3 Day Self-Guided Walk – The Wicklow Way

Lough Dan, Glendalough, Luggala and Powerscourt – Distance 42 kilometres

Terrain: forest paths, and mountain tracks, deep valleys, lakeshore, rivers and open farmland.

Grade moderate – some steep descent on tarmac and green roads to lakeshore, small areas of soft ground in the valleys.

The walk covers a sections of the Wicklow Way and includes some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland.

We pass through Luggala estate where ‘Brave heart’, ‘PS, I love you’ and many other famous films were made. This is home to Gareth De Brun, champion for the preservation of traditional music in many of his adopted countries and a member of Ireland’s most famous brewing families ‘Guinness’.

Itinerary

Day 1

Your tour starts when we meet you at Bray train station or the Aercoach stop in Bray,

From here we drop you at Lough Dan Guesthouse. Over 300 metres up in the Mountains overlooking Loughdan, the largest natural lake in the east coast of Ireland.

This will be your base and home for the duration of the tour. After settling in you start your first walk to the beautiful valley of Glendalough a 5^th century monastic settlement, founded by St. Kevin, this walk is 12 kilometre’s and can be extended to 16 kilometres,

Day 2

Route, Lough Dan House, Wicklow Way and circuit of Lough Dan

Distance 16 kilometres.

Terrain: country roads, forest paths, lakeshore, green roads and open farmland.

Grade moderate – some steep decent on tarmac and green roads to lakeshore, small areas of soft ground in the valleys.

The walk covers a section of the Wicklow Way from Old Bridge to Pier gates and includes some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland. We pass through Luggala estate where some of the finest herds of Sitka and Fallow deer will be seen. The walk continues through Inchavore valley and finishes back at Lough Dan House where we started from.

Day 3

You will depart Lough Dan House morning after breakfast. For your last walk this trip

Route, Wicklow Way, Djouce Mountain to Glencree moderate to strenuous

Distance 14 kilometres, can be extended to 16 or 20 kilometre’s terrain; mainly forest tracks and mountain paths some boardwalk, good underfoot and exposed in places

Grade moderate, ascent white hill 630 metres if you include summit of Djouce Mountain 725 metres.

Splendid views of Loughs, Mountains and Valleys punctuated by a day made strenuous by gradient, terrain and exposed moor land. A challenging and most rewarding day’s walking.

We collect you at the finish and drop you to Bray train or bus station.

“We found the exact vacation we wanted with only a short 7 days in Ireland.
I had been searching the internet for a self guided hill walking tour of the Wicklow Mnts and nothing seemed to set right. Too expensive, too short, accommodations that seemed to sterile etc…and then I found the Lough Dan House with Sean & Theresa as hosts!
Worked perfect for me and my husband. We flew in from JFK on an overnight flight. Their son, Peter was waiting at the airport for us and drove and answered all of our typical tourist questions. Sean & Theresa welcomed us in and a lunch quickly packed and we were out for our first walk! We spent the following days walking, returning in the afternoon and relaxing with a glass of wine and good conversation and then a wonderful dinner. Note: I am a vegan and husband not and both our meals were sumptous. One of our best vacations!“