Dublin & The Wicklow Way In Style
- Walk the best of the Wicklow Way in Ireland’s Ancient East
- Stay in superb hotels in Dublin and in Wicklow's remote countryside
- The monastic settlement at Glendalough, a peaceful and spiritual place
- Explore Dublin's history, charm and culture with a privately guided tour
- Wake up to incredible views of Sugarloaf Mountain at the Powerscourt Estate
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in DublinArrive in Ireland’s capital, a relatively small and compact city, and an essential part of any visit to the Emerald Isle. From the traditional Dublin pubs to the gorgeous 18th-century Georgian architecture, to its strong literary culture and interesting museums, Dublin truly packs a punch!
Settle into your welcoming hotel that is ideally located in the town centre before exploring the city's foodie scene and lively Temple Bar area, known as Dublin’s “left bank” where you can join the locals, grab a pint of Guinness and listen to live music. Is there a better way to celebrate the start of your trip?

Buswells is located on a quiet street right in the heart of Dublin, next to the "Dáil" (Irish Parliament) and only a 2-minute walk from the Trinity College and the National Museum of Ireland. The boutique hotel is decorated in a traditional old style and you can expect to receive world-famous Irish hospitality.

This stylish hotel is located in the city centre of Dublin close to all the must-see attractions, homely pubs, and traditional restaurants. Stay in comfortable en suite rooms and enjoy the best cocktails in The Morgan Bar.
Make the most of your visit to Dublin and join a privately guided walking tour (duration: 2h30m) to get to know the highlights of the city, such as Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and Christchurch Cathedral. The tour is organised by one of the city's best-known local historians, Pat Liddy. You will also explore some hidden gems; a church that is not a church, an entertaining representation of a Da Vinci painting, and the story of a mailbox that symbolizes Ireland’s road to independence.
This afternoon there is more time for sightseeing at your own leisure and for those who have Irish roots, the Irish Emigration Museum (EPIC) is a must-visit. Foodies can eat and drink their way through the best food vendors, seasonal produce, and craft beers at one of Dublin's artisan food markets, or explore the cafe culture to get your barista fix.
With a large choice of things to see and do, you may wish to spend an extra night!

Buswells is located on a quiet street right in the heart of Dublin, next to the "Dáil" (Irish Parliament) and only a 2-minute walk from the Trinity College and the National Museum of Ireland. The boutique hotel is decorated in a traditional old style and you can expect to receive world-famous Irish hospitality.

This stylish hotel is located in the city centre of Dublin close to all the must-see attractions, homely pubs, and traditional restaurants. Stay in comfortable en suite rooms and enjoy the best cocktails in The Morgan Bar.
This morning a private transfer (duration: 40m) will bring you to Kilmashogue Forest, where you start your walk to Enniskerry. Hike through fragrant woodland and out to the open hillsides south of Dublin. Make sure to pause and turn around to enjoy views of the city and its harbour. The walk begins with a steady ascent into Glencullen Forest, the perfect warm-up for the legs, and continues through the peaceful Glencree Valley.
Reach the Powerscourt Estate one of Wicklow's most iconic attractions south of Enniskerry. This is one of the absolute highlights of this trip and the real draws are its remote countryside setting, the perfectly manicured gardens that stretch over 47 acres, and the expansive views of Sugarloaf Mountain. Settle into your luxe hotel and spend the next 2 nights here with plenty of time to unwind.
Ascent/Descent: +494m/565m

The Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa is a luxe 5-star hotel set on the historic Powerscourt Estate surrounded by lush gardens, 1,000 acres of ancient woodland, and spectacular views of Sugarloaf Mountain. The resort features an award-winning spa, an on-site pub (McGills), and a restaurant (Sika) offering a contemporary Irish dining experience.
A private transfer (duration: 25m) takes you to Lough Tay, keep your camera at the ready as this dramatic dark lake is a sight to behold. Created in the Ice Age the lake is surrounded by steep slopes and a white beach on the northern side. The white sand was imported by the Guinness family whose estate runs through part of the area. With a little bit of imagination, the shape of the lake combined with the white beach makes it look like a pint of Guinness, hence its nickname Guinness Lake.
Set off on your hike today with magnificent panoramas surrounding you in each direction. A gradual incline brings you across the exposed shoulder of Djouce Mountain, and then onto Powerscourt Waterfall, Ireland's highest at 121m. Follow the trail back to your hotel where you may wish to relax your tired muscles in the spa and wellness center (bookable and payable online or locally).
Ascent/Descent: +359m/675m

The Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa is a luxe 5-star hotel set on the historic Powerscourt Estate surrounded by lush gardens, 1,000 acres of ancient woodland, and spectacular views of Sugarloaf Mountain. The resort features an award-winning spa, an on-site pub (McGills), and a restaurant (Sika) offering a contemporary Irish dining experience.
A private transfer (duration: 35m) will take you to Glendalough, meaning 'Valley of Two Lakes'. World-famous for its impressive remains of a monastic settlement, it is one of the main reasons visitors travel to Wicklow. We recommend spending some time exploring this ancient site and visiting the information centre which allows you to step back in time to when St Kevin made it his home.
Walk through the wild and remote Glenmalure Valley heading deeper into the Wicklow Mountains. This walk takes you through a lush and leafy woodland with gushing waterfalls. Admire views of Wicklow's highest peak, Mt Lugnaquilla (925m), and pass the Poulanass Waterfall with its clear green waters.
Tonight you will stay in Brook Lodge & Macreddin Village, a country-house hotel situated in an area of great historical significance. St Kevin also founded a monastery here, proving he created settlements in the most beautiful of places.
Ascent/Descent: +438m/-431m

The Brooklodge and Macreddin Village is a multi-award winning 4* country retreat located in a secluded village at the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. There are two restaurants on-site, including the Strawberry Tree Restaurant which is Ireland’s first certified organic restaurant.
Enjoy a relaxing morning with plenty of time to explore your surroundings, the hotel is in essence a small village! Set off on a gentle local walk named "The Macreddin Trail" which takes you through the Wicklow countryside and the surrounding hills. Alternatively, you can choose to spoil yourself and take it easy. There are two swimming pools, Finnish baths, outdoor hot tubs, and mud chambers, as well as a variety of spa treatments that we recommend booking in advance (please note that these are not included in the price). There’s also a par-72 golf course and a 'food village' which includes an organic bakery, pub, café, and much more.
Enjoy an included dinner in the Strawberry Tree Restaurant, an outstanding country-style restaurant serving certified organic food such as their own smoked salmon, delicious wild sole, and Glenmalure venison.

