The Original Award Winning Wild Wicklow Tour incl. Glendalough

The best thing about this day is how quickly Dublin gives way to wild Wicklow. You travel from Dublin Bay to mountain bog, then to Lough Tay and the ancient monastic valley of Glendalough, all without renting a car or tackling narrow country roads yourself.

I like the small coach, which can reach routes larger buses cannot, and I like the balance of short walks, scenic stops, pub food, and free time at Glendalough. Guides such as Patrick, Ashley, John, and Niall are often praised for mixing Irish history with humor and useful local detail.

The trade-off is time. You cover a lot in 8 hours and 30 minutes, so some stops feel brisk. If you want long mountain walks or a slow visit to every corner of Wicklow, you will need a longer trip.

Key points at a glance

• Killiney Hill begins the day with sea views: Take a short walk above Dublin Bay before heading inland.
• The small coach reaches real mountain roads: The route through Enniskerry, Glencree, and Sally Gap goes beyond the usual big-bus circuit.
• Lough Tay is the scenic star: The dark lake, pale beach, and mountain setting explain its nickname, Guinness Lake.
• Glendalough combines nature and archaeology: See the Round Tower and monastic remains, then use free time for the lakes.
• Lunch is flexible but not included: Choose a pub meal or ask your guide about a deli sandwich and other options.
• The final whiskey taste is a pleasant local touch: You receive a complimentary sample of Glendalough Irish Whiskey on the return ride.

Why this Wicklow day trip works from Dublin

Dublin is an excellent base, but Ireland’s mountain country begins surprisingly close to the city. Public transport will not give you this complete route in one day, and driving requires confidence on unfamiliar roads, especially when the weather turns wet or misty.

This tour removes that work. You meet at a central pickup point in north or south Dublin, settle into an air-conditioned coach, and let the guide handle the route. The maximum group size is 37, though some departures are much smaller, with around 20 people reported on one outing.

That size matters. You get a better chance to hear the guide, move through smaller roads, and avoid the feel of a giant sightseeing convoy. It is still a group tour, not a private trip, so you must follow a shared timetable and be ready when the guide calls everyone back.

The experience earns a 4.8 rating from 3,443 reviews, with 96 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centers on the guides, especially Patrick and Ashley, who are described as warm, funny, careful drivers, and excellent sources of Irish history, geography, geology, and local stories.

Killiney Hill and the view across Dublin Bay

Your first stop is Killiney Hill, about 40 minutes. This is a smart opening stop because it gives you fresh air and a wide view before the coach turns toward the mountains.

The walk is short, but you should wear shoes with a decent grip. The point is not a demanding hike. It is a quick climb and viewpoint stop, a chance to see Dublin from above and understand how the city sits beside the coast.

The timing also helps you get your bearings. You begin with sea and rocky coastal scenery, then gradually leave the city behind. The changing view makes the drive feel like part of the tour rather than dead time between attractions.

Do not expect a long visit here. Forty minutes passes quickly once you include getting off the coach, walking, taking pictures, and gathering again. If you want a serious hike on Killiney Hill, plan a separate visit.

Avoca Handweavers for coffee, crafts, and a short break

The next stop is Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanogue, around 25 minutes. You can buy handmade Irish goods or stop for coffee and a homemade scone, but food and shopping cost extra.

I see Avoca mainly as a useful pause rather than the day’s main attraction. It breaks up the morning drive, gives you a restroom and refreshment opportunity, and offers a chance to browse Irish-made items. One guide described the stop as little more than a rest break, so keep your expectations in check.

The short timing means you will probably need to choose between eating, shopping, and simply stretching your legs. If a warm drink and scone appeal to you, move promptly when you leave the coach.

After Avoca, the route becomes more interesting. The coach travels through Enniskerry and Glencree, then heads into the Wicklow Mountains on roads that large tour coaches cannot use. This is one of the tour’s most valuable features. The route itself gives you access to quieter mountain scenery that is difficult to reach without a car.

