7 BEST Wicklow Mountains Tours For Your Irish Adventure (2025)

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Planning your Irish itinerary and looking for some of the best tours of the Wicklow Mountains? Keep reading for my top picks (as a former local!). 

I first landed in the Wicklow Mountains when I moved to Ireland in August of 2020. Set in County Wicklow, the Wicklow Mountains are home to some of the best hikes in the country, along with a stretch of coastline and plenty of adorable towns to visit. The county is also known as the Garden of Ireland, due to its incredible scenery. 

Some of the top things to see in the Wicklow Mountains include Glendalough, a lake set in the mountains and nearby monastic ruins, and the Sally Gap, a beautiful road through a mountain pass. I also love Powerscourt and Victor’s Way, two beautiful and interesting gardens in Wicklow. Finally, the seaside city of Bray and town of Greystones are well worth a stop, or you can hike the cliff walk that connects them and looks out over the Irish Sea. 

The biggest decision you’ll make is deciding between a self-guided and pre-arranged tour. If you can, I would suggest that you take a self-guided trip to Wicklow instead of joining a tour group. If this isn’t an option for you, or if you just want the experience of seeing the area with a guide, there are some great tours of the Wicklow Mountains to consider. Keep reading for my top picks!

Table of Contents
Top 7 Wicklow Mountains Tours
Day Tours
Half-Day Tours
Thru-Hiking
Multi-Day Tours
FAQs
Conclusion

Top 7 Wicklow Mountains Tours

There are several ways to tour the Wicklow Mountains, from partial day trips to multi-day hikes along the Wicklow Way. Here’s my list of the top tours of the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. 

Day Tours to the Wicklow Mountains

For travelers with a full day to experience the Wicklow Mountains, there are several great options. First, you’ll need to decide between a self-guided tour and one that is guided. Should you decide to join a guided tour, there are a few fabulous options, each with advantages and omissions in the itinerary. 

From a self-guided visit to a tour with a sheepdog demonstration, here are my top picks for full day trips to Wicklow from Dublin. 

1. Self-Guided Tour of the Wicklow Mountains 

This approach is more time intensive to plan and execute, but I would strongly recommend that you consider a self-guided tour when visiting Wicklow. By creating your own itinerary, you can be sure to include all of the stops that are important to you, and you’ll have the luxury of seeing places further off of the beaten path. 

One of my first ever posts was a guide to visiting Glendalough on a day trip from Dublin. I suggest that you include stops at Glendalough (and hike around it, if you’re a hiker), visit a garden, and spend some time in the seaside city of Bray.   

This requires a car and some confidence navigating the Irish roads. If you’re unable to rent a car, or if you’re not comfortable driving in Ireland, a guided tour is your best option for seeing the Wicklow Mountains. 

2. Wicklow Mountains, Avoca, and a Guided Tour of Glendalough

Wild Wicklow Tours offers the most time exploring Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains, largely because, unlike other tours on this list, the itinerary leaves out the medieval city of Kilkenny. Instead, you’ll spend that time more leisurely meandering through the countryside. You can even stop at Lynam’s Pub in Wicklow for lunch, which is said to be Enya’s brother’s local pub. 

Notably, this tour leaves enough time for you to hike up to see the Upper Lake at Glendalough (though you still won’t have time to finish the loop). The hike is completely optional, you can also just hang out in town or stroll around the monastery if you’re not up for the climb or the weather is inhospitable. 

Past travelers loved the tour guides, who are known to include interesting tidbits about Irish culture and history, as well as entertaining songs and stories. The tour ends with a Jameson whiskey tasting, which many said was the best part of the experience for them. 

Check Prices and Book Your Spot: Wild Wicklow Day Tour

3. Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, and Kilkenny Tour

Collins Day Tours hosts this adventure into the Wicklow Mountains, and it is one of the most beloved tours by travelers. This tour boasts a well-rounded itinerary, with many of the major sites and a little something for everyone. 

Like the previous tour, you’ll have the chance to hike to the top of the Upper Lake at Glendalough to see the lake from above. 

You’ll also have the chance to see Kilkenny, a medieval city known for having narrow lanes and cobblestone streets. The tour includes a guided tour of the city, including many of the major sites. One of the highlights in the city is Kilkenny Castle, a large castle that has been tastefully restored and is available to tour. 

