Wicklow Way

Wicklow Way is a 131 km (about 81 miles) point-to-point long-distance hiking trail through the Wicklow Mountains, running from Marlay Park (Dublin) to Clonegal (County Carlow). It’s designated a National Waymarked Trail and is typically walked in 5–7 days.

The route is waymarked with yellow posts showing a walking-man symbol and a directional arrow. It’s generally tracked along forest tracks, mountain paths, boreens and quiet country roads, so expect a mix of tread types rather than one continuous footpath surface.

Terrain is dominated by mountain and upland sections with upland lakes and steep-sided glacial valleys, especially through the north/upper half of the route, before easing into rolling foothills in the later southern stages.

The trail is heavily used near its most popular sections close to Dublin, and it also sits on the European walking route E8 for its Wicklow segment. Glendalough is a key landmark along the Way, with an early Christian monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by Saint Kevin.

Elevation gain/loss is about 3,200 m (10,892 ft), with White Hill (630 m) cited as the highest point and Clonegal (60 m) as the lowest point on the route. The overall profile is therefore sustained uphill/downhill rather than a flat distance walk.

Practical expectation: you’ll be combining long walking days with a network of lodging and services along the route corridor, and the Way can be used for mountain running competitions as well as hiking.

More information: Official website, Official website, Wikipedia