Wicklow Way 8-Day Challenging (Hillwalk Tours)

The Wicklow Way: Most of our tours on the Wicklow Way hike the route from south to north (towards Dublin). That way, the sun and much of the wind and rain will be in your back instead of in your face. This also has the advantage that most of the travelling is done on the first day and when walkers finish their tour, they are closer to Dublin City centre. The Wicklow Way starts in the small village of Clonegal in County Carlow and for the first 50km it crosses a series of gentle foothills. The route then enters the central Wicklow Mountains, with its high rounded ridges and deep valleys. Much of this section is covered in forestry and the landscape often changes when trees get felled or replanted. The route passes through the remote and wild glacial valley of Glenmalure, the longest of its kind in Ireland and Britain, before entering beautiful Glendalough with its ancient monastic site. From there, the trail moves deeper into high, heathery moorland, often with wide vistas over the glens and mountains, before finishing in the southern suburbs of Dublin. The Wicklow Way was originally designed to lead through the mountains from one remote inn or hostel to the next and the route does not pass through any villages or towns. While the trail is never really far from a public road, there is a strong sense of remoteness on many of the hikes and transfers are often required between the trail and the overnight accommodation. It is a richly varied route, with the more dramatic scenery of mountains and lakes at the northern end. The highlights include Glenmalure, Glendalough, Lough Tay and the former Guinness estate and the Powerscourt waterfall.