Saint Kevin's Way facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Kevin's Way |
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Saint Kevin's Way waymarker, Wicklow Gap
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| Length | 30 kilometres (19 miles) |
| Location | County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Designation | Pilgrim Path |
| Trailheads | Hollywood Valleymount Glendalough |
| Use | Hiking |
| Elevation gain/loss | 580 m (1,903 ft) |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Season | Any |
| Surface | Roads, forest paths and tracks |
The Saint Kevin's Way (Irish: Slí Chaoimhin) is a pilgrim path in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is 30 kilometres (19 miles) long and begins in the village of Hollywood, crosses the Wicklow Gap, and ends at the remains of the medieval monastery in Glendalough. An alternative spur route begins at Valleymount and joins the main trail at Ballinagee Bridge. It is typically completed in one day.
The trail follows in the footsteps of Saint Kevin who crossed the Wicklow Mountains and founded the monastery at Glendalough in the 6th century. The journey later became a route of pilgrimage for visitors to Glendalough. It is one of a series of medieval pilgrim paths developed as walking trails by the Heritage Council.
In 2016, Saint Kevin's Way became part of the new National Pilgrim Passport for Ireland. The new passport offers an opportunity to walk 125 km of Ireland’s medieval pilgrim paths, with stamping points at the conclusion of each participating path. On completion of all five paths, participants are entitled to an Irish Pilgrim Paths completion certificate (Teastas Oilithreachta) from Ballintubber Abbey, Co Mayo. The four routes currently in the Pilgrim Passport along with St Kevin’s Way are: Tochar Phádraig, Mayo; Cosán na Naomh, Kerry; Cnoc na dTobar, Kerry; St. Finbarr's Pilgrim Path, Cork.
