Wicklow Way Walks

Glendalough is a hub for walking in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. The most popular routes start from the upper car park and range from the easy lakeshore circuit (about 3 kilometres, flat) to the demanding Spinc and Glenealo Valley loop (about 9 kilometres, with steep climbs and views over both lakes and the surrounding mountains). The Wicklow Way itself passes through the valley.

The Spinc Ridge walk is the highlight for those who want elevation: the path climbs through oak woodland and then breaks out onto open heath with panoramic views over the valley and the surrounding peaks. The boardwalk section along the Spinc ridge is well maintained and gives a good high-level perspective without technical difficulty. Allow 3 to 4 hours for the full loop from the upper car park.

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A story
The Wicklow Way, Ireland's first long-distance walking route, was established in 1982 and passes through Glendalough on its 130-kilometre route from Dublin's southern suburbs to Clonegal in County Carlow. It was the template for a wave of long-distance walking routes that followed across Ireland in the 1980s and 1990s, transforming what had been wild and largely unvisited upland into accessible walking country.

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