advertisement
Trip to Wicklow Mountains: The Scenic Ireland Escape You’ll Never Forget
A trip to the Wicklow Mountains is the best day escape from Dublin. You can drive through the Sally Gap, stand at the monastic city of Glendalough, and see Lough Tay’s dark waters, all within 90 minutes of leaving the city center. The national park is free to enter, though some managed sites like Powerscourt Waterfall charge admission.
I have driven the Sally Gap in fog so thick I could barely see the road markings, and I have seen it in full autumn gold when every turn demands you pull over and just stare. Chidi, our transport specialist at WakaAbuja, first mapped the Wicklow route for me on a napkin in a Dublin cafe. “Forget the Ring of Kerry for a day,” he said. “This is closer and cheaper, and you’ll have Glendalough mostly to yourself if you arrive before 9 am.” He was right.
What follows is built on multiple trips through this granite-and-bog landscape, with practical detail the top-ranking guides leave out. Where to park. What it costs. Where to eat when you are cold and hungry. And exactly how to structure a day trip from Dublin that does not feel rushed.
Jump to: Day Trip Itinerary | Things to Do | Practical Info | Where to Stay | Food & Pubs | The Wicklow Way | FAQs
Key takeaways
- Wicklow Mountains National Park is completely free to enter. You only pay for managed car parks and specific attractions like Powerscourt Waterfall.
- The Sally Gap drive is the single best way to see the park in one day, connecting Lough Tay, Glenmacnass Waterfall, and Glendalough.
- Arrive at Glendalough Upper Lake car park before 9:30 am in summer to secure a space. The lot fills completely by 10:30 am on weekends.
- Lynham’s of Laragh is the essential post-hike pub. The whiskey collection alone justifies the stop.
- A day trip from Dublin is completely feasible if you start by 8 am. A two-day trip lets you hike Lugnaquilla or a stage of the Wicklow Way.
How Do You Plan a Day Trip to the Wicklow Mountains from Dublin?
This is the question most visitors actually need answered. You have one day. You are leaving from Dublin. You want to see the best bits without spending the entire day in the car. Here is the route I have refined over four visits, and it works. Leave Dublin by 8:00 am. Head south on the M50 and take the exit for Enniskerry. Your first stop is Powerscourt Waterfall, 10 minutes from the village. The car park is managed and costs €5 for the day. Admission to the waterfall is additional, roughly €8 per adult, with family tickets available. The falls are at their most impressive after heavy rain, and the cascade drops 121 meters, making it Ireland’s highest waterfall. Spend 45 minutes here, walk the short woodland loop, and get back in the car.
@katieleszynski DAY 8 – day trip out of Dublin to Wicklow, Glendalough, and Kilkenny. This was only $34 through Get Your Guide. I absolutely loved seeing more of Ireland 🇮🇪! #thingstodoindublin #dublindaytrips #glendaloughwicklow #sheepdogs #kilkennyireland #dublin #solotravel #backpacking
advertisement
From Powerscourt, drive south on the R759 toward the Sally Gap. This is the core of the drive. The road is narrow, single-track in places, with passing points. It winds across an open blanket bog with views opening up to the west. Stop at the Sally Gap crossroads. There is limited parking on the verges. The crossroads itself is bleak and beautiful, a flat expanse of dark peat and sky. From here, take the right turn toward Lough Tay. The viewing point is a pull-off on a steep descent. You are looking down at the Guinness lake, a dark peaty loch with a bright white sand beach on its northern shore, imported by the Guinness family estate. It is one of the most photographed views in Ireland and costs nothing.
Continue east on the same road past Lough Tay, then turn south toward Laragh and Glendalough. Stop at Glenmacnass Waterfall on the way. It is a roadside waterfall, parking on the verge, no charge, and visible from the car if the weather is foul. At Glendalough, park at the Upper Lake car park. The Glendalough Visitor Centre costs around €5 for an adult and gives you access to an exhibition on the monastic site and the valley’s history. The monastic city ruins themselves, including the round tower, are free to walk among.
Do the Spinc boardwalk loop if you have the energy and three hours. It climbs steeply but delivers the iconic view back down the valley. If time is short, walk the Miner’s Road along the Upper Lake shore to the old lead mine workings at the valley head. It is flat, takes an hour round trip, and gives you the valley’s full drama without the climb. Drive back to Dublin via the N11, stopping for a late lunch at Lynham’s of Laragh before you leave the mountains.
