Dublin & The Wicklow Way In Style

Tour Type:

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.

Activity:

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.

Activity Level & Terrain

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. 

Navigation

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.

• 7 Nights in hand-picked, premium hotels
• 7 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

When To Go

This walking tour is best enjoyed between April and October. You have the flexibility to start on any date, subject to availability. 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.

Weather and Climate

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.

Getting to the Start

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. 

Getting from the End

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.

General Information

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.