Ireland's oldest long-distance trail

The Wicklow Way

132 km · 9 stages · from Clonegal in the south to Marlay Park on the edge of Dublin. A week of walking through the Garden of Ireland — tackle a stage, or the whole thing.

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About the route

Ireland's first waymarked trail

The Wicklow Way was opened in 1980 — the first waymarked long-distance walking route in Ireland. It runs for 132 kilometres through the heart of County Wicklow, taking in forest tracks, mountain passes, river valleys, ancient monastic sites, and a handful of working villages.

Most walkers spread the full route over six to nine days. Some do it in sections over several trips. Plenty just walk one or two stages on their own and come back for the rest. There is no wrong way to do it.

Every stage below includes distance, typical walking time, elevation, difficulty, a written summary, GPX download, audio-tour link and accommodation near the stage endpoints.

"The Wicklow Way shows you the county from the inside out. You'll understand why Wicklow is called the Garden of Ireland by the end of day three."
Route map

Komoot embed will live here on launch — showing the full 132km route with every stage endpoint, accommodation pin and elevation profile.

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Full-route GPX file

The full 132 km route as one GPX file. Works with Komoot, OS Maps, Garmin, Strava, AllTrails. Drop your email and we'll send it straight to your inbox, along with a printable stage map pack.

Stage by stage

The 9 stages of the Wicklow Way

Tackle them in order from Clonegal northwards, walk south-to-north, or cherry-pick the stages that catch your eye. Each stage is a day's walk.

Stage 01

Clonegal → Shillelagh

📏 14 km⏱ 4–5h↗ 200 mModerate

The Wicklow Way proper starts at Osborne Bridge in Clonegal, right on the Wexford–Carlow–Wicklow border. There's no great drama about the beginning — just a small waymarker and a farm gate — but that's part of the charm. The first kilometre follows a quiet lane past Huntington Castle before turning onto field paths. The route crosses the Derry River near the ancient Clogh na Feadóg standing stone, then rises gently through Raheenakit Forest. You'll see more cattle than walkers here. The track widens around the shoulder of Stookeen Hill, then descends into Shillelagh via Park Lane. An ideal easing-in day: it lets you find your pace without shocking the legs. Good waymarking throughout — only navigation care needed is at the forest entry to Raheenakit.

Download stage GPX Audio tour €3.99
Stage 02

Shillelagh → Tinahely

📏 14 km⏱ 4h↗ 180 mEasy

The prettiest of the southern stages. Leave Shillelagh from Coláiste Bhríde and within twenty minutes you're inside Tomnafinogue Wood — the largest surviving native oak forest in Leinster. The Wicklow Way cuts through it on a clear forestry track, giving you a proper hour under the oak canopy. Exit near the stone bridge at Mangans and follow the Derry River for a stretch. The route climbs gently around the base of Muskeagh Hill on farm lanes, passes 18th-century bridges, and crosses open upland for the final kilometre before descending into Tinahely. You arrive on the town square — the Courthouse café, Mary's Bar and Madeline's Accommodation all within two minutes' walk. A favourite stage for three-day south Wicklow walkers.

Download stage GPX Audio tour €3.99 Stay at Madeline's
Stage 03

Tinahely → Moyne

📏 16 km⏱ 5h↗ 340 mModerate

Leaves Tinahely heading north on a lane past Railway Terrace, then climbs steadily through Garryhoe for the first big ascent of the Way. You're rewarded quickly: the viewpoint at Stranakelly looks back down the whole Derry Valley. The route crosses the Aghavannagh road at Mullinacuff and enters Kiltegan Forest — a long stretch of Sitka spruce on forestry roads. This stage is sparse on facilities: no shop, no café, no pub between endpoints. Carry water, carry lunch. The final descent off Ballycumber Hill emerges at the crossroads hamlet of Moyne. Moyne itself is tiny — just a few houses and St Peter's Church — but Aghavannagh hostel is within 3 km. A quieter, wilder stage.

