dossier

The Wicklow Way

Level of Difficulty

Grade Moderate: This tour is suitable for those who have had some experience of walking and are in good general physical condition. There are lots of ascents and descents on stepped trails, although most days are not too long, but some people will find this tiring in warm weather. Please note you can expect to walk in high temperatures in late June, July and September.

General Information

Season: May – October

Starting point: 9 Day tour: Clonegal.  7 Day tour: Tinahely

End of Tour: B&B in the outskirts of Dublin. Upgrade to a more central hotel is also possible prices on request.

Waymarking: The complete Wicklow Way is waymarked at intervals but you should be able to use a map and compass and will need to refer to the Sherpa route notes.

Breakfast: in Ireland will generally consist of sausage, bacon, eggs, soda (lava) bread etc, cereals and fruit may also be available. It is important for you to tell us if you have any dietary requirements when you book your holiday so that we can inform everyone that you are staying with.

Baths: it is not normal for your room to have a bath, the main reason being that it takes up a lot of space, some hotels/guesthouses may have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests, but in the main expect showers.

Single Supplements: are payable on most of our tours.  The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms.

Luggage: When staying in hotels, sometimes your luggage will have been taken to you room awaiting your arrival. However don’t be surprised if your luggage is waiting for you to take it up to your room.

Getting to the Start

Convenient Major city and international airport:

Dublin airport. There are many flights now to Dublin from the U.S. Some of the best deals are on line through the likes of Aerlingus or British Airways. Do web searches for the dates that you want to travel in order to get the best possible price: sometimes the ‘no frill’ airlines are not the cheapest way to go!

The first Hotel: in Clonegal. (9day). Tinahely on the (7 day)

How to get there:  the first accommodation can be reached by bus or train to  Rathdrum (not included 10-15 Euros/approx US$15-22) followed by a private  shuttle provided. It is best to arrive at Dublin by 17:00 to use public transport. In 2008 there is expected to be a new service starting up linking Dublin Airport with Wicklow, which will probably become the best way to get to the start.

Your Accommodation

The accommodation on this tour is based on approved family-run guesthouses, with en-suite rooms. We stay for one night in Clonegal, Shillelagh, Tinahely, Moyne, Glenmalure, Laragh, Enniskerry and the final night on the edge of Dublin. The rooms are booked on a bed and breakfast basis. Evening meals are not included but there are always local pubs or restaurants to hand. Note that on the 7 day tour you start in Tinahely.

Included

6 or 8  nights accommodation, based on two adults sharing, in Irish Tourist Board approved guesthouses with en-suite facilities, full Irish breakfast each day (this is like an ‘English breakfast’ but there is more ‘Crac’!), luggage transfer each day, route description and maps.

Outline Itinerary

The 7-day tour misses the first two walking days of the 9 day tour but thereafter follows the same route.

Day 1 (9 day tour): Arrive at Dublin Airport and take the train or bus to Rathdrum or Bunclody (not included 10-15 Euros/US$15-22) followed by a private shuttle provided.

Day 2: Clonegal to Shillelagh. Distance: 23 km/14mi, height gain: 122m. Your first walk takes you along some country roads through Newry forest, over Moylisha and Stookeen Hill down into the town land of Mungaculin. Your accommodation for the night will be in the 17th century village of Shillelagh.

Day 3/1: Shillelagh to Tinahely. Distance: 16 km/10mi, height gain: 90m. Your journey from Shillelagh is on some quiet country roads. On your way you will pass St. Finian's Church. Tinahely is a little village on the banks of the river Derry and was destroyed in the 1798 rebellion. It was subsequently rebuilt and found a new lease of life with the coming of the railway in 1865, it is now a very beautiful village.

Or on the 7-day tour arrive at Dublin Airport and take the train or bus to Wicklow. You will be picked up at the station and transported to Tinahely. Transport time from Dublin to Wicklow is approximately 1hr 30 minutes

Day 4/2: Tinahely to Moyne. Distance: 12km/7mi, height gain: 540m. This section of the Wicklow Way takes in some fantastic views of the adjoining counties like Carlow and Wexford; it also passes through an old Ring Fort or Fairy Fort. The walk finishes in the Ow Valley where you will be picked up and transported to your accommodation in Moyne.

Day 5/3: The Iron Bridge to Glenmalure. Distance: 21km/13mi, height gain: 230m. A very beautiful section of the Wicklow Way, that winds you through forest trails and into two spectacular valleys, the Ow Valley and the Glenmalure Valley. The Ow Valley lies at the base of Wicklow's largest Mountain; Lugnaquilla standing at 925m. The Glenmalure Valley is Ireland's longest glacier valley that stretches for over 16km/10mi, this peaceful valley will be the perfect place for you to spend the night.

Day 6/4: Glenmalure to Glendalough/Laragh. Distance: 14km/9mi, height gain: 450m. The trail takes you steadily up out of the valley and as you climb, the beauty of the surrounding countryside and the famous Glenmalure Waterfall will simply take your breath away. The trail crosses the side of Mullacor Mountain and into the valley of Glendalough the valley of two lakes. Glendalough is famous for its 6th Century Monastic Settlement, which you will be able to visit on your way.

Day 7/5: Glendalough/Laragh, short transfer to Roundwood (the highest village in Ireland) and walk to Enniskerry. Distance: 18km/11mi, height gain: 600m. One of the longest walks but a classic, it takes in views of Guinness Estate, Lough Dan and Lough Tay, crosses over Djouce Mountain and alongside the Powerscourt Estate. Your day ends in the picturesque village of Enniskerry, which is situated on the doorstep of Dublin.

Day 8/6: Enniskerry to Marlay Park Dublin: Distance: 17km/11mi, height gain: 150m. The last section takes you over Prince William's Seat where you will have stunning views over most of Dublin City, the Irish Sea and your final views back into the Wicklow Hills. Your trip finishes on a splendid trail that leads you into Marlay Park

Day 9/7: Depart. After a hearty breakfast you can take a bus from just outside of your accommodation for the 45-minute journey back to Dublin City or the airport.