Dublin & The Wicklow Way Escape Walking Holiday

Dublin & The Wicklow Way Escape

5 Days & 4 Nights

Combine the cheerful city of Dublin with walks in the remote Wicklow Mountains
Lough Tay, "The Guinness Lake", and the Luggala Valley
Walk across the exposed shoulder of Djouce Mountain and White Hill
Glendalough, one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland
Spend the night in a cosy B&B in the heart of the Glenmalure Valley

Combine the lively streets and welcoming pubs of Dublin with the remote valleys of the Wicklow Mountains on a short walking trip. With its medieval castles, cathedrals, and ancient bookstores the Irish capital feels like a living museum. As a contrast to this, the trail runs south into the glacial valleys, remote uplands, and silent forests of an area that is known as the ‘Garden of Ireland’. Enter the Luggala Valley and gaze over the dark waters and white shores of Lough Tay, “The Guinness Lake”. Visit the monastic settlement at Glendalough where you will have plenty of time to learn about Saint Kevin and the importance of this historical site. Enjoy a traditional Irish Coffee as you settle into your B&B in the heart of Glenmalure Valley. With a warm welcome from the locals, you can be sure to have a great time!

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

This is an accessible and easy-to-navigate walking trip suited to anyone with a good level of fitness. Explore Dublin, Ireland's capital and "UNESCO City of Literature" before striding out into the wild Wicklow Mountains. Several days involve ascent and descent with the first walk to Roundwood being more challenging and leaning towards moderate grading. The terrain and scenery are varied, the paths are mostly well-maintained and waymarked, making this trip ideal for regular walkers or beginners looking for a challenge.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent holiday.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | A classic point to point walking trip, staying in a different location each night

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Multi-Generational

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

National Parks & Trails
Mountains

Inspiration:

Classic

Grade & Terrain

This walk is graded moderate and includes daily of walks of between 12-21km following footpaths and some road walking and several ascents and descents along the way. You should have a good level of walking fitness to get the most from this tour.

Navigation

The Wicklow Way is well waymarked however you will also be supplied with the Rucksack Readers guidebook and detailled maps so you will have no problem following the route each day.

Accommodation Information

We specifically choose the hotels, inns, guesthouses, and B&B’s to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, offering traditional Irish hospitality and delicious local food.

We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in the itinerary, but because of limited availability, we may have to accommodate you at an alternative location. Alternative details will be noted on your accommodation sheet.

Single Rooms

We will be happy to accommodate your party with single rooms if requested. This trip is also available to solo walkers.

Meals

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs or restaurants.

Included

Accommodation in hand-picked B&B's, Guest Houses and small hotels
Breakfast
Door-to-door baggage transfers
Transfers as detailed in the standard itinerary
A detailed information pack and route notes
Access to the Macs Adventure smartphone app
24/7 Emergency telephone support

Excluded

Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk.
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks.
Travel Insurance
Personal Equipment
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage.

Extras

Extra nights before, during or after your walk

When To Go

This walking holiday is best enjoyed between mid-March and mid-October. You can start on any date that suits your travel plans, and you will find up to date availability on our website. The Wicklow Way is popular, so it is best to book as far in advance as you can.

Getting to the Start

Dublin Airport is easily accessible with both international carriers and several low-cost airlines covering the route. From the airport there is a great bus service to Dublin City Centre, departing frequently and taking roughly 20 minutes.

Irish Ferries also operate from Holyhead to Dublin across the Irish Sea (3 hrs, 15 min) there are usually 4 crossings per day.

You will be transferred from your overnight accommodation in Dublin to the start of your walk at Curtlestown Wood on Day 2 of your itinerary (included).

Getting from the End

The nearest railway station to the end of the walk at Glenmalure is Rathdrum (7 miles). The journey from Rathdrum to Dublin Pearse Train Station takes just over an hour (1 hrs, 10 min). There are usually 4 train services per day, it is important to keep this in mind when planning your onward journey. It might be most convenient to get a taxi from your B&B in Glenmalure to Rathdrum Train Station (15 min), phone numbers for local taxi providers will be provided in your trip information pack. A taxi transfer back to Dublin would take roughly 55 minutes. From Dublin, regular buses connect to Dublin Airport for onward travel.

Baggage Transfer

Daily door to door baggage transfer is included in the price of your trip. We ask you to keep your baggage to a minimum of 1 bag per person (maximum weight 20kg).

General Information

The distances and ascent / descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants) sun hat and sunscreen. 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, and a day pack.

Are there facilities/places for eating in each village?

How far in advance do I need to book?

What personal equipment do I need?

When is the best time of year?

Am I able to take my dog?

What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Dublin

Begin your Irish adventure in Dublin, Ireland’s charismatic capital and an essential part of any visit to the Emerald Isle. The city boasts many landmarks and monuments dating back hundreds of years. Make sure to visit Trinity College, the Book of Kells, the Guinness Factory, and St Stephan's Green.

Settle into your welcoming, hand-picked hotel and head out to explore the Temple Bar District, known as Dublin’s “left bank”. Here you can often listen to live music and order a pint of the 'black stuff' to celebrate the start of your trip.

Overnight Dublin

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Temple Bar Inn

The Temple Bar Inn is located in the heart of Dublin City, in the busting Temple Bar district. Located a stone’s throw away from all major attractions such as Trinity College, the National Museum of Ireland, Guinness Storehouse and Dublin Castle. Making this the ideal location for exploring Dublin.

Sandymount Hotel

This family-run hotel is located next to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. Each stylish room features an en-suite bathroom, flat-screen TV, modern artwork and designer bed throws. The property has been awarded Eco-Label certification by the Green Hospitality Programme.

Full Irish breakfasts are served at Whitty's Restaurant. For dinner you can enjoy the delicious food at Line Out Bar with a stunning terrace overlooking private gardens.

Wynn’s Hotel

The grand 19th-century Wynn’s Hotel is located 5 minutes’ walk from Trinity College, Temple Bar and Henry Street. It offers an elegant restaurant, rooms with free Wi-Fi and free valet parking. Rooms combine a traditional warm décor with modern amenities including flat-screen TVs and safes. They feature tea/coffee-making facilities, a 24-hour room service menu and DVD/CD players on request. The stunning Ristorante Tomasso is decorated with period furniture, huge mirrors and large windows overlook Dublin’s vibrant city streets. It serves traditional breakfasts, cavery lunches and an a la carte dinner menu. You can relax with a drink in the lounge, which has a beautiful mahogany bar, or in Saint’s & Scholar’s Bar, with its bar menu and comfortable seating.

Day 2 Curtlestown Wood to Roundwood 13 miles / 21 km Day 3 Roundwood to Laragh/Glendalough 6 miles / 10 km Day 4 Glendalough/Laragh to Glenmalure 11 miles / 17 km Day 5 Onward Travel

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