Wicklow Way Walking Holidays

The Wicklow Way offers a unique journey through some of Ireland’s most varied and accessible landscapes, including rugged uplands, shimmering loughs, wooded valleys and rolling farmland. As Ireland’s oldest waymarked trail, it was pioneered by hillwalker J.B. Malone to open up the wild beauty of the Wicklow Mountains to all.

The route begins just outside Dublin but quickly leaves the city behind, leading you through heather-covered hills, peaceful forests and open moorland filled with birdsong and far-reaching views. Along the way, you’ll pass glacial lakes, cross ancient mountain passes and explore valleys rich in natural beauty and folklore. None are more evocative than Glendalough, with its serene twin lakes and atmospheric 6th-century monastic ruins.

Although remote in places, the path is well marked and punctuated by warm, welcoming villages offering comfortable overnight stays and local hospitality. With its blend of scenery, history and charm, the Wicklow Way is ideal for walkers seeking a rewarding and varied trail within easy reach of Dublin.

Few trails offer such a strong sense of walking through time as the Wicklow Way. The route threads through landscapes shaped by ice, myth and history: ancient glacial valleys, early Christian monastic sites, and centuries-old green roads once used by farmers and traders. Along the way, you’ll pass through land once controlled by Anglo-Norman lords, wooded estates, and quiet uplands that were for centuries the haunt of rebels and outlaws. One of the most striking sights is Lough Tay — known as the Guinness Lake for its dark waters and pale crescent of sand, said to resemble a pint of stout. Though remote in places, this accessible, well-marked trail invites walkers of all backgrounds to explore these storied landscapes at their own pace — a seamless blend of natural beauty, deep history and living culture.