Fatima’s honest take: “I tried doing Glendalough first and then the Sally Gap. Don’t. The morning light on Lough Tay from the viewing point is far better than the afternoon glare. Stick to the clockwise route.”
How Do You Spend Two Days in the Wicklow Mountains?
A two-day trip opens up the southern reaches of the park and lets you hike properly. Day one follows the same Sally Gap and Glendalough route as above, but you stay overnight near Laragh or Roundwood. Day two gives you options. The serious hiker can attempt Lugnaquilla, the highest peak in the range at 925 meters. This is a full-day mountain walk requiring map skills, proper boots, and a weather check.
The route from the Glen of Imaal via Fenton’s Pub is the standard approach, taking six to seven hours. It is not a casual stroll. The army artillery range borders the mountain, so check the Department of Defense firing times online before you set out. An easier and less committing day two option is driving the Military Road south toward Aughavannagh and Aghavannagh Barracks, a quiet, wild stretch of mountain road that most tourists never see. Stop at the Glenmalure Valley for a shorter walk and finish in the village of Rathdrum for a meal before returning to Dublin.
Best for a one-day dash
- Powerscourt Waterfall → Sally Gap → Lough Tay → Glenmacnass → Glendalough. Start at 8 am. Total driving distance is roughly 80 km from Dublin.
Worth considering for an overnight
- Day 1: Sally Gap circuit. Day 2: Lugnaquilla summit or Ballinastoe Woods mountain bike trails, then the Military Road south.
Wicklow Mountains Practical Information: Parking, Costs, and Opening Hours
The top-ranking guides skip this entirely. Below is the information you actually need before you set out. Prices and hours shift, so always check the official site for each location the day before you travel. As of this year, these were the verified details from our most recent trip.
Glendalough
Parking: Upper Lake car park, €5 per car. Fills by 10:30 am on summer weekends. Overflow parking in Laragh with a shuttle bus.
Visitor Centre: Roughly €5 adult entry. Open daily, typically 9:30 am to 5 pm (winter) and 9:30 am to 6 pm (summer).
Monastic Site: Free, open access, no gates.
Spinc Walk: Free. Boardwalk loop: allow 3 hours.
Powerscourt Waterfall
Admission: Around €8 per adult, €5 per child. Family tickets available.
Parking: Included in admission, on-site car park.
Opening: Daily, generally 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (varies seasonally). Check the Powerscourt Estate website for exact times.
Lough Tay Viewing Point
Cost: Free.
Parking: Limited roadside pull-off on the R759. Room for roughly 6-8 cars. No facilities.
Ballinastoe Woods
Parking: Free car park at the trailhead off the R755 near Roundwood.
Cost: Free to walk. Mountain bike trail access requires a day permit, around €5, available at the trailhead or online via Coillte.
What Are the Essential Things to Do in the Wicklow Mountains?
Beyond the core day trip route, several other sites deserve your attention. Djouce Mountain, accessed from the same car park as Ballinastoe Woods, gives a short, sharp hike with views over the entire coastal plain. The boardwalk trail to the summit takes about 90 minutes round trip. It can be fiercely windy at the top, but on a clear day you see the Irish Sea and the Sugar Loaf Mountains to the north.
The Great Sugar Loaf itself, near Kilmacanogue, is a distinct volcanic-looking cone that is actually a Cambrian quartzite hill. It is a steep 2-hour round trip, and the car park at the base is small but free.
Lough Ouler, the heart-shaped lake on Tonelagee mountain, has become a social media phenomenon. The hike is genuinely challenging, with no marked trail, significant bog, and a steep ascent from the Glenmacnass side. Do not attempt this in poor visibility. The images you see online often involve a drone and perfect conditions. If you are a serious photographer, the Blessington Greenway offers a gentler alternative. This is a 6.5 km walking and cycling trail along the shores of Blessington Lakes, flat and well-surfaced, suitable for families. Parking is free at the Avon Ri adventure centre end.
Chidi’s practical note: “I underestimated Djouce Mountain because it looked short on the map. The boardwalk sections are easy, but the final climb is a steep push. Take water and a windproof layer even if the car park feels warm.”
What Is the Wicklow Way and Can You Walk Part of It?
