Visiting Powerscourt Waterfall in Ireland
Here's our guide on visiting Powerscourt Waterfall in Ireland. Includes tips on how to visit from Dublin, what to expect, how to get there, opening hours, entry fee, and when to go.
Powerscourt Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ireland and a top attraction in County Wicklow.
With 121 meters, it's also among the highest waterfalls in the country and a stunning natural landmark.
At first, we weren't sure whether we should include the waterfall in our itinerary or not.
This was our first day in Ireland, and our main goal was to reach Glendalough in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains by the evening.
Luckily, getting through the Dublin Airport and renting a car took less time than we had planned.
Therefore, we made a spontaneous decision to visit Powerscourt House and Gardens and Powerscourt Waterfall before heading to Glendalough via Sally Gap.
While this is a charming place to visit, there are definitely a few things you should know before visiting Powerscourt Waterfall.
How to Visit Powerscourt Waterfall
After spending a few hours in Powerscourt House and Gardens, we decided it was time to explore the nearby Powerscourt Waterfall.
We returned to the main junction near Enniskerry, turned right, and followed the road and signs all the way to the main entrance.
This is the point where you need to pay a separate entry fee to see the waterfall, and from here, you need to drive an additional 1.3 kilometers to the parking.
The road was very narrow here, but luckily we didn't meet any oncoming traffic.
The first impression was that the entire property looked very clean and well-maintained, a good sign after paying the extra fee.
Even though Powerscourt is one of the highest waterfalls in Ireland, don't expect to find some remote location in the mountains without people here. Quite the opposite.
Powerscourt Waterfall is a popular place that often gets busy.
On the other hand, it really seemed like a great place to come with family and have a picnic or BBQ by the waterfall.
There was also an ice cream/snack shop and a playground for younger kids near the parking.
The waterfall is also a very short walk from the parking, so it's easily accessible for all ages and abilities.
Reaching the base of the waterfall via a short 400-meter trail is a matter of a few minutes.
The entire area is full of beeches, pine trees, larches, and oaks (you should be able to see even redwoods) and is also popular for birdwatching.
Also, Japanese Sika deer were introduced to the estate in 1858 by the 7th Viscount Powerscourt.
By the way, Powerscourt Waterfall is often dubbed as the highest waterfall in Ireland.
However, it seems that the Devil's Chimney (Sruth in Agaidh an Aird in Irish) is officially the highest waterfall in Ireland.
The waterfall can be found near Glencar Lough and can be visited for free.
Anyway, the waterfall is still pretty impressive, even though it looks a bit more like a cascade than a waterfall with a drop.
We walked around a bit, sat on the nearby grassy area, and soaked up the calming atmosphere.
If you've brought a picnic, the gushing waterfall in the backdrop will make it a very memorable experience.
By the way, you might also recognize it from the fantasy film Excalibur and the TV show Vikings.
Don't forget that while the main attraction here is the waterfall, you can cross the Dargle River and explore more trails in this area.
Otherwise, you will spend here about 30 to 60 minutes.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Powerscourt Waterfall is €6.50 per adult or €16 per family, which is a bit steep in our opinion.
Even though it's not some exorbitant amount of money, we fully understand that just the idea of an entrance fee might be a dealbreaker for some visitors.
And if you've been to Iceland or the Canadian Rockies, countries where you can see so many stunning waterfalls for free, you might be reluctant to pay to see this attraction.
However, our biggest issue was not that we couldn't see the waterfall for free but that the entrance fee was not included in the Powerscourt House and Gardens ticket.
Simply put, a combined ticket to the other part of the estate would be nice.
On the other hand, the property was well-maintained, clean, and very peaceful (at least in May).
When to Go
Powerscourt Waterfall is an all-year-round destination; just make sure to check the opening hours before you go.
We visited the Powerscourt Waterfall on a beautiful May afternoon and couldn't wish for a better time to be there.
It is known that falls are best seen usually during or after heavy rain, but we enjoyed this lovely cascade even on a clear day.
There were only a very few people around that late in the afternoon, and the entire experience was very peaceful.
