Overview
The Wicklow Mountains are a broad upland south of Dublin, and the national park at their core protects almost 23,000 hectares of blanket bog, heath, oakwood and glacial valley. It sits within an hour of the city, which is rather the point: this is the capital’s back-garden wilderness, close enough for an afternoon and wild enough to get weather-beaten on. Park entry is free, though the Glendalough OPW Visitor Centre charges admission and parking charges may apply.
If you have one day, give it to Glendalough: the monastic ruins by the lower lake and the valley paths above the upper lake are the heart of the park. The park can close parts of its trails at short notice, so check the current park notices before you go.
History
People have been in these hills a long time. The earliest known traces are Mesolithic, but it is the Neolithic that left the boldest marks: the passage tombs crowning summits such as Seefin and Seefingan. In the 6th century Saint Kevin founded the monastery at Glendalough, which grew into a major centre of learning and pilgrimage. For centuries afterwards the O’Byrnes and O’Tooles held the mountains as a stronghold, raiding the lowlands and slipping back into ground no army could hold.
That last point is why the Old Military Road exists. After the 1798 Rebellion the British built it – now the R115 – between 1801 and 1809, running south from Rathfarnham to Aghavannagh to open up the rebel country. It is still the spine of the high mountains and a memorable drive.
The idea of protecting the landscape took decades to win. Wicklow Mountains National Park was formally established in 1991 under the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and later land purchases pushed the boundary out to take in Kippure, the Glenasmole Valley and Bohernabreena Reservoir. The park is a Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area under EU law, and the wildlife service is at work restoring bog that generations of turf-cutting and burning stripped bare.
What to see and do
Glendalough monastic city
Set in a glacial valley, Glendalough is the park’s best-known site. You can walk among the 6th-century monastic ruins, the round tower, St Kevin’s Church and the stone crosses, then follow the valley paths to the quieter upper lake. The floor of the valley is scattered with the ruins of lead, zinc and silver mines that worked until 1957; the Miners’ Road and the old Miners’ Village trace that industrial chapter. The Glendalough OPW Visitor Centre has maps and exhibits, so check its opening times and admission before you plan around it.
The big peaks and walks
- Lugnaquilla (925 m) – A serious hill in cloud. Choose a mapped route, check the mountain forecast and carry navigation equipment. On approaches from the Glen of Imaal, check the Defence Forces’ walking route closures before setting out.
- Great Sugarloaf – A conical hill on the eastern edge, with views over Dublin Bay.
- Djouce Mountain – A separate hill walk, on boardwalk in places that keeps boots off the fragile bog. Choose a mapped route and check the forecast.
- The Wicklow Way – A waymarked long-distance trail of about 130 km, running through the park.
Waymarked walks from Glendalough
Start with the Green Road between the lakes, which is the easy option on mostly level ground. The Spinc climbs above the Upper Lake on steeper and more exposed ground, and the Glenealo Valley and Poulanass Waterfall are on the other valley routes. The park’s 2026 works notice covers parts of the White Trail, so check it and the current park notices for closures on the day, and take the colour-coded trail maps from the visitor centre or the park site rather than relying on remembered times.
The Military Road drive
The Military Road (R115) is the one to do if you’re seeing the park from a car. It crosses open blanket bog near the Sally Gap crossroads and passes Glenmacnass Waterfall. The bog is exposed, so check road and weather conditions first and stop only in a safe, signed place. The viewpoint over Lough Tay is Ballinastoe Woods, at the J.B. Malone Memorial. The lake and its shore are private land.
Wildlife and birdwatching
The park’s deer are hybrids. Sika deer were brought from Japan in 1859–60 and have interbred with the native red deer so thoroughly that pure red deer are now rare here; the mixed herds graze the open grassland and heath, and are easiest to spot at dawn and dusk. Overhead, peregrine falcons and merlins work the ridges, best seen in spring and early summer. The lakes and wetlands draw teal, mallard and the occasional goldeneye.
Cycling and mountain biking
The quiet mountain roads make for hard but rewarding road cycling linking Glendalough, the Sally Gap and Roundwood. For off-road riding, head to Ballinastoe MBT on the southern edge of the park. Coillte’s Ballinastoe page lists the graded mountain-bike routes and current storm repairs. The Wicklow Way itself is largely walk-only.
Nearby attractions
The park makes an easy base for a run of good day trips:
- Avoca Valley – A wooded river valley with the old hand-weaving mill and riverside walks.
- Blessington and its lakes – Sailing, fishing and lakeside picnics, a short drive to the north-west.
- Avondale Forest Park and House – The former home of Charles Stewart Parnell, set in woodland.
- Camaderry – A peak over Glendalough with a moderate loop and long summit views.
- Aghavannagh – A quiet village at the western foot of the hills.
Getting there
- By car – The park is within an hour of Dublin, reached by the M50 and the R115. Use signed car parks, and check parking charges and gate times before leaving the car.
- Public transport – The valley at Glendalough is served by bus. Check current timetables before relying on one, and plan onward travel separately for higher trailheads.
- Cycling – The R115 and the surrounding lanes are popular with road cyclists.
Practical information
- Opening – The national park is open year-round, but temporary closures are possible. Visitor facilities keep separate hours.
- Safety – Weather on the tops changes fast, so carry waterproofs, a map and a charged phone. The boardwalks protect the bog but get slippery when wet.
- Dogs and litter – The national park asks visitors to keep dogs on leads. Take your litter home and stay on the marked paths.
- Swimming – The park lists no lifeguarded or approved swimming spots.
Before you set off, check the park notices for the day’s closures and choose a route suited to the weather.