Walking Routes in Glendalough
Glendalough is in the Wicklow National Park which is situated south of Dublin on 20,000 hectares of mountain scenery with many roads crossing through it. A lot of the National Park has no facilities and is left mostly untouched and natural.
Glendalough has many way marked trails/routes from easy to difficult. The Visitor Centre in Glendalough sells a Trail Guide for only €0.50. The maps list nine way marked routes with the shortest distance being a few kilometres and the longest 11 kilometres. You can park at the Visitor Centre and start your walk from there (parking free on weekdays, charges apply for weekends) or there are parking facilities at the Upper Lake with charges applying all year round. The Visitor Centre is approx. 2km from the Upper Lake which can be accessed by walking on the pedestrian and scenic Green Road. Toilet facilities and food are available from the parking area at the Visitor Centre and at the Upper Lake.
trails and Maps
The Wicklow Way
The Wicklow Way (Slí Cualann Nua, which means “New Cuala Way” in Gaelic) is a 131km/81mile walking route which starts in Marlay Park, Co. Dublin and ends at Clonegal, Co. Wicklow. The highest point is White Hill (630m/2,067ft). The routes surface consists of forestry tracks, roads, and mountain paths. Go to http://www.wicklowway.com/index.php for more information.
The Avonmore Way Walk
The Avonmore Way is a 12km trail which follows a mixture of minor roads, forest roads and tracks. It provides stunning views of the Wicklow Mountains as it skirts around Trooperstown Hill before winding its way through the beautiful Clara Vale Nature Reserve alongside the Avonmore River. The trail is durable underfoot and suitable for all fitness levels. There is trail head signage at the beginning of the walk and the route is marked with yellow arrows on a black background along the way. The walk starts from the Laragh side at Trooperstown Forest Carpark and from the Rathdrum side at Stump of the Castle Forest Entrance. Wicklow Uplands Council plans to develop further links from ends of the trail with the local towns. The long term vision is to realise a route that will link Kilmacanogue to Woodenbridge creating an ‘Eastern Greenway’. If you need more information about this walk go to https://visitwicklow.ie/listing/avonmore-way-trooperstown-rathdrum/ or www.wicklowuplandscouncil.ie
St Kevin’s Way – The Pilgrim Path
St Kevin’s Way is a 30 Km (18 mile) trail from Hollywood, following in the footsteps of St. Kevin through the hills of Co. Wicklow to the haunting and mysterious valley of Glendalough where he spent the rest of his life in solitary prayer and contemplation. After Kevin’s death in AD 618, what had been a humble hermit’s retreat developed into an impressive monastic city which was to continue as a centre of piety and learning for many years to come. Medieval pilgrims came from far and wide to visit Kevin’s tomb, and the alternative starting points to the walk reflect the different directions from which they are likely to have travelled. If you need more information about this walk or have any additional questions go to www.pilgrimpath.ie
Brockagh Trail
The Red Loop that offers a moderate 8.1km trail full of panoramic views and mountainside forest roads, as well as multiple links to open mountain paths within the Wicklow Mountains National Park for the more experienced hikers.
Click here for Walking Guide and Lunch PackageS
Listing of Walking Guides in Glendalough
Footfalls Walking Holidays
Trooperstown
Roundwood
Co. Wicklow
Footfalls, based in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, specialise in guided nature walks. All our tours are nature and history
orientated and we ensure that all accommodation and meals are to the highest standard leaving you to enjoy the scenic splendor and solitude of the countryside.
Contact: Christopher Stacey
Tel/Fax: +353 (0) 404 45152
E-mail: info@walkinghikingireland.com
W: www.walkinghikingireland.com
_________________________________________________
HILLWALK TOURS
At Hillwalk Tours it’s our goal to create travel experiences that make people happy. We do this by having walked every step of the Wicklow Way, ensuring that only the best route options are selected for you. We work with the top reviewed & highest quality accommodation along the trail so that you can be guaranteed a warm welcome, a comfy night sleep, and a hearty breakfast in the morning. Detailed route notes will be provided to you before you set off, and we’ll take care of transferring your luggage each day to your next accommodation so you don’t have to worry about it! We maintain strong relationships with local suppliers on the ground, so you know that you’ll get the best service available.
