Glendalough Day Trip from Dublin: One Perfect Day in the Wicklow Mountains (2025)

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Contemplating a Glendalough day trip from Dublin? Here’s everything you need to know, from a former local!

When I first moved to Ireland in 2020, I landed in the Wicklow Mountains, about 10 minutes from Glendalough. I spent about a year exploring the hikes and trails in the Wicklow Mountains, including the Glendalough Valley, the Glenmalure Valley, and other areas in County Wicklow.

Of all the hikes I’ve done, Glendalough is my favorite hike in Ireland. And, since it’s only about a 75 minute drive from the capital, it’s the perfect excuse to get out of Dublin. In my opinion, it has it all: it’s challenging enough to feel like an accomplishment without leaving you so tired that you need to crawl back into bed.

The hike around Glendalough has lovely scenery about 70% of the time, and boardwalks across the top so that your feet don’t get muddy (and so you won’t accidentally fall over the edge of the cliff). There are ruins on the hiking trail of an old mining settlement, and there are wild goats wandering around. Really, what else can one ask for in a hike?

In addition to hiking, this itinerary includes a walk through a garden and a visit to the seaside city of Bray. It’s the perfect itinerary for active travelers who want to get into nature. 

Table of Contents
Glendalough Day Trip from Dublin: Overview
How to Get to Wicklow from Dublin
The Spinc Trail: What to Expect 
What to Bring on For Your Day Trip
FAQs
Conclusion

Glendalough Day Trip from Dublin: Overview

This itinerary is for one of those days where you say “everything was great, and we actually got some exercise!” If you want to cut down on the walking, I’d suggest that you wander around Glendalough without completing the full hike; this should leave you with enough energy and time for the other activities. 

From breakfast in Dublin to a fabulous hike to a garden stroll, this itinerary will keep you busy. You’ll also have a chance to see many of the highlights in the Wicklow Mountains, offering a completely different view of Ireland than you’ll get in Dublin. 

Eat Breakfast/Lunch

Make sure you eat a full breakfast and bring a lunch or substantial snack of some sort to eat while on the hike! If your hotel doesn’t offer breakfast, a few Dublin spots I particularly like are Groundstate, ALMA, and Two Boys Brew. 

If you’re able to make it to Groundstate, you could easily grab a takeaway sandwich for your lunch while on the hike! 

A great alternative to breakfast in Dublin is to swing by Avoca in Kilmacanogue on your way towards Glendalough, where you can enjoy a variety of breakfast options and also pick up a sandwich to eat while on your hike. As a bonus, Avoca is a great spot to pick up some nice, not-overly-touristy gifts.

If you opted for a small lunch, you’ll probably be pretty hungry by the time you leave Glendalough. If you’re looking for a lunch spot on your way through Laragh, I would suggest that you grab something to eat at the Wicklow Heather. They have a few vegetarian and vegan options, but if you’re gluten free there may not be much here for you to eat. 

Hike the Spinc Trail

Glendalough is an area with two lakes (the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake) and 6th century monastic ruins in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland. The lake was formed by a glacier, so it is very deep and fed by a stream with a waterfall that you can see on the far side of the lake when on the loop hike around the Upper Lake. 

This is a popular hike year round, so you’ll want to start hiking as early as is practicable. There’s no need to get up at dawn–unless that’s your thing!–but you can expect to see other people out and about pretty early in the morning.

I would aim to start your hike no later than 11am to give you a chance to beat some of the crowds. 

Park at the Upper Lake car park, if possible, as this is the closest to the trailhead. 

Visit the Monastic Ruins

After you finish your hike at Glendalough, stop by the monastic ruins on your way towards Laragh. You can either walk from the Upper Lake car park or, if it’s not too busy, start driving back towards Laragh and park near the entrance to the ruins. 

If you decide to drive, the easiest places to park are immediately before the food trucks (the spots will be on your left when you’re headed away from Glendalough) or on either side of the road after you cross the bridge (after the road straightens out). 

In my opinion, there’s no right way to wander the ruins–but be sure to visit the Round Tower and St. Peter and St. Paul’s Cathedral. 

