Wicklow Mountains National Park Guide

Here’s everything you need to know about Wicklow Mountains National Park with this comprehensive guide. From hiking trails to wildlife spotting, plan your visit today!

For a number of reasons, Wicklow Mountains National Park is among Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations.

To mention a few, the area’s rugged terrain, enormous bogs, spotless lakes, breathtaking vistas, top-notch hiking paths, and historic places from antiquity.

Additionally, tourism in this area is flourishing since it’s never been simpler to explore the Wicklow Mountains from the capital city.

Below is all the information you want to make the most of your trip to Wicklow Mountains National Park, should you be prepared to go off on an unforgettable experience.

Wicklow Mountains National Park Guide

How to Get to Wicklow Mountains National Park

Having a car is the most convenient method to see Wicklow National Park. Follow the N11 south from Dublin to Kilmacanogue Village and then continue to Glendalough Valley.

It takes somewhat more than an hour to get there from the city center, more if you pause along the way.

By Car

Driving is the most efficient method to get to the national park. Because of its proximity to Dublin, it is among Ireland’s more easily accessible national parks.

There are several organized tours from Dublin, and the travel to the park takes just around one hour and ten minutes. It is therefore appropriate for brief trips.

The N81 to the west and the N11 to the east go beside the Wicklow Mountains and are now the most convenient route.

By Bus

One may access the park using public transportation. The St. Kevin’s transport is a private transport company that serves Glendalough. The bus leaves from Dublin at the north entrance of St. Stephen’s Green Park, which is across from Stephen Court.

The cost of a one-way ticket is 13.87 USD, and a return ticket is 21.34 USD. Tickets are bought on the bus.

The Visitor Center is where you will arrive at Glendalough after an hour and twenty minutes of travel.

There are two more bus services that travel to the Wicklow Mountains region. Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann offer links to surrounding towns.

By Guided Tour

Although driving or taking a bus is a convenient option for many visitors to this natural wonder, taking a guided tour offers a compelling alternative that promises an engaging and educational experience.

I suggest selecting the Wicklow Mountains National Park Guided Tour option that best suits your needs and makes the most of your time from the various alternatives available!

Best Time to Visit Wicklow Mountains National Park

June through September are the greatest months to greatest months to visit Wicklow for beautiful weather. Since it’s the busiest month, there will be a lot of other tourists around. If you plan to visit a park in the winter, make sure you’re adequately prepared because it gets chilly.

Remember that mountain routes may be hazardous or inaccessible in the winter owing to snow and ice. Don’t forget to dress appropriately as well.

Every month, the park hosts various activities that are open to everyone and are free of charge.

Because of the notorious Irish weather which I’m sure you’ve heard about be sure to pack an umbrella anytime you come!

Best Things to Do in Wicklow Mountains National Park

These top activities in Wicklow Mountains National Park will leave you feeling refreshed and in amazement.

Make Your Way to the Sally Gap

The Sally Gap Drive, which is recognized as one of the most picturesque drives in Ireland, is a fantastic opportunity to take in the Wicklow Mountains. Essentially situated at a junction on one of the east-west crossings across the Rockies, the Sally Gap offers expansive vistas of blanket bog.

Originally named Military Road, it was constructed by the British Army in the wake of the 1798 Irish insurrection. Today, the area is known for its untamed beauty, with winding lanes and swiftly passing clouds.

Beginning in the community of Roundwood, the round route winds by Lough Tay, which is also referred to as the Guinness Lake due to its white, powdery shoreline bordered by black water.

Visit the Wicklow Mountains

 

The Wicklow Mountains are well-known for their breathtaking scenery and draw for tourists. The location is perfect for wandering and taking in the view because it is full of hiking trails and roads. There are beautiful peat bogs and stone moors, as well as serene lakes like Upper Lake.

The Wicklow mountains are generally highly well-liked, especially by Dubliners seeking a change of view. With more than a million visitors annually, the park is popular for its astonishingly well-preserved natural and historic monuments in addition to its athletic offerings.

A protected natural park surrounds the Wicklow Mountains. Thus, there won’t be any drinking water, shelters, or trash cans.

Wild Camping

Although there are no serviced camping in Wicklow Mountains National Park, you are allowed to set up camp as long as you abide by the Wild Camping Code if you’re considering a multi-day hiking excursion and want to experience life in the woods.

While there is no camping allowed in Glendalough, it is only allowed in the wilderness areas of the park.

Explore Glendalough

Glendalough is a stunning valley near Laragh town in the Wicklow Mountains. The main reason for its fame is its historical sites, especially the remnants of an early Christian community that St. Kevin established in the sixth century.

Still, there are some of the nicest treks in the entire national park right here. There’s something for everyone, whether it’s gentle strolls to Poulanass Waterfall or strenuous treks like the Spinc and Wicklow Way path. For information on all the routes, see our guide to Glendalough treks.

See the The Cathedral

The largest of the churches, it was built over several years. Notable features include a piscina, a basin used for cleaning holy objects, and an aumbry, or wall cabinet, behind the southern window.

St. Kevin’s Cross, a sizable ancient granite cross with an unpierced ring, is located outside the cathedral.

Go to Glenmacnass Waterfall

One of the best locations on Sally Gap Drive is Glenmacnass Waterfall, which is a rock wall that drops into the river and follows the Old Military Road through Sally Gap and onto Laragh.

It’s a popular spot for pictures and an amazing sight. From the roadside parking area above the waterfall, you may trek a short distance to the lookout and the actual falls.

