Wicklow Way

Starting in the lowlands of south Wicklow, the trail begins on tiny backroads known locally as boreens, switching back and forth with gravel forestry tracks. This start is gentle, and eases you into the many kilometres of walking ahead.

In this section, you’ll pass the Dying Cow, an iconic pub full of character and charm. It is a tiny old-fashioned bar where you can barely fit more than a handful of people inside, but they have lovely covered garden seats that provide a perfect resting spot for weary hikers. From here, the next town along the trail is Tinahely, and it will be the largest town you encounter on your journey.

Heading north of Tinahley is when you truly begin to enter the Wicklow Mountains and the first climbs of the route. It is from here that you will begin to cross in and out of the Wicklow Mountains National Park. At close to 23,000 hectares, this is both the largest National Park in Ireland and the only one located on the east coast. Wicklow is famous for this and its fast-flowing streams.

Once past Aughavannagh the trail becomes more remote, and you begin to experience the walking that the Wicklow Way is known for. You’ll experience the wide-open vistas, dark woodlands of Glenmalure and Mullacor.

The crowning jewel of Wicklow is the Glendalough valley. Coming from the Irish Gleann Dá Loch, it translates to “valley of two lakes.” This is a section where it’s worth wandering from the trail and exploring the ancient monastic city, visitor center, and picnic spots along the water’s edge. To leave the main thoroughfare, the trail slips between two buildings and whisks you off into the forests again. Every now and again the tree cover breaks, and the views back towards the two lakes are beautiful.

Passing through mixed woodlands of Scots pine, oak, ash, and gorse, the route does its best to avoid road walking where possible. The next major mountain sections are White Hill, Lough Tay, and Djouce Mountain. An exposed section, the wind here can be biting and wild, a quintessential mountain trail, with different wild heathers lining the way.

It’s around here where you will begin to get views of Dublin city, even though you’re still over a day from the end of the trail. Famous points along the next section include Powerscourt Waterfall (the highest waterfall in Ireland), Crone Wood, and glencree valley, where the trail twists and meanders along grassy river banks.

The final stage will have you climb up a peak known as Prince William’s Seat, and then into the Dublin Mountains, where strong trails crisscross the hillsides of Two Rock mountain and the Wicklow Way and Dublin Mountains Way briefly intertwine. The views out across Dublin city from here are the best you will find.

As you walk the final 5km, the transition from mountain to city happens surprisingly quickly, and you will suddenly find yourself walking through Marley Park. The final information board, and the true finish point of the trail, is beside Marlay House.

The best time of year to hike the Wicklow Way (and any trail in Ireland) is from May till September.

While Ireland has a temperate climate and doesn’t experience the more extreme weathers you’ll find around the world, it is harder to hike this trail in the off season. The tourism window in Ireland is from St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) until late September, with some places stretching to Halloween at the end of October.

Outside of this window, most of Ireland’s tourism industry is closed for winter. It will be much harder to find accommodation, open restaurants, cafes, or tour operators during these winter months.

Even when hiking in the summer season, it’s important to be prepared for widely fluctuating temperatures and very changeable weather. There is a saying in Ireland that you can “experience all four seasons in one day” – and although I’m not one to be overly stereotypical, this phrase is accurate. Be prepared for torrential rain, and blistering sunshine.

Overnight temperatures can drop to 10°C during the summer months. Stay up-to-date with forecasts and weather warnings from Met Eireann, Ireland’s National Meteorological Service.

Hiking in Ireland is a relatively safe activity, however it is not without risk.

An important thing to know is that Ireland’s Countryside Code is the Leave No Trace Principles. The 7 Leave No Trace Principles in Ireland are slightly different from the international standard, as Ireland has some specific considerations that we all need to be aware of.

In Ireland, over 85% of the land is privately owned, and all our trails are permissive routes. This means that no fires are allowed along trails unless there is an approved, designated area by the landowner. This also means that all camping needs to follow a strict Leave No Trace mentality, and all livestock must be respected.

When heading out on a trail, always let someone know where you’re going, when you should be back, and when they should hear from you again. Mountain Rescue in Ireland is available 24/7 in Ireland through the emergency number 112 or 999. Please bare in mind that all mountain rescue teams in Ireland are 100% volunteer-run, and should only be called in an emergency.

Ireland is famously known as the “Emerald Isle” – and this is because of all the rain we get! No matter the time of year, it’s important to bring waterproof rain gear, and sturdy footwear that can withstand muddy tracks and trails. All Irish hiking shops will be able to let you know if your gear is suitable for the adventure you have planned, and are often a good place to stop before setting off.