A Self-Guided Walking Holiday on the Wicklow Way
Ireland’s Wicklow Way is the country’s oldest waymarked walking trail. The 127-kilometre/79-mile walking trail has been attracting keen walkers for decades now, aa it includes some of Ireland’s loveliest views including Powerscourt Waterfall, Luggala, Loch Dan, Glenmalure, and the stunning Glendalough.
On our 5-day self-guided walking and hiking vacation along the Wicklow Way, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to walk almost 40 km. Throughout the holiday, you’ll enjoy some of the best views of Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland and Ireland’s Ancient East.
At Footfalls Walking Holidays, we are always happy to cater a Self-Guided Walking Tour to suit you. The sample Wicklow Way itinerary below goes 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.
Do get in touch with any queries at all. We’re always delighted to chat about the route and the available options.
You may also want to take a look at our other self-guided walking tours of Ireland. Or join one of our small-group guided walking tours of Ireland instead!
Self-Guided Walk in Wicklow
Prices / Dates
Price: €579 per person sharing
Single Supplement: +€290
Solo Traveller Supplement: +€45
Tour Dates: 1 March to 31 October
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.
- GPX Files for each walking day
- 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.
- 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
Wicklow Way Self-Guided Walking Itinerary
Arrive at Dublin Airport and take the train to Rathdrum. Stay your first night in Rathdrum in 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 Croghan Moira 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 Croghan Moira Mountain - 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. For the first half of today's walk, the trail leads you steadily along forest paths 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” is Irish for “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 walking 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 across the Irish Sea to the Welsh Mountains beyond.
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.
