2 nights · Luxury

Wicklow for the Reluctant Walker

Maximum scenery, minimum sweat. Landscaped gardens, easy lakeside strolls, long lunches with wine pairings. For the partner who said yes to Wicklow and didn't quite realise it was a walking county.

Book the Reluctant Walker break See the plan
6 km
Walking
2 nights
Length
Easy
Grade
Day by day

The plan

Day 1 — Friday afternoon: Powerscourt Gardens

  • Arrive Enniskerry early afternoon. Check in at the Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa — 5-star, 200 rooms, onsite golf course and Espa spa.
  • Afternoon at Powerscourt Gardens. Two hours of gentle wandering through the Italian, Japanese, Walled and Rose gardens. Pet Cemetery is an unexpected highlight.
  • Evening: dinner at the hotel's Sika restaurant — tasting menu, Wicklow-sourced ingredients.

Day 2 — Saturday: Waterfall, Mount Usher & Lough Tay

  • Morning: Powerscourt Waterfall. Short, paved path. Coffee at the estate café.
  • Drive 40 minutes to Mount Usher Gardens near Ashford — 20 acres of Robinsonian riverside planting, one of Ireland's finest gardens. Allow 2 hours.
  • Lunch at the Avoca Kilmacanogue café (on the way back).
  • Afternoon: drive to the Lough Tay viewpoint. 20-minute walk in, postcard view out, 20-minute walk back. Golden hour is best.
  • Evening: dinner at the hotel or a short taxi to The Strawberry Tree at Brook Lodge in Macreddin — Ireland's first certified organic restaurant.

Day 3 — Sunday: Russborough & home

  • Morning: Russborough House — 18th-century Palladian mansion, the Beit art collection, afternoon-tea available in the conservatory.
  • Lunch at Russborough's café or in Blessington village.
  • Afternoon: drive home via the Sally Gap if the weather is clear — one of Ireland's great scenic drives, no walking required, photographs mandatory.
Ready to book?

Let us book this trip for you

Tell us your dates and group size — we'll arrange accommodation at every stop, confirm the walks, and email you a ready-to-go PDF itinerary within one working day. No booking fee; we take a small commission from partner properties.

Book the Reluctant Walker break
Other itineraries

Not quite right?

We have eight curated itineraries covering every kind of walker.

See all itineraries