Sally Gap and Lough Tay, the mountain highlights

Sally Gap offers the most open mountain views of the day. The upper slopes are covered in heather and bog, with broad stretches of exposed Wicklow scenery. This is not a polished park with a series of paved viewpoints. It feels spacious, weather-beaten, and very dependent on the day’s conditions.

You stop for roughly 30 minutes, including the Lough Tay viewpoint. Lough Tay is known as Guinness Lake because its dark water and pale strip of sand can resemble a pint of stout. It has also appeared in Braveheart, PS I Love You, and the television series Vikings.

The film connection is fun, but the setting matters more. The lake sits below steep mountain slopes, and the contrast between dark water and bright shoreline makes it one of the most memorable views near Dublin.

Weather can change the mood completely. On a clear day, you may see strong shapes and broad distance. In rain, wind, or mountain mist, the same place can feel stark and dramatic. One January outing faced heavy rain in the mountains, and the guide adjusted the schedule to preserve the day. That flexibility is useful in Wicklow, where a fixed plan can quickly become uncomfortable.

Bring a waterproof jacket, even if Dublin looks dry when you leave. The tour requires good weather and can be canceled if conditions are poor, but normal Irish rain is still part of the experience. You should also stay away from cliff edges and watch children closely. The scenery invites photographs, but the ground and weather deserve respect.

Lunch at Lynhams of Laragh

Lunch is scheduled at Lynhams of Laragh, a traditional Irish pub, for about one hour. The meal is not included, so budget separately for food and drinks.

This is a practical arrangement. You can order Irish home cooking and perhaps a Guinness, or ask the guide about alternatives if pub food is not your preference. A deli sandwich is available as another option according to the tour information.

An hour gives you enough time for a relaxed meal, but not an extended pub afternoon. Prices can vary, and the cost of lunch is one reason the headline tour price does not represent your total spending for the day.

The pub stop also makes a useful transition. You have just spent the morning outdoors and on mountain roads. A warm meal gives you a chance to sit down before the final major visit at Glendalough.

Glendalough, the heart of the tour

Glendalough means the valley of the two lakes, and this is where the day gains its strongest sense of place. The valley is known for its scenery, archaeology, wildlife, and early Christian settlement.

St. Kevin founded the monastic community in the sixth century. It once included writing and manuscript-copying areas, an infirmary, guest houses, and a monastery. Today, the surviving stone buildings and tower offer a direct look at Ireland’s early religious past without requiring a long museum visit.

The guided portion includes the main historic sights, including the Round Tower. Your guide helps connect the stones to the people who lived and worked here, which is important because the site can otherwise look like a scattered collection of old walls.

You receive at least 60 minutes of free time, with the full Glendalough stop listed at about 90 minutes. That personal time is valuable. You can revisit a favorite building, take photographs, or walk toward the Upper Lake through ancient woodland.

Here is another place where the schedule requires a choice. If you walk to the Upper Lake, you will have less time at the monastic settlement. If archaeology matters most, stay near the main ruins. If the lakes and trees appeal more, use your free time for the walk.

Do not expect to complete every trail in the valley. This is an introduction to Glendalough, not a full hiking day. One of the fair criticisms of the tour is that the Wicklow portion can feel rushed because the route includes so many stops. Still, the combination of guided history and independent time gives you more freedom than a stop that is entirely controlled by the guide.

The return ride and Glendalough whiskey

After Glendalough, you return to the coach for a complimentary taste of Glendalough Irish Whiskey. It is a small closing detail, but it gives the ride home a local flavor and a chance to chat about the day.

Do not confuse the tasting with a full whiskey visit. It is a sample, not a distillery tour or a long drinks session. It works best as a modest farewell to the mountains before the return journey to Dublin.

