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The Wicklow Way is
Ireland's oldest way marked trail, pioneered by a famous hill walker,
J.B Malone over 40 years ago and reveals some of Irelands finest views;
Powerscourt Waterfall, Luggala, Loch Dan, Glenmalure and historical
Glendalough. The trail extends from Marlay Park in Dublin to Clonegal on
the borders of Wicklow and Carlow covering a distance of 127 kilometres
(79 miles). The way winds through the Wicklow Mountains, one of the
country's most spectacular upland areas. The Wicklow Way explores
unspoilt trails, remote scenery, lakes, glacial valleys, forests and
gentle farmland. Starting in southwest County Wicklow the route passes
through rural communities, old market towns and grand estates on its way
to the bright lights of Dublin.
The
small typical 'one street' village of Clonegal is an apt starting place
for this walk into the remote and beautiful Wicklow Mountains. It is a
route that remains mainly in the countryside making the short detours
necessary to find a comfortable bed for the night. A couple of fairly
long but gentle days introduce the walker to the Newry forest and over
high points of Moylisha and Stookeen Hill to the 17th century village of
Shillelagh and then on to the beautiful village of Tinahely. Take a look
at the historic market building, courthouse and shops as well as getting
a flavour of the local hospitality in the pub and restaurant. Quiet
roads, forest trails and open mountainsides, with views back towards
Clonegal and across the neighbouring counties of Carlow and Wexford,
lead to Moyne and on to the most dramatic stages of the walk. A
magnificent day's walk includes the spectacular Ow valley that passes
below Wicklow's highest mountain, Lugnaquilla (925m), and along the
16km long glaciated Glenmalure Valley. This walk ends at the scattering
of houses and splendid inn that make up Glenmalure Village. There is no
village here, hamlet might be a better word then village.
If
climbing out of the Glenmalure Valley doesn't literally take your breath
away then the fantastic views and the Glenmalure Waterfall probably
will. Cross Mullacour Mountain and walk into Glendalough, 'the valley of
two lakes' and site of a monastic settlement (from the 6th to the 13th
century) for a little sightseeing. A short vehicle transfer gets us
underway on the road to Roundwood, which claims to be Ireland's highest
village. The Penultimate day's walk to the charming village of
Enniskerry is a mini classic with views of Lough Dan and Lough Tay. At
the head of the valley is the Guinness family estate and later in the day
enjoy views of Powerscourt Waterfall, the longest in the country. The
last walk goes over Prince William's Seat for views across the city of
Dublin, now in striking distance for some afternoon sightseeing and a
lively evening in the city centre or one of its many fine restaurants.
Whether
you choose the 7 or 9 day itinerary, we book your accommodation and take
care of your luggage, supply you with maps and route details provide you
with cell/mobile phone and a full back up service. Leaving you to simply
enjoy the scenery splendor and solitude of the Wicklow landscape.
Like the rest of our self-guided tours, the Wicklow Way can be
tailored to suit you with extra nights at any location.
This can be tailored to suit you. Our
itinerary is from south to north but can be reversed around if it
suits you better. The reason we have the trip designed this way is that
you have all your travelling over in the first day, and when you finish
your tour you are approximately 45 minutes away from Dublin city centre.
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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 UK including
regional airports and from Continental Europe and the U.S. Some of the
best deals are on line through the likes of Ryan air, 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) followed by a private
shuttle provided. It is best to arrive at Dublin by 17:00 to use
public transport. In 2008 there is meant 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.
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Outline
Itinerary
The 7-day tour misses the
first two walking days of the 9 day tour but thereafter follows the same
route.
q Day
1 (9 day tour):
Arrive
at Dublin Airport and take the train or bus to Rathdrum
or Bunclody (not included 10-15 Euros) followed by a private shuttle
provided.
q Day
2: Clonegal to Shillelagh. Distance: 23
km, 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.
q Day
3/1:
Shillelagh
to Tinahely. Distance: 16 km, 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
q Day
4/2: Tinahely to Moyne. Distance: 12km,
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.
q Day
5/3: The Iron Bridge to Glenmalure.
Distance: 21km, 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, this peaceful valley will be the
perfect place for you to spend the night.
q Day
6/4: Glenmalure to Glendalough/Laragh.
Distance: 14km, 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.
q Day
7/5: Glendalough/Laragh, short transfer to
Roundwood (the highest village in Ireland) and walk to Enniskerry.
Distance: 18km, 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.
q Day
8/6: Enniskerry
to Marlay Park Dublin:
Distance: 17km, 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
q 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.
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