Nestled in the rolling hills of County Wicklow, lies the stunning valley of Glendalough. The location is famous for its rich history and its natural beauty with hike. An ancient monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century, makes it a pilgrimage spot religious people as well.
Reachability
★★★☆☆
Trail Difficulty
★★★★☆
Food
★★☆☆☆
Scenic
★★★★★
The Hike
There are trails for every experience. Walks along the lakes or a relatively difficult hike through the mountains. The most popular trail is the Glendalough Round, which takes you on a circular route around the Upper and Lower Lakes. This scenic hike takes about 3 hours to complete and offers breathtaking views. It is about 13 kms long. Rolling hills, tranquil waterfall and lot of greenery on the way.
The Food
Although the town has some places to eat, if you have travelled by bus, it is recommended to pack your own snack. Apart from 2-3 food trucks there’s not much option of food around the Glendalough visitor center. However if you have a car at the disposal here are few places you can grab a bite at.
- The Wicklow Heather: An Irish pub that offers a range of pub grub and drinks.
- The Glendalough Hotel: serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- The Wicklow Way Cafe: serving soups and sandwiches.
This is a must-visit destination for those who love history and nature. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or just a peaceful place to relax and soak up the beauty of the surrounding landscape, it is sumptuous.
Reaching Here
By Car
Dublin to Glendalough is about an hour of drive, with lot of free parking space near the visitor center and near the upper lake.
Few Car rentals that I have used earlier:
By Bus
There is a private bus company, St Kevin’s Bus, that runs a daily service between Dublin and Glendalough. More information at www.glendaloughbus.com.
Latest from the Blog
-
Amalfi Coast cliffside obsession: Itinerary for you to follow
Advertisements Some trips are about ticking off sights. This one was about lemons, engines, and the sea showing up in every direction you turned. Dublin to Naples, a ferry to Sorrento, and six days split between a proper Italian pizza habit. Chasing coastal roads on a Vespa and a Fiat 500 — this was the… Read more
-
Weekend at Amsterdam
Advertisements Starting with final thoughts first since I visited the city 2 times. Amsterdam surprised us. It’s compact yet layered. Historic yet modern.Calm yet vibrant. But two things truly define it,The canals… and the bicycles. Lots and lots of bicycles. Both absolutely unforgettable. And always a great weekend getaway. The itinerary for me was simple…… Read more
-
8-Day Swiss Adventure: Our Itinerary
From misty lakes and hidden valleys to snowy peaks and car-free villages, our eight-day Swiss journey was a living postcard—every turn revealing a new shade of serenity, thrill, or wonder. Whether drifting on Lake Lucerne, flying above Grindelwald’s slopes, or sipping a pint beneath the Matterhorn, Switzerland reminded us that magic often hides in the… Read more
About the blog
Grateful to have traveled few places, this is where I share my experiences and opinions. Don’t forget to follow me on:
Newsletter
Subscribe to my email newsletter full of inspiring stories about my journey that continues.