Discover Ireland’s largest national park and all its treasures hiking the Wicklow Way
Ireland has many famous walks, but few rival the splendour of the Wicklow Way. On this 8-day self-guided hiking tour, you’ll explore the very best of a region fondly known as “The Garden of Ireland.”
The tour begins in Dublin, a very convenient starting point for your adventure. Make your way over the Dublin Mountains and descend into the woods of Glencree Valley. The exceptional Powerscourt Waterfall is just one of many breathtaking sights as you continue south along the Wicklow Way. Spend a few nights in the Glendalough Valley, where the ruins of a famous monastic city delight the imagination. A final pair of hikes form a loop from the village of Laragh, with mountain ridges, spectacular valleys, and the occasional pub along the way – it is Ireland after all!
If you have the time for this full 8-day hiking tour, there’s really no better way to explore the renowned beauty of County Wicklow.
Highlights of the Full Wicklow Way Hiking Tour
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8-Day Wicklow Way Hiking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Dublin
Arrive in Dublin, Ireland’s bustling capital city. Check into your accommodations, where your welcome pack will be waiting for you, including route guides and contact information.
Enjoy your evening in Dublin, but not too much – you have a full adventure ahead!
Overnight Location: B&B in Dublin
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 The Dublin Mountains
The day starts with a taxi south across the city to Marlay Park, one of Dublin’s favourite green spaces. It’s worth a stroll around, but greater things await, namely, the start of the Wicklow Way!
You’ll quickly reach the Dublin Mountains, part of the larger Wicklow range. Crossing over these hills offers expansive views of your surroundings and the Irish Sea to the east. You’ll descend into the charming village of Enniskerry, your home for the night.
Overnight Location: B&B in Enniskerry
Distance: 4 hours, 17km, 665m of ascent, 502m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Glencree and Waterfalls
Your day begins with a hike through the Glencree Valley, coming to the tumbling Powerscourt Waterfall. Continue your ascent, tackling the shoulder of Djouce Mountain before summiting nearby White Hill.
On the way down from White Hill, you’ll be treated to views of two gorgeous glacial lakes, Lough Tay and Lough Dan. They’re a favourite spot for visitors and locals alike to pause and appreciate the scenery.
Overnight Location: B&B in Roundwood
Distance: 5-6 hours, 23km, 828m of ascent, 866m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Barton Estate and Laragh
Depart Roundwood and work your way south over Paddock Hill. Today’s hike brings you around the edge of the old Barton Estate, and along a “Mass Path” down which villagers would have walked to attend church.
Arrive in Laragh, a small village based at the entrance to the Glendalough Valley. The monastic city built here in the 6th century is one of Ireland’s most celebrated sites and deserves the attention!
Overnight Location: B&B in Laragh
Distance: 2-3 hours, 9.5km, 350m of ascent, 424m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Time Traveling through Glendalough
Today is a free day of sorts, which is best spent exploring the treasures of Glendalough. History buffs would enjoy a visit to the interpretive centre and a close examination of the stone buildings still standing today.
There are plenty of lovely walks, including Glenmacnas, Glendasan, or a visit to the old mining villages. You can’t go wrong with a riverside stroll through the gorgeous woods of Devil’s Glen.
Overnight Location: B&B in Laragh
Distance: Variable, depending on your walk/s of choice
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Glenmalure and Mullacor Mountain
Today’s hike brings you south through the valley of Glendalough, then up and over into the neighbouring valley of Glenmalure. The trail follows a path alongside the Upper Lake, with a steep ascent by the Paul an Eas waterfall. The Borenacrow pass is your link to Glenmalure, where you have the option to summit the nearby Mullacor Mountain, although tomorrow’s route also includes it.
The descent in Glenmalure provides outstanding views of the valley and distant Lugnaquilla, the highest mountain in County Wicklow. Your day ends at a pub (in fine Irish style) at the crossroads of Drumgroff and Glenmalure. From here, call your taxi for a transfer to your accommodations in nearby Rathdrum.
Overnight Location: B&B in Rathdrum
Distance: 3 hours, 12km, 595m of ascent, 580m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Cullentragh and Derrybawn Mountains
The final day of hiking is a return to Laragh via a different route. A taxi brings you back to the crossroads, where you’ll set off along forest tracks. The summit of Mullacor Mountain is the apex of the route; from here, continue along the mountain ridge past the Cullentragh and Derrybawn Mountains. Finish by descending back into the Glendalough Valley and up to your accommodations in Laragh.
In poor weather, you can descend Mullacor via the Wicklow Way and return to Laragh through the forest. Enjoy your final evening and toast the week’s adventure!
Overnight Location: B&B in Laragh
Distance: 3 hours, 12km, 595m of ascent, 589m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure from Laragh
After an incredible week on the Wicklow Way, it’s time to leave Laragh. Check out from your accommodations and depart the region via your own arrangements.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
8-Day Wicklow Way Hiking Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided hiking tour of the Wicklow Way is run as a custom tour for your group and the price per person is fixed. There are upgrades available that add follow-up calls and a welcome briefing to your tour, please contact us if you’re interested in these.
Prices below are per person:
- Self-guided groups of 2+: $1,175 USD
Accommodation on the 8-Day Wicklow Way Hiking Tour
This tour is based in small B&Bs and/or guesthouses. Properties offer warm rooms with an ensuite washroom and daily hot Irish breakfast.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. The required supplement for solo travellers is included in the listed price.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel in Dublin
Welcome to Ireland’s capital! Try not to have too much fun before retiring to your convenient ensuite accommodations.
Hotel in Enniskerry
Welcome to Enniskerry, your overnight home for the tour. Cozy ensuite accommodations and hot Irish breakfast are the perfect complements to your adventure.
Hotel in Roundwood
After a long day of adventure, a cozy ensuite room and piping hot Irish breakfast in Roundwood is just what you deserve
Hotel in Laragh
Cozy ensuite rooms and fresh Irish breakfast are the perfect welcome to this wooded valley town.
Hotel in Rathdrum
An ensuite room and fresh Irish breakfast await in your Rathdrum home for the evening.
Hotel in Laragh
Cozy ensuite rooms and fresh Irish breakfast are the perfect welcome to this wooded valley town.
What’s Included in the 8-Day Wicklow Way Hiking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Additional nights before or after the tour can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport to the start of the Day 2 and Day 7 hikes are included, as well as collection from the end of the Day 6 hike. Luggage transfers between accommodations are also included. Airport transfers are not included.
Also Included
- Detailed route book with full area maps or GPS-enabled app for navigation & points of interest
- 24-hour emergency/information support
- Full pre-departure information to maximize your experience
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Airport transfers
- Entrance fees to any sites or parks
Optional Extras
- Additional accommodations before or after the tour
- Single room supplements
- Private transport into Dublin
- Extra services:
- Welcome briefing
- Welcome briefing and follow up calls during the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Full Wicklow Way Hiking Tour
Ireland Walk Hike Bike was set up with one purpose in mind – to show you the real Ireland that we know and love. Having watched many visitors “flash” through Ireland – founder Linda Woods decided back in 1994 to find a better way to see the country. “My aim was to slow people down, so they really get their feet into the soul of the country, meet the locals & discover what makes Ireland & the Irish tick………” and 25 years later – this is exactly what Ireland Walk Hike Bike is still doing today…
Whatever holiday you want – walk, hike, bike, more active than that or less active than that – we will be delighted to chat with you, help plan your holiday with you to ensure you have a really memorable trip to Ireland.
Learn MoreFull Wicklow Way Hiking Route Map
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