The Wicklow Way is Ireland's oldest and most popular long-distance waymarked trail — 132 km (by the official measurement) from Clonegal in Co. Carlow to Marlay Park in Rathfarnham, Dublin. Most guide books and websites describe the route north to south, which is how the original route was designed in the 1980s, but a growing number of experienced long-distance walkers choose to walk it in the reverse direction — from Clonegal northwards to Dublin. This guide explains why, and gives you everything you need to plan the south-to-north journey.
Why walk south to north?
The conventional north-to-south direction starts in the Dublin suburbs at Marlay Park and immediately enters the high Wicklow Mountains — Tibradden, Prince William's Seat, Djouce — before gradually descending through the south Wicklow foothills to Clonegal. You experience the most dramatic terrain early, when your legs and pack are fresh, and the final days carry you through gentler countryside.
South to north reverses this logic. You begin in the relatively flat farmland and forest of the Carlow–Wicklow border, with modest daily distances as you find your walking rhythm and your feet toughen up. The terrain becomes progressively more mountainous as you head north. By the time you reach the high sections — the plateau above Glendalough, the long ridge above Lough Dan, the descent to Roundwood — your body is well conditioned and your confidence is high. The mountains feel earned. The descent into Dublin from the high ground above Marlay Park is, for walkers going south to north, one of the great moments of any Irish long-distance walk: the city spread out below you, the sea glinting to the east, and 130 km behind you.
There is also a practical transport argument. If you are travelling from Dublin to begin your walk, it is easier and cheaper to get a bus or taxi to Clonegal (about 90 km from Dublin) at the start, and return to Dublin by public transport from Marlay Park at the end — you finish the walk where the LUAS, Dublin Bus, and suburban rail network is on your doorstep.
Getting to Clonegal from Dublin
Clonegal is a small village on the Co. Carlow side of the Wicklow–Carlow border. There is no direct public transport from Dublin to Clonegal. Your options are:
- Taxi/private hire from Dublin: approximately €100–€130 one way from Dublin city centre, depending on pick-up location. Several Wicklow Way walkers share a taxi from Dublin on the morning of Day 1. Pre-book with a south Wicklow taxi company — local drivers know the area and the walk.
- Bus Éireann to Bunclody: Bus Éireann route 132 runs from Dublin Busáras to Bunclody (Co. Wexford), which is 6 km from Clonegal. A local taxi from Bunclody to Clonegal costs about €15. Check current timetables at buseireann.ie as schedules change seasonally.
- Drive and leave a car at Marlay Park: If you are driving, leave your car at Marlay Park in Dublin (free car park, 24-hour access) and take a taxi or prearranged transfer to Clonegal. You return from Marlay Park to your car at the end of the walk — no shuttle required.
- Luggage transfer services: Several Wicklow-based operators offer luggage transfers along the full route, and some will collect you from Dublin and transfer you to Clonegal for a fee. This is worth considering if you are carrying a heavy pack or want a stress-free start.
Stage-by-stage overview: Clonegal to Marlay Park
The stages below reflect a comfortable 8-day itinerary. Distances are approximate — your GPS will often record more than the official figures. See the full Wicklow Way section of this site for detailed stage pages with elevation profiles, waypoint notes, and accommodation listings.
