Self Guided - The Wicklow Way - Kamino - Wilderness Group (2024)

email: cathriona.o'[emailprotected]tel: +353 (0)91 457 898 (9am - 5:30pm, Mon - Fri) / +353 (0)86 873 7223 (Out of Office Hours)

Allison & Rebecca

Sunday 21^st July – Friday 26^th July 2024

NumberofTravellers:2

Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights

Overview

It’s hard to believe that just a few miles from Dublin’s bustling city centre is one of Ireland’s most beautiful national parks and most famous long distance trails. Ireland’s premier long distance trail, the Wicklow Way, tracks through glorious mountain valleys, lush forests and across heathery uplands as well as ancient monastic sites, crystal-clear lakes and historic estates.

On this self guided trip, trek along the Wicklow Way’s most spectacular sections in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains National Park before descending into green valleys and farmland.

Relax in a perfect combination of cosy village B&Bs before finishing up with a night in a deluxe eco-lodge. Focus on the trail and its jaw-dropping beauty and leave the logistics to us, as transport to and from Dublin, luggage transfers and private transfers to the trailhead are all prearranged where required. By choosing a self guided trip, enjoy the flexibility of walking at your own pace, starting as early or late as you prefer, stopping for as many photos as you’d like or challenging yourself with additional walks.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Sunday 21st July | Glencullen to Enniskerry | Overnight: Enniskerry

Day 2 | Monday 22nd July | Enniskerry to Roundwood | Overnight: Roundwood

Day 3 | Tuesday 23rd July | Roundwood to Glendalough | Overnight: Glendalough

Day 4 | Wednesday 24th July | Glendalough to Glenmalure | Overnight: Glenmalure

Highlights

Trek 70 km on the Wicklow Way through glacial valleys, heather-clad mountain sides and green forest paths.
All accommodation, luggage transfers, maps, route notes and transfers to Dublin are included.
Spend your final night at a deluxe eco-lodge and enjoy the geothermal spa.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Sunday 21^st July - Glencullen to Enniskerry

You will be met in Dublin and transferred to Ireland’s highest pub, Johnny Fox’s, where you’ll have the chance to pick up some lunch before walking to the start point of your first day on the Wicklow Way. Tracking through woodlands before reaching open hillside blanketed in rich purple heather, today’s walk is a perfect introduction to things to come. Your first stunning views open out before you as you walk along the shoulder of the hill known as Prince William’s Seat. Cross the county boundary between Dublin and Wicklow somewhere along the way as you head further into the rich wilds of the Wicklow Mountains. After your first day’s walk, arrive back at your B&B where you’ll find your bags waiting for you.

Overnight: Enniskerry | Enniskerry Inn
Room Type: x1 twin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 14 km / 9 miles | 300 m / 984 ft elevation gain

Day 1 - Directions Read More +

Route notes from Johnnie Foxes to the trailhead: Departing Johnnie Foxes, turn right and continue straight through the crossroads onto Ballybrack Road. Walk approx. 1.5km until you join the Wicklow Way at grid reference 0 17424 20734, turning left at the fork of the road into Boranaraltry Lane. Continue along the tarmac road for half a kilometre until turning left off road at grid reference O 17367 19558. (Pg.38 in your guidebook).

Google Maps Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gr8wUvdGiqpbynW46

Route notes from trailhead to accommodation: You will reach the end of the trail at Cloon Curtlestown Wood, grid reference O 18486 16794. Turn left when you meet the road and it’s a 5km walk along the L1011 road to your accommodation in Enniskerry.

Google maps from trail to accommodation: https://goo.gl/maps/hybDfWeh8BrGg9t7A

Day 1 - Transfer Details Read More +

Supplier: Justin
Pick Up Location: The Ashling Hotel | Pick Up Time: 12:00
Phone: +353 (0)87 233 8396

Justin or one of his drivers will meet you outside of your accommodation at the above time and drop you to to the recommended lunch spot, Johnnie Foxes.

Day 1 - Lunch Details Read More +

Grab lunch at Johnnie Foxes before you hit the trail.

