Walking Trails of Glendalough
There are nine way-marked walking trails in the valley of Glendalough. The walks vary from a short half hour stroll to a long four hour hillwalk. Large maps of the walks are displayed at the Visitor Centre beside the Monastic City and on the Notice Board at the Upper Lake car park. All the walks start at the National Park Information Office near the Upper Lake. Each trail is signposted with colour-coded arrows. Staff at the Information Office can help you choose a suitable route.
A map of the Walking Trails is on sale at the Information Office at the Upper Lake and from the Visitor Centre at the Monastic City. A copy of the map and descriptions of the walks are posted on the notice boards at the Upper Lake car park and at the Monastic City Visitor Centre.
Note: Special events and large groups will require a permit.
If you have any queries, contact us by telephone, email, post or in person.
Walking Trails Warning
The first icy weather of the winter has arrived. Walkers on the trails in Glendalough should be advised that boardwalks are slippery in ice and snow. This warning applies to the following routes:
- Spinc and Glenealo Valley (White route)
- Spinc and the Wicklow Way (Red route)
- Spinc Short Route (Blue route)
- Green Road Walk (Green route)
Miners' Road Walk (Purple Route)
Grade: Easy
Distance: 5km
Time: 1hr 10 mins
Climb: 20m
This walk skirts one side of the Upper Lake. The trail passes through Scots Pine woodland before reaching the ruined miners' village. Halfway along the trail, the cave known as St. Kevin's Bed can be seen across the lake. Feral goats are common on this walk. Peregrine Falcons may on occasion be seen high in the sky soaring and calling to each other(a high-pitched cry).
Walkers on the Miners' Road Walk may also want to download a Nature Trails leaflet to accompany this walk. Both the Bird Walk and the Mammal Walk follow this route.
Poulanass and St. Kevin's Cell (Bronze Route)
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 2km
Time: 45 mins
Climb: 120m
This trail rises steeply alongside the Poulanass Waterfall, leading you through the Glendalough oak woodlands. It then winds gently down to the site of St. Kevin's Cell. At this point there is a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Upper Lake, which is a good place to birdwatch. A visit to Reefert Church is worthwhile before ending your walk.
Green Road Walk (Green Route)
Grade: Easy
Distance: 3km
Time: 50 mins
Climb: 20m
The Green Road is an easy stroll on mostly flat ground. This walk passes through the Glendalough oak woodlands before dropping down onto the Lower Lake wetland edge. Views up the valley from the boardwalk here are spectacular. Lizards and dragonflies are often seen sunning themselves on the wooden trackway. The wetlands are a valuable breeding place for frogs.
Walkers on the Green Road Walk may also want to download a Nature Trails leaflet to accompany this walk. The Flower Walk follows this route.
Derrybawn Woodland Trail (Orange Route)
Grade: Ramble
Distance: 8km
Time: 2hrs
Climb: 160m
This trail climbs steeply up alongside the Poulanass Waterfall before leading you to the upper reaches of Derrybawn Mountain. Flanked by larch and pine trees, the route offers magnificent views of the whole Glendalough Valley. Red Squirrels and birds such as Treecreepers are often seen here. In early summer, wood sorrel, bluebells and wood anemones add colour to the woodland floor.
Poulanass (Pink Route)
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 1.7 km
Time: 45 mins
Climb: 150m
This trail begins with a short but steep climb up by the Poulanass Waterfall and plunge pools. (The name Poulanass is taken from the Irish 'Poll an Eas' which means 'hole of the waterfall'). The trail crosses above the waterfall to drop down through mixed woodlands to the valley floor. Listen out for woodland birds, in particular Jays, which can be quite noisy.
Woodland Road (Silver Route)
Grade: Ramble
Distance: 4km
Time: 1hr 45 mins
Climb: 90 m
This is a pleasant walk through one of the more secretive areas of Glendalough. It weaves through mixed woodlands into neighbouring Glendasan Valley. The trail follows the Glendasan River back towards Glendalough, where it then joins up with the boardwalk which runs through the Lower Lake wetlands.
Spinc and Glenealo Valley (White Route)
Grade: Hillwalk
Distance: 9km
Time: 3hr 30 mins
Climb: 380 m
This popular walk leads you through some of the most spectacular scenery in Co. Wicklow. (The name Spinc comes from the Irish 'An Spinc' and means 'pointed hill'). The trail ascends steeply up by the Poulanass Waterfall before joining a boardwalk. More than 600 wooden steps lead you to a viewing point overlooking the Upper Lake. The boardwalk skirts the top of the cliffs before descending through blanket bog and heath into the picturesque Glenealo Valley, home to a large herd of deer. A rough track then leads you back down into Glendalough Valley.
Spinc and the Wicklow Way (Red Route)
Grade: Hillwalk
Distance: 11km
Time: 4hrs
Climb: 490m
This walk follows the same route as the other Spinc trails up onto the boardwalk. It stays on this boardwalk for 1.7km before turning off in the direction of Lugduff Mountain. This Section of the trail is a good place to spot deer and birds such as Raven, Merlin and Kestrel. Finally the trail links up with the Wicklow Way track to lead you back to the Information Office.
Spinc (short route) (Blue Route)
Grade: Hillwalk
Distance: 5km
Time: 2hrs
Climb: 280m
Although this walk is short in comparison to the other Spinc routes, it still leads you into mountainous terrain where navigational experience is necessary. The walk follows the Poulanass Waterfall before entering the Lugduff Valley. From there, a steep climb up steps brings you onto the boardwalk which hugs the cliff of the Spinc, before cutting down through forest to lead back towards the Information Office.
Leaflet: The Walking Trails of Glendalough
A leaflet containing both the map and descriptions given here can be purchased in the Information Office or the Glendalough Visitor Centre.
Price: €0.50
Download
The map of the trails is available to download.
Please Note: The original leaflet is larger than A4 in size. If you print out the map on A4 paper, the text will be very small.
