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5 day Hiking Tour Wicklow Way
Walkers and hikers from around the globe are invited to experience Ireland's peaceful beauty by embarking on this 5-day Hiking Tour Wicklow.
This stunning 81-mile (130 km) long route, stretching across County Wicklow in central eastern Ireland, is full of surprises - old trails, mystical forests with age-old trees, and ancient monasteries nestled within National Parks– all waiting for their moment to shine!
This carefully crafted path usually takes 5–7 days to complete at an easy pace. In total, there are 24,000 people taking part every year, so why not jump on board this unique opportunity? From Marley Park near Dublin, right down through Laragh, Glendalough, and Glenmalure before reaching Tinahely village. You won’t be short of sights or stories worth telling your family back home!
Highlights on the 5 day Hiking Tour Wicklow
- Glenmalure valley
- Glendalough and St. Kevins Monastic Site
- Hiking in the Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Welcoming Bed & Breakfast accommodation
- Powerscourt Waterfall
Wicklow Way - 5 Day Itinerary
Option 1: An extra day in Glendalough to take some time to explore the monastic site and great looped walks.
Option 2: Extend your stay, at start or finish, to explore Dublin city.
Note: Our walking holiday’s on the Wicklow Way run from south to north to allow a gradual start before the walks become more challenging. Should you prefer, however, we are happy to organise it from north to south.
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrive in Glenmalure
Make your way to your first accommodation inGlenmalure. We will advise you on the best way to travel from your point of arrival.
Day 2
Glenmalure to Glendalough / Laragh
oday the Wicklow Way takes you out of the Glenmalure Valley with some fantastic views of the famous Glenmalure waterfall. You will cross Mullacor Mountain and slowly descend into Glendalough (Valley of 2 lakes) with its 6th-century Monastic site. You will stay in Glendalough or Laragh.
Hike: Distance 14 km / Duration: 5 hours / Climb (↑) 430m
Day 3
Glendalough – Lough Tay
A pleasant but shorter walk taking in some great scenery and Ireland’s highest Village; Roundwood. On a clear day, you can opt to include Scarr Mountain (challenging).
Hike: Distance 12km / Duration: 4 – 5 hours / Climb: (↑) 400 (Scarr 700m)
Day 4
Lough Tay to Enniskerry
Probably the most famous section of the Wicklow Way thanks to films such as; Brave Heart, King Arthur and Dancing at Lughnasa. Today you will pass a memorial dedicated to the founder of this trail, J.B. Malone. This walk offers great views of Lough Tay and Lough Dan and as you cross the side of Djouce Moutain you will pass Powerscourt with its famous waterfall.
Hike: Distance 17km / Duration: 4.5–5.5 hours / Climb: (↑) 550
Day 5
Departure from Enniskerry
After breakfast commence your homeward journey. Please let us know if you would like to book an additional night or two to visit Dublin's Fair City.
What’s included in our Walking holidays?
- Carefully selected family-run and welcoming B&B accommodation.
- Comfortable en-suite bedrooms.*
- A full Irish breakfast to keep your engines running.
- Complimentary luggage transfers.
- Detailed maps and route notes, so you never get lost.
- Local advice on places to visit and where to eat.**
- Full pre-departure info to allow you to prepare for your walking holiday.
- Waterproof map case to keep your documents dry.
- Extra night(s) accommodation booked on request.
- Need information on local transport options? We’re happy to assist!
- 24/7 local emergency contact.
What’s not included?
- Your flights
- Travel and baggage insurance
- Lunches / Evening meals
* Unless already booked out in which case we’ll try to secure a private bathroom.
** You will have the opportunity to purchase picnic lunches and evening meals each day. If you are staying in a remote location, the B&B owner will prepare a tasty surprise for you upon request.
Accommodation
During your self-guided walking holiday in Ireland, you will be accommodated in local family-run guesthouses (B&Bs) or small family-run hotels, where you will encounter a friendly welcome and homely comfort. Bord Failte approves all our accommodation – the Irish Tourist Board or the Northern Ireland Tourism Board and is at least 3 stars. Rooms are twin, double or triple en-suite and single rooms are also available on request.
Need anything else?
At Walking Holiday Ireland, we pride ourselves in providing a unique experience to look after all your trip details. This allows you to immerse yourself in the Irish landscape and culture completely.
Please do not hesitate to contacts us should you have any additional requirements or needs and we will endeavour to provide these to our best ability.
