8 Day Wicklow Way Walking Tour
The Wicklow Mountains, monasteries and Lough Tay, the Wicklow Way done right
The Wicklow Way 8-day Walking Tour is the perfect way to experience Ireland's oldest long-distance trail. You'll walk seven glorious days across rolling foothills, mountain ridges, and ancient glacial valleys. It's the "just right" option — long enough to feel like a real adventure, short enough to enjoy every step.
Your trip begins in the village of Tinahely, where the rolling hills of South Wicklow welcome you. The next day, a short transfer brings you to Tallons Pub in Shillelagh, the official start of your walk. Forest tracks and farmland trails ease you into the journey on the way to Moyne.
From Moyne you climb into the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. The route crosses Carrickashane and drops into Glenmalure, Ireland's longest glacial valley. The next day takes you over Mullacor and down into Laragh, beside the famous monastic ruins of Glendalough.
Day five lifts you back into the highlands. A wooden boardwalk crosses an upland bog before you reach the iconic viewpoint over Lough Tay—the dark "Guinness Lake." You finish the day in Laragh or near Lough Dan.
From Roundwood you walk past Djouce Mountain and the J.B. Malone memorial, with distant views of Powerscourt Waterfall. A descent through Crone Wood ends the day near Enniskerry. On day seven you climb to Prince William's Seat for sweeping views over Dublin Bay, then drop gently into Marlay Park — the official end of the Wicklow Way. A transfer brings you into Dublin for your final night.
Each evening you stay in a comfortable B&B with a full Irish breakfast in the morning. Most are family-run guesthouses in the small villages along the trail, where a warm welcome and an honest dinner are never far away. Some days are gentle. Others push up to 23 km and 795 metres of climbing. It's a real challenge, but always rewarding.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker or an active traveller, this 8 day Wicklow Way walking tour hits the sweet spot. You arrive relaxed. You leave transformed.
Still researching the route? Our complete Wicklow Way trail guide covers stages, distances, and planning tips. If 8 days feels like too much, have a look at the shorter 5-day or full 7-day variants listed below.
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. This serves as a constant reminder that you have journeyed from the wilderness back to civilisation.
Who Is This For?
Adventurous travellers seeking a hiking challenge can enjoy it without feeling overwhelmed. If you are capable of walking steadily for 5 to 7 hours and ascending mountains without complaint, you will undoubtedly have an exceptional experience. This isn't a gentle stroll—some days are genuinely tough—but the rewards are immense.
People who want real Irish immersion
You're staying in proper B&Bs, eating proper Irish breakfasts, and sleeping in your own bed each night. The luggage transfers mean you walk with just a light daypack. It's adventure with a safety net, which is exactly what many people want.
Solo travellers, couples, and groups
The Wicklow Way attracts walkers from around the world, and the shared experience of a proper multi-day trek creates genuine friendships. You'll be tired at the end of each day, but in that good way—the kind that makes you sleep deeply and wake excited for tomorrow.
Tour Itinerary
Day
1
Arrival in Tinahely/Aughrim
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Arrival in Tinahely/Aughrim
Welcome to Tinahely, a picturesque village nestled in the rolling hills of South Wicklow and your gateway to Ireland's oldest long-distance trail. With its traditional shops, peaceful setting, and warm rural welcome, "The Garden of Ireland" is the perfect introduction.
We will provide you with all the transport information to get there or can book you a transfer from the airport.
After settling into your accommodation in Tinahely or nearby Aughrim, stretch your legs on one of the gentle Tinahely Loop Walks — short trails through farmland and forest that ease you into the landscape ahead. In the evening, head to Murphy's Hotel & Pub for hearty Irish fare and lively chat, or enjoy a quieter pint at O'Connor's Bar & Lounge in Dwyer Square.
Rest well; your Wicklow Way adventure begins tomorrow!
Day
2
From Shillelagh to Moyne
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From Shillelagh to Moyne
Your Wicklow Way journey begins with a short morning transfer to Tallons Pub in Shillelagh. From here, the trail offers a gentle introduction to the Wicklow Way, winding through mature woodlands, across rolling farmland, and over open hillsides scattered with grazing sheep and old stone walls.
Shaded forest tracks alternate with breezy ridges and expansive views over Wicklow's southern foothills, giving you a real taste of the variety to come. The stage finishes near Moyne, a peaceful rural area where your accommodation awaits for the night.
Highlights: the iconic start at Tallons Pub; ancient woodland trails; sweeping foothill views; and the rural charm of Moyne.
Day
3
Moyne (Ballycurragh Hill) to Glenmalure
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Moyne (Ballycurragh Hill) to Glenmalure
Today, you move from the gentle countryside into the dramatic heart of the Wicklow Mountains. Starting in the tranquil Ow River Valley, you climb steadily on forests and open tracks toward Carrickashane Mountain, where sweeping views unfold.
On clear days, Lugnaquilla, Wicklow's highest peak (925 m), reveals itself on the horizon. The route then descends into Glenmalure, Ireland's longest glacial valley, carved over millennia and once a stronghold of Irish rebels.
The steep valley walls and meandering Avonbeg River make for a memorable finale. Prefer a shorter day? A transfer to Iron Bridge can be arranged with Margaret at Kyle Farm for a small fee, leaving you a more relaxed walk into Glenmalure, where comfort and quiet await.
Day
4
Glenmalure to Laragh / Glendalough
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Glenmalure to Laragh / Glendalough
Today's walk leads from wild Glenmalure into the historic Glendalough Valley. A steady climb on forest tracks takes you past the impressive Glenmalure Waterfall before rising to the uplands of Mullacor Mountain, with sweeping views across Wicklow's rugged peaks and, on clear days, a glimpse of the Irish Sea.
