Wicklow Way Nine Day Hike

We’ll meet you at Dublin airport and bring you down to Wicklow and your first night’s accommodation. Enniskerry is a charming little village and is home to Powerscourt House and Gardens, considered one of Europe’s finest house and gardens. A gentle walk to Knocksink forest should help warm you up for the first stage of the Wicklow Way tomorrow. There is a good choice of pubs and restaurants in the village.

After breakfast you will be collected and brought to Marley Park. Marley marks the beginning of the 132km walk and is a delightful park on the outskirts of Dublin. Today’s walk is 22km with 600m ascent. Once out of Marley begins it’s ascent and great views over Dublin City can be enjoyed. You then pass into Glencullen Valley with your first views over the Wicklow Mountains. The Glencullen River is a great spot to enjoy your lunch before beginning the ascent of Prince William’s. The delightful Glencullen Valley is spread out in front of you as you descent towards the valley river. This section is stunning and brings you into Crone Woods where you will be collected and brought back to Enniskerry.

Today’s walk (19km, 600m ascent) will delight the senses with breathtaking views of North Wicklow. Ascending over Crone Mountain you descend into the “secret valley” before skirting Djouce and White Hill with its delightful views over Lough Tay. Tonight we stay near Roundwood, a charming village with a great selection of places to eat and drink. Today’s walk should take about five hours including stops.

Today’s walk is 10km with 250m ascent. After breakfast you begin to make your way towards Glendalough. After an hour from your guesthouse we start to ascend Paddock Hill and are treated to a stunning view over Laragh and towards Glendalough. Traversing the base of Brockagh we arrive in Glendalough. Our accommodation here tonight is uniquely located. It is very peaceful and you really feel in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. Glendalough has an upper and lower lake and the upper lake has a spiritual quality that is appreciated by many visitors. The walk from Roundwood takes about 3 hours leaving you with plenty of time to enjoy the scenic surroundings, the visitors centre, take a stroll along the lower lake or head up to Laragh’s craft shops and great pub. There are plenty of places to dine in the area.

Today’s walk is 14km with 450m ascent. Glenmalure valley is about 4 hours walk from Glendalough. Ascending from the Upper Lake each step rewards you with tremendous views. Looking back you really sense the beauty of the Wicklow Mountains. Our climb takes us along Derrybawn and on up to Mullacor, before descending into the forest that surrounds the Glenmalure valley. Glenmalure is perfectly isolated and a great place to star gaze in absolute quiet on a clear night.

After breakfast you can begin your today’s walk (21km, 500m ascent) to the hamlet of Moyne. The high mountains of further north gradually give way to lower rolling hills and views of the Blackstairs mountains come into view later in the day. The wicklow you are entering is a quieter less visited region. You will see in the distance counties Kildare and Carlow and onto the midlands of Ireland on a clear day. The iron bridge over the Ow river provides a delightful spot to take lunch before continuing onto Sheilstown Hill and Moyne. Dinner this evening is in your guesthouse.

Today’s walk (18km, 200m ascent) is a delightful hike with great views of the rolling hills of south Wicklow. The section as you round Ballycumber Hill and Geryhoe is particularly pleasant and is quite different to the walks of the last few days. The village of Tinahealy can be seen in the distance as you approach Magnans Woodand begin your ascent towards Bridgeland. The second part of the walk brings you along Muskeagh Hill and it’s views towards the midlands of Ireland. Passing the tiny hamlet of Mullinacuff you reach Tallons Pub, the destination for today. Tallons is the most unique pub in Wicklow and a great place to relax while waiting for your host to pick you up. Dinner this evening is in your guesthouse.

After breakfast you will be brought back to Tallon’s to continue where you left off yesterday. Today’s walk (26km, 250m ascent) marks the last section of the Wicklow Way and the scenery is typical of far south Wicklow. Rolling hills, tiny hamlets and forest paths dot today’s route. Congratulate yourself as you arrive in Clonegal, the end of the Wicklow Way. Clonegal is a delightful village and has a great pub which will present you with a certificate of competition of the way. Enjoy a drink in Osbourne’s and your hosts tonight will meet you and bring you to your accommodation for tonight.

After a hearty breakfast, you bid farewell to Wicklow and The Wicklow Way. Our driver will transport you to the coach station at Ferns for the direct bus to Dublin.