
Wicklow Mountains National Park extends over 20,000 hectares of upland mountain scenery on the doorstep of Dublin. The landscape is a product of the interaction between man and nature over thousands of years, but you can still get a real feeling of wilderness. The National Park welcomes visitors all year round. An open access policy applies on Park lands allowing visitors to explore freely on foot. Temporary restrictions may however apply in certain areas or for certain activities.
The National Park is a large area and may be accessed from different directions by both private transport and a limited public transport system.
There are a number of maps and walking books available that visitors to the Park may find useful.
Visitors may choose to stay overnight and there are a number of options available.
There are a limited number of caravan and camping sites close to the National Park.
Visitors following the Leave No Trace code may camp in remote areas of the Park.
Weather varies rapidly in the National Park. The phrase ‘four seasons in one day’ often applies.
In summer months, biting midges can prove annoying for visitors. However, it is possible to take steps to minimise the problem.
Visitors to the Park should be aware of the small risk of Lyme Disease, contracted through ticks in the hills.
All large scale events, and many recreational activities, require a permit.
All visitors to the Park are asked to observe considerations for their own safety. In the event of an accident, Wicklow has two mountain rescue teams.
The seven principles of Leave No Trace aim to minimise the impact that we have on the wild places that we visit.