the slopes. Major track realignments took place across three separate periods in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The site holds religious significance for the local community, who gather here each Easter to walk a sacred path marked by stations leading to the summit cross. This tradition reflects the place's role as a spiritual landmark in the region.

The main trail to the summit begins from the car park on the northern slopes near Bray Esplanade and takes roughly thirty minutes through woodland paths. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the ascent becomes steep and can be slippery after rain.

The slate sea-cliffs here have attracted rock climbers since the 1970s, with dozens of established single-pitch routes of varying difficulty etched into the rock face. This climbing heritage has made the location known to mountaineering communities far beyond the local area.

Location: County Wicklow

Elevation above the sea: 241 m

GPS coordinates: 53.19047,-6.08375

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:55