Day 1 - Dinner Details Read More +

We recommend dining at your accommodation tonight. Alternatively, we’d recommend Summerhill House Hotel or Emilia’s Italian Restaurant

Day 2 - Monday 22^nd July - Enniskerry to Roundwood

Back on the trail, you’ll follow forest tracks until you reach the outskirts of the Powerscourt Estate. Drink in the stunning, panoramic views of Powerscourt’s famous waterfall, the tallest in Ireland. History buffs might like to learn about Powerscourt’s association with Charles Parnell, a vocal advocate for Irish home rule in the late 1800s. The official Wicklow Way trail itself winds below Djouce Hill, but if weather conditions and energy levels allow, a detour to the summit is well worth it. Enjoy expansive views of the heathery hills as you descend into the sweeping Luggala Valley towards glittering Lough Tay – nicknamed the “Guinness Lake.” Ancestral home of the Guinness family, this valley and the house on the shore of the lake have profound associations with many of Ireland’s literary and artistic greats. This evening you’ll leave the trail to spend the night in the wee traditional village of Roundwood.

Overnight: Roundwood | Lus Mor
Room Type: x1 twin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 25 km / 16 miles | 500 m / 1,640 ft elevation gain

Day 2 - Directions Read More +

Route notes from accommodation to trailhead: From The Enniskerry Inn, turn left leaving your accommodation and continue following the L1011 until your reach grid reference O 18343 16632, turning left onto the Wicklow Way. Google Maps from accommodation to trailhead: https://goo.gl/maps/xirU6jMc7MB2pVnE7

Walking route from trailhead to your accommodation: Join the R759 at J B Malone car park at grid reference O 16914 07402. Continue south-east on this road for 2.6km until you reach the right turn to L5056 at grid reference O 18299 05977. Continue on this road for 400m, take a left turn here, facing down a small boreen that leads to your accommodation, Lus Mor.

Google Maps from trailhead to your accommodation: https://goo.gl/maps/MEUMJ5FEYq3vTcMu9

Day 2 - Lunch Details Read More +

We recommend grabbing a packed lunch from Poppies Cafe or Bear Paw Deli, located next door to your accommodation.

Day 2 - Dinner Details Read More +

We recommend Vartry House or Roundwood Inn.

Your accommodation provides a shuttle service into town.

Day 3 - Tuesday 23^rd July - Roundwood to Glendalough

Until the terrible Great Famine of the 1840s, this part of Wicklow was heavily populated and farmed. As you walk keep an eye out for the remains of the tiny cottages and the ridges of long-abandoned potato fields dotting the green countryside. Upon approaching the village of Laragh, you will reach the junction with the final section of St Kevin’s Way, an ancient pilgrimage route or mass path that brought worshippers to the shrine of St Kevin at Glendalough. Your hotel is ideally situated a stone’s throw away from the jewel in the Wicklow Way’s crown: the ancient monastic site of Glendalough. Early medieval Ireland was Europe’s centre of culture with scholars travelling from all over to study at the country’s great monastic centres. Glendalough was one of the biggest and most famous of all.

Overnight: Glendalough | Glendalough Hotel
Room Type: x1 twin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 12 km / 7 miles | 750 m / 2,461 ft elevation gain

Day 3 - Directions Read More +

Route notes accommodation to trailhead: Your trail will begin by retracing part of the final leg of your walk yesterday evening. Head back up the boreen from Lus Mór B&B and turn right at the junction on L5056. Continue for 400m back up to the main road R759. At the T Junction turn left and continue for 1.1km You will turn left at grid reference O 17294 06306 signposted for the Wicklow Way.

Route notes to the start of the trail: https://goo.gl/maps/AckJKyENFx1r4t2k7

Route notes from trailhead to accommodation: Your walk will finish directly across from your next accommodation at grid reference T 12415 96938.

Walking route to your accommodation Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/6Hv7ZMQ8ZitBNZrc9

Day 3 - Lunch Details Read More +

We recommend collecting a packed lunch from your accommodation.

Day 3 - Dinner Details Read More +

We recommend The Wicklow Heather for dinner tonight. Alternatively, dine at your hotel.

Day 4 - Wednesday 24^th July - Glendalough to Glenmalure

Today offers some of the best scenery on the trip as you crest the hills above Glendalough’s Upper and Lower lakes at the junction of four glaciated valleys. You’ll pass Poulanass Waterfall before joining the forest road which will weave its way higher and higher until you reach the boggy saddle between Mullacor and Lugduff. As you descend, Ireland’s longest valley lies below you. Take in the panoramic views as you make your way to the valley floor and the welcome fire at the local Lodge.

Overnight: Glenmalure | Glenmalure Lodge
Room Type: x1 twin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 13 km / 8 miles | 400 m / 1,312 ft elevation gain

Day 4 - Directions Read More +

Route notes from accommodation to trailhead: Just after the Glendalough Visitors Centre at grid reference T 12488 96804, take the footbridge over the Glendasan River to join the Wicklow Way. Today your walk will cross paths with various other walks such as St. Kevin’s Way and Miner’s Way, so keep your eye on the map.

