Shillelagh → Clonegal
The final stage. Two contrasting sections — forest walking around Stookeen, Moylisha and Urelands hills, then the final kilometres along the broad valley of the Derry River from the Wicklow/Carlow boundary at Wicklow Bridge into Clonegal. The finish.
Why you’ll like it
- A scenic final stage through the rolling countryside of south Wicklow and north Carlow
- Quiet woodland trails, farmland tracks and peaceful country roads
- A gentler landscape compared with the mountain stages further north
- Strong rural character with rivers, forests and agricultural scenery throughout
- Tinahely provides one of the main walking hubs on the southern Wicklow Way
- A rewarding finish to one of Ireland's best-known long-distance walking routes
Route & directions
This final stage of the Wicklow Way begins in Tinahely in south County Wicklow and finishes in the village of Clonegal on the Wicklow–Carlow border. The route follows quieter countryside landscapes through forestry, farmland and rural roads before reaching the southern end of the trail.
📍 Start: Tinahely · Finish: Clonegal
- Distance: approximately 19–20 km
- Estimated walking time: around 4.5–5.5 hours
- Terrain: forestry tracks, farmland paths, woodland sections and quiet country roads
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Waymarking: yellow walking-man symbols on black marker posts
The route leaves Tinahely through quiet country roads and rolling farmland before entering woodland and forestry landscapes south of the town. Compared with the more mountainous northern sections of the Wicklow Way, this stage has a softer rural character with gentler gradients and broader countryside views.
The trail continues through forest tracks, agricultural land and peaceful rural roads approaching the Wicklow–Carlow border. Woodland sections provide shade and shelter, while open stretches offer views across the surrounding countryside.
The stage finishes in Clonegal, marking the southern end of the Wicklow Way after crossing the length of County Wicklow from Dublin through the Wicklow Mountains and into the rolling landscapes of the south-east.
Local tips
- Tinahely has accommodation, cafés, pubs and shops frequently used by Wicklow Way walkers before the final stage
- Some sections involve quiet road walking through rural countryside
- Waterproof footwear is recommended due to potentially wet woodland and forestry terrain
- Clonegal has limited services compared with larger towns further north on the route
- Walkers finishing the Wicklow Way should check transport arrangements in advance
- Early starts can provide quieter walking conditions during warmer summer months
Source: Stage distances, ascents, and waypoints verified against the official wicklowway.com trail description. Total route 127 km · 3,200 m ascent · traditionally walked north-to-south (Marlay Park → Clonegal).
Stage 7 on Komoot
Live route from the official Komoot Wicklow Way collection — pan, zoom, and tap waypoints.
Stage 7 GPX file
Direct download — works in Komoot, OS Maps, Garmin Connect, Strava, AllTrails. Sourced from the official Komoot Wicklow Way collection.
Want stage-map PDFs and accommodation tips emailed too?
Stayed in Tinahely last night?
Tinahely is the standard overnight before this final stage — the last real town on the Way, passed midway through Stage 6. Shillelagh, where this stage begins, is a small Fitzwilliam estate village with limited beds; most walkers stay back in Tinahely and start fresh here in the morning. Madeline's Accommodation on Tinahely Square is the recommended stop — self-service coded entry, right on the square.
Madeline's Accommodation →Clonegal accommodation
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