The Wicklow Way runs through the wonderful Wicklow Mountains on the east coast of Ireland. The route covers 129 km (80 mi) and was Ireland’s first waymarked trail.
The name Wicklow comes from the Viking Wykynlo or “Viking’s Loch” referring to one of their favourite bases on the Irish coast. Mountains cover the middle and west of the county with good pastureland in the east along a gentle coastline. Rounded during the last Ice Age, the hills are smooth with granite bases and shiny schists poking through, giving a wonderful silvery light. The Ice Age also produced the deep valleys of Glenmacanass, Glenmalure and Glendalough, which run northwest to southeast, providing wonderful views and plenty of legwork for the aspiring walker!
Founded by Dublin hill walker J.B. Malone in 1963, the Wicklow Way is one of the best 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 19th century to gain access to the lower regions of the county and the Irish rebels hiding within.
The Way uses forest paths and minor roads in places to avoid walking on private land, but these in no way detract from the superb scenery. The route passes through few towns or villages, so most day to day walking is remote. Approximately 20% of the route is on tarred roads.
This version of the Wicklow Way is offered from north to south, starting from Dublin and ending in the lower farming countryside. We also suggest several optional mountain routes to extend the itinerary. Please follow these with care and caution, as they are not Waymarked.
Price Includes
Optional Extras
Pricing
This 8-day tour includes 6 full days walking and covers almost the entire length of the walking route from Enniskerry to Tinahely. The complete route can be completed in an extra day from Marlay Park (a southern suburb of Dublin) to Enniskerry.
This tour is rated MODERATE with options to make some days more RELAXED or STRENUOUS.
See how we determine levels of difficulty for each of our hiking tours by visiting our FAQ page.
Travel by bus from Dublin to Enniskerry. Directions will be provided.
Wonderful walking today, 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. Today you will pass the 120m fall of Powerscourt Waterfall and enjoy the peace of the Glencree River Valley and a wonderful riverbank walk.
Distance 22km (14mi). Ascents 510m (1,673ft). Approximate walking time 5 hours.
Overnight in Roundwood village.
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. This route ascends from Oldbridge and the Avonmore River and descends the gentle flank of Paddock Hill. An optional route on Scarr Mountain offers wonderful views of this lake. Today’s section finishes in Roundwood, Ireland’s highest village at 238m.
Distance 11km (7mi). Ascents 290m (951ft). Approximate walking time 3 hours.
Via Scarr Mountain 15km (9mi). Ascents 520m (1,706ft). Approximate walking time 5 hours.
Overnight in Laragh.
Today is one of the tour’s highlights with superb views, walking and 6th century monastic remains at Glendalough. Starting at Laragh village, you ascend the Glenmacnass Valley and after a short climb you reach the Glenalo River and the beautiful Glendalough. From here, climb the slopes of Derrybawn Mountain, crossing open moorland before reaching the flat saddle of Mullacor at 550m. The Way then descends through forest from Mullacor, eventually arriving at Glenmalure.
Option 1: 18km (11mi). Ascents 530m (1,739ft). Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Option 2: 20km (12mi). Ascents 600m (1,969ft). Approximate walking time 7 hours.
Overnight accommodation in Glenmalure.
Starting in the Glenmalure Valley, you begin your walk with extraordinary views. An optional route over Croaghanmoira climbs to 664m and affords glorious views of the Ow and Avonbeg river valleys. The main route continues through pine forest, offering a chance to spot a red deer and other Wicklow flora and fauna.
Option 1: 24km (15mi). Ascents 800m (2,625ft). Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Croaghanmoira Hill: 21 km (13mi). Ascents 950m (3,117ft). Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Overnight in Moyne.
Your journey to Moyne takes you along peaceful forest trails, open mountainside and quiet country roads. Moyne was the birthplace of Edward C. Godwin, who founded the publication New York Nation in 1865. This section of the Wicklow Way takes in some fantastic views, retracing the area that you have passed through, as well as adjacent counties of Carlow and Wexford. It also passes through an old ring fort (fairy fort).
Distance 24km (15mi). Ascents 513m (1,683ft). Approximate walking time 5 hours.
With Ballycumber Hill: 20km (12mi). Ascents 400m (1,312ft). Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Overnight in Shillelagh.
Passing near an old ring fort (fairy fort), your journey retraces the area you’ve passed through, including adjacent counties of Carlow and Wexford. This section of the Wicklow Way takes in fantastic views, including peaceful forest trails, open mountainside, and quiet country roads. Moyne, the birthplace of Edward C. Godwin (founder of the publication New York Nation in 1865), is your final destination.
Your first day of walking takes you along country roads and forests, beginning in the forest of Raheenakit, over Moilishe and Stookeen Hill, and through Newry forest.
Distance 20km (12mi). Ascents 500m (1,640ft). Approximate walking time 6 hours.
Overnight in Clonegal or Bunclody.
Depart Bunclody for onward travel. Directions will be provided for return to Dublin.
September 2023 – Theresa
Sean and team at Tailor-Made Tours Ltd did a wonderful job of coordinating our Wicklow Way hike (Ireland) Sept/2023. The accommodations were perfect, very hospitable with delicious breakfasts at the respective b&bs. The tour was very good value and as we wanted to hike south to north, their itinerary was exactly what we were looking for. Luggage transfer service was perfect. Fully recommend Tailor-Made Tours Ltd for your travel plans.
September 2023 – Elizabeth
Tailor-Made Tours set up a hiking holiday for my friends and me for September 2023. We hiked in two locations – the Dingle Peninsular and the Wicklow National Park. TMT arranged transportation across country for us, found us nice B&Bs and hotels to stay in and provided us with excellent maps and hiking instructions. Over the course of several months, while arranging our hikes, they were attentive to our needs, answered our myriad questions, and provided us with pertinent information.
It was a pleasure to work with Tailor-Made Tours and I certainly recommend this company for any hiking needs you may have in the beautiful country of Ireland.
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