Tour Highlights
- Rural farming communities, farming by day and hosting walkers by night. Wicklow natives.
- Glendalough & St. Kevin. The trail walks straight through his territory and all his 6th century remains.
- Rivers, lakes and valleys, Glenmalure, Glendasan, Glenalo, Glenmacanass, Lough Tay, Lough Dan, Avonbeg, Avonmore, Cloghoge and Dargle. Poetic flow, story and history.
Itinerary
Day 1:Dublin to Bunclody
On your first day you will take the bus from Dublin to Bunclody, the location of your first B&B.
Day 2: Clonegal to Shillelagh 20km, Ascent: 500 m
On day two, your first day of walking takes you along some country roads through Newry forest, over Moilishe and Stookeen Hill down into the forest of Raheenakit
Day 3: Shillelagh to Moyne 22km. Ascents 513m. Approximate walking time 5 hours.
With Ballycumber Hill 20km. Ascents 400m. Appromimate walking time 6 hours.
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 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) 24km.Ascents 800m, approx. walking time 6 hours
Optional route over Croaghanmoira Hill Ascents 950m,approx. walking time 6 hours
Good climbing today through pine forest and a chance to spot a red deer and other Wicklow flora and fauna. The finish at Drumgoff, at the head of the picturesque Glenmalure Valley, provides a refreshing end to the day at the old coaching inn, Glenmalure Lodge. The optional route over Croaghanmoira climbs to 664m and affords glorious views of the Ow and Avonbeg river valleys.
Day 5: Walk Drumgoff to Laragh 18km. Ascents 560m, approx. walking time 6 hours
Optional route via the Spinc 18km Ascents 580m, approx. walking time 7 hours
Superb views, superb walking, superb 6thcentury 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 6: Walk Laragh to Roundwood 12kmAscents 390m, approx. walking time 3 hours
Optional Route via Scarr Mountain 15km Ascents 720m, 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 19thcentury. 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 7: Roundwood to Glencree /Enniskerry 22km. 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 wonderful riverbank walk.
Day 8 – Departure from Enniskerry
Public transport from Enniskerry to Dublin. AirLink coach to Dublin airport is available from various points in Dublin City Centre.
Prices & Booking
€245 single supplement.
Many locations in Wicklow have limited accommodation options. Optional transfer fees may apply if accommodation is not available in overnight stops. We will advise of this at the time of booking.
What’s Included
* Seven nights Bed & Breakfast guesthouse accommodation;
* Luggage transfers each day;
* Detailed route descriptions;
* Relevant 1:50000 maps.
What’s not included:
* Other meals.
* Entries or excursions.
* Transfers to the start and from the end of your tour (public transport available).
Guest Reviews
August 2019 – Kathy & 3 friends, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Thanks for checking in with me. We had a terrific time. Perfect weather. Not a drop of rain. The walk couldn’t have been more beautiful. We mistakenly took the Spinx walk — It was a fortuitous mistake. The Spinx was one of the great highlights of the walk. The walk to Marlay Park was terrific. I’m so glad we decided to do the last leg. Hopefully, we will be back soon for another trip. It was magnificent. And you were terrific about staying in touch with us
June 2019 – Amanda & David, Deklab, IL USA
David and I returned home (without flight mishap!) on Saturday evening, and I just wanted to send you a quick follow-up about how much we enjoyed our trip. Everyone we met was so kind and inviting and the countryside was just gorgeous. Our walk through Wicklow was definitely a success! I also wanted to thank you for your extra work in shifting our whole trip back a day given our late arrival. We don’t have a lot of vacation time and just wanted to get away to enjoy a new place and culture. It was perfect. Thank you for being so accommodating and for helping us. I will be happy to recommend Tailor Made to friends if they travel to Ireland!
September 2019 – Grahame & 3 sons, Cheshire UK
We had a wonderful 5 day holiday and really appreciated the organisation of the walking holiday and the quality of the accommodation and warm welcome from all.
Location & Grade
