Walk the Wicklow Way

Welcome to Dublin! Meet your group leader and fellow travel crew at the city’s Connolly Station at 9. 45am, where you’ll hop on a train bound for the southern foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. Further details and exact times can be found in the ‘Joining Point Instructions’ of your Essential Trip Information. This train takes the coastal route, so you’ll start the scenic discovery from the very first moment. On arrival, take part in an all-important welcome briefing, then taxi to a remote valley – colloquially known as the ‘Iron Bridge’ – where you’ll join the trail. Have your daypack ready today, as your main luggage will be transferred direct to tonight’s accommodation. All that aside – the trek starts now! You’ll begin winding through tall pine forests and along undulating tracks, giving you a taste of what’s to come along the way.

After breakfast, you and your group are off to head deep into the Wicklow Mountains. The foothills give way to mountainous terrain, and while your trail will keep mainly to the valleys, you’ll begin to feel the changing elevations as the day progresses. One of the best things along the way is when the trail opens up to sweeping mountain vistas, so be sure to have a camera ready. Pass by the serene Poulanass Waterfall as the trail descends into the Glendalough Valley towards the village of Laragh. Here, meet a local folklorist who will fill you in on the history and mythology of the Glendalough region. You’ll learn of how this monastery was one of the largest and busiest scholarly centres of Ireland in the Middle Ages. Fascinating! Afterwards, spend the night in Laragh, perhaps cosy-ing up at a local pub. (B)

Insider tip on the Wicklow route – you’ll want to spend some extra time in Glendalough to take advantage of the incredible walking loops in this part of the valley. Luckily for you, we’ve got you covered. Without the need to pack up this morning, get back on the trail and understand why Glendalough means the ‘valley of two lakes’ on a guided hike. You’ll also step away from the trail at some point in the day for a challenging loop, taking in the Derrybawn and Mullcor summits. The incredible scenery at the top makes the difficulty of today’s hike totally worth it. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, not to worry – you are more than welcome to continue your explorations in town. (B)

After an included breakfast, jump back on the Way for your hike to Roundwood. Until the Great Famine swept the region and most of Ireland in the 1840s, this part of Wicklow was a heavily populated farming area. Along the trail today, keep an eye out for the remains of cottages and ridges of potato fields once dotted along the verdant countryside. Today sees the group hike through the heart of the Wicklow uplands region, passing by the junction of four glacial valleys. Your knowledgeable guide may opt to detour along a more scenic route today so you maximise your time up high on the peaks, taking in the panoramic landscapes below. Keep the trek going on a section of road as you journey into the rural village of Roundwood. After a few solid days of hiking, a welcome pint of Guinness won’t go astray this evening. (B)

Open up the hike today as your guide takes the group into open country on undulating terrain, through lush green valleys that give way to incredible mountainside. Take a mid-morning rest stop at Luggala Peak, overlooking the rolling green countryside down to Lough Tay – known as the ‘Guinness Lake’ for its deep brown colour. Continue to hike the shoulder of Djouce Mountain, and if the group is feeling up to it, head to its summit. Your leader will bring you up to speed with the modern folklore of Djouce, stemming from a plane crash in the area in the 1940s. You'll also have a chance to stop at a local farm on the hike today, talking to a local farmer and getting the opportunity to see his dog at work herding his sheep. Afterwards, either choose to explore the Estate further, or join the group and transfer into town for the evening. (B)

Today sees you bound for Ireland’s bustling capital, but the forested scenery definitely has not passed you yet! This morning, continue through forests and open moorland towards Dublin county. The countryside blends seamlessly into the city’s edge as you approach and descend into suburban Dublin at Marley Park around 3-4 pm and toast your Wicklow Mountains adventure with your leader and hiking crew. With no activities planned after this, you are free to leave the group and continue your own adventure in Dublin and beyond. (B)