The trail then descends into the peaceful Valley of the Two Lakes, where the sixth-century monastic ruins of St Kevin's Settlement—round towers, churches, and lakeside paths—offer a moving blend of history and landscape. Tonight you stay in Laragh, where warm hospitality awaits.
Note: your accommodation may be up to 2.5 km from the trailhead; we can arrange transfers if needed.
Day
5
Laragh to Roundwood
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Laragh to Roundwood
Leaving Glendalough behind, you climb into the heart of the Wicklow highlands. The path rises beside the still waters of the Upper Lake, through native forest and onto open mountain slopes, where a wooden boardwalk carries you safely across upland blanket bogs.
A panoramic ridgeline walk follows, threading some of Ireland's most stunning mountain scenery and culminating in the iconic view of Lough Tay — the dark "Guinness Lake" — framed by steep granite cliffs and a pale sandy shore.
The day finishes in Laragh or near Lough Dan, with a warm meal and a cosy bed waiting after your highland adventure. Highlights: Upper Lake Start, a boardwalk over a blanket bog, wide Wicklow vistas, and the unmistakable Lough Tay viewpoint.
Day
6
Oldbridge/Lough Dan to Crone Wood (Enniskerry)
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Oldbridge/Lough Dan to Crone Wood (Enniskerry)
Today's walk crosses cinematic mountain country made famous by films such as Braveheart and King Arthur. Starting high above Lough Tay, with views also reaching Lough Dan, the trail winds along the slopes of Djouce Mountain, one of Wicklow's most recognisable peaks.
Pause at the J.B. Malone memorial, dedicated to the founder of the Wicklow Way, before the path opens to views over the Powerscourt Estate and a distant glimpse of Ireland's highest waterfall, plunging 121 metres down a rugged cliff.
The day comes to a close with a descent through the towering pines of Crone Wood, offering wide outlooks over the Glencree Valley. Alpine Taxi will collect you at Crone Wood car park and transfer you to your accommodation near Enniskerry.
Day
7
Crone Wood to Marlay Park
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Crone Wood to Marlay Park
Your final day on the Wicklow Way delivers a triumphant finish. After a short morning transfer back to Crone Wood, you climb to Prince William's Seat for sweeping panoramas spanning Dublin City, Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea.
As you cross the northern Wicklow hills, turn back one last time to admire the valleys and peaks you've conquered over the past week. The trail then descends gradually from wild hillsides into the green calm of Marlay Park — a 300-acre parkland of woodland paths and open lawns that marks the official northern terminus of the Wicklow Way.
A celebratory finish to an unforgettable journey. You'll be collected at Marlay Park and transferred to your final accommodation in Dublin.
Day
8
Departure from Dublin
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Departure from Dublin
After a hearty Dublin breakfast, it's time to say farewell. Take a moment to reflect on the landscapes you've covered, the villages you've passed through and the friends you've met along the way.
If your schedule allows, take an extra day or two to enjoy Dublin's vibrant mix of Georgian streets, literary landmarks, galleries, cosy pubs, and lively markets, a perfect counterpoint to your week in the hills.
Need help with an extra night? Just let us know — we're always delighted to help.
Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you back to Ireland's trails soon.
Route & Map
Accommodation
Your home each night is a carefully selected en-suite bed & breakfast, genuine Irish guesthouses run by people who understand what walkers need. Proper beds, hot showers, and the kind of full Irish breakfast that gets you ready for a day in the mountains—black pudding, sausages, eggs, toast, the works. We don't stick you in hostels or basic lodges; you've earned proper comfort at the end of each hiking day.
The B&Bs are positioned strategically along the route so your daily walks are manageable, and our luggage transfer service means you're walking with just a small daypack (5-8 kg) containing water, snacks, and a waterproof jacket.
Your main luggage travels ahead to the next accommodation by van, which is the secret to actually enjoying a multi-day trek rather than just surviving it.
Each guesthouse is run by locals who genuinely love the area and can point you toward good restaurants, tell you the real stories about the valleys you're walking through, and generally make you feel welcomed rather than like just another tourist passing through.
What's Included
check_circle What's Included
- done✓ Accommodation: 7 nights in en-suite B&Bs with full Irish breakfast each morning
- done✓ Luggage Transfer: Daily transport of your main bag to the next accommodation
- done✓ Maps & Navigation: Detailed Wicklow Way maps and waterproof map case
- done✓ Pre-Departure Pack: Walking tips, packing list, route notes, emergency contacts
- done✓ 24/7 Emergency Support: We're always reachable if anything goes wrong
- done✓ Group Experience: Walk with other adventurers from around the world
block Not Included
- close✗ Flights (organise your own to Dublin)
- close✗ Travel Insurance (strongly recommended—get it)
- close✗ Lunches & Dinners (except where noted; we include packed lunches or suggest restaurants)
- close✗ Packed Lunches (Day 2-7 lunches are shop-bought from villages—budget €10-15/day)
Photo Gallery
Best Time to Visit
The walking season runs April to October. May and June are our top picks, long evenings, wildflowers on the moorland and lighter trail traffic make these months hard to beat.
September brings golden light, quieter trails and easier accommodation booking. July and August are the warmest months, but Glendalough gets busy. Book accommodation well ahead if you are travelling in peak summer.
Time your visit with a festival. Many trails host walking festivals throughout the season — see our complete 2026 walking festivals calendar to plan around one.
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Cliff & Louise
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Have a question about this tour? We've walked it dozens of times and love helping you plan your trip.
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