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Head south from Dublin for a crisp morning in the Wicklow Mountains—two hours to explore Glendalough’s lakes, monastic ruins and forest trails. This half‑day tour pairs easy hiking with cinematic scenery, ideal for a morning escape from the city.
Head south from Dublin for a crisp morning in the Wicklow Mountains—two hours to explore Glendalough’s lakes, monastic ruins and forest trails. This half‑day tour pairs easy hiking with cinematic scenery, ideal for a morning escape from the city.
You step off the coach as a cold wind moves down the valley and the first view of the Upper Lake opens like a photograph—stone ruins against dark water and steep tree-lined slopes. The Wicklow Mountains push up from low farmland into peat bogs and granite ridges; the air tastes of damp earth and distant sea.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Paddywagon Tours · Glendalough (Laragh), County Wicklow
You step off the coach as a cold wind moves down the valley and the first view of the Upper Lake opens like a photograph—stone ruins against dark water and steep tree-lined slopes. The Wicklow Mountains push up from low farmland into peat bogs and granite ridges; the air tastes of damp earth and distant sea.
This landscape has shaped lives for millennia. Glendalough began as a 6th‑century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin; the round tower, Celtic crosses and ruined church walls speak to medieval Ireland's solitude and scholarship. Geologically, Wicklow is largely granite with pockets of blanket bog and glacially carved corries, which create the twin lakes and steep valleys you’ll walk past. Culturally, the area is a favorite of filmmakers—its open moorland and wooded banks doubled for both Scottish Highlands and romantic Irish scenes in recent films.
On the tour expect a roughly 2–4 km loop along lakeshore and forest paths with intermittent stone steps and boardwalks; elevation gain is modest (around 100–150 m) but surfaces can be uneven and muddy. You’ll have about two hours to explore the monastic site and stroll to the Upper Lake—enough time for photos, a brisk walk, and a coffee.
Practical tips: bring layered waterproofs, sturdy footwear, and a refillable water bottle. Morning tours leave Dublin early; check pickup instructions and return timing if you have onward travel. Finally, treat the ruins kindly: stay on paths and pack out any litter—this fragile ecosystem is busiest in summer.
The tour typically allows around two hours in Glendalough to visit the monastic site and walk to the Upper Lake.
Yes—paths are generally easy, but watch for uneven or muddy sections; strollers are not practical on trails.
There is free public access to the Glendalough monastic site and lakes; some paid parking or visitor center charges may apply independently of the tour.
The coach has luggage storage; the tour returns to central Dublin in time for many afternoon flights, but check timings and consult the driver if you have tight connections.
Paddywagon Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step off the coach as a cold wind moves down the valley and the first view of the Upper Lake opens like a photograph—stone ruins against dark water and steep tree-lined slopes. The Wicklow Mountains push up from low farmland into peat bogs and granite ridges; the air tastes of damp earth and distant sea.
You step off the coach as a cold wind moves down the valley and the first view of the Upper Lake opens like a photograph—stone ruins against dark water and steep tree-lined slopes. The Wicklow Mountains push up from low farmland into peat bogs and granite ridges; the air tastes of damp earth and distant sea.
This landscape has shaped lives for millennia. Glendalough began as a 6th‑century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin; the round tower, Celtic crosses and ruined church walls speak to medieval Ireland's solitude and scholarship. Geologically, Wicklow is largely granite with pockets of blanket bog and glacially carved corries, which create the twin lakes and steep valleys you’ll walk past. Culturally, the area is a favorite of filmmakers—its open moorland and wooded banks doubled for both Scottish Highlands and romantic Irish scenes in recent films.
On the tour expect a roughly 2–4 km loop along lakeshore and forest paths with intermittent stone steps and boardwalks; elevation gain is modest (around 100–150 m) but surfaces can be uneven and muddy. You’ll have about two hours to explore the monastic site and stroll to the Upper Lake—enough time for photos, a brisk walk, and a coffee.
Practical tips: bring layered waterproofs, sturdy footwear, and a refillable water bottle. Morning tours leave Dublin early; check pickup instructions and return timing if you have onward travel. Finally, treat the ruins kindly: stay on paths and pack out any litter—this fragile ecosystem is busiest in summer.