The Wicklow Way is Ireland’s oldest waymarked long-distance trail, running 130 km from Marlay Park in south Dublin to Clonegal in County Carlow. It cuts directly through the Wicklow Mountains National Park. The full route takes five to seven days, but you can walk individual stages as day hikes. The most rewarding single section within the park is the stage from Roundwood to Glendalough. It is roughly 12 km, takes about four hours, and passes through forestry and open hillside before descending into the Glendalough valley. The waymarking is a yellow walking figure on a black background, consistent and reliable.
Another strong day section runs from Glendalough to Glenmalure. This is a tougher, more remote stretch of about 14 km, crossing the shoulder of Lugduff Mountain with views across the valley. You need a car shuttle or a pre-arranged taxi for this, as there is no public transport link between the two points. If you plan to walk multiple stages, the official Wicklow Way map from EastWest Mapping is the gold standard. Camping along the route is permitted under Ireland’s responsible access norms, but wild camping in the national park requires you to camp well away from roads and water sources and leave no trace. Accommodation booking for multi-day walks is best handled through Booking.com, targeting guesthouses in Roundwood, Laragh, and Tinahely.
What Wildlife Can You See in the Wicklow Mountains?
The Wicklow uplands are a stronghold for several species that are scarce elsewhere in Ireland. Red deer, reintroduced to the area, are most visible at dawn and dusk on the open hillsides around the Glenmalure valley and the slopes above Lough Dan. Sika deer, a smaller introduced species, are more common and you will often spot them grazing at the edge of forestry plantations. The park’s birdlife includes peregrine falcons, which nest on cliff ledges in the Glendalough valley. The best place to watch them is from the Spinc boardwalk, looking across to the cliffs on the opposite side of the Upper Lake. Bring binoculars. Merlin, Ireland’s smallest falcon, also hunts over the blanket bog, though it is much harder to spot.
@aovtravelagency The Wicklow Mountains are not only very scenic with great wildlife, history, and waterfalls but its also the home to the water source of Guiness (and the world famous Wicklow Way trail). Hiking on a rainy Saturday was not my groups of idea of a good time, but going solo has never stopped me and it turned out to be one of my best days in Ireland! . . . #alwaysonvacation #nationalpark #traveltips #planning #travel #travelagent #aovtravelagency #nationalparkgeek #tourist #outdoors #scenicroute #ireland #hiking #roadtrip #mountains #traveladdict #shotoniphone #nps #wicklow #views #sightseeing #tiktok #europe
The Irish hare, a native subspecies, is present on the higher slopes. Unlike the introduced brown hare, it stays largely white in winter. The peatlands themselves are a specialist habitat. Look for round-leaved sundew, an insectivorous plant, on damp bog surfaces along the boardwalk sections of the Wicklow Way. The park’s conifer plantations support red squirrel populations, particularly in the older stands around Ballinastoe. If you are a serious naturalist, the National Parks and Wildlife Service website has detailed species lists and seasonal survey data for the Wicklow Mountains Special Area of Conservation.
Where Are the Best Photography Spots in the Wicklow Mountains?
The classic shot is Lough Tay from the roadside viewpoint on the R759, looking north. Morning light works best, illuminating the white sand beach against the dark water. A telephoto lens compresses the scene beautifully. Glenmacnass Waterfall is best photographed after heavy rain, when the water volume turns it from a trickle into a veil across the rock face. The best angle is from the bridge directly below the falls, looking up.
Use a tripod and a neutral density filter for smooth water, even in daylight. Glendalough Upper Lake reflections work at dawn before the wind picks up. The view from Miner’s Road, looking back toward the lake with the monastic round tower in the mid-ground, is the composition every photographer chases. Autumn, specifically late October, transforms the larch and beech around the valley into deep gold.
The Spinc boardwalk itself is a strong photographic subject, snaking along the cliff edge with the valley floor far below. A wide-angle lens from the highest point of the loop captures the scale. For mist and atmospheric conditions, the Sally Gap crossroads at first light is unmatched. The flat, dark bog under low cloud creates a stark, almost monochrome landscape. Dress warmly. The wind at the Gap is unrelenting, even in summer.
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Wicklow Mountains?
Late spring, from mid-April to early June, is when the mountains are at their freshest. Waterfalls run full, the bog cotton blooms white across the peatlands, and the Glendalough valley is green in a way that photographs poorly but feels extraordinary in person. This is also when the midges begin to emerge on still, damp days. They are not as aggressive as their Scottish counterparts, but a repellent is useful if you are sitting still for photography. Summer brings the longest days, with usable light from 5 am to nearly 11 pm at the solstice. It also brings crowds. Glendalough’s car park is a stress point. July and August weekends are the busiest, and accommodation in Laragh and Roundwood books out weeks in advance. Use TripAdvisor or Booking.com to lock in rooms early.