Download stage GPX Audio tour €3.99
Stage 04

Moyne → Glenmalure

📏 14 km⏱ 5h↗ 450 mModerate

The terrain starts to feel like proper Wicklow. From Moyne you climb through Ballyteige Forest on a broad forest road, then break out onto open moorland above Aghavannagh. The path along the shoulder of Slievemaan gives you the first view north into the Glenmalure valley — Ireland's longest glacial glen. The descent into Glenmalure is dramatic: a series of switchbacks dropping almost 400 metres over three kilometres. You end at the Glenmalure Lodge, a walker's inn that's been serving food and pints since the 1800s. This stage is exposed in its middle section — full waterproofs, map and compass as backup. If cloud drops below 500 m, stick to the forestry road alternative signed on the waymarkers.

Download stage GPX Audio tour €3.99
Stage 05

Glenmalure → Glendalough

📏 14 km⏱ 5h↗ 550 mStrenuous

The classic high stage of the Wicklow Way. From the Lodge at Glenmalure you climb the "zigzags" — an old forestry track that gains 350 metres in barely two kilometres. At the top you join the Mullacor plateau, crossing boardwalk and sleeper steps for most of the next three kilometres. The high point at 657 m gives you the whole of the Reeks of Wicklow — Lugnaquilla behind you, Tonelagee and Camaderry ahead. Steep stepped descent past Poulanass waterfall into Glendalough monastic city. This stage earns its "Strenuous" grade. Don't attempt in cloud unless you've done it in clear weather — navigation on the plateau is awkward in poor visibility.

Download stage GPX Audio tour €3.99
Stage 06

Glendalough → Roundwood

📏 14 km⏱ 4h 30m↗ 300 mModerate

A gentler day after the mountain crossing. Leave Glendalough on the green road past the round tower, cross the Lugduff Brook, and climb steadily through Brockagh Forest. The first high point gives a last view back to the Glendalough valley. From there the route undulates through Paddock Hill forestry, crosses open bog at Tomaneena, and descends to the Avonmore River at Oldbridge. Field paths bring you into Roundwood — at 238 metres, the highest village in Ireland. Two proper pubs, a good café, and a Centra for restocking. A popular half-way overnight stop.

Download stage GPX Audio tour €3.99
Stage 07

Roundwood → Knockree

📏 20 km⏱ 6h↗ 520 mModerate

The longest stage on the Way, and one of the most memorable. Leave Roundwood via the Vartry Reservoir road, then climb the J.B. Malone path — named for the man who mapped the whole Wicklow Way in the 1970s. A short detour to the J.B. Malone memorial bench gives you the famous view straight down onto Lough Tay. The route continues over the shoulder of Djouce (725 m), crosses the White Hill boardwalk — two kilometres of timber deck with views in every direction — and descends through Crone Wood to the Dargle Valley. Start early. Carry 2 litres of water minimum. Lower-level alternative exists via Luggala if cloud is below 600 m.

Download stage GPX Audio tour €3.99
Stage 08

Knockree → Glencullen

📏 12 km⏱ 4h↗ 380 mModerate

A transitional stage, crossing from rural Wicklow into Dublin's southern edge. Leave Knockree through Crone Wood, follow the Glencree River, then climb to Prince William's Seat (555 m). The summit gives you the first proper view north: Dublin Bay, Howth in the distance, the whole city laid out. Cross onto the Featherbeds — open bogland famous for illicit poitín distilling in the 18th century — and descend on a good path to Glencullen. Johnnie Fox's Pub waits at the finish, allegedly the highest pub in Ireland. Best walked in clear weather for the summit view.

Download stage GPX Audio tour €3.99
Stage 09

Glencullen → Marlay Park

📏 14 km⏱ 4h↗ 200 mEasy

The final stage. From Glencullen climb onto Two Rock Mountain (536 m), cross the col to Three Rock (445 m) — named for the granite outcrops on the summit — and begin the long descent via Tibradden Wood. The character of the Way changes completely: you're on Dublin's southern commuter fringe now, and the last hour is on suburban paths. The Wicklow Way ends formally at the Rathfarnham gate of Marlay Park — just a small brass plaque on a low wall. Many walkers keep going into the park to the 16 bus stop for a celebration pint in the city.

Download stage GPX Audio tour €3.99
Full set · save €11

Get all 9 audio tours — €24.99

Every stage of the Wicklow Way, with a local voice in your ear. Lifetime access. Transcripts included. The easiest way to walk the Way with company.

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