Day 1 — Clonegal to Shillelagh: 14 km
The opening stage is the gentlest introduction to a long trail. You leave Clonegal on quiet country lanes and forest tracks, passing through the Croaghan Hill forest and emerging at Shillelagh — a small south Wicklow village with a pub, accommodation, and the famous Shillelagh oak woods nearby. This is an easy day by Wicklow Way standards: short, with minimal ascent. Use the afternoon to check your gear, treat any early blisters, and get an early night. Full Stage 7 route details →
Day 2 — Shillelagh to Tinahely: 10 km
Another short, easy day through south Wicklow farmland and forest. Tinahely is one of the most walker-friendly stops on the whole route — a proper village with food, accommodation, and the excellent Wicklow Uplands Council walking information. Madeline's Accommodation in Tinahely Town Square is a popular stop for Wicklow Way walkers heading in either direction. Full Stage 6 route details →
Day 3 — Tinahely to Moyne: 16 km
The route begins to climb more noticeably as you leave south Wicklow's gentle farmland and head into the upland forest and open hillside above Moyne. The views back south across the Wicklow–Carlow landscape are increasingly impressive. Accommodation at Moyne is limited — book well in advance. Full Stage 5 route details →
Day 4 — Moyne to Glendalough: 24 km
The longest day on most itineraries, and one of the most rewarding. The route passes through Aghavannagh, crosses the high ground between the Derry and Avonmore rivers, and descends into the Glendalough valley — one of the great arrivals on any Irish walk. Allow a full day and a generous overnight here: Glendalough is worth more than a passing visit. Full Stage 4 route details →
Day 5 — Glendalough to Roundwood: 20 km
The section north of Glendalough climbs onto the high plateau above the valley — this is high, exposed mountain walking with panoramic views in good weather. The route crosses the Wicklow Gap road before descending towards Roundwood, Wicklow's highest village. This is the day when the scale of the Wicklow Mountains becomes fully apparent. Full Stage 3 route details →
Day 6 — Roundwood to Laragh / Annamoe: 16 km
A varied day of forest, lakeshore, and upland track, passing above Lough Dan — one of the most dramatic lakes in Wicklow — before descending to the Avonmore valley. Several accommodation options in the Laragh and Annamoe area. Full Stage 2 route details →
Day 7 — Annamoe to Knockree / Enniskerry: 22 km
The penultimate day carries the route north across the high ground above Powerscourt, with views of the Great Sugar Loaf, the Wicklow coast, and on clear days, the Mourne Mountains far to the north. The descent to Knockree or Enniskerry marks the transition from wild Wicklow to the fringes of the Dublin commuter belt. A mixed and satisfying day. Full Stage 2 route details →
Day 8 — Knockree to Marlay Park: 20 km
The final day begins in the Dublin Mountains and ends in the suburbs. The route traverses Tibradden Mountain and descends through the conifer forests of Cruagh and Masseybrook before the long, gradual path down through the Marlay Park estate to the southern terminus of the route. Arriving at Marlay Park in the late afternoon, with Dublin spread out before you and 132 km behind you, is one of the most satisfying moments in Irish hillwalking. Full Stage 1 route details →
What's different about walking south to north?
Beyond the dramatic logic of the south-to-north direction, there are several practical differences worth knowing about:
- Waymarking: The official waymarkers on the Wicklow Way point north to south. Walking in the opposite direction means the arrows and walking-man signs are always facing away from you. This is manageable with a good GPX file, but it does mean you need to pay slightly more attention to navigation than walkers going with the official direction.
- Accommodation sequencing: The official north-to-south literature lists accommodation by stage in that direction. When planning south to north, you essentially reverse the list. Our stage pages cover both directions.
- Other walkers: Most people you meet on the trail will be going in the opposite direction. This is actually pleasant — the trail has a social quality that means you often meet the same faces at B&Bs and hostels along the way, swapping notes on conditions ahead.
- The mountain sections feel earned: Saving the most spectacular terrain for when you are fit and experienced on the trail, rather than encountering it on Day 1, is a significant benefit. Most walkers who have done both directions prefer south to north for this reason.
Best time of year
Late May through to mid-September is optimal for the Wicklow Way in either direction. June is particularly good: long days (sunset after 9:30pm in midsummer), wildflowers on the high ground, and accommodation pressure lower than the peak July–August window. For the south-to-north direction, note that you will be on the highest and most exposed terrain in Days 5–7 — weather forecasting for the mountain sections is especially important.
April and October are viable for well-equipped, experienced hillwalkers and offer spectacular colour, quiet trails, and significantly cheaper accommodation. Winter walking on the Wicklow Way is not recommended for first-timers — the high sections can be very serious in icy or foggy conditions.
Downloading a GPX file
A GPX file for the south-to-north direction is available on this site. Because the official Wicklow Way GPX from Sport Ireland points north to south, we have prepared a reversed version specifically for walkers doing the Clonegal–Marlay Park direction. Load it to AllTrails, Komoot, OS Maps, or a dedicated GPS device before you start. Mobile signal is poor on many of the high mountain sections — offline maps are not optional, they are essential. See the Wicklow Way planning page for GPX downloads.