From Dublin: Wild Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough Tour

Wicklow’s appeal is its quick change of scene: leave Dublin’s streets behind and, before long, you’re looking across mountain slopes, boglands and lakes. This 8.5-hour trip adds Glendalough’s early Christian ruins to the scenery, so you get both an outdoor day and a useful introduction to Irish history.

I like two things in particular: the smaller coach can take routes beyond the main roads, and the day gives you time to walk rather than just photograph the view from the bus. I also like that the guide’s stories carry the journey between stops, with past guides such as Patrick, Ashley and John praised for their warmth and local knowledge.

One consideration: Wicklow weather can change the feel of the day. Rain need not spoil the trip, but you’ll want proper shoes and rain gear, and the 40-minute walk at Killiney Hill may not suit every pace or level of mobility.

• A coastal start: Walk up Killiney Hill for views over Dublin Bay before heading inland.
• Mountain roads beyond the main route: The midi coach travels through the Sally Gap and past Lough Tay, with scenic stops along the way.
• A proper taste of Glendalough: Join a guided visit to the sixth-century monastic site, then use free time to walk between the lakes.
• Lunch is not included: You get an hour at Lynhams of Laragh to eat at your own cost.
• Whiskey is part of the finish: A complimentary Glendalough Irish whiskey tasting rounds out the day.
• A long but well-paced outing: Expect about 8.5 hours, with several stops and transport in an air-conditioned coach.

From Dublin Bay to the Wicklow Mountains

This trip makes sense if you want to see more than Dublin without hiring a car or puzzling over rural roads. Wicklow is close enough for a day trip, but its mountain valleys, boglands and lakes feel a world apart from the city. The route also mixes coast, countryside, a historic site and a pub lunch, so you’re not spending the whole day on one kind of outing.

The journey starts at one of five pickup points in north and south Dublin, then heads along the southern coast. The listed stops include Killiney Hill, Avoca Kilmacanoge, the Wicklow Mountains National Park, Lynhams of Laragh and Glendalough. You also pass Sugarloaf Mountain on the return route.

A smaller midi coach is a practical advantage on this trip. The route is designed to reach parts of Wicklow beyond the main roads, including secluded valleys and viewpoints that can be harder to reach on a large coach. The trade-off is that you’re following a group schedule, not stopping whenever a view catches your eye.

The tour has a 4.8 rating from 979 ratings, and the most consistently praised details are the guides, the scenery and the pace. Patrick, Ashley, John, Niall and Anthony are among the guides named by people who took the trip. You won’t know in advance who will lead your departure, but the guide is a major part of the day: expect commentary and stories along the drive, not just directions at each stop.

Killiney Hill brings the first big view

The first substantial stop is Killiney Hill, where you’ll have about 40 minutes for a walk. It offers a taste of the coastline before the trip turns inland, and the climb gives you a chance to stretch your legs after the pickup and drive.

This is a walk, not a roadside photo stop, so wear shoes you can manage on uneven ground. The walk is part of the appeal, but it’s worth considering if you have limited mobility or would rather save your energy for Glendalough. The tour information does not give a walking route or accessibility details, so ask the operator if you need those specifics before booking.

The views are weather dependent. On a clear day, the coast is the star; in rain or low cloud, the outing may feel more like a brisk hill walk than a scenic overlook. Bring a waterproof layer and keep your expectations flexible.

A short pause at Avoca Kilmacanoge

After the hill, the coach stops at Avoca Kilmacanoge for around 25 minutes. This is a brief break for coffee and a look around Avoca Handweavers, rather than a long shopping visit. It gives you time to warm up, use the facilities if available and reset before the mountain drive.

The stop is useful, but it is short. If you’re keen to browse, don’t expect time for a leisurely shop and a full coffee break. Keep an eye on the departure time and save your appetite for lunch.

Sally Gap and the mountain scenery

Wicklow’s open uplands are the visual centre of the day. At the Sally Gap, you’ll see rolling heather, rugged peaks, boglands and deep lakes. The coach makes photo stops and the guide provides commentary, giving you more context than a quick drive through the area would.

The scenery can feel stark and spacious, especially after the city. It has also served as a setting for productions such as Vikings and Braveheart. You’ll pass the famous P.S. I Love You bridge and Lough Tay, often called Guinness Lake. These are recognizable landmarks, but the wider sweep of the mountains is the real reason to take this route.

The schedule allows about 1.5 hours in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, including guided touring, sightseeing and scenic views along the way. That time is spread across the mountain section, rather than being one long stop at a single viewpoint. Having a guide and driver helps you reach places without dealing with unfamiliar roads yourself, though you won’t have the freedom to set your own pace or linger wherever you wish.

Weather shapes this part of the trip more than any other. Rain and cloud can soften the views, and winter conditions may affect which roads are passable. One departure reportedly had to change its route when snow made mountain roads unsafe. The operator says winter trips may also be cancelled if minimum passenger numbers are not met, with an alternative or full refund offered in that case.