Autumn, especially October, is the best season for photography and solitude. The colors peak around the third week of the month, the midges are gone, and the car parks are manageable. Rain increases, but Wicklow rain is rarely torrential. It is the persistent, soft Irish rain that layers of wool and a good shell jacket handle comfortably. Winter is dramatic and risky. Snow on Lugnaquilla is a genuine alpine environment, and several walkers require mountain rescue assistance each year. Daylight shrinks to roughly eight hours in December. If you go in winter, choose low-level walks like the Miner’s Road or the Blessington Greenway and carry a headtorch regardless of your planned return time.
Where Should You Stay in the Wicklow Mountains?
Laragh is the most practical base. It sits at the foot of the Glendalough road and has the best pub, Lynham’s, within walking distance. Tudor Lodge is a reliable B&B with good breakfasts and a garden, about a five-minute walk from the village center. Rates are reasonable, but it fills fast. Book directly or via Hotels.com. For a hotel experience, the Glendalough Hotel sits directly opposite the monastic site entrance, putting the round tower literally across the road. It is not the most modern property, but the location is unbeatable. In Roundwood, the Coach House offers comfortable self-catering cottages near the Vartry Reservoir, good for families and available on Vrbo.
For those wanting to camp, the Glendalough International Youth Hostel on the Laragh road has a campsite attached. Pitch fees are modest, roughly €12 per adult per night, with basic but clean facilities. It is the only official campsite in the immediate Glendalough area. Wild camping is permitted in the national park under Ireland’s responsible access framework, but you must be well away from roads and water sources. The open ground around Lough Dan is a popular wild-camping spot, but it is exposed and the weather can turn sharply. For a touch of luxury, the Powerscourt Hotel in Enniskerry, while not in the mountains proper, is a 20-minute drive from the Sally Gap and offers a five-star spa recovery after a day on the hills. It is frequently bookable through Expedia with package deals that include breakfast.
Where Are the Best Places to Eat and Drink After a Hike?
Lynham’s of Laragh is the essential stop. It has been run by the same family since 1776, and the front bar feels exactly like that history suggests: dark wood, a peat fire in winter, and one of the best whiskey selections in County Wicklow. The food is pub standard done well: beef and Guinness stew, fish and chips, and a solid carvery on Sundays. Mains run €16 to €24. The beer garden at the back is a sun trap on rare warm days. Across the road, the Wicklow Heather is a more restaurant-focused option with a stronger emphasis on Irish seafood and venison. It also houses a small writers’ room with signed first editions from Irish authors, worth a look while you wait for your food.
@cassiestokes1111 How I spent my Monday. I had a last minute day off so we went for a walk, a prawn cocktail & a pint. Pints always taste better after a walk. Lough Tay (the Guinness lake) It’s an hour drive from Dublin City centre Pub – Roundwood Inn (one of my favourite pubs in Ireland) Or you could go to the @thecoachhouseroundwood across the road @roundwoodstores also do delicious food and loads of other delicious things, and they sell @farringtonsbrewery beer 👌🏻 I also bought @builin_blasta_cafe spicy smoked onion mayo and can’t wait to try it! #ireland #irish #food #irishfood #irishfoodie #irishpub #irishrestaurant #travel #irishtravel #irishpubvideo #irelandvideo #irishvideo #exploreireland #dublinpub #dublincity #dublintravel #visitdublin #dublin #irishbartender #travellingireland #bestpubsindublin #pubsindublin #dublincitytravel #wicklow #wicklowwalk #wicklowmountains
For something quicker, the Glendalough Green Deli in Laragh does excellent takeaway sandwiches, coffee, and baked goods. Grab a wrap and a flask of soup before heading up to the Upper Lake. In Roundwood, the Roundwood Inn, a 17th-century coaching house, does a proper Sunday lunch with local lamb. Booking is advised. If you are near Powerscourt, the Avoca Garden Café in the Powerscourt Estate (not the waterfall, but the main house and gardens) is a bright, self-service spot famous for its scones and salads. It is expensive for what it is, but the setting in the garden courtyard is lovely. Budget around €12 to €18 for a light lunch.