Visit a Garden

Wicklow is the Garden of Ireland, so visiting a garden is naturally one of the best things to do in Wicklow. There are two great gardens worth a visit, though you’ll need to choose one for your day trip. The first is Powerscourt, set on the grounds of a former estate, and the second is Victor’s Way, a privately run statue garden.

Powerscourt Gardens

Named the third best garden in the world by National Geographic, the Powerscourt Gardens are stunning and stately. There are a number of activities related to the Powerscourt Estate: a waterfall, gardens, golf course, and cafe. Assuming you only have time to do one activity, I’d definitely recommend wandering the gardens. 

You’ll need about two to three hours to explore the garden. Don’t skip the Italian Garden or Walled Garden – my personal favorites. There’s also a pet cemetery that contains headstones for the various pet dogs, ponies, and even a cow from the Wingfield and Slazenger families. 

When I brought my dad and younger sister to visit Ireland, they both said that a visit to Powerscourt was the highlight of their trip. 

As of this writing, the entrance fee for adults is €9 and a family is €20.

Nearby, you can also see Ireland’s highest waterfall, the Powerscourt Waterfall. It’s a little pricey to get in, but I enjoyed it the one time I went. As of this writing, the fee is €7 for adults and €18 for a family. 

Victor’s Way

If you’re looking for something completely different–and imminently Instagrammable–you might prefer a visit to Victor’s Way. It’s a bit hard to describe Victor’s Way, but at its core it is a sculpture park designed to be a meditative and contemplative space for adults. If you have children in your group, I’d recommend you head towards Powerscourt. 

The park is filled with black granite statues, many of which are political or social statements. If you choose to visit Victor’s Way, here are some Instagram captions for your post.

As of this writing, the entrance fee is €10 per adult. Visitors are encouraged to book their tickets online. 

Grab a Dinner in Bray

On your way back to Dublin, make one final stop in Bray to see the Wicklow seaside and relax. 

My favorite spot in Bray is Daata, a Pakistani restaurant with delicious and fresh dishes. I especially love the saag paneer, vegetarian samosas, and mango lassis. 

Daata has a sizable vegan/vegetarian menu with abundant options for people who are gluten free. I would recommend making a reservation in advance, if possible.

Before or after you eat, take a stroll along the seaside and try to catch the sunset. If you’d like to try to see some swans, head north along the seaside towards the Bray Sailing Club, where they tend to hang out on the small beach nearby. To the south is the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk. 

Optional: Where to Stay in Bray

In the event that you decide to stay the night instead of returning to Dublin, I wrote a separate post about all of the best hotels and B&Bs in Wicklow. From charming B&Bs near Glendalough to the impressive Powerscourt Hotel, there are options for all types of travelers and budgets. 

For a comfortable and modern spot in Bray, walking distance from Daata, check out Firefly. This modern hotel has affordable rooms and updated decor, so it’s perfect for a quick stop while you’re visiting Wicklow. The rooms at Firefly are especially spacious for budget-friendly accommodations in Ireland. 

How to Get to Wicklow from Dublin

There are a number of bus services that run from Dublin to Glendalough, but you’ll probably be better off if you’re able to drive as you’ll feel more free to complete the full hike without time constraints. I’ve written this guide assuming that you will have a car and drive yourself from Dublin. 

Rent a Car

The best way to get to and around Wicklow is to drive, so you will want to rent a car to visit this part of Ireland. This rural region is designed for cars, so you’ll have the best experience if you show yourself around. 

Remember that cars drive on the left in Ireland, so it can be a challenging experience for some travelers. Try to watch a few YouTube videos to try to get your mind around driving on the other side of the road. 

Top Guided Tours of the Wicklow Mountains

Understandably, not everyone can drive when they visit the Wicklow Mountains. Instead of trying to take a bus, I suggest that you consider a guided tour of the area. None of the tours will give you time to hike Glendalough like I’ve laid out in this itinerary, but they include other worthwhile stops in the Wicklow Mountains. 