The Brooklodge and Macreddin Village is a multi-award winning 4* country retreat located in a secluded village at the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. There are two restaurants on-site, including the Strawberry Tree Restaurant which is Ireland’s first certified organic restaurant.
After your final breakfast, an included private transfer brings you to Dublin city centre (duration: 1h30m) or Dublin Airport (duration: 1h20m) for your onward journey. If you wish to spend some extra time in Dublin, we can organise this for you.
Other Information
Is it for me?This trip is perfect for those looking to combine a visit to the Irish capital with walks in the Wicklow Mountains, its remote valleys, and the fresh countryside. Enjoy the ease of having included private transfers to the start of each walk and in and out of Dublin, allowing you to explore without any fuss. The walks involve moderate ascents which are manageable and you can complete them at your own pace (spoiler alert; the views are more than worth it!). Experience world-famous Irish hospitality in the comfort of handpicked accommodations along the route.
In Style | After a day of exciting adventures and soaking up unbeatable scenery, retreat to stylish accommodations and unwind with fine food and wine. This trip type is for those who like sophisticated places to stay and are looking for active routes but still want the holiday to feel special.
Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.
Solo Travellers
As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 12 Years
We have created this itinerary to showcase the best walks in the area and create the perfect balance of hiking and sightseeing. Graded moderate, the walking distances are manageable for those with a good level of fitness. We suggest that you take walks similar in distance to what you will be doing on this holiday in order to make the most of your time in Ireland. There are moderate elevation gains and losses with a maximum ascent of 450m, and maximum descent of 608m. The daily distance ranges from 13 to 18km with an optional walk of 8 to 10 km on your free day in the countryside.
You will walk on a mixture of old bog roads and forest trails as well as country roads, winding lanes of farmland, and the heather-clad Wicklow Mountains. Road walking is mainly along narrow lanes with little traffic and it reflects the fact that public “rights of way” are almost nonexistent in Ireland. There may be some busier stretches where you will need to be cautious of traffic. En route, you can explore monastic ruins, lush gardens, and 18th-century mansions.
Please note that depending on the time of year and recent weather, the trail may be boggy in places which could reduce your average walking speed.
The route is well-waymarked for the most part and easy to follow. Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost.
You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.
- 6 Nights in hand-picked, premium hotels
- 6 Breakfasts
- 1 Dinner at Strawberry Tree (Day 6)
- Luggage transfers
- Privately guided walking tour of Dublin (Day 2)
- Private transfers to the start of your walks as listed in the itinerary (Days 3, 4, 5)
- Private transfer to Dublin city centre or Dublin Airport (Day 7)
- Access to the GPX tracks via the Macs Adventure navigation app
- Detailed Trip Information Pack
- 24/7 Emergency support from our office
- Travel to and from Dublin
- Spa treatments or use of spa facilities
- Lunches & 5 Dinners
- Snacks & Drinks
- Travel insurance (requirement of booking)
- Taxi transfers or public transport not listed in the itinerary
- Extra night(s) in Dublin
This walking tour is best enjoyed between April and October. Unfortunately, due to the restricted opening times of The Strawberry Tree Restaurant at BrookLodge & Macreddin Village, this tour is not available to start on a Wednesday or Thursday. Both Dublin and the Wicklow Way are particularly busy over the summer months, so if you are planning on traveling between June and August, we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, especially when traveling in a group.
In our opinion, one of the best times to visit this region is in spring when colourful wildflowers are in bloom. This area is known as the Garden of Ireland for good reason and the Powerscourt Gardens look incredible at this time of year. July and August are the busiest months and accommodations tend to fill up fast, but you're also more likely to encounter a local festival in Dublin and you can appreciate long hours of daylight. For a quieter experience, September is an ideal month and it has the advantage of the crowds beginning to thin.
Irish weather is typically unpredictable year-round so be prepared for any conditions and you will be pleasantly surprised. No matter what month you choose to travel, being in the Wicklow Mountains means it can get wet and windy at any time of year. It is important that you check the local weather forecast before setting off each day. Wintry conditions may be experienced at the start and towards the end of the season.
We recommend using the website www.rome2rio.com as a handy tool for any travel planning.
It is easiest to fly directly into Dublin and many international airlines connect to Dublin Airport from both the UK and the US. Traveling from the airport to the city centre is easy using the excellent bus service (duration: 25 min) or taking a local taxi (duration: 35 min). For general travel information for Ireland check the Transport for Ireland website.
On Day 3 you will be transferred from your accommodation in Dublin to the start of your walk into the Wicklow Mountains.
A private transfer is included from your final hotel to either Dublin Centre or Dublin Airport, you can then make your onward journey from here.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.
Please be prepared by packing all the necessary items. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, a day pack, a sun hat, and sunscreen.
Online Documents: At Macs Adventure we care about the environment. We’re taking action to minimise the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery. On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website and the Macs Adventure Smartphone App.
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