Route notes to the start of the trail: https://goo.gl/maps/zVBYkTxCAHW6cc8K8

Route notes from trailhead to accommodation: Leaving the Wicklow Way at T 10764 91120, turn right onto the road it’s a short 200m walk down to the crossroads. Take left, and your accommodation. Glenmalure Lodge is on your left hand side.

Walking route to your accommodation Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/HZd8mFywM5byTNh79

Day 4 - Lunch Details Read More +

We recommend collecting a packed lunch from your accommodation.

Day 4 - Dinner Details Read More +

We recommend dining at your hotel tonight.

Day 5 - Thursday 25^th July - Glenmalure to Iron Bridge & Eco Lodge

Leaving behind the peaks of the Wicklow Mountains, the Wicklow Way meanders through lush forest tracks in the rolling landscape of south Wicklow. Offering views over the emerald farmlands of Ireland’s Ancient East, this is the quietest part of the trail, and chances are you’ll have it to yourself. The first 14 km brings you to the Iron Bridge, one of the Wicklow Way’s most remote spots. The next 7km winds along quiet country lanes to your eco-lodge, where you can relax in luxury. Alternatively, you can pre-arrange a taxi to meet you at the Iron Bridge and take you the rest of the way to your accommodation.Access to the geo-thermally-powered thermal suite is included – soak your tired legs at the trail’s end.* There are a few dining options on-site, including Ireland’s finest organic-certified restaurant. Feast on ingredients foraged in the hills that you’ve just hiked.

*Please note that spa treatments are not included and should be booked in advance

Overnight: Brooklodge
Room Type: x1 twin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 21 km / 13 miles | 200 m / 656 ft elevation gain

Day 5 - Directions Read More +

Route notes from accommodation to trailhead: From your accommodation turn left at the crossroads. Continue down the road until grid reference T 10365 90531, where you will turn right to join the Wicklow Way.

Google Maps route notes from accommodation to trailhead: https://goo.gl/maps/mxnfEcq3FSyHMU4M7

Route notes from trailhead to accommodation:The Wicklow Way trail itself ends at the Iron Bridge today, grid referenceT 07277 84785.Take the left before the Iron Bridge following the sign for Macreddin Rock B&B 6km, walking to grid referenceT 12233 82416where you will take a right turn onto a lane, entering the grounds of Brook Lodge & Macreddin Village. If you’d prefer to skip this last 6km, you can arrange a taxi the night before to collect you at the Iron Bridge. Your taxi should be paid locally and called in advance. Ask Glenmalure Lodge to call as there is limited phone signal in Glenmalure and at the Iron Bridge.

Google Maps route notes to accommodation:https://goo.gl/maps/FuLNw6ggmttdYaox5

Day 5 - Lunch Details Read More +

We recommend collecting a packed lunch from your accommodation.

Day 5 - Dinner Details Read More +

We recommend dining at your hotel tonight.

Day 6 - Friday 26^th July - Dublin & Departure

This morning, you will be transferred back to Dublin (city or airport) after check out. You may choose to return home, or carry on your stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Transfer Details Read More +

Supplier: Marge
Pick Up Location: Brooklodge | Pick Up Time: 12:00 | Approx Duration: 1 hrs
Phone: 0866016572

Marge will meet you outside of Brooklodge.

Trip Details

InclusionsRead More

This self guided trip includes the following:

5 nights accommodation in hand-picked, family-run guesthouses, B&Bs, and boutique hotels
Breakfast each morning (barring Day 1) in your accommodation or a local cafes
Transfers to and from the start and end point of the trail where walking to accommodations is not possible
All luggage transfers
Transfer to and from Dublin city / airport at the start and end of the trip
Access to the pool at thermal suite at final hotel*
Route notes, OS maps and trail guides
24/7 phone support

NotesRead More

Outdoor Active

Outdoor active is a great app that allows you view digital route guides, outdoor maps & provides GPS navigation features. You can download the app on your phone and follow the route notes below while you are out on the trail. There is no need to pay for the pro version, as these routes are available without it. You can also access and track the routes without data on your phone. These route notes begin and end at your accommodation.

Day 1 Johnnie Foxes to Enniskerry Inn

Day 2Enniskerry Inn to Lus Mor B&B

Day 3 Lus Mor B&B to Glendalough Hotel

Day 4 Glendalough Hotel to Glenmalure Lodge

Day 5 Glenmalure Lodge to Brooklodge & Macreddin Village

Important Additional Information Read More