Dublin to Wicklow & Glendalough: Mountain Walk & Lake Views

The Scalp Walk Overlooks the Irish Coast, Then You Drop Into a Valley with Two Lakes

You're picked up in central Dublin and driven south into the Wicklow Mountains for a guided 1.5-hour walk with panoramic views, then lunch in a village cafe, then scenic stops at the Sally Gap and the Guinness Lake, and finally time to explore Glendalough's medieval monastery and valley lakes. The guide handles the route and the history. You just show up with comfortable walking shoes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Molly Malone Statue5m
2. Glendalough30m

Dublin to Wicklow guided tour

• Pickup from Molly Malone statue
• Guided walk at the Scalp area
• Lunch stop in Enniskerry Village
• Tour through Wicklow Mountains National Park
• Scenic stop at Sally Gap
• Photo stop at Lough Tay (Guinness Lake)
• Visit St Kevin's monastery in Glendalough
• Free time to explore Glendalough Valley

The experience

You meet your guide at the Molly Malone statue on Suffolk Street at 09:20am, and within an hour you're climbing through deciduous woodland in the Scalp, a ridge walk that opens up to views of the Wicklow Mountains, Dublin city, and the coastline all at once. The trail follows part of the Dublin Mountains Way, and somewhere along it you'll spot an old chimney from the Ballychorus mines: late 1800s, still standing. The walk itself is about 1.5 hours on good trails, nothing technical, but you're gaining height and the views shift as you go.

After that, you drop into Enniskerry Village for lunch: a small Victorian estate village where the guide recommends Poppies Cafe, and they're serious about locally sourced food and dietary options. Then the tour pushes deeper into Wicklow Mountains National Park, stopping at the Sally Gap (a high, scenic pass in the middle of the range) and at Lough Tay, which everyone calls the Guinness Lake because of how it sits in Luggala Valley. You've probably seen it in Vikings. They filmed there. You get time to photograph it, which means you actually stop and stand there, not just drive past.

The final stop is Glendalough, a 6th-century monastery founded by St Kevin. Your guide walks you through the history and folklore, and then you have free time to explore the valley itself. There are two lakes here, and the whole place has that quiet, enclosed feeling you don't expect when you're only an hour or so from Dublin. You're not rushed through. You get to wander and sit if you want.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or city-centre pickup at 09:20am from the Molly Malone statue, a guided 1.5-hour walk through the Scalp in Wicklow Mountains with views of the Dublin and Wicklow coastline, lunch in Enniskerry Village, scenic stops at the Sally Gap and Lough Tay (the Guinness Lake), a guided tour of Glendalough's 6th-century monastery with historical commentary, and free time to explore Glendalough Valley and its two lakes. Your guide provides live commentary throughout, and the tour returns you to Dublin in the evening.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:20

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “The Molly Malone statue sits outside a large stone church on Suffolk Street”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Hilltoptreks

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough in one day without arranging your own transport or timing the stops: the fixed itinerary and small-group format mean you get the walk, the lunch, the scenic viewpoints, and the monastery all in the right order and at a pace that lets you actually absorb each place.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What time does the tour start and where do I meet the guide?

Pickup is at 09:20am at the Molly Malone statue on Suffolk Street in Dublin city centre.

How long is the walk in Wicklow Mountains?

The guided walk in the Scalp is approximately 1.5 hours on good trails through woodland and open ridge.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour stops in Enniskerry Village for lunch. The guide recommends Poppies Cafe, which offers locally produced food and can accommodate different dietary needs.

What is the Guinness Lake?

It's Lough Tay, a lake in Luggala Valley that was used as a filming location for the series Vikings. The tour stops here for photos.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

The walk is 1.5 hours on good trails with moderate elevation gain. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What happens at Glendalough?

Your guide takes you through the 6th-century monastery of St Kevin and explains its history and folklore. You then have free time to explore the valley and its two lakes.