Arguably, autumn is one of the best times to see the waterfall as it rains a lot during this period, and the surrounding foliage paints the entire scene with vibrant colors.
As we understood, that's not often the case, though.
It seems that Powerscourt Waterfall gets crowded during the summer and weekends, so be prepared that you won't have this place for yourself during this period.
On busy summer weekends, the best way to beat the crowds is to arrive there early as possible.
From a few reviews we read, we understood that the waterfall is not that powerful in the drier summer months, so do not set your expectations too high between June and August.
Here you will find more tips on when to visit Ireland.
What to Pack
Before setting off on a walk, check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Even though this is a short walk, it's still better to come prepared, especially as this probably won't be the only stop during your day trip.
Bring comfortable shoes, a small daypack, a rain jacket, and plenty of water for your entire trip.
Don't forget to bring insect repellent, as the area around the waterfall is home to midges during the warmer months.
Here you will find more tips on what to pack for Ireland.
Opening Hours
Powerscourt Waterfall is open from 9:30 AM to 7 PM in the peak season. In winter, the opening time is 10:30 AM to 4 PM.
In spring and autumn, the waterfall is usually open until 5:30 PM.
The last admission is usually 30-60 minutes before closing, depending on the time of the year.
Directions
The easiest and fastest way to get to Powerscourt Waterfall is by car, even from Powerscourt House and Gardens, as both places are 7 kilometers apart from each other.
From Powerscourt House and Gardens, follow Eagle Valley Road toward Enniskerry.
At the junction, turn right onto R760. Stay on this road for 1.4 kilometers, and then turn right onto Waterfall Road.
Mind you. This is a very narrow road, so drive slowly. Also, make sure to read our tips for driving in Ireland.
In a few minutes, you will reach the main entrance, about 1.3 kilometers from the parking.
You should also be able to reach the waterfall via the easy-to-moderate Djouce Wood Trail, and it can also be seen from Ride Rock in Crone Woods.
The waterfall is about 30 to 50 kilometers from Dublin, depending on the GPS navigation calculations.
Glendalough is only 25 kilometers from here via R775, but we believe it's better to take a longer but more scenic route via Sally Gap.
Here you will find more tips on how to get around Ireland.
Parking
There is a large parking a few hundred meters from the waterfall. As you've already paid for the ticket, the parking is free.
Where to Stay
Chances are that you might be looking for lodging options near Powerscourt.
The five-star hotel at Powerscourt is luxurious and right next to the gardens.
It's also quite expensive, but that's expected. You can also stay in nearby Enniskerry, a small village just a short drive from here.
Alternatively, you can visit Powerscourt from Dublin, the capital city of Ireland.
Here are the best hotels near Powerscourt.
Enniskerry | Summerhill House Hotel - A charming country-house hotel situated just outside of Enniskerry, Summerhill House Hotel features a peaceful location, stylish rooms, a restaurant serving local cuisine, and free parking.
Powerscourt | Powerscourt Hotel - Hands down, Powerscourt Hotel is the best hotel in this area. This luxury accommodation is set on beautiful grounds right on the doorstep of the House and the Gardens. It has spacious and beautifully decorated rooms with panoramic views, a stunning spa, an award-winning restaurant, and an attentive staff.
Dublin | Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin - A historic building located in Dublin city center, Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin features spacious rooms overlooking O'Connell Street, a lovely restaurant, its own gym, and private parking (at a surcharge).
Is Powerscourt Waterfall Worth Visiting?
Powerscourt Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls in Ireland, which is a great reason why to include it in your Ireland road trip itinerary.
And if you don't mind paying to see a natural attraction, then Powerscourt Waterfall is worth visiting.
It's also very close to the Powerscourt House and Gardens, making it an obvious next stop on your day trip.
On the other hand, Ireland is packed with such amazing places that you can see for free, which can easily prove to be a great alternative to this area.
Especially if you are visiting Ireland on a budget.
For instance, there is no entry fee to the Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park or Glencar Waterfall near Sligo.
So, in the end, it all comes down to whether you're willing to pay the extra fee or not and whether you have a few moments to spare.
The choice is, as always, yours.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
