Dublin to Wicklow: Horse Riding, Glendalough & Small Group Day Trip

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/10

Duration8h

GroupUp to 8

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Ride horses through Wicklow hills then wander ancient Glendalough

You’ll start your day riding through Wicklow’s wild hills with a local guide before warming up over lunch in Enniskerry village. Walk among ancient stones at Glendalough and breathe in mountain air by Guinness Lake. If you want a small group day trip from Dublin that feels personal but never rushed, this one lingers long after you’re home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Horse riding and Wicklow sightseeing

Pickup at Molly Malone statue
Horse riding at Killegar Stables
Lunch in Enniskerry village
Drive through Wicklow Mountains National Park
Visit Guinness Lake filming location
Stop at scenic Wicklow Mountains spots
Explore St Kevin's monastic site
Free time in Glendalough valley

The Experience

We started by weaving through Dublin’s morning shuffle, meeting right under the Molly Malone statue (she’s got that look — you’ll see). Our guide, Aoife, was already there, waving us over with this easy smile. The drive out of the city was quieter than I expected; just the hum of the van and some half-awake jokes about Irish weather. By the time we pulled into Killegar Stables, it smelled like wet grass and leather saddles — honestly, I was a little nervous about getting on a horse after so many years. They sized us up for boots and helmets (I had to swap mine twice because my head’s apparently bigger than I thought), then matched us with horses who seemed more patient than I’ll ever be.

The ride itself — about an hour and a half — took us along these winding tracks where you could actually hear your own breathing between the hoofbeats. There were moments when the mist rolled in across the hills and everything felt quiet except for someone up ahead laughing at their horse stopping to munch grass. Aoife kept chatting about local stories (there’s one about fairies stealing bridles — she swears it’s true) and pointed out where “Braveheart” was filmed. It’s weirdly grounding being up there, looking down at those valleys.

Lunch was in Enniskerry, at this place called Poppies Café where they know exactly how hungry people get after riding horses. I went for something hot and simple — can’t even remember what now, but it tasted like butter and salt and warmth. After that we drove deeper into the Wicklow Mountains; you catch flashes of Guinness Lake through the windows and it really does have that dark stripe across it, just like a pint. We stopped for photos but honestly I just wanted to stand there a bit longer, breathing in that cold air.

Glendalough came last — old stone walls tucked between lakes and forest. Some people wandered off to see St Kevin’s monastic ruins; I mostly trailed along quietly, shoes squishing on mossy ground. There’s something about those two lakes that sticks with me — maybe it’s how still they are, or maybe just how tired my legs felt by then. Anyway, we piled back into the van as the light faded out behind us. Still thinking about that view from horseback even now.

What’s included

Your day includes small group transport from Dublin with pickup at Molly Malone statue, all arrangements for horse riding near Killegar Stables (with boots and helmets supplied), live commentary from your local guide throughout Wicklow Mountain drives, plenty of time to explore Glendalough valley on foot, plus a relaxed lunch break in Enniskerry village before returning to Dublin in the evening.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats available

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