Wales & Wicklow Combo

Introduction
Wicklow Ireland
‘A tour that combines two Celtic Nations to make one great hiking adventure!’

We combined two beautiful hiking destinations: the Wicklow Mountains and Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, into a spectacular 8-day guided walking experience of two cultures, two histories, and two landscapes. This is a great opportunity to observe the differences as well as the similarities between these two ancient Celtic regions and all they have to offer.

For our time in Wales, we will stay right outside of the Snowdonia National Park. The National Park is the second largest in the UK with 2,171 protected square kilometres (838 square miles) of oak woodlands, wild flowing rivers, cascading waterfalls, tranquil lakes, rocky mountains and moorland. The Park has some of the best walks in Britain, all dominated by Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in England, Ireland, and Wales at 1085m (3560 ft). Whether you love nature, the great outdoors, culture or history, Wales has it all.

Our second half of the adventure takes place in the Wicklow Mountains. We will be staying just outside of the famous and majestic Glendalough, a seat of ancient culture and education and one of the most visited sites in Ireland. Wicklow holds a proud tradition of walking aided by the presence of the “Wicklow Way”, the oldest way-marked trail and the largest National Park in Ireland. The National Park protects some of Europe’s oldest peat bogs, heather-clad mountains, broad-leafed woodlands and native mammal species. After a few days of walking here, you will understand why the county has earned the title ‘The Garden of Ireland’.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive hiking trips where overnights are spent at 2 different locations.

Description
Accommodations are in family run guesthouses and all rooms are en-suite.

Accommodation Itinerary for guided option - subject to changes
Nights 1 to 4: Guesthouse in Betws Y Coed (Wales)
Nights 5 to 7: Guesthouse in Laragh village (Ireland)

Accommodation Itinerary for self-guided option - subject to changes
Nights 1 to 4: Guesthouse near Llanfairpwllgwyngyll (Wales)
Nights 5 to 7: Guesthouse in Glendalough (Ireland)

Guesthouse in Betws Y Coed
You will sleep in one of the 6 lovely decorated bedrooms. Each room are equipped with free Wi-Fi, a coffee/tea station and an ensuite bathroom with free toiletries and a hair-dryer.

Guesthouse in Laragh village
This accommodation offers elegant and modern rooms with extensive facilities including an indoor-to-outdoor pool, Hammam massage center and sauna. There are 86 bedrooms in total, spanning across 3 buildings. There are various types of rooms available ranging from traditional style Standard Rooms to New York style Mezzanine Suites. Many rooms feature four poster or sleigh beds and all rooms have private bathroom. Free WiFi is available throughout.


Meals
The self-guided option only includes breakfasts.
All Breakfasts & 5 Packed Lunches are included in the price of your trip for the guided option.
We also organize other local restaurants for some evenings (not included).

It is useful to bring a small waterproof pad to sit on for our picnic lunches.

Special diets and dietary restrictions:
The hotel can cater to any special diet or dietary restriction. Please, remind the hotel staff at time of your arrival.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

This hiking trip shows you the best of Ireland and Wales. Their picturesque scenery, the grandeur of the mountains, the warmth and hospitality of the people and the magic of their music.

This holiday, guided by someone who really knows and cares for the places visited, is the best way to see these enchanting countries.

Ireland has a lot to offer the walker: dramatic sea cliffs, high mountain ridges, quiet green roads, butter roads, fuchsia-lined lanes, heath and moorland, sweeping expanses of beach. And then there are the sleepy villages, oak woods, sky-blue lakes, torrential waterfalls and babbling brooks.
Ireland's climate ideally suits the walker as generally it rarely gets too hot to be uncomfortable. Rain and cloud-formations are what bring the interesting light patterns and rainbows. The Western coast and islands are known for magnificent sunsets.

Don't be surprised at the very few people you will meet whilst walking, after all, the entire population of Ireland is only around four million! Ireland is a birdwatcher's paradise with many rarities such as the corncrake. It is also a great place for botanists, especially the area of the Burren, Co. Clare.

Maybe the best attraction of all is the people, you'll never find another place like it for hospitality, friendliness, warmth, generosity, humour, love of life and love of the land.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: Guided option - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
We will meet you at Dublin Airport at 1 pm and then drive to Dublin Port for the ferry journey to Holyhead in Wales. Alternatively, you can meet us in Wales. Travel time on the sea is approximately 3hrs. Once we reach Holyhead, we drive for approximately 1 hour down through North Wales to our accommodation.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Betws Y Coed (Wales)

Day 2: Seaside Resorts & Ancient History
Our first walk in Wales begins in the coastal town of Llandudno, one of Britain’s finest Victorian seaside resorts, and takes us around the Great Orme Peninsula for fascinating views of mountains over the ocean. We will explore the world’s only Bronze Age copper mine that’s open to the public. It was first mined over 3,500 years ago!
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles, Ascent: 190 m / 560 ft.
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed Lunch
Overnight in Betws Y Coed (Wales)

Day 3: Betws-y-Coed to Ty-Hyll
Our adventure today takes us to the colourful town of Betws-y-Coed which is surrounded by dense woodlands and magnificent countryside. A small forest trail will lead us up to the ‘Llyn Elsi Reservoir’, built in 1914 and providing water for the town. The trail continues via an old Roman Road that takes us across the ‘Miner’s Bridge’ and on to the Swallow Falls. These falls are considered to be one of the loveliest spots in North Wales. Here the river Llugwy rushes down from the mountains. Crags and jagged rocks divide the stream into a number of foaming cascades.
Once back in Betws-Y-Coed you will have some time to explore the shops, treat yourself to afternoon tea or simply sit back and relax in the park and watch the world go by.
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles, Ascent: 310 m / 930 ft
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed Lunch
Overnight in Betws Y Coed (Wales)

Day 4: Snowdon Mountain or Miners Track
Today you have a choice of walks: Snowdon Mountain or Miners Track.
Snowdon is the tallest mountain in Wales, standing 1,085 metres / 3255 ft above sea level. We make our ascent via the Rhyd Ddu Path, which offers fabulous mountain scenery towards Moel Hebog and the hills of Nantlle. The Rhyd-Ddu Path is one of the easiest paths to the summit of Snowdon and is also one of the quietest. From the summit on a clear day, we will enjoy incredible sweeping views in all directions. We descend along the old Llanberis path that offers some spectacular views along the way. 
If you don't feel like taking on the challenge of climbing Snowdon, you can always opt for the lower-level Miner's Track. The Miners’ Track was initially built to serve the Britannia Copper Mine. Remains of the mine can be seen along the route. The track will take you along the shores of Llyn Teyrn, Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn, returning the same way.
Option 1: 14 km / 8.5 miles, Ascent: 930 m / 2790 ft.
Option 2: 10 km / 6 miles, Ascent: 450 m / 1350 ft.
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed Lunch
Overnight in Betws Y Coed (Wales)

Day 5: Conway Castle & Wicklow Mountains
On our final day of our walking holiday in Wales we will  visit one of the finest examples of fortress architecture in the world at the walled town of Conwy: Conwy Castle, with 22 towers and nearly a mile of battlements wall, was built by Edward the 1st in 1283 during the conquest of Wales.
In the early afternoon we will travel back Holyhead to catch the ferry to Ireland and drive south to our new accommodation in the Wicklow Mountains.
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles, Ascent: 100 m / 300 ft
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Laragh village (Ireland)

Day 6: Glendalough & The Spinc
We start the day at the famous Glendalough Monastic Settlement, founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. We will have a guided tour of the area to learn its regional and global significance as a former hub of learning in Europe. Its fully intact round tower overlooks the two lakes that gave Glendalough (“Gleann Dá Loch”, The Glen of the Two Lakes) its name. We will follow part of the Wicklow Way, onto Lugduff Mountain for spectacular views of the lakes and surrounding wild hills. Our trail crosses The Spinc, down through a deserted miners’ village and back to Glendalough.
Distance: 11.5 km / 7.2 miles, Ascent: 410 m / 1230 ft. 
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed Lunch
Overnight in Laragh village (Ireland)

Day 7: Trooperstown & The Vale of Clara
Starting from our village accommodation, our trail leads us through Ballard Forest and up onto Trooperstown Hill. This hill is a hidden gem and on a clear day almost every peak of the Wicklow range and some of the Welsh mountains are visible. Our trail moves to the beautiful Vale of Clara for lunch, on the banks of the Avonmore River. After lunch, we will follow the Avonmore River through the Vale’s Oak Forest into the town of Rathdrum. We will be picked up in Rathdrum and go to visit the world-famous Avoca Woollen Mills original location.
Distance: 12.5 km / 7.8 miles, Ascent: 430 m / 1290 ft. 
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed Lunch
Overnight in Laragh village (Ireland)

Day 8: Departure
Depart for Dublin Airport after our final hearty Irish breakfast, arriving at about 12:30 noon.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary: Self-Guided option - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
On arrival in Bangor, you will be transferred to your first accommodation on the Isle of Anglesey, in the Llanfairpwllgwyngyll area.
Meals included: none
Overnight near Llanfairpwllgwyngyll (Wales)

Day 2: Walk to Llyn Rhos Ddu including Llanddwyn Island
From Malltraeth, your walking tour will take you into Newborough Forest, which is now a natural habitat for red squirrels. You’ll cross over from Newborough Beach to the magical island of Llanddwyn, dedicated to the Welsh patron saint of lovers, Dwynwen. From the island, you’ll make your way along a track to Llyn Rhos Ddu car park and rest your weary legs at the Marram Grass Café before being transferred back to your accommodation. 
Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles, Ascent: 100 m / 300 ft.
Approximate walking time: 3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast 
Overnight near Llanfairpwllgwyngyll (Wales)

Day 3: Llyn Rhos Ddu to Moel Y Don
You will start the day with a transfer from your accommodation to Llyn Rhos Ddu. Crossing the Braint River via the giant stepping stones, the path leads across farmland down to the Menai Straits. You will pass Foel Farm, Anglesey Sea Zoo, and Halen Môn (Anglesey Sea Salt). The views of Snowdonia and Caernarfon Castle are quite simply stunning!
The area around Plas Trefathen is thought to have been the site of a battle between the Romans and the Druids in AD61. The Druids were the priestly and learned class in the ancient Celtic society of Western Europe, Britain and Ireland. The Romans saw them as ferocious freedom fighters rather than pious priests. Anglesey was their last stronghold.
Your walk will continue onto the lane by Llanidan Church and Porthamel Hall, ending at the quiet little hamlet of Moel y Don.
Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles, Ascent: 140 m / 420 ft.
Approximate walking time: 3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast 
Overnight near Llanfairpwllgwyngyll (Wales)

Day 4: Transfer to Ireland
In the morning, you can enjoy an optional morning walk around Beaumaris before being transferred to Holyhead Ferry Terminal. You will arrive in Dublin Port in the afternoon, where you will be picked up and taken to your accommodation in Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains.
Meals included: Breakfast 
Overnight in Glendalough (Ireland)

Day 5: Glendalough Monastic City and Lakes
Your walk through Glendalough today takes you back in time with a visit to a 6th-Century Monastic City. Today, the settlement lies in ruins, but it was once the hub of learning in all of Europe. It was in this haven of peace and tranquillity that St. Kevin founded his monastery, which flourished for over six hundred years. The Gaelic for Glendalough is “Gleann Dá Locha” and translates to “The Valley of the Two Lakes”. It is these lakes that will set the scene for the rest of your walk.
Distance: 11.5 km / 7 miles, Ascent: 410 m / 1230 ft.
Approximate walking time: 3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast 
Overnight in Glendalough (Ireland)

Day 6: Trooperstown & The Two Glens
This walking trail is one of the "best-kept secrets" in Wicklow! It offers a stunning array of natural beauty made up of mixed woodlands, quiet country roads, open mountainside, rivers and streams. The area was densely populated prior to the Great Famine of 1845-1849 and clear evidence of the small fields and potato furrows can still be seen to this day.
You will continue on to Trooperstown Hill where, on a clear day, it is possible to see almost all the peaks in the Wicklow Mountain range and across to the Irish Sea. The trail continues down through Trooperstown Forest to join the Wicklow Way back to Glendalough.
Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles, Ascent: 430 m / 1290 ft.
Approximate walking time: 3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast 
Overnight in Glendalough (Ireland)

Day 7: Departure
After a hearty Irish breakfast, it is time to go.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Wales & Wicklow Combo

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Dublin airport
Airport: Dublin
Transfer: Dublin airport

Climate:
                                               Dublin area