Cost : €549 per person sharing

8 Day Tour Tour Dates ALL YEAR

Tour Grade 2 Easy to Moderate Accommodation Guesthouse & Hotel

Tour Highlights The Wicklow Mountains National Park Glendalough's 6th century Monastic City & lakes The Guinness Estate and Lough Tay Powerscourt Waterfall Small villages Dublin City, with its many attractions What's included in your tour 7 nights B&B All accommodation is pre-booked in approved family-run guesthouses with all rooms en-suite, hotel in Dublin Maps and all route notes Details on restaurants and places of interest to visit along the way Luggage transfers daily while you walk All information on trains or buses needed to get to your first accommodation, during the tour and back at the end of the tour Full back up service should you require it while on our tour

WICKLOW WAY & DUBLIN CITY CENTRE

Why not combine the beauty and tranquillity of the Wicklow Mountains with the culture, history and heritage of Dublin City.

You start your tour by walking part of the Wicklow Way. The trail will take you over domed granite rolling hills that are covered in a carpet of peat and heather and through deep green glens, small villages and the ancient monastic settlement of Glendalough.
Your last two days will be spending in Dublin, Ireland’s Capital City. Here you will have two days to explore this ever-moving city of culture and charm.

Day 1 Travel to Aughrim
Arrive at Dublin Airport and take the train or bus to Co. Wicklow. You will be picked up at the station and transported to your first accommodation, which is in the village of Aughrim; known locally as "The Granite City" because of its many buildings constructed from locally quarried Wicklow Granite. The village is home to many impressive buildings of historical interest, such as the Forge and the Market House while the Old Mill, the local Catholic and Church of Ireland church buildings are impressive landmarks.

"That little spot in Wicklow where the air breathes sweet content."

To Aughrim' a poem by Desmond L. Morley
Overnight In Aughrim

Day 2 The Iron Bridge to the Valley of Glenmalure
You have an option of trails today. You can stay on the Wicklow Way or make your day a little more adventurous by doing a higher level walk over Croghanmoira Mountain (664m/2000Ft) and across the Fananierin Ridge.
Route 1: The Wicklow Way. This section is mainly on forest track and country road. Along the way you will have sweeping views over the plains of the adjacent county of Carlow and across to Wicklow’s highest mountain, Lugnaquilla (925m/1039Ft).
Option 2: Takes you on a somewhat more strenuous trail across the mountains but your efforts will well rewarded with views on one side across a patchwork of farmland to the Irish Sea. On the other side you will see most of the peaks on the southern side of the Wicklow Mountains and more.
Both walks finish in the valley of Glenmalure, the longest glacier valley in Ireland or England.  
Overnight in Glenmalure.   
Wicklow Way; Distance: 14 km/8.75 miles, Ascent: 520 m/1560 ft
Croghanmoira Mountain; Distance: 15.5 km/9.7 miles, Ascent: 460 m/1400 ft

Day 3 Glenmalure to Glendalough
The first half of the day the trail leads you steadily up out of Glenmalure along some forest trails and as you start your ascent of the valley the surrounding countryside will open up before you to reveal some spectacular views of a picturesque landscape, which is made up of rolling hills, green pastures and an impressive waterfall that plunges down into the valley.
The second part of your day takes you across the saddle between Lugduff and Mullacor Mountains where you will start your descent down into the wonderful valley of Glendalough. “Gleann Dá Loch” translated means “The Valley of The Two Lakes”.
The trail leads you down to the valley floor where you will have a chance to explore both lakes and visit Glendalough’s most cherished possession, its 6th century Monastic Settlement.
Overnight in Glendalough/Laragh.
Distance: 14 km/8.75 miles, Ascent: 450 m/1350 ft

Day 4 Glendalough to Roundwood
Once again we will give you the opportunity to stay on the Wicklow Way or take a more spectacular trail across Scarr Mountain.
The Wicklow Way takes you on a low-level trail across the side of Paddock Hill, where you will have lovely views back over Glendalough, the village of Laragh. On this walk we will also give you an option to walk around one of Roundwood’s reservoirs which is part of Dublin’s water supply system.
The trail across Scarr Mountain (641m/1950Ft) is spectacular, but of course a little more challenging. The views from the summit are magnificent and if the day is good and clear you will be able to see across the Irish Sea to the Welsh Mountains.
Both trails finish in the small but lively village of Roundwood, which happens to be the highest village in Ireland.
Overnight in Roundwood.
Wicklow Way; Distance: 10 km/6 miles, Ascent: 250 m/750 ft
Scarr Mountain; Distance: 15 km/9 miles; Ascent: 520 m/1560 ft

Day 5 Roundwood to Enniskerry
One of the longest walks of your tour but a classic. The trail takes you back into the hills where you will overlook the village of Roundwood and its glittering reservoirs, alongside the famous Guinness Estate and Lough Tay. It was here that many famous movies were made; two of the most famous being, Braveheart and Excalibur.
From here the trail swings north to take you across the side of Djouce Mountain and down into Crone Forest. Here you will have an aerial view down over the Powerscourt Waterfall and part of the Powerscourt Estate.
The final leg of your journey takes you down into the valley of Lackandarragh, where you will walk along by a beautiful section of the Glencree River.
Your tour ends just outside the picturesque village of Enniskerry which is situated on the door-step of Dublin.
Overnight in Enniskerry.
Distance: 18 km/11.5 miles, Ascent: 600 m/1800 ft

Day 6 Enniskerry to Marley Park
The last section takes you over Prince William’s Seat where you will have stunning views over most of Dublin City, the Irish Sea and your final views back into the Wicklow Hills.
Your tour finishes in Marlay Park, one of the finest small public parks to be found in Ireland. The trail takes in a delightful mixture of mixed woodlands, small ponds and a variety of wild flowers.
After finishing your celebrations in one of the fabulous coffee shops within the park you can take public transport from right outside the entrance to Dublin City Centre, which is to be your accommodation for the next two nights.
Overnight in Dublin.
Distance: 17 km/10.6 miles, Ascent: 150 m/450 ft

Day 7 Dublin City Tour
From humble beginnings over 1000 years ago Dublin City, has now become one of Europe’s most well known cities and is renowned for its culture and fun. The city has a wealth of interesting places to visit from, galleries, historical buildings, museums, castles, colleges and much, much more.
Whatever your taste is in life, Dublin is the place to see and one thing for sure is that you won’t be bored.
 
Day 8 Depart for home
After a hearty breakfast you can take a bus from just outside of your accommodation for the 20-minute journey back to Dublin Airport.

If you would like more information on this self-guided tour or you would like us to set-up another tour for you in other parts of Ireland please email us at: info@walkinghikingireland.com

Other self-guided tours
• Aran Islands & Western Way • Beara Way • Wales & Wicklow •
• Dingle Way 8 day • Dingle Way 10 day • Glens of Antrim • Wales• Kerry Way •
• Wicklow Way 6 day • Wicklow Way 8 day • Wicklow Way 10 day •
West Highland Way 6 day • West Highland Way 7 day • West Highland Way 10 day