Wicklow Way hiking guide: route map, stages & where to stay

The Wicklow Way is a long-distance walking trail in the east of Ireland. It runs for about 128 km from Marlay Park, on the southern edge of Dublin, through the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains to the village of Clonegal in County Carlow. Sport Ireland calls it Ireland's first waymarked trail: the first section opened in 1980. On the way it crosses open moorland, forest tracks, quiet lanes and green valleys, and it passes the lakes and the monastic site of Glendalough. The trail is marked with yellow arrows on black posts. Most walkers go from north to south.

The route

From Marlay Park the trail climbs into the Dublin Mountains past Kilmashogue and Fairy Castle, crosses the Glencullen valley and goes over Prince William's Seat to Knockree in the Glencree valley. The second day passes above Powerscourt Waterfall, crosses the Dargle river and climbs round the shoulder of Djouce to White Hill, the highest part of the walk at about 630 m. Boardwalks protect the bog here. The path then drops past Lough Tay and through forest to the road near Roundwood. A short day leads over Paddock Hill to Laragh and Glendalough. From Glendalough the Way climbs past Poulanass waterfall and over the shoulder of Mullacor, then descends into Glenmalure, below Lugnaquilla, the highest mountain in Wicklow. South of Glenmalure the trail crosses the last high ground to the Iron Bridge at Aghavannagh and the hamlet of Moyne. After Moyne the mountains end. The last two days follow lanes, green roads and forest tracks through the quiet hill farms of south-west Wicklow, past Tinahely and Shillelagh, and along the Derry river into Clonegal.

This guide follows the main route as mapped on OpenStreetMap and splits it into 7 stages, about 18.3 km each, using the seven official sections. Two stage ends are off the trail: Roundwood is about 2 km from the Way, and Shillelagh about 4 km. Many hosts collect walkers from the trail. The total climb is about 3,200 m.

Highlights

• Dublin Mountains: big views back over Dublin city and Dublin Bay on the first morning
• Powerscourt Waterfall and the Dargle valley: a viewpoint above Powerscourt Waterfall, 121 m high and one of the highest in Ireland
• Lough Tay and Luggala: a dark lake below steep cliffs, seen from the J.B. Malone memorial on the descent from White Hill
• Glendalough: the "valley of two lakes", with the 6th-century monastic site of St Kevin and its round tower, about 30 m high
• Glenmalure: a long, deep glacial valley under Lugnaquilla, with an old inn at Drumgoff
• South Wicklow hill country: green roads, hedgerows full of wild flowers, and quiet farmland
• Clonegal: a small village at the finish, with Huntington Castle and a few pubs

When to walk the Wicklow Way

The best months are May to September, when the days are long and more B&Bs and hostels are open. Late spring brings flowers in the hedgerows, and in late summer the heather is in bloom on the hills. Ireland's weather changes fast in any season: expect rain, wind and low cloud on the high ground, even in summer. Winter walking is possible but the days are short, the high sections can be wet, icy or snowy, and many small places to stay close. Check the Met Éireann forecast before each stage.

How many days do you need?

The Wicklow Way website splits the trail into seven sections, and most walkers take 7 days. The 7 stages in this guide are 11 to 23 km a day. Fit walkers finish in 5 or 6 days (Sport Ireland suggests 6). If you have time, take a rest day at Glendalough to see the lakes and the monastic site; there are many short walks. You can also split the longer southern stages at Tinahely or at the Iron Bridge near Aghavannagh, but places to stay there are few.

Getting there and logistics

Dublin Airport and Dublin city are the gateways. To reach the start, take Dublin Bus 16 or 74 or Go-Ahead Ireland S8 to Marlay Park; the nearest Luas stop is Dundrum on the Green Line, about 45 minutes' walk away. St Kevin's Bus runs from St Stephen's Green in Dublin via Bray, Roundwood and Laragh to Glendalough, usually twice a day, so you can also start or stop in the middle. At the end, Clonegal has no regular bus to Dublin. Bus Éireann route 132 to Dublin stops at Kildavin, about 3 km away, and at Bunclody, about 5 km away. Plan your pick-up or a taxi in advance.

You sleep in hostels, B&Bs, inns and small hotels. The northern half has more choice. The southern half has few services: Glenmalure and Moyne have no shop, the nearest shop to Moyne is at Knockananna about 2 km away, and you may need a lift to your bed near Moyne or Shillelagh. Carry lunch and water every day. Book every night ahead and ask your host about pick-ups and evening meals. Several companies can carry your bags.

In Wicklow Mountains National Park only wilderness camping is allowed: at least 500 m from roads and buildings, never in Glendalough, and no fires. Outside the park you need the landowner's permission. Dogs are not allowed on the Wicklow Way. In 2026 a signed reroute near Drumgoff (Glenmalure) avoids forestry works; check the Sport Ireland trail page for changes before you go.

Difficulty

Sport Ireland grades the Wicklow Way as strenuous. It is not technical and has no exposed sections, but the first five stages have long climbs and descents over open hills, and some parts are boggy and wet, even with boardwalks. On the high ground the path can be hard to follow in mist, so carry a map and compass or the route offline, and know how to use them. Some stretches are on roads, including short sections of busy roads near Tinahely and Shillelagh. Good waterproofs and boots are essential.

History

The idea of a long walking route through the Wicklow Mountains came from the writer and hill walker J.B. Malone, who proposed it in newspaper articles in 1966. He later helped to plan the route. The first section was opened on 15 August 1980 by Jim Tunney, Minister of State, and the whole trail was finished in 1982. A memorial to Malone stands above Lough Tay. The Wicklow Way is part of the European long-distance path E8, and its Irish name is Slí Cualann Nua. The route passes the early Christian site of Glendalough, founded by St Kevin in the 6th century, and follows parts of the Military Road, which British troops built through the mountains between 1804 and 1809, after the 1798 rebellion.