Wicklow Way

Introduction
Wicklow Ireland The name Wicklow comes from the Viking "Wykynlo" or "Viking's Loch" referring to the town of Wicklow, one of their favourite bases on the Irish coast. The Gaelic "Cill Mhantain" translates to the "Church of St. Mantan". From the border with county Dublin, the mountains cover the middle and west of the county, running south to the Wexford border. The highest point is Lugnaquilla at 926m. Rounded during the last Ice Age, the hills are smooth with granite bases and shiny schists poking through, to give them a wonderful silvery light. The Ice Age also produced wonderful deep valleys - Glenmacanass, Glenmalure, Glendalough, which run northwest to southeast, providing not only wonderful views but also plenty of legwork for the aspiring hiker! Good pastureland forms the east of the county to the relatively gentle coastline. The train journey from Dublin follows the coast before turning inland at Wicklow town to Rathdrum and the lovely Vale of Avoca.
 We offer the Wicklow Way from south to north, starting in the lower farming countryside and working up to the higher hills. This also allows for an easy transfer back to Dublin city at the end of your tour. We also suggest several optional mountain routes to extend the itinerary. Please follow these with care and caution, as they are not Waymarked.

Accomodation
Included in your tour:
5 / 7 /9 nights Bed&Breakfast in guesthouse accommodation; luggage transfers each day; detailed route descriptions and 1:50000 maps (1 set for each 2 hikers).
Excluded:
Other meals; transfer to Rathdrum and from Enniskerry; entries or excursions.
Suggested Extra Options:
Extra night in Laragh on the 8 day tour, to enjoy the National Park and Glendalough valley.
Extra night in the Glenmalure valley to explore the Wicklow Hills.
Extra night in Dublin, Europe's fastest changing city. Wonderful attractions, history and entertainment.

You will be staying in comfortable guesthouses and farmhouses. Rooms are as much as possible en-suite. However B&B’s do still have rooms that are not en-suite but should have a bathroom adjacent to the room. We will book these rooms when there are no en-suites available. This happens regularly in the high season.

We do try to make your accommodation convenient to each day’s walk. The walking distances for each day as specified in your tour itinerary may vary, depending where you are staying, as your B&B may not be in the centre of the village. This will be referred to in your route notes and may add 2-3 km to your walk. Please check this before you walk!

On self-guided walking trails, accommodation is usually in small villages or towns and may be off the beaten track. There is usually a Post Office, shops, pubs etc. but there may not be a Bank. Your hosts may also supply your evening meal.

While we have reserved your accommodation, it is a good idea to telephone your hosts with the approximate time of your arrival. Some B&B’s will offer you tea or coffee on arrival – if they don’t please do ask if you would like some. You will find that hosts are very approachable and sometimes you just need to ask for what you want.

If you are spending an extra night in Dublin or Cork, PLEASE telephone your hosts and tell them what time you expect to arrive. They may close their premises in the afternoon as it is their only free time!

You can enjoy evening meals in the guesthouses in some locations, but the hostess needs to be notified beforehand. Picnic lunches can be supplied by her also at a cost of £3.00-£3.50 p.p.

You must show your accommodation list to your host each day on your arrival. Your luggage will be transferred for you each day by the guesthouse owners or taxi

Lunches & Evening Meals

Lunches such as sandwiches or filled rolls are often available in local shops or supermarkets, and many also have hot food counters. Look for names such as Centra, Londis, Statoil, Spar, or check in petrol stations. Please note that it is advisable to carry lunch with you unless told otherwise in the route notes. Do tell your hosts when you arrive if you would like them to provide a packed lunch for the next day (approx. €3.50-4.50).

Some guesthouses can provide an evening meal (approx. €15-20) and will also suggest alternative places to eat. This may be a pub or restaurant and prices will vary enormously depending on where you are but are usually between €15.00 and €25.00 Meals are served in pubs until about 9.00pm.

If you choose to eat with your hosts in their home, please ring them the previous evening, or the morning before you arrive to book a meal. They may have to travel some distance to get supplies! Please ask your hosts for any advice in relation to the best places to eat if you wish to eat out and where to find traditional entertainment.

If you are dialling abroad from Ireland, the international access code is 00.

The Ireland International Country Code is 353.

If you are in Ireland and dialling a number that has the same area code, you do not need to dial this code.

Riding

Itinerary

The total route is 132km and was the brainchild of a Dublin hill walker JB Malone, as early as 1966. The Way opened in 1981 and is one of the better-managed routes in the country, thanks to the Wicklow Uplands Council and local landowners. It is a pleasure to walk, well signposted, with rougher sections of the track graded to prevent erosion. The central section is covered by the Wicklow Mountains National Park - its headquarters are in Glendalough and worth a visit. The route follows on occasion the Military Road, constructed by the British in the early 19 th century to gain access to the lower regions of the county and the Irish rebels hiding within! The main downfall, as with many of the Irish Waymarked Ways, is the use of forest paths and minor roads to avoid walking on private land. While walking in pine forest maybe a relief initially, it does become monotonous. However, it is little enough not to detract from the superb scenery, rugged narrow valleys and spectacular mountains. The route doesn't pass through many towns or villages, so most of the day to day walking is remote. Approximately 20% of the route is on tarred roads. 