Note: Entry to Kilkenny Castle is not included. You can purchase tickets directly from the castle if you’d like to see it. Currently, adult tickets are €8. 

Previous guests loved the drivers on their tours, who they said were entertaining and made them feel safe on the Irish roads. Reviewers also noted that both stops allowed enough time to really explore, so you’ll have a chance to really see both Glendalough and Kilkenny. 

Check Prices and Book Your Spot: Collins Day Tour

4. Wicklow Mountains and Sheepdog Show

See Glendalough, filming locations for “P.S. I Love You” and “Braveheart” and explore the cobbled streets of Kilkenny on this day tour from Finn McCools Tours. As a bonus, this tour includes a live sheepdog demonstration. 

If you’ve never seen working sheep dogs or cattle dogs, it’s more interesting than you might think. The dogs are incredibly agile and responsive to their handlers. I first saw a working sheepdog at the Stock Show in Denver, and the experience has stuck with me. Likewise, other travelers have remarked that they loved the demonstration included as part of this tour. 

Plus, Ireland is known for its sheep – and what better way to see them?

You’ll have time to hike to the Upper Lake, if desired, but previous guests have reported that the timing is tight. Be prepared to hustle a bit to make the return time to your bus. Bring your own lunch to make the most of your time in Kilkenny. 

Like the Collins Day Tour, the Finn McCools Tour includes stops at Glendalough and Kilkenny, with an additional sheepdog demonstration before you head back to Dublin. The additional stop is made possible because, at 10.5 hours long, the tour is 90 minutes longer than the Collins Day Tour.

Check Prices and Book Your Spot: Finn McCool’s Day Tour

Half Day Tours from Dublin

Travelers who are short on time and want to get out of the city can consider a half day tour, though the experience will inevitably feel a bit rushed. These are very quick outings that include a limited number of key stops in Wicklow, but it’s a way to see some of the beautiful Wicklow Mountains without renting a car. 

Make sure you manage your expectations before you book. There’s a limit to how much you’ll be able to see on a half day tour because the drive to Glendalough from Dublin is over an hour each way. If you’re not pressed for time, I would suggest that you instead spend a full day exploring the Wicklow Mountains and surrounding areas. 

5. Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains Morning Tour

For those who are really short on time and want to get out into the countryside, the half-day tour from Paddywagon Tours is a good option. This tour is primarily a driving tour, with views of Sugarloaf Mountain, a stop at Glendalough to walk around, and another quick stop in the mountains. 

You will not have time to hike to the Upper Lake, and the stops will probably feel a bit rushed. The itinerary is ambitious for five hours, as it covers a lot of the same ground as the full day tours (9+ hours each). 

This tour is more about seeing the landscapes from the bus, looking around, and getting a quick feel for the Wicklow Mountains. You’ll probably feel like you need to return another time to see it more fully (and I hope you do!). Still, sometimes you only have half a day to work with!

Check Prices and Book Your Spot: Paddywagon Half Day Tour

Thru-Hike the Wicklow Way

I’ve hiked small stretches of the Wicklow Way, but I’ve never finished the full trail – but I hope to someday! Instead, I opted to hike about half of the West Highland Way in Scotland with a friend in April of 2023. Both trails can be accomplished as backpacking routes or lodge-to-lodge hikes, with accompanying baggage transfer services if desired. 

If you’d like to truly experience the Wicklow Mountains, consider thru-hiking them. The full trail takes about a week and covers about 79 miles (127 kilometers), but it’s possible to do smaller portions if you have less time. The season for hiking the Wicklow Way typically runs from March to October; it’s typically not recommended as a winter activity in Ireland. 

6. Thru-Hiking Package

The Wicklow Way is a thru-hiking trail through the Wicklow Mountains that starts in Marlay Park in the Dublin suburbs and ends in Clonegal in County Carlow. The trail is somewhat similar to the West Highland Way in Scotland, which starts in Milngavie and ends in Fort William.

You can certainly complete the trail (or a portion thereof) on your own; Ireland is generally a very safe place to travel and has mild weather. However, if you’d like to complete the trail as a lodge-to-lodge, you’ll need to arrange your travel with a company. 

Hillwalk Tours provides a thru-hiking service for the Wicklow Way that includes your accommodation in local guesthouses, breakfast each morning, luggage transfer services, and navigation assistance. Given the high costs of accommodations in Wicklow during the high season, their prices are pretty reasonable for summer travelers. 