Contact Information:
Tel: + 353 91 763 994 E: info@hillwalktours.com W: www.hillwalktours.com
Hi their I was wondering if I visited would my dogs be allowed ?
Check out the link from the National Park re their policy on dogs
http://www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie/Dogs.html
Are there mountains and hills to climb when hiking with mike? How many miles can we cover for a full day? Are there hikes that we could do on our own? Thank you!
Hi Tina, here are Mike’s details to contact him directly he will give you some answers.Thank you
Kilpedder,
Co. Wicklow
Tel: 00353 (0)85 7870799
E: michael.e.martin@outlook.ie
Web: http://www.meetup.com/MikesWicklowHikes/
Also: http://www.mikeshikes.ie/
Thank you!!
Why no mention on the site of the self-guided and waymarked walks in the National Park?
Thank you for your comment Liam. I have updated the website with more information on self-guided and waymarked walks. https://glendalough.ie/things-to-do/walking/
Hi is it possible to do this walk with a pram and a child on a scooter?
I am not sure which walk you are referring to Lisa but their are walks they you can do with a pram and child on a scooter. Enjoy your visit.
Hello,
Is it allowed to do Stand Up Paddling in the lake?
Thanks,
Dana
Yes people paddle all the time but not swimming because of the dangers Dana
Is kayaking allowed on the lake?
Hi Kristian, no the lakes in Glendalough do not allow Kayaking.
Has this rule changed or is it still in place?
Hi Ken, What rule?
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Hi, I saw on my last walk that the Spinc is due to close this summer for maintenance work. Could you tell me when that’ll happen please?
Thanks a mil.
Hello, It would be ok if I arrive around 17:00 and do the spinc trail (2h) or Is it very late?
Hi bego,
not in the Summer months because there is daylight until around 21:00. In the evening the midges(biting flies) are out and this may get annoying for walkers.
Hi, I would like to know if the Glendanlough Monastic Site is dog friendly?
Yes Julie, as long as you have your dog on a lead.
Hi!. I want to do the spinc loop at Glendalough. But I’ll be goin on St Kevin’s Bus Services and I’ll only have 3:30 hs in the valley. It is possible to make it?
Yes, it can be done within 3 and hours but that is at a good pace so it really depends on your level of fitness for walking mountains. This route would be walking to the right of the Upper Lake, walking through the mines and up the mountain following the trail across to the other side of the lake on the sleepers (can be slippy, wear gripped hiking boots, dress warm and dry) and down through the forest on sleepers via the waterfall. Hope this is of some help Ines. Enjoy your visit
Planning a trip would be near Glendalough on may 21, 2018. We have a variety of physical stamina individuals, so are looking for a relatively easy tour and have about 2-3 hours in the mid day or early afternoon. Is there a tour that would work for us? Also is it possible to drive to the upper lake?
Hi Maureen, yes you can park up at the Upper Lake but I would check with Wicklow Country Council if you have a large bus just to be on the safe side, they operate the upper lake car park. On the website there are various guides available https://glendalough.ie/things-to-do/walking/. Alternatively you could park at the Vistor Centre at the Monastic City. They have a cinema showing on the history of Glendalough https://glendalough.ie/heritage/glendalough-visitor-centre/. Hope this is of some help and do enjoy your trip.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for fitness inspiration
As well as stunning walking routes, there are also drop-in classes at the Brockagh Resource Centre near Glendalough http://www.brockaghresourcecentre.ie…..Yoga, Dance Fitness etc
what a lovely blog with beneficial tips for all of us. Thanks for your time putting this up together.Between the beautiful scenery seen around the world in photographs, and friendly Irish people, plenty of things to do, kids activities, traveling to Ireland will add a certain amount of entertainment and culture to your life. If you need tips on things to do with kids in Ireland,visit https://dublinkids.ie to find the top destinations for all the tastes and budgets. The scenery in Ireland is breath taking, from the shores of Erie to the cliffs of Moher and scenery walks in Wicklow. Not only can you experience these cliffs by just looking, but you can bike or walk on path ways wide enough and will get you the full experience and the sense of heights and real beauty of Irish nature.
