The Complete Wicklow Way Packing List

I watched a first-timer set off from Clonegal on a July morning in brand-new leather boots and a cotton hoodie. I met him again on Stage 2, sitting on a ditch outside Tinahely, soaked through and miserable. That is why this list exists.

The Wicklow Way is 132 km of Irish mountain, forest, farmland and riverbank. Weather on any given day in Wicklow can cycle through sun, heavy rain, wind and mist within a few hours — sometimes within a few minutes on the high sections. Packing correctly is not about spending more money on gear; it is about understanding the specific demands of a multiday Irish mountain walk and making sensible choices accordingly.

The target for a 7-day walk staying in B&Bs and hostels is a pack weight of 10–12 kg. Above 12 kg, you will feel it in your hips and knees by Day 3. Below 10 kg is achievable for ultralight walkers but requires significant investment in lightweight gear. This list is for a standard, well-equipped walker aiming for that 10–12 kg sweet spot.

Footwear

• Waterproof walking boots (1 pair, worn) — the single most important piece of kit. Mid-cut leather or fabric boots with a Goretex or equivalent waterproof membrane. They must be broken in before you start — do not attempt the Wicklow Way in new boots. Allow at least 6–8 weeks of regular walking to break in a new pair properly.
• Camp/guesthouse shoes (1 pair, packed) — lightweight flip-flops or light trainers to wear in the evening. Your feet need to breathe after a day in boots. Weight target: under 400 g.
• Walking socks (4 pairs) — merino wool or a merino blend. Merino regulates temperature, resists odour far better than synthetic, and dries quickly overnight. Bring enough to change socks mid-day on long or wet days — a dry pair of socks can transform a difficult afternoon.
• Gaiters (optional) — ankle gaiters are useful on the boggier sections, particularly between Glenmalure and Aghavannagh and on the overgrown stretches near Tinahely. Not essential, but worth considering if walking in spring or after a wet period.
• Trekking poles (optional) — highly recommended for steep descents and boggy ground. Collapsible poles strap to your pack when not needed. They make a significant difference to knee strain on longer days and on the descent from the Spinc.

Clothing — the layering system

The Irish mountain layering principle: base layer + mid layer + wind/rain shell. Each layer is packed separately and added or removed as conditions change. The goal is to never overheat and never get cold — both states lead to dehydration, discomfort and poor decision-making on the hill.

• Moisture-wicking base layer tops (2) — synthetic or merino. Avoid cotton entirely: cotton holds moisture against the skin, takes a long time to dry, and causes chafing and cold. One to wear, one to wash and dry overnight.
• Mid-layer fleece or insulated jacket (1) — a lightweight fleece or synthetic insulated jacket (around 200–300 g) for cold mornings, summits, and evenings.
• Lightweight gilet (1, optional) — some walkers carry a gilet instead of a heavier mid-layer for summer walking. Packs very small and adds warmth at rest stops without bulk when moving.
• Walking trousers (2 pairs) — lightweight, quick-drying, ideally with some stretch. One to wear, one to wash. Avoid jeans.
• Shorts (1 pair, summer only) — useful in June–August. Zip-off trousers that convert to shorts are a practical option.
• Warm hat and gloves — even in July, exposed ridge sections can be cold in wind. A light merino hat weighs almost nothing; bring it regardless of the season forecast.
• Sun hat or peaked cap — for high summer. The exposed mountain sections offer no shade.
• Evening/town clothing (1 change) — something presentable for evenings in B&Bs and village pubs. A lightweight shirt plus clean trousers is sufficient.
• Underwear (3–4 sets) — merino or quick-drying synthetic.

Rain gear — the non-negotiable

Rain gear on the Wicklow Way is not optional equipment for bad days — it is standard daily kit. Irish weather is unpredictable at every altitude, and the high mountain sections are some of the wettest places in Leinster. Assume rain. Plan for rain. Be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't arrive.

• Waterproof jacket — hardshell (1) — a proper waterproof, breathable shell jacket with a hood. Not a shower-resistant softshell. Not a windproof with a DWR coating. A genuine hardshell with a seam-sealed waterproof membrane (Goretex, eVent, or equivalent). Weight target: under 400 g.
• Waterproof overtrousers (1 pair) — lightweight, packable waterproof trousers that go over your walking trousers in heavy rain. Essential on the high sections.
• Pack liner or dry bags — your rucksack is probably not waterproof. Line it with a large bin bag or use a purpose-made pack liner. Keep electronics, spare clothing and documents in dry bags within your pack.

Navigation

• Offline GPX on your phone — download the Wicklow Way GPX file to AllTrails, OS Maps, Komoot or your preferred app before you leave each morning. On the high mountain sections, you will have no mobile data to load map tiles. Offline maps are your primary navigation tool.
• Dedicated GPS device (optional) — a Garmin inReach or similar is worthwhile for solo walkers, particularly for the remote sections. Some models include a satellite SOS function.
• Harvey's Wicklow Way map or OSI 1:50,000 sheets — a paper map is a sensible backup. Harvey's produce a purpose-made waterproof strip map for the route. OSI sheets 56 and 62 cover the full walk.
• Compass (1) — a baseplate compass and the knowledge to use it. Essential if you walk into mist on the high sections, which can happen quickly and with little warning.

Food and water

• Water bottles or reservoir (2 litres minimum capacity) — two 1-litre bottles or a 2-litre hydration reservoir. On the high mountain sections between resupply points, carrying sufficient water is essential.
• Water purification tablets or filter (1) — for emergency use on the high ground. A small Sawyer Mini filter adds minimal weight.
• Lunch and snacks for each day — buy lunch supplies in the morning before you set off. Between Glendalough and Tinahely there are no shops on the route. Carry enough food for the full day plus an emergency ration you do not touch unless genuinely needed.
• Electrolyte tablets or powder — useful on hot days and on the long high mountain stages.