Fatima’s honest take: “I am still thinking about the sticky toffee pudding at Lynham’s. It is not a refined dessert. It is a brick of dense, sweet cake drowning in sauce. After three hours on the Spinc, it is exactly what you want.”
How Do You Get to the Wicklow Mountains Without a Car?
Public transport serves the edges of the park, not the interior. The St. Kevin’s Bus service runs from Dublin city center (St. Stephen’s Green) directly to Glendalough twice daily during the summer season. It is the only direct public transport link into the heart of the mountains. Check their schedule online before you plan, as it reduces significantly outside of July and August. The journey takes about 90 minutes and drops you at the Glendalough Visitor Centre. Alternatively, the 133 bus from Dublin to Wicklow town, then a local link bus or taxi to Glendalough, is possible but slow.
Organized day tours from Dublin are the practical alternative if you do not have a car. Several operators run coach tours that cover Glendalough, the Sally Gap, and Powerscourt in a single day. The standard of guiding varies, so read recent reviews on GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor before booking. These tours solve the parking and navigation problems entirely, but you sacrifice flexibility. You stop when and where the tour stops. For independent exploration, renting a car is the clear best option. Compare prices on Kayak for Dublin city center or airport pickup. Book automatic transmission well in advance if you cannot drive manual, as automatic stock in Irish rental fleets is limited.
Watch: A Drive Through the Sally Gap
This short drive-through gives a realistic sense of the road conditions and scenery on the Sally Gap route. It is narrow, exposed, and stunning. The video shows the road in summer conditions. In winter, this same route can be icy and impassable without warning.
What Mistakes Do Visitors Make in the Wicklow Mountains?
- Arriving at Glendalough at midday on a summer Saturday. The car park will be full. You will queue on the access road. Aim for before 9:30 am or after 4 pm.
- Underestimating the Spinck boardwalk. It looks like a manageable loop on the map. It involves over 400 steps of ascent and steep drop-offs. It is not suitable for casual walkers in flip-flops.
- Relying on phone signal for navigation. Much of the Sally Gap and the southern Military Road has no mobile coverage. Download offline maps before you leave Dublin.
- Not checking the army firing notice for Lugnaquilla. The Glen of Imaal is an active artillery range. The Department of Defense publishes firing schedules online. Walking into a live firing zone is lethal.
- Driving the Sally Gap in a low-clearance car in winter. The road is not gritted or plowed in the central sections. Ice persists on shaded corners. A small hatchback can do it in summer; it can become genuinely dangerous in December.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wicklow Mountains National Park worth visiting?
Yes, without question. It is the largest upland area in Ireland, contains one of the country’s most significant early Christian monastic sites, and is accessible as a day trip from Dublin. The landscape shifts from glacial valley to blanket bog to oak woodland within a single short drive.
Can you do the Wicklow Mountains as a day trip from Dublin?
Absolutely. An 8 am departure gets you to Powerscourt Waterfall by 8:45 am, through the Sally Gap, and into Glendalough by lunchtime. You can be back in Dublin by 6 pm. It is one of the most efficient day trips in Ireland.
What is the best hike in the Wicklow Mountains?
The Spinc boardwalk loop at Glendalough offers the best reward-to-effort ratio. It takes roughly 3 hours, includes 400 steps of climbing, and delivers a panoramic view over the Upper Lake from the cliff edge. For a full mountain day, Lugnaquilla is the highest summit and a genuine challenge.
Is Glendalough inside Wicklow Mountains National Park?
Yes. Glendalough is the central visitor hub of Wicklow Mountains National Park. The monastic city, the two lakes, and the surrounding walking trails all fall within the park boundary.
Is there an entrance fee for Wicklow Mountains National Park?
No. The national park itself is free. You pay for managed car parks, such as the Glendalough Upper Lake car park, and for specific attractions like the Glendalough Visitor Centre and Powerscourt Waterfall.
What is the Wicklow Mountains famous for?
The Wicklow Mountains are famous for Glendalough, a 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin, Lough Tay, known as the Guinness Lake, and the Sally Gap, one of Ireland’s most dramatic mountain roads. The area also serves as the primary filming location for the TV series Vikings.
Plan your trip: booking platforms we trust
The WakaAbuja team researches travel using a short list of trusted platforms. For a Wicklow Mountains trip, we recommend the links below. We earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you if you book through them, which directly supports our independent travel writing.
advertisement