Here are the three top tours of the Wicklow Mountains from Dublin:

✅ Original Wild Wicklow and Glendalough Tour
This tour includes many of the highlights of the Wicklow Mountains, including a quick visit to Avoca Kilmacanogue, a drive through Sally Gap, lunch in Laragh, and the Glendalough Monastery and Upper Lake. Because you don’t go on to Kilkenny on this tour, you have more time to explore the Wicklow Mountains. 

✅ Kilkenny, Wicklow, & Glendalough with Sheepdog Show
Ireland is known for its sheep, and this tour is unique because it includes a fascinating sheepdog demonstration. You’ll also visit the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough. Unlike the Wild Wicklow tour, you’ll also have a chance to visit the medieval city of Kilkenny. The timing is a little tight with the packed itinerary, so past travelers advise that you bring your own lunch. 

✅ Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour
Similar to the tour with the sheepdog show, this tour includes stops at both Glendalough and Kilkenny. The pacing of this tour is a little slower, so you’ll probably have time to hike up for a view of the Upper Lake at Glendalough (though you can’t complete the full loop). Of course, check with your guide before you set off so that you don’t get left behind! 

Public Transit/Hitchhiking 

If you can’t drive to the Wicklow Mountains, either on your own or as part of a pre-arranged tour, I suggest that you skip this day trip. Public transit is very limited in the Wicklow Mountains, and local buses are unreliable. 

Likewise, I wouldn’t recommend that you attempt to hitchhike in Wicklow. Although you might be able to find a ride, it’s a dangerous activity and not worth the risk. Plus, if no one picks you up, you probably won’t be able to take a bus back to Dublin and could end up stranded. 

The Spinc Trail: What to Expect 

I would classify the Spinc Trail as a moderately challenging hike. The loop around the Upper Lake is approximately 9.7 kilometers (just over 6 miles), with 410 meters (or about 1,350 feet) of total elevation gain. The last time I completed the hike, it took me about 3.5 hours, but I didn’t stop for lunch. 

When researching for this article, I noticed that there are a number of sites that seem to suggest that this loop is 5km (about 3.2 miles). They are inaccurate. 

Which Direction to Hike

This hike is a loop, so one of the earliest decisions you’ll make is whether to go clockwise or counter clockwise. For this hike, I’d suggest that you make your decision based on how sure you are that you’ll finish the full loop.

If you aren’t sure that you’ll be able to finish the loop, go counterclockwise so that you don’t miss the walk along the lake – it’s the best part, in my opinion, which is why I save it for last. You can hike the (mostly) flat portion to the mining village, a set of stone ruins, and then turn around for a much easier out and back.

Route Overview

I prefer to hike the loop clockwise because I enjoy getting (most) of the hard part out of the way right at the beginning when I have the most energy. That way, I can coast the rest of the way around the loop. 

Going clockwise, you’ll leave the car park and walk uphill following a waterfall until you reach a forested area. From there, you’ll follow some switchbacks up the side of a small mountain/large hill (depending on your persuasion) until you reach a boardwalk with an overview of the lake. The boardwalk will then continue uphill until you reach the “summit” and begin your descent. 

The boardwalks will end about a quarter of the way down the hill, and from there you’ll go along a trail until you reach a bridge with a stream running under it. If it’s not too cold, this is a great spot for a lunch/snack/meditation/nap/cup of tea! 

The trail includes some light scrambling and switchbacks before you reach the ruins of a mining settlement. 

Past the ruins, it’s smooth sailing. The path heads straight through some covered pine forest that is sheltered from both the wind and the sun. You’ll walk along the lake shore for the duration of the lake before crossing a small bridge that will take you back to the car park on your left.

What to Bring on For Your Day Trip

There is a portion of this hike that goes along a cliff top overlooking the lake, and it can get pretty chilly and windy. This is true even if the weather seems decent at the lake because the upper trail is much more exposed. 

For that reason, I’d suggest that you plan to dress in layers and bring a warm coat, rain jacket, hat, and gloves (if you have them). If visiting Ireland in the winter, you’ll also want long underwear and wool layers. 