First aid and health

• Blister kit — Compeed or similar hydrocolloid blister plasters, plus zinc oxide tape for hotspot prevention. Treat hotspots the moment you feel them; do not wait until the blister is established. Blisters end more Wicklow Way attempts than weather does.
• Basic first aid kit — wound dressings, micropore tape, antiseptic wipes, a small bandage.
• Anti-inflammatory/pain relief — ibuprofen or similar. Carry enough for the full trip.
• Sunscreen and lip balm — SPF 30 or higher for exposed summer days on the ridges.
• Personal prescription medication — carry more than you need. Do not rely on sourcing prescription medications in small south Wicklow villages.
• Insect repellent and tick removal tool — midges are present in sheltered glens from May to September; ticks are present in bracken and long grass. Check yourself each evening.

Accommodation kit

• Sleeping bag liner (1) — a silk or merino liner adds warmth and a hygienic sleep surface. Weighs under 150 g.
• Microfibre towel (1) — B&Bs provide towels; hostels generally do not. A small microfibre travel towel (40×80 cm) covers both.
• Earplugs — essential in hostel dormitories.
• Small padlock — for locker use in hostels.
• Laundry soap sheets or small detergent — for hand-washing socks and base layers each evening. If you wash and dry overnight, you need fewer changes of clothing and your pack stays lighter.

Electronics

• Smartphone (charged, with offline maps loaded)
• Portable power bank — 10,000 mAh minimum — a 10,000 mAh bank will charge a phone 2–3 times.
• Universal charging cables and adapter
• Head torch with spare batteries — for early starts and late arrivals.

Stage by stage: what to watch for

The gear demands shift across the route. Here is what each stage brings:

Stage 1 — Clonegal to Shillelagh (14 km)

Resist the urge to push hard on Day 1. Your legs need the first day to settle — walking through the early stiffness now means you avoid real trouble by Stage 3. The terrain is gentle and the waymarking is reliable. This is a good day to find your pace and confirm your boot laces are the right tightness before they matter.

Stage 2 — Shillelagh to Tinahely (15 km)

Gaiters earn their keep on the overgrown sections near Tinahely, particularly in wet weather or after a dry spell when the grass still holds moisture. End the day at Madeline's in Tinahely — the B&B sits right on the route. Most thru-hikers overnight here on night 2. It is where I stayed when I walked the full route the first time, long before I ended up running the place.

Stage 3 — Tinahely to Aghavannagh (16 km)

The climb out of Tinahely hits tired legs hard. This is where poles make the difference. No shops from here until Glenmalure — buy your lunch supplies in Tinahely before you leave. Stage 3 is the point where you realise whether your pack weight is manageable or whether you packed too much.

Stage 4 — Aghavannagh to Glenmalure (11 km)

Boggy moorland above Aghavannagh. Waterproof boots earn their money here regardless of the morning forecast — the ground holds water even after a dry week. Short in distance but the terrain is rough underfoot and the navigation requires attention in mist. Do not underestimate this stage.

Stage 5 — Glenmalure to Glendalough (14 km)

The ascent past the Spinc is the most demanding climb on the route. Take it slow — the boardwalk sections on the descent are beautiful but slippery when wet. Views from the top justify everything. Have your rain gear accessible, not buried in your pack — the ridge catches weather from the west with very little warning.

Stage 6 — Glendalough to Roundwood (13 km)

Starts in a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bring some cash — Laragh village has a good café and you will want it. This stage is psychologically easier because you are past the big climbs, but do not mistake that for easy terrain. The sections after Laragh are less dramatic but still demanding on tired legs.

Stage 7 — Roundwood to Marlay Park (38 km or split)

Mentally the hardest section even though the terrain is gentler. You are walking toward Dublin through affluent suburbs — keep your eye on the waymarkers; it is easier to go wrong here than anywhere on the route. Most walkers split this into two days. By Stage 7, pack weight feels very different from how it felt on Day 1.

Irish weather by month — what changes

The Wicklow Mountains experience a temperate oceanic climate: wet, mild, and changeable year-round.

• April–May: Cold nights (2–8°C), mild days (10–15°C), significant rainfall. Full layering system required. Snow is possible on the high sections in April. Daylight until 9pm by late May.
• June–July: Warmest months (15–20°C typical), longest days, but rain remains frequent. Lightest possible layering, but hardshell remains essential at all times.
• August–September: Similar to June–July but evenings shorten noticeably from mid-August. September is often drier than August in Wicklow.
• October: Temperatures dropping (8–13°C), significant rain, spectacular colour. Full winter kit recommended. Daylight shortening fast — plan shorter stages or early starts.

What NOT to bring

• Cotton anything — cotton t-shirts, cotton jeans, cotton base layers. Cotton holds moisture against the skin, takes all day to dry, and causes chafing and cold.
• A full-size camera tripod — beautiful photography is possible without one.
• More than one book — you will have little reading time and every extra 300 g matters. Use a Kindle or phone app.
• A tent (for B&B walkers) — dead weight if you have accommodation booked throughout.
• Excessive clothing changes — two walking outfits plus one evening outfit and a nightly wash cycle is sufficient.
• A full expedition medical kit — a compact, targeted kit is sufficient on a route that is never more than a few kilometres from a road.

Final 30-second checklist

Before you leave home, weigh your packed bag — boots and poles excluded — on kitchen scales. If you are over 12 kg, identify what can be removed. Then run through this before every morning's start: