Wicklow Way

Introduction
Wicklow Ireland The name Wicklow comes from the Viking "Wykynlo" or "Viking s Loch" and refers to what was once one of their favourite bases along the Irish coast.

Spanning a great area of the green isle, the mountains sprawl over the middle and west of Wicklow country, running south to the Wexford border. The highest point in this region is Lugnaquilla, standing tall at an impressive 926 meters. Rounded out during the last Ice Age, the hills are smooth with granite bases and shiny schists poking through to create a silvery light in the panorama vista. The Ice Age also produced wonderfully deep valleys (including Glenmacanass, Glenmalure, and Glendalough), which run northwest to southeast and provide wonderful views and plenty of legwork!

Good pastureland provides the rest of the terrain that stretches out to the gentle Irish coastline. The train journey from Dublin follows this beautiful coast before turning inland at Wicklow to bring you to your starting point! We offer the Wicklow trail from south to north, starting in the lower farming countryside and working up to the higher hills. This also allows for an easy transfer back to Dublin at the end of the trek.

There are many suggestions for optional mountain routes that can extend your itinerary, though please note they must be followed with care and caution as they are not well marked.

Accomodation

Included in your tour:

5 / 7 / 9 nights Bed & Breakfast in guesthouse accommodation; luggage transfers each day; detailed route descriptions and 1:50000 maps (1 set for each 2 hikers).

Excluded:

Other meals; transfer to Rathdrum and from Enniskerry (6 & 8 day); transfer to Bunclody and from Enniskerry (10 day); entries or excursions.

Suggested Extra Options:

Extra night in Laragh on the 8 day tour, to enjoy the National Park and Glendalough valley.
Extra night in the Glenmalure valley to explore the Wicklow Hills.
Extra night in Dublin, Europe's fastest changing city. Wonderful attractions, history and entertainment.

Accommodations:

On self-guided walking trails, accommodation is usually in small villages or towns and may be off the beaten track. There is usually a post office, shops, pubs etc. but there may not be a Bank.

You will be staying in comfortable guesthouses and farmhouses. Rooms booked are en-suite as often as is possible. However some B&B’s do still have rooms that are not en-suite, but should have a bathroom adjacent to the room. We will book these rooms when there are no en-suites available. This happens regularly in the high season.

We do try to make your accommodation convenient to each day’s walk. The walking distances for each day as specified in your tour itinerary may vary, depending where you are staying, as your B&B may not be in the centre of the village. This will be referred to in your route notes and may add 2-3 km to your walk. Please check this before you walk!

Meals:

Breakfast

Breakfast is included in you B&B accommodations as is the standard.

Riding

The Route:
The Wicklow Way long-distance walking route runs through the wonderful Wicklow Mountains on the east coast of Ireland. The route covers 129km (80.5miles) and was Ireland’s first long-distance walking route founded by J.B. Malone in 1963. The Way opened in 1981 and is a pleasure to walk, well signposted, with rougher sections of the track graded to prevent erosion. The central section is covered by the Wicklow Mountains National Park - its headquarters are in Glendalough and worth a visit. The route follows on occasion the Military Road, constructed by the British in the early 19th century the superb scenery, rugged narrow valleys and spectacular mountains. The route doesn't pass through many towns or villages, so most of the day-to-day walking is remote. Approximately 20% of the route is on tarred roads.

We offer the Wicklow Way from south to north, starting in the lower farming countryside and working up to the higher hills and more spectacular scenery. This also allows for an easy transfer back to Dublin city at the end of your tour. We also suggest several optional mountain routes to extend the itinerary. Please follow these with care and caution, as they are not Waymarked. Our 10 day itinerary starts at the beginning of the way in north Co. Wexford at Bunclody/Clonegal.

You will enjoy this trip if you are physically fit and like to hike. The hikes each day will vary from 12-24 km (8-15 miles) and cross some rough, wet and rocky terrain. Experience of hiking is a necessity and knowledge of compass use is an advantage.

Itinerary

The total route is 132km and was the brainchild of a Dublin hill walker JB Malone, as early as 1966. The Way opened in 1981 and is one of the better-managed routes in the country, thanks to the Wicklow Uplands Council and local landowners. It is a pleasure to walk, well signposted, with rougher sections of the track graded to prevent erosion. The central section is covered by the Wicklow Mountains National Park - its headquarters are in Glendalough and worth a visit. The route follows on occasion the Military Road, constructed by the British in the early 19 th century to gain access to the lower regions of the county and the Irish rebels hiding within! The main downfall, as with many of the Irish Waymarked Ways, is the use of forest paths and minor roads to avoid walking on private land. While walking in pine forest maybe a relief initially, it does become monotonous. However, it is little enough not to detract from the superb scenery, rugged narrow valleys and spectacular mountains. The route doesn't pass through many towns or villages, so most of the day to day walking is remote. Approximately 20% of the route is on tarred roads.

8-Day Itinerary - Tinahely to Enniskerry

Day 1:  Arrival to Tinahely.
From Dublin Airport, AirLink bus to Connolly Train Station in Dublin city and Irish Rail scheduled service to Rathdrum. Tinahely is a 30 minute transfer from Rathdrum.
Overnight accommodation in Tinahely.

Day 2: Circular Route from Tinahely                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Distance 16km, ascents 270m, approx. walking time 4 hours.
Walk from Tinahely along the old railway track by the Derry River. Follow the Wicklow Way from Stranakelly back to Tinahely.  The route follows tracks and minor roads through gentle farmland as an easy introduction to the Wicklow Way. It is pleasant countryside and a good way to loosen up for the tougher days ahead.
Second night at Tinahely.     

Day 3: Walk Tinahely to Moyne with optional climb of Ballycumber Hill
Distance 14km, ascents 190m, approx. walking time 4 hours with Ballycumber Hill 19km, ascents 400m, approx. walking time 6 hours
Follow Coolafunshogue lane around hills and through the Ballinglen river valley. The Ballincumber route offers excellent views and a challenging climb. Evening meals will be available in your guesthouse tonight.
Overnight Moyne        

Day 5: Walk Drumgoff to Laragh with optional descent via the Spink
Distance 18km, ascents 530m, approx. walking time 6 hours, optional climb 20km, ascents 600m, approx. walking time 7 hours.
Superb views, superb walking, superb 6th century monastic remains at Glendalough; today is one of the tour's highlights. Climbing through forest from Drumgoff, the Way opens to the flat saddle of Mullacor at 550m before crossing open moorland to the slopes of Derrybawn Mountain. The first view of Glendalough (An Gleann Dha Locha, the glen of the two lakes) is wonderful, deep wooded sides and the Glenalo River flowing through. From the valley, a short climb takes you northeast and then down the Glenmacnass Valley to Laragh village.
Overnight accommodation in Laragh Village   

Day 6: Walk Laragh to Roundwood with optional Route via Scarr Mountain
Distance 11km, ascents 290m, approx. walking time 3 hours. Via Scarr Mountain 15km, ascents 520m, approx. walking time 5 hours.
A short day allows time to visit the monastic remains and Visitor Centre at Glendalough. The valley was also home to extensive mining of lead, copper and zinc during the 19th century. The Way climbs the gentle flank of Paddock Hill, descending to Oldbridge, the Avonmore River and the beautiful Lough Dan. An optional route on Scarr Mountain offers wonderful views of this lake. Today's section finishes in Roundwood, Ireland's highest village at 238m.
Accommodation in Roundwood       

Day 7: Roundwood to Glencree /Enniskerry
Distance 18km, ascents 250m, approx. walking time 5 hours
Wonderful walking, overlooking Lough Tay, Lough Dan and Luggala Estate of the Guinness Family. A raised path covers a long stretch of open moorland to the saddle between White Hill and Djouce Mountain. From here it is possible to see the coast as far as Howth Head in north Co. Dublin. Descending past the 120m fall of Powerscourt Waterfall, enter the peace of the Glencree River Valley and a wonderful riverbank walk.
Overnight Enniskerry    

Day 8: Departure from Enniskerry by public transport to Dublin Airport.
Public transport from Enniskerry to Dublin. AirLink coach to Dublin airport is available from various points in Dublin City Centre.

-- subject to change --

Six Day Itinerary  Glemalure to Enniskerry and Dublin
The trip starts with Day 4 of the 8 day itinerary in Drumgoff  with overnight and then follows the same route. The last day is set aside for exploring Dublin before departure.

10-Day Itinerary:  Bunclody to Enniskerry

Day 1: Dublin to Bunclody. Arrival to Dublin airport. AirLink bus to Busarus, central bus station in Dublin city. Bus Eireann regional service to Bunclody in north Co. Wexford. Bunclody is a pretty town on the banks of the river Slaney.
 
Day 2: Walk Clonegal to Shillelagh 23 km. Ascents 120 m, approx walking time 6 hours
Your host will transfer you to Clonegal, the start of the Wicklow Way; walking is on country roads through Newry forest, Moilishe and Stookeen Hill, into the town land of Mungaculin. Your accommodation for the night will be in the 17th century village of Shillelagh origin of the Irish walking stick cut from the blackthorn tree, "The Shillelagh". Overnight at Strankelly on the Way, near Shillelagh village.

Day 3: Shillelagh to Moyne 18 km.  Ascents 100 m, approx walking time, 5 hours
From Stranakelly, return to country roads past the market town of Tinahely. The Christianising of the area is associated with St. Finian from Co. Westmeath and you will pass his church. Tinahely on the banks of the river Derry was destroyed in the 1798 rebellion, subsequently rebuilt and found a new lease of life with the coming of the railway in 1865. This section of the Wicklow Way takes in some fantastic views back over the area that you have passed through, and the adjacent counties of Carlow and Wexford; it also passes through an old Ring Fort or Fairy Fort.

