Dublin & The Wicklow Way Short Break

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

Activity Level & Terrain

This walk is graded easy to moderate and includes daily walks of between 10 and 21km with several ascents and descents along the way. The Wicklow Way trail uses forest paths and sometimes minor roads to avoid walking on private land, this is inevitable because rights of way are non-existent in Ireland. The terrain is mixed with some rocky areas and mixed surfaces underfoot. This itinerary is suitable for regular walkers who are generally fit. Extra nights can be added upon request.

Navigation

The Wicklow Way is known to be one of the best waymarked and maintained Irish Ways. You will have access to the route information and GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone app, so you will have no problem following the route each day.

• 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

• 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.

• Extra nights before, during or after your walk

When To Go

The Wicklow Way is available from April to October and you can start your trip on any day of the week to suit your travel plans. As the Irish weather is so famously changeable, it is hard for us to indicate the very best time to go. However, we believe that anytime between April and October should offer a wonderful experience. The Irish weather is unpredictable but not often extreme, although it is important to be prepared for any conditions. The Wicklow Way is popular, so it is best to book as far in advance as you can.

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

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.

Luggage Transfer

Daily door-to-door luggage transfers are included in the price of your trip, allowing you to set off on each walk carrying a light backpack.

At Macs Adventure we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Ninety-nine percent of the time they will only transfer one bag per person, but the allowed weight ranges from anything between 15 and 20kg per bag, depending on the tour you are taking. We do not have control over the limits that these providers set. Therefore, it is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags (including shopping bags or boots) and if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees) which we must respect.

On this trip, we ask you to keep your luggage to a maximum weight of 20 kilograms per item, and just one item of luggage per person.

Equipment

You will need good walking shoes (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, a waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack as well as sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. This route involves a few climbs where you may find it useful to have your walking poles.