St Kevin's Way and Glendalough 5-Day Gentle Tour (Hillwalk Tours)

St Kevin’s Way (Ballinagee Bridge – Glendalough): As the St Kevin’s Way route from both Hollywood and Valleymount to Ballinagee Bridge mostly follow surfaced roads, our St Kevin’s Way walks start from Ballinagee Bridge where the Wicklow Uplands begin. It is a linear route from here to Glendalough with the trail first climbing gently towards the spectacular Wicklow Gap with its reservoir and hydroelectricity plant and then passing reminders of a rich mining heritage before it follows the descent of the Glendasan River and a peaceful river walk leading into the Valley of Glendalough. The route is well way marked and takes you through a wide variety of landscapes mainly on forest trails and mountain paths. Glenealo Valley & The Spinc (Glendalough Loop Walk): This is a popular walk that gives easy access to some of the most spectacular scenery in Wicklow. After a visit to the peaceful valley of Glendasan it passes a view point for the cave known as St Kevin’s Bed and then follows the Miners Road in Glendalough to the old ‘miner’s village’. An invigorating climb leads to a bridge at the top of the valley from where hundreds of wooden steps lead to a ridge above the lake with spectacular views back towards Glendalough. Descend is via the Poulanass Waterfall to the two lakes and the monastic village. Avonmore Way (Rathdrum – Laragh): The route follows the Avonmore River from the village of Rathdrum through the beautiful Claravale Nature Reserve. From the picturesque settlement of Clara with its ancient bridge the trail climbs through forests to a road with views of the valley. You can choose to climb Trooperstown Hill before descending through more forest and across the Avonmore River on your way into Laragh. The trail involves a mixture of minor roads and forest roads or tracks.