All activities / Trekking / Hiking / Glendalough
Trekking / Hiking in Glendalough
A glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains south of Dublin, holding two dark lakes beneath steep forested slopes and the ruins of a sixth-century monastic city founded by St Kevin. It is the scenic heart of Wicklow Mountains National Park and the best-known walking destination in the mountains on Dublin's doorstep.
Why here
Glendalough packs a great deal of Ireland into one glaciated valley an hour from Dublin. At the valley floor sit the ruins of a monastic city founded in the sixth century by St Kevin, its round tower and churches strung along the river, and above them a network of waymarked trails climbs through oak forest to the two lakes, the old Miners' Village and the ridge known as the Spinc. From the tops you look down the length of the valley to the lakes, with the boglands of Wicklow rolling away beyond. It is also the honeypot access point for the Wicklow Way, the long-distance trail that runs the spine of the mountains, so a day here can be a gentle lakeside loop or a lung-stretching climb, and a base for longer walking. The combination of accessible mountains, ancient ruins and proximity to the capital is why this is the walk most visitors to Dublin should make time for.
Best months
Trails are walkable most of the year, at their best from spring through autumn. Lower lakeside and monastic-city paths are easy and well surfaced; the upper Spinc and Miners' loops involve real ascent, boardwalk and open mountain that can be wet, windy and slippery. Winter shortens the days and ices the higher paths. The valley is busiest on summer weekends, so start early for quiet.
Getting there & around
Glendalough is about an hour south of Dublin by road, with bus services and countless day tours from the city; a car gives the most flexibility for early or late walks. There are two car parks, a visitor centre and marked trails of varying length, plus guided day walks for those who want the history and the best routes. Bring hill footwear and waterproofs for the upper trails even in summer.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate
Schools & guides (2)
Footfalls Walking Holidays
OutfitterFootfalls Walking Holidays is a family-run operator established in 1994 by Christopher and Teresa Stacey, based at Roundwood in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. It runs guided and self-guided walks across Wicklow, from half-day nature walks around Glendalough to multi-day itineraries along the Wicklow Way, led by guides born and raised in these hills. Day walks cover ten to twelve kilometres, taking in the Glendalough lakes and the sixth-century monastic settlement.
Joyce's Ireland
OutfitterJoyce's Ireland runs guided day hikes in the Glendalough Valley, County Wicklow, about an hour south of Dublin. Its walk departs from the Glendalough Hotel and covers around eleven kilometres with 400 metres of ascent over roughly four hours, climbing past the two lakes to the old Miners' Village and the monastic settlement with its thirty-metre round tower. It is a small guided operation focused on the valley rather than large coach tours.