The Wicklow Way is Ireland’s oldest waymarked walking trail. J.B. Malone pioneered this 127 km/79-mile walking trail over 40 years ago. It reveals some of Ireland’s finest views including Powerscourt Waterfall, Luggala, Loch Dan, Glenmalure and historical Glendalough
Our 5-day self-guided walking and hiking vacation along the Wicklow Way gives you the opportunity to enjoy almost 40 km of some of the best views of Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland and Ireland’s Ancient East.
Footfalls Self-Guided Walking Tours can be tailored to suit you. Our sample Wicklow Way itinerary is from south to north (towards Dublin). Therefore, when you finish your walking tour of the Wicklow Way, you are approximately only 45 minutes away from Dublin city centre.
Prices / Dates
Price: €463 per person sharing
Single Supplement: +€160
Tour Dates: 1 January to 15 December
Tour Grade: Easy to Moderate
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Included / Excluded
- 4 nights bed & breakfast
- All accommodation is pre-booked in approved family-run guesthouses with all rooms en-suite.
- Wicklow Way Maps and waterproof route notes.
- Details on restaurants and places of interest to visit along the way.
- Luggage transfers daily while you walk.
- All information on trains or buses needed to get to your first accommodation, during the tour and back at the end of the tour.
- Full back up service, should you require it, while on our tour.
- Packed Lunches
- Evening Meals
Arrive at Dublin Airport and take the train to Rathdrum. Stay first night in Rathdrum in nearby bed and breakfast accommodation.
You have a choice of trails today. You can stay on the Wicklow Way's forest tracks and country roads while enjoying sweeping views of County Carlow and Wicklow’s highest mountain, Lugnaquilla (925 m/1039 ft). Alternatively, you can make your day a little more adventurous by taking a higher level walk over Croghanmoira Mountain (664 m/2000 ft) across the Fananierin Ridge. Both options finish in the valley of Glenmalure, the longest glacier valley in both Ireland and England! Tonight you will stay in Glenmalure.
Wicklow Way - Distance: 14 km/8.7 miles, Ascent: 520 m/1560 ft, Approximate walking time: 4/5 hours
Croghanmoira Mounain - Distance: 15.8 km/9.7 miles, Ascent: 840 m/2520 ft, Approximate walking time: 4.5/5 hours
For the first half of today's walk, the trail leads you steadily along forest trails to ascend out of Glenmalure valley. You will enjoy some spectacular views of a picturesque landscape made up of rolling hills, green pastures and an impressive waterfall that plunges down into the valley. The way-marked trail then crosses the saddle between Lugduff and Mullacor Mountains and descends into the magnificent valley of Glendalough. “Gleann Dá Loch” translated means “The Valley of The Two Lakes”. Continue down to the valley floor where you will have a chance to explore both lakes. Glendalough is one of the most visited sites in Ireland and is just mesmerising in its beauty! Tonight you will stay in Glendalough or Laragh.
Distance: 17 Km/10.75 miles, Ascent: 520 m/1560 ft, Approximate walking time: 4/5 hours
You have another choice of trails today. You can stay on the Wicklow Way which takes you on a low-level trail across the side of Paddock Hill with lovely views back over Glendalough. Alternatively, you can take a more challenging trail across Scarr Mountain with magnificent views from the summit where, on a clear day, you will be able to see the Irish Sea to the Welsh Mountains. Both trails finish in the small, but lively, village of Roundwood, which happens to be the highest village in Ireland! Tonight you will stay in Roundwood.
Wicklow Way - Distance: 12 Km/7.5 miles, Ascent: 250 m/750 ft, Approximate walking time: 3/4 hours
Scarr Mountain - Distance: 15 km/9 miles, Ascent: 520 m/1560 ft, Approximate walking time: 4.5/5 hours
Depart Roundwood.