Wander at The Miners Village

Miners Village, close to Glendalough, is a must-visit if you enjoy old historic places that have been preserved in their original condition. The location is typically underutilized and rarely understood, which contributes to its allure.

The settlement is located near Upper Lake, a famous feature in the area, at the bottom of the valley.

The structures and machinery that are still in place today make it simple to identify. These facilities allowed miners to remove lead under extremely hazardous circumstances at the time.

Engage in Water Activities

Some of the most stunning and species-rich areas of the Wicklow Mountains National Park are found in its lakes and rivers. The majority of the streams they oversee are too deep, chilly, and unpredictable for recreational use, and their main goal is conservation. For instance, alpine rivers can rise sharply and unexpectedly after rain.

Although there isn’t a lifeguard on duty, life rings are placed periodically along the coastline. It is absolutely at your own risk to enter the water.

Scuba diving is generally done at Glendalough’s Upper Lake and is permitted with a permit. If a scuba diving club gets permission, they have to adhere to the safety protocols listed in the permit.

Wicklow Mountains National Park Rules

Here are some of the Mountains National Park rules every visitor must know.

Wild Camping Code

Let’s speak about a vital topic before you pack your tent and embark on your adventure: the Wild Camping Code.

A set of rules intended to protect the environment and guarantee everyone’s enjoyment and safety is fundamental to enjoying the great outdoors responsibly.

The Wild Camping Code of the Mountain National Park is a compass aimed at promoting peaceful cohabitation between humans and the natural world, not only a set of regulations.

The following are a few of the Mountains National Park’s wild camping rules:

• Camp 500 meters or more away from a road.
• A minimum of 50 meters should separate your toothpaste and soap from any watercourses.
• Every other night, shift your tent to allow the plants to recuperate.
• It is forbidden to have campfires within the National Park.

Drones are not Permitted

Mountains National Park is an important ecosystem brimming with a vast array of flora and wildlife, not only a lovely background for your outdoor adventures.

The fragile plant life and secretive animal species found in every nook of this park are essential to preserving the ecological balance.

Undoubtedly inventive and able to record breathtaking overhead footage, drones may also throw off the residents of the park’s natural rhythm. Drones buzzing overhead have the potential to frighten animals, interfere with nesting habits, and possibly cause habitat abandonment.

You Need a Permit for Specialized Dog Activities

Consider it your pass to guarantee a fun and safe excursion for your dog and you. Mountains National Park has rules in place to safeguard its sensitive ecosystems and the wellbeing of all of its visitors, including our cherished canine friends, much like many other pristine wilderness regions.

When you take your canine friend to the park, bear the following in mind:

• Whenever you are in the National Park, keep your dog on a leash.
• Recognize that the main goal of the National Park is to conserve the natural world. Your dog should never cause stress to wildlife.
• Please remember to use and carry poop bags. Once bagged, dog poop needs to be taken home.

Where to Stay

When it comes to choosing the best place to stay near this natural wonder, travelers are spoiled for choice. These are a few of the best locations to stay in the region, all of which ensure that you have an amazing experience exploring Wicklow Mountains National Park.

Tudor Lodge B&B

Location: Laragh, Glendalough, Laragh, Ireland

The Tudor Lodge B&B and Wicklow Mountains National Park are about ten minutes drive apart. Located in the town of Laragh, the Wicklow Mountains, Tudor Lodge provides cozy guest rooms and self-catering cottages in a riverfront setting.

The Tudor Lodge offers complimentary amenities, a hairdryer, and a power shower in each of its guest rooms. Flat-screen TV and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Price per Night:

• $144 – $200

Amenities:

• Free Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Free WiFi
• Family rooms
• Wonderful Breakfast

The Glendalough Hotel

Location: Glendalough, Laragh, Ireland

Wicklow Mountains National Park is about a 7-minute drive from the Glendalough Hotel. The Glendalough Hotel overlooks the abandoned Glendalough Cathedral and is located in the center of the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

Because of Glendalough’s valley location, most of the accommodations provide wonderful views of the surrounding landscape and mountains. There is an iron, hair dryer, and work desk in every room.

Price per Night:

• $216 – $321

Amenities:

• Free Parking
• Spa
• 4 restaurants
• Free WiFi
• Tea Maker in All Rooms
• Bar
• Wonderful Breakfast

Birchdale House B&B

Location: Greenan, Rathdrum, Ireland

Wicklow Mountains National Park is a 20-minute drive from Birchdale House B&B. Seven minutes drive from Rathdrum, Birchdale House is tucked away in the peaceful community of Greenan, with stunning views of the Wicklow Mountains.

Price per Night:

• $119 – $152

Amenities:

• Non-smoking rooms
• Free Parking
• Free WiFi
• Family rooms
• Wonderful Breakfast

Tips When Visiting Wicklow Mountains National Park

Be a Responsible Explorer

Motorbikes, quads, and scramblers are examples of unauthorized motorized vehicles that are not allowed in the National Park.

Protecting the natural ecosystem and species that live in the Wicklow Mountains National Park is one of the main justifications for the ban on motorized vehicles.

There are Sudden Fepth Changes in the Waters

It’s critical to evaluate your surroundings before committing. Pay attention to any warning signs or instructions on safe swimming places that the park officials may post.

Additionally, if you’re not a confident swimmer, think about using a life jacket or other buoyancy assistance. Although the draw of open water could be strong, safety should always come first.

Don’t Hunt

Within the park’s limits, hunting and shooting are not just discouraged but also completely forbidden.

Wicklow Mountains National Park is mostly a wildlife refuge. The park’s occupants, who range from stately red deer to secretive birds of prey, flourish in a safe haven away from the fear of hunting.