Eight Day Itienrary
Day 1 Arrival toTinahely.
From Dublin Airport, AirLink bus to Connolly Train Station in Dublin city and Irish Rail scheduled service to Rathdrum. Tinahely is a 20 minute transfer from Rathdrum.
Accommodation in Tinahely

Day 2 Walk from Shillelagh to Tinahely with optional extension via Aghowle
16km, ascents 270m, approx. walking time 4 hours
Via Aghowle 23km, ascents 270m, approx. walking time 6 hours
The route follows tracks and minor roads through gentle farmland as an easy introduction to the Wicklow Way. It is pleasant countryside and a good way to loosen up for the tougher days ahead. You may wish to start in pretty Shillelagh village and the oak woods of Coolattin Estate, which supposedly were the source of timber for to roof London's Westminster Hall. There is also an optional route to Aghowle to see interesting 12 th century church remains.
Second night at Tinahely       16km or 23km

Day 3 Walk Tinahely to Moyne with optional climb of Ballycumber Hill
14km Ascents 190m, approx. walking time 4 hours
with Ballycumber Hill 19km, ascents 400m, approx. walking time 6 hours
Follow Coolafunshogue lane around hills and through the Ballinglen river valley. The Ballincumber route offers excellent views and a challenging climb. Evening meals will be available in your guesthouse tonight.
Overnight Moyne         14km or 19km

Day 4 Walk Moyne to Drumgoff (Glenmalure)
21km. Ascents 500m, approx. walking time 6 hours
The day starts with an invigorating climb and enters the world of the pine forest, so lots of good walking but with obscured views. A good day to spot a red deer and other Wicklow flora and fauna … The finish at Drumgoff, at the head of the picturesque Glenmalure Valley, provides a refreshing end to the day. The area is renowned for its rebels and heroes during the 16 th and 18 th century Irish uprisings. A pint of plain in the Glenmalure Lodge should allow enough time to recall some of the more interesting stories!
Accommodation in Drumgoff        21km

Day 5 Walk Drumgoff to Laragh with optional climb of Mullacor and Derrybawn Mountain
18km, ascents 530m, approx. walking time 6 hours,
with optional climb 20km, ascents 660m, approx. walking time 7 hours
Superb views, superb walking, superb 6 th century monastic remains at Glendalough; today is one of the tour's highlights. Climbing through forest from Drumgoff, the Way opens to the flat saddle of Mullacor at 550m before crossing open moorland to the slopes of Derrybawn Mountain. The first view of Glendalough (An Gleann Dha Locha, the glen of the two lakes) is wonderful, deep wooded sides and the Glenalo River flowing through. From the valley, a short climb takes you northeast and then down the Glenmacnass Valley to Laragh village.
Accommodation in Laragh Village    18km or 20km

Day 6 Walk Laragh to Roundwood with optional Route via Scarr Mountain
11km, ascents 290m, approx. walking time 3 hours
Via Scarr Mountain 15km Ascents 520m, approx. walking time 5 hours
A short day allows time to visit the monastic remains and Visitor Centre at Glendalough. The valley was also home to extensive mining of lead, copper and zinc during the 19th century. The Way climbs the gentle flank of Paddock Hill, descending to Oldbridge, the Avonmore River and the beautiful Lough Dan. An optional route on Scarr Mountain offers wonderful views of this lake. Today's section finishes in Roundwood, Ireland's highest village at 238m.
Accommodation in Roundwood       11km or 15 km

Day 7 Roundwood to Glencree /Enniskerry
18km, ascents 510m, approx. walking time 5 hours
Wonderful walking, overlooking Lough Tay, Lough Dan and Luggala Estate of the Guinness Family. A raised path covers a long stretch of open moorland to the saddle between White Hill and Djouce Mountain. From here it is possible to see the coast as far as Howth Head in north Co. Dublin. Descending past the 120m fall of Powerscourt Waterfall, enter the peace of the Glencree River Valley and a wonderful riverbank walk.
Overnight Enniskerry     18km

Day 8 Departure from Enniskerry by public transport to Dublin Airport.
Public transport from Enniskerry to Dublin. AirLink coach to Dublin airport is available from various points in Dublin City Centre.


Six Day Itinerary    Glemalure to Enniskerry and Dublin
The trip starts with Day 4 of the 8 day itinerary in Drumgoff  with overnight and then follows the same route. The last day is set aside for exploring Dublin before departure.

Ten Day Itinerary  starting in Tinahely with extra nights in Glenmalure and Laragh
 -- otherwise the same itinerary as the 8-day trip

Rates and Dates for Wicklow Way

Dates Note: Any time during the season.

Other Info
Meeting: Dublin
Airport: Tinahely
Transfer: Rathdrum

Climate: Ireland has a reputation of being wet but it is also famous for having 40 shades of green! The expression "a soft day" is a popular one with the Irish and describes light rain in mild temperatures. Because of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream, the weather can be very unpredictable, so waterproof rainwear is essential. Your clothing must be warm but also easy to put on and take off as you climb and descend. Tight clothing or jeans are NOT recommended. The temperatures can range from 5° - 19° Celsius and the highest will rarely go over 25° Celsius. Due to the high humidity it can get very warm in summer but on higher ground it can suddenly become colder due to the wind-chill factor. Current weather information is available at www.meteireann.ie

You will require probably ALL of the following:

Fully waterproof rainwear; waterproof hiking boots; hiking-pole; light walking shoes; spare layer of clothing; hat/cap; gaiters (gamaschen); day-rucksack; thermos flask; water bottle; lunchbox; plastic bag; torch; insect-repellent spray; First Aid kit; blister-plaster; sunscreen.

On mountain walks you will need strong boots with ankle support but on road walking you may be able to wear lighter boots or shoes. You can usually determine what footwear you require at the start of each day. Heavy mountain boots will be uncomfortable for road walking. You may wish to carry a light pair of shoes in your day-pack.

If you are familiar with using a compass, please do bring one.

Cell phone rental is available and can be pre-booked through www.rentaphone-ireland.com

 If you are travelling from the USA you may wish to check out unlocking your cell phone to use and Irish SIM card. Check out www.unlockitfree.com or  www.bilemo.com/unlock