3-5 Day Wicklow Guided Walking Tour
| Places visited : Dublin - Bray – Greystones - Enniskerry- Powerscourt - Sugarloaf - the Wicklow Way - Djouce - Lough Tay – Vale of Clara and Glendalough | Dates 2010: |
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| March 19th - 23rd | Aug 2nd - 6th | ||
| April 12th - 16th | Sept 7th - 11th | ||
| Price: 3 Day €265, 5 Day €535, | May 10th - 14th | ||
| June 9th - 13th | |||
| July 2nd - 6th | |||
Includes: Accommodation, Transport, |
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County Wicklow also known as the garden of Ireland is just 1 hrs drive from Dublin's busy city centre. The Dublin/Wicklow mountains are renowned for there diversity and splendid beauty and are the perfect surroundings for wonderful walks.
The Mountains are saturated with a patch work of forests, glens, lakes and valleys and whether your doing the 1 day to the 7 day’s walk we will set the walks to suit your pace and needs.
Wicklow has always been and still remains place of great inspiration to poets and writers alike. It is also steeped in its history of Irish resurrection and in the heart of the Glendalough there is the remains of the 6th Century Monastery of St. Kevin. It is also obvious when you visit Glendalough that St. Kevin’s choice of settlement is not by chance.
Day 1 : Pickup from Dublin @ 10:00 (St. Stephen's Green)
Coastal Walk Bray to Greystone's (easy)
Your tour starts with a pickup from Dublin and a short drive to the Esplanade Hotel Bray where we will be staying. The Hotel sits on one of Wicklow’s most popular seafronts and provides a full Irish Breakfast each day with all rooms en-suite. After we arrive and you have settled into your accommodation we will take an easy walk along Wicklow’s coastline from Bray to Greystone’s to stretch the legs. This walk clings right to the coast as it winds it way towards Greystone’s full with wild flowers in the Summer months and excellent views out towards Howth and Dalkey Island. Then we will return to Enniskerry for a meal after which you can explore the town or just relax for the evening. Enniskerry is a small village with fine restaurants and some great Pubs.
Day 2:The Wicklow Way or the Sugarloaf Mountain
Wicklow Way Walk approx 4hrs, ascent: 500m (moderate)
Sugarloaf Walk approx 1.5hrs, ascent: 100m (easy)
Today you will have a choice of walk either a self guided moderate walk over Djouce along the Wicklow Way or an easy guided walk on the sugarloaf. The walk over Djouce starts at Crone woods and follows the Wicklow way trail which brings you through a wooded area with beautiful views across to the sugarloaf and along the east coast of Ireland. The path goes along a trail over looking Powerscourt waterfall, the highest waterfall in Ireland. The trail will finish at Lough Tay below Luggala Mountain where you will be picked up.
For those doing the easier guided Sugarloaf walk we will drive to the base of the Sugarloaf named due to the Quartzite stone on top of it. This is an excellent easy walk which also provides wonderful views along Ireland’s east coast and on a clear day you can see the mountains of mourne or even Snowdonia in Wales. After the walk we can then go visit the small town of Enniskerry and the Powerscourt Gardens before we collect the others from Lough Tay.
Day 3: Your Day or a drop back to Dublin.
For those on the 3 day tour we say goodbye to Wicklow and drive back to Dublin. Today is your day for those on the 5 day tour and from Bray you can get the Dart into Dublin City Centre, enjoy what Bray seafront has to offer or try one of the many activities near by such as.
- Horse Riding
- Swimming
- Superb Bars & Restaurants
- Cycling
- Golf
- Sea Kayaking
These can be arranged for you by your guide on the tour.
Day 4: Lough Tay – Laragh or Walk in the Vale of Clara 
Wicklow Way Walk approx 4.5hrs, ascent: 400m (moderate)
Vale of Clara Walk approx 1.5hrs, ascent: 200m (easy)
There is also a choice of walk today either a walk along the Wicklow way from Lough Tay to Glendalough or an easier guided walk in the vale of Clara near Laragh.
For those walking from Lough Tay along the Wicklow way this is probably one of the finest walks in Wicklow with breathtaking views. From Lough Tay you will join the Wicklow way and head south along the Cloghoge Valley towards the bottom of Lough Dan. Then continuing south we will cross the Avonmore river at the old bridge and continue onto Laragh.
Clara is known as the smallest village or hamlet in Ireland, two houses and the ubiquitous church. I found this area one day while out staying in Laragh and it’s an absolute gem. There is a choice of walks here from 3 different loops all of which are easy going and through a wonderful forested area.
After the walks we will explore Glendalough and the 6th Century monastic site of St. Kevin. This was a very important pilgrimage centre when Ireland was the land of Sanits and Scholars with pilgrims coming from throughout Europe to study and worship.
Day 5: Short walk and drop back to Dublin.
Short Walk 2- 3hrs ascent 200m
After breakfast we will drive for a short walk nearby on Prince William’s seat
over looking the Glencree Valley before we return to Dublin.
About the walks and fitness levels:
The walks on this tour are generally of a moderate level with
the option on most days for an easier type walk.
All the walks are taken at a pace to suit the group.
The groups can range from 6 to 12 in size with a mixed level of fitness and age usually.
Here is a short list of extras you will need to bring along for this walking holiday.
N.B. Ireland’s climate is of a moderate type and suited to walking all year round. Although it is quite changeable so starting a walk on a fine
clear morning may not be the case for the afternoon.
- Hill walking Boots
- Wind / waterproof jacket
- Socks Leggings / tracksuit bottoms
- Thermal top / T-shirt
- Fleece & spare fleece
- Hat &gloves
- Over trousers
- Gaiters
- Small 1st aid kit.
Enquire about a Walk