The Wicklow Way Trail map
Although a lot of guides indicated the Wicklow way running from north to south at Walking Holiday Ireland our tours run from south to north. We do this because the southern Wicklow mountains are lower and therefore the walks only get a little harder as we near Dublin.
Please note that decent waterproof hiking boots are a must as part of the track can be muddy and wet. The terrain and trail are well maintained by volunteers but some areas can be a little bit tricky depending on weather conditions.
The Walks
Glenmalure to Glendalough
| Length | 16 km | ||
| Ascent | 532 m. | Descent | 535 m. |
| Max. Elevation | 568 m. | Min. Elevation | 135 m. |
Glendalough to Roundwood / Lough Tay
| Length | 19 km | ||
| Ascent | 713 m. | Descent | 437 m. |
| Max. Elevation | 443 m. | Min. Elevation | 137 m. |
Lough Tay to Enniskerry / Crone Wood
| Length | 13 km | ||
| Ascent | 315m. | Descent | 599m. |
| Max. Elevation | 626m. | Min. Elevation | 155m. |
There are a lot of places where it would be worthwhile to stay an extra night to explore more in the area. We can also book extra nights for you at your tour's start or end. Some of these options can be booked directly on our booking form. Please email us, and we will happily inform you of some available options.
When you book your holiday with us we will send you a full document with all the necessities, and more! Good hiking boots and clothes that can withstand the odd shower are necessary. We hope to have a document for you to download directly available shortly.
We have listed a few essentials that you will have to bring along and when you make your booking we will send you out a full list of essentials.
Comfortable waterproof walking Boots
Waterproof jacket & over trousers
Waterproof map case
Backpack, lined with plastic bag
Gaiters
Walking poles (It may be possible to provide these locally if requested)
Thick socks / hat / gloves
Water bottle & lunch box
Small torch
First aid
Sunscreen / Insect repellent
Compass / GPS device
and for that special moment, your camera
You will be accommodated in family-run guesthouses (B&Bs) or small family-run hotels, where you will encounter a friendly welcome and homely comfort. All our accommodations are approved by Bord Failte and the Irish Tourist Board or the Northern Ireland Tourism Board and are at least 3 stars. Rooms are twin, double or triple en-suite and single rooms are available on request. If an en-suite room is unavailable, you will be advised beforehand.
You are strongly advised to obtain insurance coverage for personal accidents, cancellation charges, medical expenses, loss of money or baggage, travel and personal liability when participating in any of our tours. Walking Holiday Ireland or its servants or agents cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to your baggage, or any illness or injury while on our tours. We also cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from circumstances beyond our control.
Pick the tour you want to join and fill out the online booking form. Within a few days, you will receive confirmation of your booking. When we receive a deposit of 15% to secure the booking we will start putting everything together for you. The final payment is due six weeks before the start of the tour, and you will receive all information on your tour no less than 2 weeks before arrival.
No, that’s not the case! The dominant influence on Ireland’s climate is the Atlantic Ocean. Consequently, Ireland does not suffer from the extremes of temperature experienced by many other countries at similar latitudes. The average annual temperature is about 9 °C. In the middle and east of the country, temperatures tend to be somewhat more extreme than in other parts of the country. For example, the summer means the daily maximum is about 19 °C, and the winter means the daily minimum is about 2.5 °C in these areas. Look at our Irish weather page for more detailed information about the weather in the region where you will be walking.
Paul de Kort– :
I went to Ireland with my son for 5 days where we did part of the Wicklow way. This was well arranged by Cliff at short notice.
Walking Holiday Ireland– :
Countryside walks
Never been to Ireland but why would you go there? Only for the Whiskey and the Guinness? No, but what is? Just try, we thought. The beautiful countryside, the friendly people, cosy pubs and it is wonderfully quiet and people pay attention to each other. It was all great!
S VAN FLANDERS – travel period July 2019
Walking Holiday Ireland– :
Prachtige reis
Je kunt volop genieten van de vakantie, alles is geregeld.
C VAN DIJK – reisperiode juli 2019
L HUIJSMANS– :
Great Holiday!
We really enjoyed this fantastic hiking tour! Everything was well organised.
Beautiful surroundings, great weather and quality accommodation.
L HUIJSMANS
M Breman– :
Wonderful trip in beautiful surroundings.
Everything was well organized, including the transfers. Wicklow is so beautiful and we loved our hikes. The accommodation was all superb and our hosts were welcoming and very helpful. Many thanks for a fantastic holiday we will be back soon!