You need to be already in Dublin in order to make it to Marlay Park in the morning, from where your self-guided hiking starts (easy access by taxi/bus; this is where you will drop off your main luggage by 09:15 at latest before start hiking). Starting from the vivid park, soon you will leave behind the buzzing of the cars and people as you head towards the Kilmashogue Forest. It is a small mountain with ancient ruins that could be found on it. The most attractive part of the hike here is the pleasant views towards the vibrant city of Dublin. The fancy lifestyle steps backward to make space for the serenity and pure joy that lies ahead along the winding trails. You continue along towards the "Two Rock mountain", named after the Granite Tors that sit on top of it. Your first overnight will be either or Coolakay or Enniskerry.

From your accommodation, you head off towards Crone wood. The trail first crosses a forested area which will lead you to a clifftop with an amazing view of Powerscourt Waterfall. The trail continues ahead and exits from the woods so you can admire more and more of the mountains around you - Djouce Peak to your right and Maulin Peak to your left. You will find yourself in the feet of Djource and if you wish, you can make a detour and climb the peak, after which continue your hiking to the final destination of the day Oldbridge/Roundwood. With every step approaching the end of the trek, you will see the Lake Tay and Luggala. There is a fantastic spot to stop for a break, refresh your energy with a snack or just with the beauty of the panorama! Getting closer to Roundwood, you may organize a transfer to collect you to skip the last few kilometers and enjoy the well-deserved rest with a pint of a cold beer!

One light walk is waiting for you today but the vistas are again worthwhile! From Roundwood, there will be organized transfer to Pier Gates in order to rejoin the Wicklow Way again. Your trail will match first a public road that crosses Avonmore River, soon you will pass a farmhouse and find yourself in the north-eastern shoulder of Paddock Hill. The route continues over hill and before reaching the main road to Glendalough you will be able to enjoy amazing views along the Valley with the same name. Keep walking until you reach your accommodation in Glendalough. If you are not too tired you may stroll around and explore the numerous pieces of evidence of its glorious past. Most of them partially demolished but still keeping proudly the history and telling fairy-tale legends to its visitors.

Glendalough is one of the most visited sites in County Wicklow thanks to its rich cultural heritage and natural diversity. The Valley is a typical example of a U-shape glacier valley and translated from Irish it actually means the Valley of the two lakes. The first monastic settlement here was established in the 6th century and remains of an old Cathedral with a round tower 100ft high could be seen today. It deserves one extra day to be spent here just to have more time to dig into the old history and enrich your knowledge for Ireland. The area also is known as a nice place for rock-climbing.  The daily challenge is awaiting for you starting from Glendalough Hotel, passing by the monastic site and crossing the Avonbeg River over a small bridge that leads to the Lower Lake. The hiking trail continues towards the Upper Lake - much bigger than the previous one. Your path turns around to the roaring waters of the Poulanass Waterfall and enters a deciduous forested area along the side of Derrybawn. The trails slide from the one side of Mullacor Peak. It gently descends towards the Glenmalure Valley offering impressive views that should be captured on your photo camera! Overnight in Glenmalure. N.B An alternative route can be taken along what is called the Spinc. This is a great walk up along a trail overlooking both lakes and throughout the whole valley. 

After breakfast, you head off for another easy walk on a military road, that crosses Avonbeg River. Here your attention will be attracted by the Drumgoff barracks built by the British in the early 1800s. Taking off the military road you will now join a path that flows into a beautiful forested area the side of Slieve Maan (Middle mountain). Here you will notice a sign which states that you are on the half of Wicklow Way’s total length (63.5 km). The track turns almost parallel to the military road and rejoins it before crossing Aghavannagh River. On your way, you have to cross also Ow River. Organized pick up from Iron Bridge and transfer to Aughrim for overnight.

The day will start with a short transfer to the beginning of the pathway. The first stop along your trail will be Moyne where you could stop and enjoy the break with the picturesque view of Lugnaquillia (Leinster's highest mountain) in the distance. The trail follows a small boreen where you will be surrounded by a fragrant array of wildflowers along the hedgerows. Along the way, you can take a short break to the nearby holy well dedicated to St. Colmcille. The trail normally processes towards Coolafunshogue woods then crosses the Derry River and ends in Tinahely. The town is located in the valley of the river and has survived one big demolition after the 1798 rebellion but it was rebuilt again. You may extend your walking trek to the Tomnafinnoge Wood - one of the largest Oak forests in Ireland. In autumn it is a spectacular experience to walk around the thousands of warm color tones from the oak trees.

You are almost at the end of your self-guided walking trip. This hiking stage from the itinerary will take you to Shillelagh. From Tinahely you have to join a small boreen that continues north to Muskeagh Hill. You will eventually reach a famous pub, placed just on your pathway where you can stop for refreshments! Your track as per itinerary will be crossed from many small trails, roads, and boreens so make sure you are following the right direction from the description you will receive. Soon you will end up at your final overnight destination. Shillelagh just like Tinahely is nestled in the Valley of Derry River and it was a village mainly constructed from granite.

For the farewell hike, you have two options to choose from. The very first one is to take public transportation to Dublin and skip the last stage of the Wicklow Way. For those who are keen on accomplishing the whole trekking, you can choose to walk until the very last point of it - Clonegal, where you could be picked up and transferred to Dublin (*transfer costs 160 Euros for a group of 1-4 pax). Here is a brief description of what is expecting you if you choose to complete the walk: First, you have to rejoin the Wicklow Way. The start of your last hiking stretch will be a twisting path into the woods, later crossing few settlements. The Wicklow Way travels north up and around Moylisha (wedge-shaped gallery grave) and back in a southerly direction around Newry (a city, divided by the Clanrye River in counties Armagh and Down). The daily hike is to its end at Clonegal. Congratulations! You can reward yourself with a pint in one of the local pubs! You just finished your independent walking trip! Clonegal is a one-street village centered around the four-hundred-year-old Huntington Castle. The property is still lived in by descendants of the original owners the Durdin-Robertson family. They could be seen taking tours around, working in the garden or just preparing tea for their visitors. A great chance to feel royal by visiting the Castle! The tour can be extended to 9 days if you wish to complete the trail in style. On Day 8 you will walk to Clonegal and then picked up for a short transfer to Bunclody. There you will spend your last night and depart on Day 9 (contact us for rates).