Wicklow Way
Long Distance Waymarked Way · Carlow, Dublin and Wicklow
Wicklow Way is a 128.1 km strenuous waymarked linear route in Carlow, Dublin and Wicklow, starting near Dublin.
Notice from the trail operator
NOTICE re Wicklow Way Please be advised a reroute of the Wicklow Way is in place until further notice due to forestry works near the midway point of the route at Drumgoff. It follows the Clohernagh brook if you are heading North or South. Signage is in place and is easy to follow. The terrain under foot here is uneven so please take extra care. Please see downloadable map below for more details.
As recorded in the register on 2026-08-13. Check with County Wicklow Partnership before travelling.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Strenuous | Challenging | 6 days |
Getting there
Starts at Marley Park, Rathfarnham in South Dublin, near Dublin.
Finishes at Clonegal.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 53.27715, -6.26829
- Irish Grid reference
- O 155 266
- Ordnance Survey sheets
- Discovery Series Sheets 50, 56, 61* (* ca 800m to finish in Clonegal) and 62
The National Trails Register's own latitude and longitude fields are empty for all 1,186 trails on it. This trailhead comes from Sport Ireland's separate Trailheads dataset, matched to this trail on its register ID.
About the trail
The Wicklow Way was Ireland's first waymarked trail, and due to its proximity to Dublin has remained one of the most popular walking routes in Ireland. The Way commences in the southern suburbs of the capital and civilisation is soon left behind as the route moves deep into high, heathery moorland. The Dublin and Wicklow Mountain range, the most extensive surface granite field in these islands, moulded over eons into a corrugation of east-west high rounded ridges and deep valleys, is crossed before the route descends across a series of gentle foothills to reach the County Carlow village of Clonegal. It is a richly varied route, with the more dramatic scenery of mountains and lakes at the northern end, where although there is a strong sense of remoteness and few habitations, one is never very far from a public road. Among the dramatically scenic places taken in by the route as it wends its way through the mountains is the ancient and beautiful monastic site of Glendalough, where many will want to linger. Although the southern part of the route is less scenically impressive, the climbs are gentler as it wends its way along forestry roads through a landscape of conifer-covered foothills. Terrain consists of forestry tracks, quiet roads, boreens and mountain paths through open moorland. Some sections can be wet and muddy. While there is some overnight accommodation available along the route, most options are off-route, so careful planning may be necessary. The total ascent over the entire route is about 2820 m, but apart from some short steep sections, there are no significant climbs.
- Waymarking
- Yellow arrow on black background
- Dogs
- No
Who manages it
County Wicklow Partnership
Wicklow County Tourism, Wicklow Enterprise Park, The Murrough, Wicklow Town, Tel: 0404-20070. Email [email protected] Web: www.visitwicklow.ie.
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Elsewhere
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Ticknock - Fairy Castle Loop 3.0 km away · 6 km trail
- Ticknock - Mountain Bike Trails 3.0 km away · 14.5 km trail
- Tibradden Mountain Trail 4.0 km away · 2.7 km trail
- Massey's Estate - Nature trail 4.4 km away · 2.5 km trail
- Cruagh - Sli na Slainte 4.9 km away · 3.7 km trail
- Royal Canal Way 9.0 km away · 146.3 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Wicklow Way?
128.1 km, recorded as a linear route on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. It climbs 3,220 m in total. Sport Ireland estimates 6 days.
How hard is the Wicklow Way?
Sport Ireland grades it Strenuous, with an overall difficulty of Challenging. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Wicklow Way start?
Starts at Marley Park, Rathfarnham in South Dublin, near Dublin. The trailhead is at 53.27715, -6.26829 (Irish Grid O 155 266).
Can you bring a dog on the Wicklow Way?
No. The register records dogs as not allowed on this trail.
Who manages the Wicklow Way?
County Wicklow Partnership. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Carlow, Dublin and Wicklow
Trail data from the Sport Ireland National Trails Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Trailhead coordinates from the companion Trailheads dataset. Snapshot taken 2026-08-13.