Wicklow Mountains National Park
Wicklow Mountains National Park spreads across granite peaks, blanket bog, and glacial valleys less than an hour south of Dublin, making it the most accessible wilderness in the country and the reason locals call County Wicklow "the Garden of Ireland." At its heart lies Glendalough, a valley carved by two lakes where St. Kevin founded a monastic settlement in the 6th century; the round tower, roofless churches, and old graveyard still stand among the trees, framed by the Wicklow Way, Ireland's oldest long-distance walking trail. The park itself covers a huge swath of open moorland and forest, with Lugnaquilla, the highest mountain outside Kerry, rising over the Glen of Imaal.
What makes Wicklow distinctive is how quickly the scenery shifts from tame woodland car parks to genuinely remote, windswept upland within a short walk, and how much of it can be seen without technical hiking gear. It's also a working film location — scenes from Braveheart, P.S. I Love You, and Vikings were shot around Glendalough and the Sally Gap — and a popular day trip that still feels wild rather than manicured.
Wicklow Mountains National Park FAQs
A car makes it far easier since public transport is limited, but day tours run regularly from Dublin and drop visitors at Glendalough with free time to walk.
Yes, the Glendalough valley and its monastic site sit within the national park boundary and are the most visited part of it.
They range from an easy 20-minute lakeside loop to full-day mountain hikes; the Green Road and Lower Lake trails suit most fitness levels, while routes onto the surrounding peaks are more demanding.
The park itself is free to enter; there's generally a paid car park at Glendalough and a small charge for the visitor centre exhibition.
Late spring through early autumn gives the most reliable weather, but the valley is atmospheric in any season — just expect rain and check trail conditions if visiting in winter.
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