The guides make a real difference

The route is attractive on its own, but the guide shapes much of the experience. Patrick receives repeated praise for his humor, careful driving, clear organization, and ability to explain Irish history along the road. He has also helped people take group photographs and adjusted timings when mountain rain made the original plan less comfortable.

Ashley is praised for covering more than basic sightseeing. His commentary has included social, environmental, political, and historical points, along with stories about the places you pass. John is described as friendly and accommodating, while Anthony is noted for combining Irish history with charm and humor. Niall is also praised for bringing the area’s history to life.

You cannot guarantee a particular guide when booking. The useful point is that the company’s strongest feature appears to be its guiding style, not just the scenery. A good guide turns a long drive into a moving lesson in Ireland’s geography and culture.

There can be ordinary group-tour annoyances. People may talk across the coach, return late, or get in the way of photographs. You can improve the day for yourself and everyone else by listening for meeting times, staying with the group, and giving other people room at viewpoints.

What the $66.51 price really buys you

At $66.51 per person, this is a strong value if you want a full Wicklow introduction without hiring a car. The price includes the coach, professional guide, mountain route, Killiney Hill, Sally Gap, Lough Tay, Glendalough, and the whiskey taste.

It does not include lunch, Avoca refreshments, or shopping. You should set aside extra money for those. Even with lunch added, the package can compare well with the combined cost of transport, fuel, parking, and the effort of navigating the area yourself.

The value is highest for first-time visitors with only one free day outside Dublin. You see coast, mountains, a famous lake, a working Irish pub setting, and an early Christian site in one outing.

The value is lower if you dislike fixed schedules or already plan to spend several days in Wicklow. A rental car or overnight stay would let you walk farther, linger at Lough Tay, and explore more of Glendalough.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this tour for you if you:

• Have one day in Dublin and want countryside rather than another city attraction
• Do not want to drive on unfamiliar Irish roads
• Prefer a guided introduction to Irish history and scenery
• Enjoy short walks but do not need a full hiking day
• Like having lunch arranged as part of a shared route
• Want a smaller coach rather than a large sightseeing bus

You may want another option if you need extensive walking time, private transport, or a slow photographic trip. The 8-hour-30-minute schedule is full, and the most scenic sections can leave you wishing for another hour.

The tour is offered in English, uses mobile tickets, and is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable with short walks and outdoor conditions. Winter departures require minimum numbers, so a cancellation is possible if too few people book. In that case, you receive an alternative or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that period are not refunded or accepted. Poor weather can also lead to a new date or full refund.

Should you book Wild Wicklow?

Book it if you want the best practical taste of Wicklow from Dublin in a single day. The route is unusually broad, the small coach reaches roads beyond the big-bus circuit, and Glendalough receives enough time to feel like more than a quick photograph.

The main caution is pace. You are sampling Wicklow, not conquering it. For most first-time visitors, that is a fair trade for safe transport, a strong guide, several distinct stops, and no rental-car stress. I would pack waterproof layers, keep cash or a card ready for lunch and Avoca, and choose this tour early in your Dublin stay so you still have time to return to Wicklow if the mountains win you over.

FAQ

How long does the Wild Wicklow tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes, including the journey from Dublin, the scheduled stops, and the return trip.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet the guide and coach at one of the central Dublin pickup locations. Pickup points are available in both north and south Dublin City.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is at your own expense. You can choose a pub lunch at Lynhams of Laragh or ask your guide about alternatives, including a deli sandwich.

How much free time do I get at Glendalough?

You receive at least 60 minutes of free time at Glendalough. The full stop is listed at approximately 90 minutes, including the guided visit.

Can I walk to the Upper Lake?

Yes. During your free time at Glendalough, you have the option to walk toward the Upper Lake through ancient forests.

Is the whiskey tasting included?

Yes. A complimentary taste of Glendalough Irish Whiskey is offered on the return coach journey.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 37 travelers.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather or insufficient numbers cause a cancellation, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience begins.