Do The Wicklow Way - go on you'll love it!
The Wicklow Way, formally established in the 1980's by JB Malone, is a spectacular landscape of unspoiled and remote mountain trails – surprisingly, only a half-hour’s drive south from the bustling capital city of Dublin.
The hiking route usually begins in Dublin's southern suburb of Rathfarnham and travels in a south-south-westerly direction across the Dublin and Wicklow uplands, then through the rolling hills of southwest Wicklow, finishing in the small, Co. Carlow village of Clonegal, 127 kilometres later.
However, at Sugarloaf Adventures we’re recommending starting at the most south westerly point and hiking back in a northerly direction, finishing in Marlay Park, Rathfarham (30 mins outside Dublin City Centre).
What you’ll experience
As you hike along the remote trails, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking variety of topography, including mountains, upland lakes, steep-sided glacial valleys, fast flowing mountain streams, forests and farmland. For the historically minded, you’ll see occasional ruins of ancient stone dwellings and memorials to famous historic events. Of particular note are the extensive remains of the early Christian monastic settlement in the beautiful Glendalough valley.
Hikes for all types
Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you do all 127 kilometres of the Wicklow Way in one go! We’ve got 3 different packages for you to choose from, catering to all levels of fitness and enthusiasm!
1-DAY HIKE
For our 1-day hike, we’ve selected a favourite section, which takes you from Roundwood to Glendalough – it’s the perfect taster of the Wicklow Way!
Roundwood to Glendalough
Distance: 12 km
Ascent: 350m
Duration: 4 hrs
3-DAY HIKE
For our 3-day hike we’ll start at Glenmalure, going on to Glendalough, then Roundwood and finishing in the picturesque village of Enniskerry.
Day 1 - Glenmalure to Glendalough
Distance: 14 km
Ascent: 400m
Duration: 4.5 hrs
Day 2 - Glendalough to Roundwood
Distance: 12 km
Ascent: 350m
Duration: 4 hrs
Day 3 - Roundwood to Enniskerry
Distance: 20 km
Ascent: 500m
Duration: 7 hrs
8-DAY HIKE
During our 8-day hike, you’ll get to complete the entire Wicklow Way! You’ll start at the most southerly point (Clonegal, Co. Carlow) hiking back towards Dublin, finishing your 127km trek at Marlay Park, Rathfarnham – well done you!
This is a full-on, outdoors immersion in the natural wonders that the Garden of Ireland (i.e. County Wicklow) has to offer, including the wonderful local hospitality that Wicklow people are famous for!
Stage 1 - Clonegal to Shilleagh
Distance: 17 km
Ascent: 300m
Duration: 6 hrs
Stage 2 - Shilleagh to Moyne
Distance: 21 km
Ascent: 500m
Duration: 7hrs
Stage 3 - Moyne to Glenmalure
Distance: 21 km
Ascent: 550m
Duration: 7 hrs
Stage 4 - Glenmalure to Glendalough
Distance: 14 km
Ascent: 400m
Duration: 4.5 hrs
Stage 5 - Glendalough to Roundwood
Distance: 12 km
Ascent: 350m
Duration: 4 hrs
Stage 6 - Roundwood to Knockree
Distance: 18 km
Ascent: 500m
Duration: 6.5 hrs
Stage 7 - Knockree to Marlay Park
Distance: 21 km
Ascent: 600m
Duration: 7hrs
Please email Fran at fran@sugarloafadventures.ie for further details on the various stages, plus our special Package Prices etc.