Walking the Wicklow Way: A week-long walk from Dublin to Clonegal

A guidebook to walking the Wicklow Way, Ireland’s first long-distance trail, running from the outskirts of Dublin to the village of Clonegal in County Carlow. Spanning 130km (81 miles), the Wicklow Way leads walkers through the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, combining forest tracks, open upland, quiet valleys and historic landscapes, with some of Ireland’s most atmospheric walking only a short distance from the capital.

Suitable for any reasonably fit walker, the Wicklow Way can be completed in around one week and involves moderate, well-graded terrain throughout. The route is described from north to south in 7 stages, each between 9 and 23km (6–14 miles) in length, with optional variants using adjacent trails for those wishing to adapt the walk. Along the way, walkers pass iconic locations including Glendalough and the ruins of its early medieval Monastic City, as well as the scenic military road where Huntington Castle can be visited.

7 clearly defined stages covering the Wicklow Way from Dublin to Clonegal, with distances, terrain notes and practical detail for each day Step-by-step route descriptions supported by 1:50,000 mapping for the Wicklow Way, helping you follow the trail confidently on the ground Downloadable GPX files for the Wicklow Way, compatible with GPS devices and smartphone navigation apps Detailed listings of accommodation, refreshments and public transport along the Wicklow Way to help with day-to-day planning Optional route variants following adjacent trails, allowing you to tailor your Wicklow Way itinerary Practical advice on planning and preparation, including when to go and what to expect on Ireland’s first long-distance walk
Plan your Wicklow Way adventure with confidence with this definitive guidebook.