Wicklow Mountains National Park

With its snow-dusted peaks, enchanting forests and rushing streams, the Wicklow Mountains National Park offers some of the most captivating landscapes in Ireland. Just a short distance from Dublin, this vast protected area is the perfect escape into nature. Sweeping vistas of tobacco-toned hills unfold at every turn, while the calls of rutting stags and the bleating of wild goats remind you that this is nature’s playground. Whether you plan to hike tranquil trails, wander through time at the enchanting 6th-century monastic site of Glendalough, or enjoy lunch at an 18th-century coaching inn, the Wicklow Mountains offer a unique blend of wild beauty and timeless charm.

The Wicklow Mountains are a playground for outdoor adventurers – this is one of the best places on the island of Ireland for a short stroll or longer hike. Glendalough is a go-to for walkers, with nine waymarked trails that take you from gentle forest routes to pulse-quickening hikes. Tackle the magnificent Spinc (9.5km), and you’ll encounter the haunting ruins of an old miner’s village, before passing through heather-flecked hills and on to a mountain ridge that boasts jaw-dropping views over the glacial lake below. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way – the park is home to mammals including Sika deer, rabbits, goats, foxes, badgers and pine martens. Paid parking is available at both the Upper and Lower lake, and the national park’s information office is located 200m from the Upper Lake car park.

There are also three long-distance walking routes that pass through Wicklow Mountains National Park including the Wicklow Way (130km), St Kevin’s Way (30km) and the Miner’s Way (19km). Maps are available on the National Parks website and at the OPW Visitor Centre at Glendalough.

Discover six inspirational walks around Ireland

While walking is the best way and most immersive way to experience the raw beauty and haunting historic sites of the park, the Great Military Road offers an equally memorable perspective. Constructed between 1801 and 1809, the 58km route passes through Wicklow’s moody blanket bog habitat and takes in landmarks including the glacial valley of Glencree, Sally Gap with its spectacular views of Lough Tay, and the romantic Glenmacnass Waterfall.

You can drive the entire route or if you’re short on time, there are circular looped sections to enjoy. You can also just drive the Sally Gap route, which is 26km long and one of the most scenic passes through the mountains, taking in sections of the Great Military Road.

Of course, Wicklow’s beauty is best enjoyed outdoors and picnics are a popular option here – perfect for lunch with the ultimate view. But those who head inside will find plenty of cosy pubs and restaurants where fires crackle and pints slowly settle. You’ll find country hotels tailor-made for slow, indulgent afternoons, and cafés serving hearty soups and homemade soda bread. Looking for the perfect post-hike destination? Try The Coach House in Roundwood village, a restored 1820s coach house with log fires, craft beers and a super-friendly welcome, the 17th-century Roundwood Inn, or pick up a sandwich to take away at the Roundwood Stores. The Wicklow Heather is a popular spot that’s well-liked for its rustic charm and great food and if you’re visiting Glendalough, Casey’s Bar & Bistro at the Glendalough Hotel is a well-located spot for casual food. 

If you’re looking to explore more of Wicklow, then a visit to Powerscourt Estate, House and Gardens is a must. This gracious estate is set on the eastern edge of the national park. The gardens, with their cascading green terraces, magnificent statues and manicured lawns, have been voted number three in the world’s Top 10 Gardens by National Geographic. Feel like wandering farther afield? Powerscourt Waterfall, Ireland’s highest, is about 5km away – the perfect reminder that Wicklow’s wild side is always close by. Whiskey lovers should head to the award-winning Powerscourt Distillery for an immersive tour and tasting.

More garden delights await at Mount Usher Gardens in Ashford – one of Ireland's most celebrated garden destinations. Set across 22 acres along the River Vartry, the gardens were designed by Irish horticulturalist William Robinson, whose free-flowing, naturalistic approach to garden design became known as Robinsonian. Mount Usher Gardens has become known as one of the world’s best examples of the style and boasts more than 5,000 species of nature and exotic plants set along the banks of the River Vartry.

For sumptuous interiors, it’s hard to beat the 18th-century Russborough House, set in the rolling County Wicklow countryside near the Blessington Lakes. Step inside this stately home and you’ll be wowed with lavish furnishings, exquisite craftsmanship and incredible stucco plasterwork. In 1952, Sir Alfred and Lady Beit bought Russborough and set about installing one of the most esteemed private art collections on the island. Today, the guided tour brings visitors around the house where some of these paintings still hang in beautifully ornate surroundings.

Inspired by the Wicklow Mountains? Continue your adventure through County Wicklow and explore the history, culture and beautiful landscapes that make this part of Ireland’s Ancient East so special.