Lunch at Lynhams of Laragh

The one-hour lunch stop at Lynhams of Laragh breaks up the drive before Glendalough. Food and drinks are not included, so budget extra beyond the $62 tour price. You can use the hour to eat at the pub and take a proper rest before the afternoon’s guided visit and lakeside walk.

The stop is more than a quick snack break, but it is still timed. If you have particular dietary needs, the information provided does not confirm menu choices, so check directly with the pub or operator rather than counting on a specific dish. Some people have enjoyed traditional pub fare, including Guinness stew, but what’s available can vary.

Glendalough’s monastic ruins and lakes

Glendalough is the day’s strongest meeting point of history and scenery. Founded in the sixth century by St. Kevin, the monastic settlement grew in a secluded valley beside two lakes. Your guide introduces the site and its past, including its round tower, stone churches and remains of the former religious community.

The guided portion helps you understand what you’re seeing instead of treating the ruins as a collection of old stones. The setting matters, too: the quiet valley and nearby water give the site a sense of place that a city museum cannot. Still, it’s an outdoor visit, and rain can make paths muddy or change how long you want to stay outside.

You get around 1.5 hours at Glendalough, including the guided visit and free time. The tour highlights 60 minutes for exploring the upper lake and walking between the upper and lower lakes. That is enough for a taste of the valley and its views, but not a full hiking day. If you want a longer walk or time to explore every corner, you may wish you had more.

This is a good balance for a day trip: the guide supplies historical context, then you have room to walk and look around on your own. Take the free time at a comfortable pace. The route and conditions can affect how far you get, so don’t treat the hour as a race to cover every path.

A whiskey tasting before the ride back

The day ends with a complimentary taste of Glendalough Irish whiskey, enjoyed in its birthplace. It’s a small, local detail that suits the route: after a day in the mountains and a visit to the valley’s old settlement, you finish with a taste tied to the area.

The tasting is included, but other food and drinks are not. If you don’t drink alcohol, the tour still offers plenty of scenery and history; the tasting is a bonus, not the main event. From there, the coach returns to the Dublin drop-off points.

What $62 gets you, and what it doesn’t

At $62 per person, the price covers transport by luxury air-conditioned midi coach, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees, pickup near hotels in north and south Dublin, and the whiskey tasting. For a full day that links the coast, mountain roads and Glendalough without requiring a rental car, that is a useful bundle.

The value depends partly on what you want from Wicklow. If you’d otherwise need to arrange transport and plan several stops yourself, the guided route saves effort and gives you commentary along the way. If your priority is hiking for hours or choosing your own stops, a scheduled group trip is less flexible than travelling independently.

Remember to add lunch and any coffee or other drinks to your budget. The advertised price also doesn’t guarantee a particular guide. Past guides Patrick, Ashley, John, Niall and Anthony have been praised for engaging stories, Irish history and culture, humour, and keeping the day running smoothly. Those qualities can make a long coach ride feel like part of the trip rather than dead time.

Getting ready for a changeable day

The tour lasts about 8.5 hours. Pickup points are spread across Dublin, with listed morning departures between 8:35 and 9:25. You need to choose your pickup point in advance and be there at least five minutes before departure. Check the exact point and time for your booking carefully, since a nearby hotel name may not mean the coach stops at its entrance.

Pack comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes and rain gear. Wicklow’s weather can shift, and the itinerary includes walking at Killiney Hill and Glendalough. Even if the forecast looks kind in Dublin, conditions in the mountains may be different.

The tour is suitable for children aged five and older; children under five cannot join. The operator notes that winter departures require minimum numbers, so keep some flexibility in your plans if you’re visiting then. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.

Who should book this Wicklow day trip?

I’d choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to the countryside south of Dublin without driving, and you enjoy a day that mixes short walks, guided commentary and scenic stops. It should suit nature lovers, first-time visitors and anyone who wants to pair mountain views with an important historic site.

Think twice if you want a strenuous hike, a long independent visit to Glendalough or the freedom to stop whenever you like. The best reason to book is the combination: a coastal walk, Wicklow’s mountain roads, a guided look at Glendalough and a whiskey tasting, all in one day. If that sounds like your kind of outing, $62 is a reasonable price for the transport and variety included.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 8.5 hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

Where can I be picked up in Dublin?

Pickup locations are near hotels in north and south Dublin: Cathal Brugha Street, Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, St. Stephen’s Green, Grand Canal Hotel and the InterContinental Dublin area. You must choose your pickup point in advance.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch and drinks are at your own cost. The tour includes a one-hour stop at Lynhams of Laragh.

How much time do I get at Glendalough?

You spend about 1.5 hours at Glendalough in total, including a guided visit and free time. The tour allows 60 minutes to explore the upper lake area and walk between the lakes.

Is the whiskey tasting included?

Yes. A complimentary Glendalough Irish whiskey tasting is included at the end of the day.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, rain gear and weather-appropriate clothing. The tour includes walks at Killiney Hill and Glendalough, and mountain weather can vary.