Wicklow Way One Week 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.

The following day begins the Wicklow way proper. Today’s walk 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.

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.

Glendalough is the jewel of Wicklow and today’s walk lets us take in all its majesty. This circular route allows you to enjoy dramatic views of the whole valley as it winds its way through the national park. You will spend this night in Glendalough.

You can give yourself more time to explore the valley before pushing on to Glenmalure, the destination for day five. Glenmalure valley is about 4-5 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 walk south 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. As you arrive in the tiny hamlet of Moyne our driver will meet you and bring you to your nearby guesthouse in the village of Tinahealy. There is a nice choice of pubs in Tinahealy and music on many nights of the week. Dinner this evening is in your guesthouse.

This morning you have the choice of taking the morning train to Dublin (arrives 10.30am) or enjoying a 2-3 hour walk from Moyne to Tinahealy along the Wicklow Way. If you choose to walk, our driver can bring you to the afternoon train back to Dublin (arrives 4pm).  If you plan to travel to somewhere other than Dublin, just let us know if you need any assistance and we can help with your onward arrangements.