County Wicklow begins less than 30 km from Dublin city centre, which makes it one of the most accessible mountain and coastal walking destinations in Europe. Within 90 minutes of leaving Dublin — by car, DART, or St Kevin's Bus — you can be standing on a mountain ridge with panoramic views, walking a cliff-top coastal path, or exploring a glacial valley that was a monastic centre for over 1,000 years. These ten walks are the best of what Wicklow has to offer for a day trip from the city.
1. The Spinc, Glendalough
Distance: 9 km loop | Time: 3.5–4.5 hours | Difficulty: Strenuous | From Dublin: 1h 15m by car / St Kevin's Bus
The Spinc loop is Ireland's most famous ridge walk for very good reason — a long timber boardwalk along a cliff-top 380 metres above the Glendalough valley, views from the Irish Sea to Lugnaquilla, the historic miners' village in the Glenealo Valley, and the extraordinary medieval monastic site at the start and end of the route. If you only do one walk in Wicklow, this is the one.
Getting there by bus: St Kevin's Bus departs Dublin city centre (Dawson Street, outside the Mansion House) twice daily for Glendalough — check current timetables at stkevinsbustours.com. Return service also runs twice daily. No car required — this is one of the few mountain walks in Wicklow fully served by public transport.
Getting there by car: Follow the N11 south from Dublin, turn off at Kilmacanogue for Roundwood, continue to Laragh and follow signs for Glendalough Upper Lake car park. Sat-nav: Glendalough Upper Lake Car Park, Co. Wicklow. Parking charges apply. Full walk details and GPX on the Spinc walk page.
2. Bray Head Loop
Distance: 8 km loop | Time: 2.5–3 hours | Difficulty: Moderate | From Dublin: 30 minutes by DART
Bray Head is one of the most accessible mountain walks in Ireland — the DART to Bray station takes about 30 minutes from Pearse Station in Dublin city centre, and the walk begins directly from the seafront. The loop climbs steeply through gorse and heather to the summit cross at 241 metres, with views north along the coast to Howth Head and south along the Wicklow coast to the Great Sugar Loaf. The descent returns through the cliff-side path towards Greystones before looping back. An excellent choice for Dubliners without a car.
Getting there by public transport: DART to Bray — frequent service from Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse, and all southside DART stations. Walk 5 minutes from Bray DART station to the seafront to begin the route. Full route details on the Bray Head walk page.
3. Great Sugar Loaf
Distance: 5 km return | Time: 2–2.5 hours | Difficulty: Moderate–strenuous | From Dublin: 45 minutes by car
The Great Sugar Loaf (501 m) is the most recognisable mountain on the Wicklow skyline — a near-perfect conical quartzite peak visible from Dublin on a clear day. The standard ascent from the car park on the R755 near Kilmacanogue takes about 1 hour and involves a steep, loose scree section near the summit. The summit views take in the entire Wicklow mountain range, Dublin Bay, the Kildare plains, and — on exceptionally clear days — the mountains of Wales. Short but memorable.
Getting there by car: From Dublin, take the N11/M11 south, exit at Kilmacanogue and follow signs for the Sugar Loaf car park on the R755. A small car park is located at the base of the mountain. No public transport to the trailhead. Full route notes on the Great Sugar Loaf walk page.
4. Djouce Mountain
Distance: 12 km loop | Time: 4–5 hours | Difficulty: Strenuous | From Dublin: 1 hour by car
Djouce (725 m) is the dominant mountain above the Powerscourt estate and one of the finest viewpoints in Wicklow — on a clear day, the panorama extends from the Sugar Loaf in the south to the Dublin Mountains in the north and out to the Irish Sea and the Mourne Mountains beyond. The standard route leaves from the Crone car park in Powerscourt Demesne and follows the Wicklow Way north before branching off to the summit. The boardwalk section along the ridge is one of the most beautiful stretches of mountain walking in the county.
Getting there by car: Take the N11/M11 south to Kilmacanogue, then the R755 through Enniskerry and follow signs for Crone Wood car park in Powerscourt Demesne. An entry fee for Powerscourt Demesne applies. No direct public transport to the trailhead. Full route details on the Djouce Mountain walk page.
5. Carrick Mountain, Luggala
Distance: 10 km loop | Time: 3.5–4.5 hours | Difficulty: Strenuous | From Dublin: 1 hour by car
Carrick Mountain rises above Lough Tay — the moody, dark lake below the granite cliffs of Luggala that has appeared in dozens of films and television productions, most famously as a filming location for Vikings. The walk climbs from the roadside parking on the R759 above Roundwood and gives extraordinary views over the lake and the valley below. On the descent, the pale granite cliffs of Luggala reflect in the dark water of Lough Tay in a way that is genuinely unique in Irish mountain scenery. Not a walk to save for a misty day.
Getting there by car: Take the N11 south from Dublin, turn inland at Kilmacanogue or Bray towards Roundwood, then the R759 north past Sally Gap. Limited roadside parking on the R759 above Lough Tay. No public transport. Full route details on the Carrick Mountain walk page.
6. Powerscourt Waterfall Walk
Distance: 5 km loop | Time: 1.5–2 hours | Difficulty: Easy–moderate | From Dublin: 45 minutes by car
The Powerscourt Waterfall — at 121 metres, the highest waterfall in Ireland and Britain — is located in the Powerscourt Estate near Enniskerry. The walk from the waterfall car park loops through mature woodland along the Dargle River, with the waterfall itself as the centrepiece. After heavy rainfall, the volume of water is genuinely spectacular. The estate also includes formal gardens (separate entry), a garden centre, and a café. This is one of the most popular and accessible walks in north Wicklow and ideal for families.
