Beyond The Trees (Avondale Treetop Walk July 3, 20250)
WARNING: This story ends with me taking a GIANT slide that’s at least 10-stories high. If you’re afraid of heights, you might want to skip this one and go onto the next one. If heights don’t bother you, then join me for another fun adventure!
Largest slide I’ve ever taken that’s not a water slide in Avondale (Ireland)
For our last day in Greystones together, Anne-Marie took me to walk among the trees and an epic ride down the tallest slide I’ve ever seen that wasn’t a water slide. As we walked around this nature preserve it dawned on me that this is likely to be the next generation of how we integrate entertainment with nature.
Notice the platform over my shoulder as it will rise to the treetops as we walk
This particular nature preserve has been around for decades (and probably much longer). The forest was a favorite for Anne-Marie growing up as she would run around on the trails as a kid. Lots of places to hike around and all of those trails still exist — undisturbed.
What’s brilliant about the high rises is that they take you above the canopy where you can see the sweeping landscapes above the trees. Anyone can walk them. You don’t need any special abilities and you can access all of them by wheelchair. There are benches to take breaks along the way.
View from the treetop walk once you’re above the treeline
Anne-Marie captures a good view angled down to see how high up we are
As I get older, I think about the kinds of things I’ll still be able to do in my 70s, 80s and, God-willing, 90s. My father-in-law, Richard Knies is a prime example. He still drives. He’s still mobile. He’s 93. But long walks tire him out. He may not be able to do this particular activity, but I suspect he could do parts of it if he wanted to. And Connie, my mother-in-law, could do all of it despite being afraid of heights. Good thing she’s more afraid of missing things more than heights.
The 365 Degree Lookout Maps Key Destinations of Ireland and Distance.
County Cork is where my Irish ancestors are from originally.
The final part of the journey was a large structure that could only be seen when you get closer to it as it was surrounded by nearby trees. This is why I think this will become more common as governments seek to find ways to encourage return trips to specific nature trails and engage family with kids who seek adventure beyond zip lines and white water rafting.
Our walking trail drops down and ends in a tunnel to the large slide structure.
I am so grateful to Anne-Marie for showing me this part of her world. I never would have come across this myself nor would I likely have looked for it. And yet, I’m so glad we spent this day together in this way. We walked. We talked. We had epic views and …
Oh yeah, I’m so excited to ride down this slide!
And yes, it’s as fun as it looks. Turns out this company does this kind of slide all over the world. The closest one in the North America is in Canada. I’m sure we’ll be seeing one in the United State soon enough. For now, they are mostly in Europe and I highly recommend the experience — especially when you’re with a good friend.