Check Prices and Book: Wicklow Way Thru-Hiking with Hillwalk Tours

Multi-Day Tours Including the Wicklow Mountains

I wanted to include an option for a multi-day trip that includes Wicklow, in case you’re planning your itinerary and want to have a few days completely pre-planned and pre-arranged. 

7. 3 Day Tour: 3-Day Dingle, Killarney & the Wild Atlantic Way

The best multi-day tour including the Wicklow Mountains is run by Rabbie’s Small Group Tours Ireland and it includes stops at Glendalough and Dingle, two of my absolute favorite spots in Ireland. 

You’ll start the tour in Glendalough, where you’ll get a chance to see the lake and spend a little time at the ruins. Then, you’ll finish the drive to Dingle, my favorite peninsula along the Wild Atlantic Way. Over the next two days, you’ll stay in Dingle Town and explore County Kerry. 

This tour includes stops around the Dingle Peninsula, a visit to Killarney National Park, and a stop at the Rock of Cashel. Although I’d still personally recommend exploring Ireland on your own or as a road trip, this tour has a thoughtful itinerary and would be a great alternative. 

Note that meals and refreshments are not included, aside from the breakfast included with your B&B accommodation. 

Check Prices and Book Your Spot: Rabbie’s Small Group 3-Day Tour 

FAQs: Wicklow Mountains Tours

Considering some of the top tours in the Wicklow Mountains and have lingering questions? Here are the answers to some of the top queries from other travelers. 

Is Kilkenny worth visiting? 

Many of the day trips to Wicklow include stops at the medieval city of Kilkenny. I’ve never been to Kilkenny, but I would recommend that you make the decision based on the other places you’ll visit in Ireland. If you’re on a longer trip and will be visiting Galway, Cork, or Limerick, there’s really no need to make time for Kilkenny. 

However, if you’re on a short trip and only visiting Dublin and Wicklow, I would consider opting for a tour that includes Kilkenny so you get to see a smaller Irish city. 

Are Wicklow Mountains worth visiting?

Yes, the Wicklow Mountains are absolutely worth seeing if you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or walking. On a guided tour, you can see a few select spots in the Wicklow Mountains, including Glendalough. If you instead opt for a self-guided tour of the area, you can include stops like Powerscourt Gardens and the cliff walk from Bray to Greystones. 

If spending time outdoors really isn’t your thing, you might skip the Wicklow Mountains on your trip to Ireland. 

How do I get to the Wicklow Mountains?

The best way to visit the Wicklow Mountains is to drive down from Dublin. Taking the motorway, the drive takes a little over an hour from central Dublin. Alternatively, you can take a tour that will leave from Dublin and take you through the mountains – and sometimes also the medieval city of Kilkenny – before returning you to Temple Bar. 

I would not recommend relying on public transit to reach the Wicklow Mountains from Dublin. 

Why do tourists go to Glendalough?

Tourists go to Glendalough because it’s a beautiful lake in the Wicklow Mountains, and it’s just a few minutes down the road from the monastery of the same name. You can hike and walk in the Glendalough area, as well as explore the ruins of the nearby monastery. The town of Glendalough is quaint but very small, so you only need a few minutes to see it. 

Why is Wicklow famous?

Wicklow is famous for being the Garden of Ireland, with its vast green spaces. It’s also known for being the filming location for a number of movies and television shows, as well as home to a surprisingly large number of celebrities. Bono, Hozier, Sinéad O’Connor, Katie McGrath, and Daniel Day-Lewis are all from Wicklow or have called the county home at some point. 

Conclusion: Wicklow Mountains Tours

Set just south of Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains are one of my favorite places to visit in Ireland. You can hike, sit by the sea, enjoy some great restaurants, and spend some time just enjoying nature while you’re visiting the Garden of Ireland. Plus, I’m a firm believer that it’s always a good idea to get into the countryside when visiting Ireland. 

Having lived in the area for over a year, I really prefer to go at my own pace and see the things that are most important to me. For that reason, I’d suggest that you plan a self-guided visit to Wicklow, if possible. Of course, not every traveler can drive or rent a car, so a pre-arranged tour is the perfect alternative. 

A final tip: be sure to dress warmly for Wicklow, no matter when you decide to visit. It can be chilly at Glendalough year round, so pack a sweater even in the summer. Happy travels!