✅ Comfortable walking shoes – Choose a sturdy pair that can handle a variety of terrain. The boardwalks are covered in a rough sort of chicken wire to prevent slipping, but traction is still important for the rocky sections. 

✅ Backpack – A day pack will help you keep track of all of your essentials for your hike. If you didn’t bring a backpack with you to Ireland, you can pick up a cheap (and very simple) one from Decathlon for €6.

✅ Water – I usually bring a full 32 oz Hydro Flask and that’s enough water for me. You can pick up bottled water at McCoy’s, the gas station across the street from the Wicklow Heather, on your way through Laragh.

✅ Lunch – I’d recommend bringing a sandwich or large snack on the hike. You can pick up lunch in Dublin or from Avoca in Kilmacanogue. There are typically food trucks in the car park at Glendalough – it’s convenient, but they’re just OK. 

✅ Snacks – Bring your favorite hiking snacks! You can pick up essentials at McCoy’s the gas station in Laragh, if needed. 

✅ Sunscreen – Always better safe than sorry.

✅ A long sleeved t-shirt – I always bring a thin long sleeved shirt, usually something that is quick drying. A light sweater would also work here.

✅ Warm layer – I love my Patagonia down sweater. 

✅ A waterproof layer – I usually bring a rain jacket, which doubles as a windbreaker for the cliff top section of the hike, where it tends to be cold and exposed. 

✅ A warm hat – they’re small and easy to pack, bring one if you have it.

✅ Gloves – if you’re hiking September to April, you’ll probably want a pair of gloves. These aren’t necessary in the summer months. 

✅ Walking poles (optional) – helpful for going downhill, if you have them. There’s no need to buy walking poles specifically for this hike. 

FAQs: Glendalough Day Trip from Dublin 

Planning your day trip to Wicklow and still have some lingering questions? Here are the answers to some of the most common queries from other travelers. 

Is Wicklow, Ireland worth visiting?

For a sense of Ireland’s mountain landscape, a great hike, and time in nature, Wicklow, Ireland is definitely worth visiting. Travelers who are mostly interested in pub culture, live music, and other urban amenities might not enjoy Wicklow. The area’s proximity to Dublin makes it an easier destination for travelers to access than the nearby mountains in County Kerry. 

Why is Wicklow famous?

Wicklow is famous for being home to Glendalough, a glacial lake that is surrounded by the Wicklow Mountains. Glendalough is also home to a monastery of the same name, which was founded by St Kevin in the 6th century AD. Today, you can visit the lake and monastery easily on a day trip from Dublin, or stay in the mountains for a few days for an escape into nature. 

How do I get to Wicklow Mountains from Dublin?

The best way to get to the Wicklow Mountains from Dublin is to drive. The journey takes about 75 minutes along windy rural roads. Alternatively, you can join a tour from Dublin, which will include Glendalough and other famous sites in the Wicklow Mountains. Visiting the Wicklow Mountains from Dublin by public transit is not recommended. 

How do I spend my day in Glendalough?

Spend your day in Glendalough exploring the lake, hiking around it on the Spinc trail, and wandering through the monastic village. The town of Glendalough also has a hotel and a few small restaurants, so you can grab lunch or a cup of coffee and enjoy the mountain landscape. Other activities nearby include the seaside towns of Bray and Graystones, Powerscourt Gardens, and the Kilruddery House. 

Conclusion: Glendalough Day Trip from Dublin

I love having really active days sprinkled in, especially when I’m visiting a city while traveling. If you feel the same way, you’ll love including a day trip to Wicklow in your Irish itinerary. By driving yourself on your Glendalough day trip, you’ll have maximum control over your pacing and the stops you make.

Remember: this is an ambitious itinerary, so be sure to pace yourself. Between the long hike, exploring the gardens, and driving around in Wicklow, you’ll probably be quite tired at the end of the day. I recommend planning a hearty stop for dinner, followed by an early night in to rest and relax after your hikes and walks. 

With any luck, you’ll get great weather for your day exploring Wicklow!