I wish every single person,who lands in Ireland for one or another reason, to have the best time ever. Have fun. Yes, Ireland is a country of craic (fun). It’s a must 😉
Happy travels, everyone 😉
Hi are the trails around glendalough open for walks following the gorse fires?
Hi, as far as we are aware there is no closure of walking trails around Glendalough. The Sally Gap road from Laragh to Roundwood or Dublin has had problems with fires recently.
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Hi. Would you consider it safe for a woman to do some of the walks around Glendalough on her own? Perhaps the Glendalough to Glenmalure walk? Is that an easy walk to navigate or would you need good navigation skills?
Thanks for any advice…
In my experience and I am a local I got lost doing the walk from Glendalough to Glenmalure with a friend, it can happen if you have not got navigation skills. I have no hesitation in walking this area alone as a woman but there is always a danger in remote areas in my opinion. It is a personal choice.
HI, can you tell me which walks are buggy friendly? Thanks
Hi Eoin,
there are walks in Glendalough buggy friendly. Parking at the Visitor Centre you can walk to the Upper Lake and also the road which brings you to the right of the Upper Lake up to where the mines were. They are not tarred roads but a push chair possible. Enjoy your visit.
Is Glendalough far from Dublin? I have a walking holiday starting in Dublin next year and since reading your post I would be very interested in visiting that part of Wiclow. I am travelling over from Germany and will have transport. thanks.
Hi Anton, it is a beautiful part of Ireland steeped in history and is not far from Dublin. You can take the M50 route or go via Blessington, Hollywood which will take you over the mountains down into Glendalough. Here is the main route – via M50 and R755 it takes 1 h 16 min (68.4 km). Many people from Dublin come to Glendalough as a day trip. There are plenty of places to stay if you wanted to spend longer in the area https://glendalough.ie/accommodation/. I hope you really enjoy your holiday in Ireland.
Is there any other way to get to Glendalough from Dublin? I know the St. Kevins bus only runs twice a day and gets there at 11:50, and since I am doing the Spinc and Glenealo Valley trail I don’t think I will make it back to the bus before it leaves. I also wanted to get there earlier in the day (around 9 or 9:30) but can’t find a way to get there other than that bus. Any insight you have would be helpful, thanks!
You can get the 133 or train to Wicklow Town from Dublin and then the Local Link Bus Service runs from Wicklow Town to Laragh and return. The only other way is the taxi services. All listed under the Transport drop down menu on the Glendalough.ie website.
Hello, can kids cycle their bikes on the lake paths? Or is it just suitable for proms & scooters? Thanks
The paths are not tarmack but it is not a very rough surface and is manageable with prams and bikes.Enjoy your visit.
Our party of 4 is planning to visit Ireland March 2022 after 2 years of re-scheduling. In March 2020, we had communicated with Martin Swords to take us on a guided tour. I have emailed Mr. Swords twice in the last few weeks with no answer, so can you tell me if Mr. Swords is still taking people on tours?
Hi Donna,
I would keep trying via his email. As far as I am aware he is still operating as a tour guide in the area. If you still get no reply in January. Contact us again and we will give you contact details of another local guide.
Can you camp in glendalough over night
The National park at Glendalough does not allow camping. The nearest offical campsite is Roundwood or Rathdrum, Hidden Valley.