Getting there by car: Take the N11/M11 south, exit for Enniskerry, follow signs for Powerscourt Estate and then Powerscourt Waterfall (the waterfall is 6 km from the main estate entrance — follow specific signs). Entry charge for the waterfall car park applies. Full walk details on the Powerscourt Waterfall walk page.
7. Devil's Glen, Ashford
Distance: 5 km loop | Time: 1.5–2 hours | Difficulty: Easy–moderate | From Dublin: 1 hour by car
The Devil's Glen is a dramatic gorge cut by the Vartry River through the Co. Wicklow countryside near Ashford. The Coillte-managed forest park has a well-marked loop trail that takes in the best of the gorge — including a viewpoint above a significant waterfall — through mixed woodland above the river. This is an underrated walk that sees far fewer visitors than Glendalough or Powerscourt, despite being genuinely beautiful. A good choice when the more popular sites are busy at weekends.
Getting there by car: Take the N11 south from Dublin to the Ashford junction, turn inland and follow signs for Devil's Glen Forest Park. Coillte car park at the entrance. No public transport to the trailhead. Full route details on the Devil's Glen walk page.
8. Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk
Distance: 8.5 km one way | Time: 2.5–3 hours | Difficulty: Easy–moderate | From Dublin: 30–35 minutes by DART
The cliff walk from Bray to Greystones is one of the finest coastal walks in Leinster — a 8.5 km path that hugs the cliffside of Bray Head and follows the headland south to Greystones, with the Irish Sea immediately below and the Wicklow Mountains rising steeply to the west. It is walkable in both directions, but the DART connection at both ends (Bray and Greystones are both DART stations) means this is one of the most public-transport-friendly walks in the county. Walk one way and return by train, or turn around at the halfway point.
Getting there by public transport: DART to Bray from Dublin city centre (Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse). Walk from Bray DART station along the seafront to the start of the cliff walk. Return from Greystones DART station. Trains run frequently in both directions. Full route details on the Bray to Greystones walk page.
9. Glendalough Miners' Road
Distance: 11 km return | Time: 3–4 hours | Difficulty: Easy–moderate | From Dublin: 1h 15m by car / St Kevin's Bus
The Miners' Road follows the lower valley path through Glendalough, beginning at the Upper Lake car park and heading west along the Avonmore river through the old lead mining landscape. Unlike the Spinc, this walk remains on the valley floor throughout — no significant ascent, no exposed ridgeline — making it the best option at Glendalough for walkers who want the scenery without the strenuous climb. The route passes the ruins of the miners' village, the old mine workings, and extraordinary valley scenery under the soaring walls of Camaderry and Derrybawn mountain. The combination of industrial heritage and natural beauty is unlike anything else in Wicklow.
Getting there: Same as for the Spinc (above) — St Kevin's Bus from Dublin or by car to Glendalough Upper Lake car park. Full route details on the Glendalough Miners' Road walk page.
10. Maulin, Crone Wood
Distance: 11 km loop | Time: 3.5–4.5 hours | Difficulty: Strenuous | From Dublin: 1 hour by car
Maulin (570 m) is one of the most rewarding summit walks in north Wicklow — less visited than Djouce, which it neighbours, and with equally fine views over the Glencree valley, the Sugar Loaf, and on clear days, the full expanse of the Irish Sea and Dublin Bay. The route from Crone Wood car park climbs through old oak and birch woodland before emerging onto open moorland for the final ascent. The return via Powerscourt Waterfall viewpoint makes this a particularly varied and satisfying loop.
Getting there by car: Take the N11/M11 south from Dublin, exit for Kilmacanogue and Enniskerry, follow the R755 to Crone Wood car park within Powerscourt Demesne. An entry fee for the Demesne applies. No public transport to the trailhead. Full route details on the Maulin walk page.
A note on St Kevin's Bus
St Kevin's Bus Service is the most useful public transport option for walkers heading to central Wicklow from Dublin. The service runs from Dublin city centre — departing from outside the Mansion House on Dawson Street — to Roundwood and Glendalough, twice daily in each direction (morning departure from Dublin, afternoon/evening return from Glendalough). The timetable is designed specifically for day walkers and has been operating since the 1980s. Book in advance at stkevinsbustours.com — seats fill quickly at weekends and in summer. The service is not operated by Dublin Bus or Bus Éireann; it is a private operator with a dedicated website and booking system.
Planning tips for day walks near Dublin
- Start early on weekends. Glendalough in particular is extremely busy between 10am and 3pm on summer weekends. A 7:30am–8am departure from Dublin puts you on the trail before the crowds and in the car park before it fills.
- Check the forecast the night before. Mountain conditions in Wicklow can change dramatically within a few hours. Met Éireann (met.ie) provides mountain forecasts — check the Wicklow Mountains specific forecast, not just the county-wide forecast.
- Download offline maps. Mobile signal is poor on the high sections of most of these walks. Download your route to AllTrails or OS Maps before you leave Dublin.
- Pack layers even in summer. Wicklow summits are significantly colder and windier than Dublin city. A fleece and a waterproof jacket take up minimal space and make the difference between a comfortable summit experience and an unpleasant one.
- Consider an overnight stay. All ten of these walks are day trips, but Wicklow rewards an overnight — staying in Enniskerry, Roundwood, Glendalough, or Tinahely and doing two or three walks over a weekend is one of the best ways to experience the county. See the WalkWicklow accommodation directory for options throughout the county.