Day 4: Walk Moyne to Drumgoff (Glenmalure)  21km. Ascents 500m, approx. walking time 6 hours
Optional route over Croaghanmoira Hill Ascents 850m, approx. walking time 6 hours
Good climbing today through the pine forests of the Ow Valley. Drumgoff at the head of the picturesque Glenmalure Valley, provides a refreshing end to the day at the old coaching inn, Glenmalure Lodge. The area is renowned for its rebels and heroes during the 16th and 18th century Irish uprisings. The optional route over Croaghanmoira climbs to 664m and affords glorious views of the Ow and Avonbeg river valleys.

Day 5: Free Day in Drumgoff to explore the Glenmalure Valley
Carriglineen Mountain         8.5km  Ascents 330m, approx. walking time 3 hours
Glenmalure Valley        12km return  Ascents 600m, approx. walking time 5 hours
The valley route takes you through pine forest initially for wonderful views of the deep gorge of the Avonbeg river on the eastern flank of Lugnaquilla, the highest point in the area. The descent follows Carrawaystick Brook as it drains the lough into the Avonbeg 450m below. Carriglineen is an easier route for a good walk coupled with some relaxation at the Lodge!
Ascents of Lugnaquilla are for the experienced hiker and would also start from Glenmalure.

Day 6: Walk Drumgoff to Laragh 18km. Ascents 530m, approx. walking time 6 hours
Optional climb of Mullacor and Derrybawn Mountain 18km Ascents 660m, Approx. walking time 7 hours
Superb views, superb walking, superb 6th century monastic remains at Glendalough; today is one of the tour's highlights. Climbing through forest from Drumgoff, the Way opens to the flat saddle of Mullacor at 550m before crossing open moorland to the slopes of Derrybawn Mountain. The first view of Glendalough (An Gleann Dhá Locha, the glen of the two lakes) is wonderful, deep wooded sides and the Glenalo River flowing through. From the valley, a short climb takes you northeast and then down the Glenmacnass Valley to Laragh village.

Day 7: Free day in Laragh / Glendalough
Camaderry Hill 18km Ascents 580m Approx. walking time 7 hours
Upper Lake and Mines 16km Ascents 540m Approx. walking time 6 hours
There are plenty of options today; exploration of the monastic settlement in the valley, including seven churches, a gatehouse, a round tower and the St. Kevin's cell. Hiking options include the two suggested as well as a number of accessible routes, Derrybawn Mountain, Brockagh, the Glendassan Valley or Trooperstown Hill. The area is rich in heritage and history both ecclesiastical and political.

Day 8: Walk Laragh to Roundwood 11km Ascents 290m, approx. walking time 3 hours
Optional Route via Scarr Mountain  15km Ascents 520m, approx. walking time 5 hours
A short day allows time to visit the monastic remains and Visitor Centre at Glendalough. The valley was also home to extensive mining of lead, copper and zinc during the 19th century. The Way climbs the gentle flank of Paddock Hill, descending to Oldbridge, the Avonmore River and the beautiful Lough Dan. An optional route on Scarr Mountain offers wonderful views of this lake. Today's section finishes in Roundwood, supposedly Ireland's highest village at 238m.

Day 9: Roundwood to Glencree /Enniskerry 18km. Ascents 510m, approx. walking time 5 hours
Wonderful walking, overlooking Lough Tay, Lough Dan and Luggala Estate of the Guinness Family. A raised path covers a long stretch of open moorland to the saddle between White Hill and Djouce Mountain. From here it is possible to see the coast as far as Howth Head in north Co. Dublin. Descending past the 120m fall of Powerscourt Waterfall, enter the peace of the Glencree River Valley and a lovely riverbank walk.

Day 10: Departure from Enniskerry


It is possible to extend this itinerary to complete the Wicklow Way at Marlay Park in south Co. Dublin. Please do enquire if you are interested!

Rates and Dates for Wicklow Way

Dates Note: Any time during the season.

Other Info
Meeting: Tinahely
Airport: Dublin
Transfer: Rathdrum

Climate:
Ireland has a reputation of being wet, but it is also famous for having 40 shades of green! The expression "a soft day" is a popular one with the Irish and describes light rain in mild temperatures. Because of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream, the weather can be very unpredictable, so waterproof rainwear is essential for comfort and success. Your clothing must be warm, but also easy to put on and take off as you climb and descend. Tight clothing or jeans are NOT recommended. The temperatures can range from 5° - 19° Celsius and the highest will rarely go over 25° Celsius. Due to the high humidity it can get very warm and muggy in summer, but on higher ground it can suddenly become chilly due to the wind-chill factor. Current weather information is available at www.meteireann.ie

Time of Year:
You can walk this route anytime between April and October. The beginning and end of the season will have shorter daylight hours and a higher risk of unpredictable weather. Knowledge of map reading and using a compass is required.

Always keep in mind that the Irish climate is mild and damp...