History, Culture, and Views Unlike Anywhere Else, Get Off the Beaten Track With Our Full Trail Wicklow Way Tour
The Wicklow Way is Ireland’s oldest way-marked walking and hiking trail. J.B Malone pioneered this popular walking route, which stretches for 127 km (79 miles), over 40 years ago and it reveals some of Ireland’s finest views including Powerscourt Waterfall, Luggala, Loch Dan, Glenmalure and historic Glendalough.
The Wicklow Way extends from Marlay Park in Dublin to Clonegal on the borders of Wicklow and Carlow and it’s all part of Ireland’s Ancient East.
At Footfalls, we offer a variety of holiday packages on the Wicklow Way to cater for all types of outdoor and fitness enthusiasts. This eight-day walking vacation sees you taking on the full trail in just 8 days, covering the entire 127 km / 79 miles.
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 one hour away from Dublin city centre. Alternatively, the tour can be started in Dublin and finish in Clonegal. The Full Trail Wicklow Way is a Moderate/Strenuous Walking Tour.
The Full Trail Wicklow Way is a Moderate/Strenuous Walking Tour.
Prices / Dates
Price: €895 per person sharing
Single Supplement: +€456
Solo Traveller Supplement: +€120
Tour Dates: 15 March to 31 October
Tour Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
Accommodation: Guesthouse or B&B
Included / Excluded
- 7 nights bed & breakfast
- All accommodation is pre-booked in approved family-run guesthouses with all rooms en-suite.
- Wicklow Way Guidebook.
- GPX files for each walking day
- Details on restaurants and places of interest to visit along the way.
- Luggage transfers daily while you walk with a small day pack.
- Information on buses (timetables & costs) needed to get to your first accommodation in Clonegal and back at the end of the tour from Marlay Park to your accommodation in Dublin.
- 24-7 Emergency Telephone support
- Public transport to the beginning of the tour and back at the end
- Packed Lunches
- Evening Meals
- Drinks and Snacks
- Personal Equipment
On your first day, you will take the bus from Dublin to Bunclody, the location of your first bed and breakfast accommodation. Once you have booked your tour, we will supply you with all the information on bus timetables cost etc.
Bunclody is a small town of some 2,000 inhabitants situated on the Wexford-Carlow border where the rivers Slaney and Clody meet in the valley below the Blackstairs mountains, the highest peak, Mount Leinster, 870 m / 2,610 feet high. You can read the full history of Bunclody on Bunclody.net.
On day two, your first day of walking the Wicklow Way, the trail takes you along some country roads through Newry forest, over Moilishe and Stookeen Hill and down into the townland of Mungaculin. Your accommodation for the night will be in the 17th-century village of Shillelagh which is famous for giving its name to the traditional Irish stick cut from the hawthorn tree, “The Shillelagh”. Distance: 21 km / 13.2 miles, Ascent: 490 m / 490 ft, Approximate walking time: 5 / 6 hours.
Your adventure from Shillelagh will take you back once again onto some quiet country roads. You will pass St. Finian’s Church, St. Finian was a holy man from County Westmeath who is associated with Christianising of the area. Moyne is your destination for today, it 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. Distance: 25.8 km / 16 .2 miles / Ascent: 1064 m / 3192 ft, Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours
From Moyne to Glenmalure the trail winds you through forest trails and into two spectacular valleys, the Ow Valley and the Glenmalure Valley. The Ow Valley lies at the base of Wicklow’s largest mountain, Lugnaquillia, which stands at a majestic 925 m/1039 ft. The Glenmalure Valley is Ireland’s longest glacial valley that stretches for over 16 km/10 miles. This peaceful valley will be the perfect place for you to spend the night. Distance: 25 km / 16.7 miles, Ascent: 940 m / 2820 ft, Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours
The walking trail takes you steadily up out of the Glenmalure Valley. As you climb, the beauty of the surrounding countryside and the famous Glenmalure Waterfall will simply take your breath away. The trail crosses the side of Mullacor Mountain and into the valley of Glendalough, “Gleann Dá Locha” the valley of two lakes. Glendalough is famous for its 6th-century monastic settlement which you can visit along the way.
You will also pass very close to our Footfalls office which is just outside the village of Laragh. We will give you a choice to extend your walk by taking in the challenging Scarr Mountain or keeping things more relaxed with a less challenging walk. Tonight you will stay in Roundwood.
Distance: 26 km / 16.25 miles, Ascent: 960 m / 2890 ft, Approximate walking time: 7 / 8 hours.
This is a classic walk taking in views of Lough Dan and Lough Tay. It was in this area where many famous movies were filmed, including Brave Heart, King Arthur, Dancing at Lughnasa and much more. This is also the original home of the Guinness Family, and their residence is still to be seen at the top of the valley. You will cross over the side of Djouce Mountain and alongside the Powerscourt Estate, where you will have some fantastic views over Powerscourt Waterfall, Ireland’s longest waterfall. Tonight you will stay in Enniskerry. Distance: 18 km / 12 miles, Ascent: 600 m / 1800 ft, Approximate walking time: 5 / 6 hours
You are almost done, just 22 km left, and you will have completed Ireland’s oldest way-marked trail. The last section of the Wicklow Way takes you over Prince William’s Seat where you will have stunning views over most of Dublin City, the Irish Sea and your final views back into the Wicklow Hills. Your trip finishes on a beautiful trail that leads you into Marlay Park. Tonight you will stay in Dublin. Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles, Ascent: 570 m / 1710 ft, Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours
Depart for home.
