Wicklow Way Walking Holiday — 8 Days
The best of Wicklow at the perfect pace
The Wicklow Way 8-day walking holiday is the perfect answer if you want to experience Ireland's most iconic trail without overdoing it. You'll walk seven glorious days across mountain ridges, emerald valleys, and past ancient monasteries—covering the absolute best sections of the Wicklow Way at a pace that lets you actually enjoy the scenery instead of just rushing through it. This is the "just right" option: challenging enough to feel like a genuine adventure (some days push up to 23 km and 795 metres of ascent), but short enough that you can recover properly each night in comfortable B&Bs with full Irish breakfasts. You'll tick off the showstopping highlights—Glendalough's monastic site, the dramatic Glenmalure Valley, the iconic Lough Tay—while still having energy to chat with locals and soak in the experience. Whether you're a seasoned hiker looking for a proper challenge or an active traveller who wants to feel truly immersed in Ireland's wild landscapes, this tour hits the sweet spot. You arrive relaxed, leave transformed.
Highlights
🥾 **Glendalough Monastery & Round Towers** — Walk through 1,200 years of history in this misty valley. The atmosphere here is genuinely magical, especially in the early morning light when mist clings to the mountains.
⛰️ **Glenmalure Valley** — One of Ireland's most spectacular and wild valleys, where the Wicklow Mountains loom dramatic and untamed. This day (23 km, 795m ascent) is the real test, and boy does it deliver.
💧 **Lough Tay (The Guinness Lake)** — You'll understand why they call it the Guinness Lake the moment you see it: deep, dark, impossibly photogenic, ringed by mountains. The views from above are worth every step.
🏔️ **Dublin Bay Vistas & Djouce Mountain** — As you approach the end, the landscape opens to rolling hills with Dublin Bay sparkling in the distance. A reminder that you've hiked from wilderness back to civilisation.
Who Is This For?
Tour Itinerary
Day
1
Arrival in Tinahely/Aughrim
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Arrival in Tinahely/Aughrim
Settle into the Wicklow Way. We'll collect you from Dublin and transfer you to Tinahely or Aughrim, depending on preference. Meet your guide, get oriented, and prepare yourself mentally for the adventure ahead. Evening in your guesthouse to rest.
Day
2
Shillelagh to Moyne
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Shillelagh to Moyne
Your first proper day on the trail. Starting from charming Shillelagh, you'll climb steadily into the Wicklow foothills, the landscape opening beneath you as you gain height. Moorland, forest tracks, and the first real sense of being in wild country. The pace today is manageable—a good warm-up for what's to come. Finish in the small village of Moyne.
Day
3
Moyne to Glenmalure
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Moyne to Glenmalure
This is the big one. Today tests your legs and rewards your effort. You're heading into the heart of Wicklow Mountains, climbing through Wicklow Gap with seriously stunning views opening to either side. The ascent is real, but the satisfaction when you descend into the wild, remote Glenmalure Valley is unmatched. This valley feels like you've stepped back in time—isolated, dramatic, utterly beautiful. You'll understand why people love hiking.
Day
4
Glenmalure to Glendalough
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Glenmalure to Glendalough
A slightly shorter day, but still with real climbing involved. You're heading toward one of Ireland's most important historical sites. The final descent into Glendalough—the Valley of Two Lakes—is stunning, and when you see the ancient round towers and monastic buildings emerging from the mist, you understand why early Christian monks chose this hidden valley as a place of spiritual retreat.
Day
5
Glendalough to Lough Tay
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Glendalough to Lough Tay
Today you climb toward the most photographed lake in Ireland. Lough Tay gleams darkly below, cupped in mountains, impossibly picturesque. This day takes you over high mountain terrain with extraordinary 360-degree views. On clear days you can see right across to the Dublin mountains and beyond. The energy here is different—you're on top of the world.
Day
6
Lough Tay to Enniskerry
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Lough Tay to Enniskerry
The landscape transitions here. You're descending from the high mountains toward the gentler foothills, and you'll start seeing evidence of civilisation—farms, forests managed for timber, the suburban world beginning to encroach. But don't let that fool you: this is still beautiful country, and Enniskerry is a charming village with real character. Your legs will thank you for the easier day.
Day
7
Enniskerry to Marlay Park
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Enniskerry to Marlay Park
The final push. Today you complete the Wicklow Way, finishing in Marlay Park on the edge of Dublin. The last day has real climbing—you're not descending gently into the city, but rather crossing one final series of ridges before the urban landscape gradually replaces the mountains. It's a triumphant finish: you've done it. The celebration in Dublin that evening is well-earned.
Day
8
Departure from Dublin
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Departure from Dublin
Transfer to Dublin airport or city centre. Tired, happy, already planning when you'll come back.
Accommodation
Best Time to Visit
Choose your ideal season based on weather, crowds, and daylight hours.
★ = Best months ✓ = Available
From
Based on 2 sharing
Book at least 28 days in advance
What's Included
- check_circle {duration_days - 1} nights B&B accommodation (en suite)
- check_circle Daily luggage transfers
- check_circle Detailed route maps & walking notes
- check_circle 24/7 emergency support phone line
- check_circle Pre-trip planning assistance
- check_circle Irish breakfast each morning
Not Included
- cancel Travel to/from start and end points
- cancel Evening meals (arranged locally)
- cancel Travel insurance
- cancel Personal walking equipment
Cliff & Louise
Your Personal Hosts
Have a question about this tour? We've walked it dozens of times and love helping you plan your trip.
forum Chat on WhatsAppFrequently Asked Questions
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