A Guide to Glendalough, Ireland
Here's our guide on what to see and do in Glendalough in Wicklow Mountains National Park, Ireland. Including tips on top attractions, how to get there, when to go, and where to stay.
Situated in County Wicklow, Glendalough is famed for its stunning landscape, monastic ruins, and great hikes.
Furthermore, it's a gateway to the Wicklow Mountains National Park, one of the most beautiful areas in entire Ireland.
And as it's really easy to get there from the capital city, it's also one of the best days trips from Dublin.
Quite frankly, we heard only superlatives about this destination before our Ireland road trip.
And it didn't matter whether it was from people who spent there only a couple of hours on a guided tour or several days exploring this area independently.
So what to expect from the visit, why should you visit this small village, and what are the must-see attractions in Glendalough?
We got you covered. Let's dive into it.
What to See and Do in Glendalough
Sitting in the valley carved by the glaciers during the Ice Age, Glendalough near Dublin is an interesting place to visit.
Even though it might seem that there is not much to do in the village itself, Glendalough is one of those places that can be used as a base for exploring the entire area.
And the best part is that you can visit most of the top attractions in Glendalough for free.
Here you will find more tips on top things to do in Glendalough.
Discover Glendalough Monastic Site
The main reason to visit Glendalough is the ancient Monastic City that sits in the heart of the village.
This 6th-century site is one of the best things to do in Glendalough any time of the year.
And even though we visited the ruins on a beautiful spring day evening, we believe you will have a great time even if it rains there.
Wandering among the ruins is a special experience, and the ancient history is breathing from every stone here.
The small complex is dominated by the 30-meter Round Tower, but you will also have the opportunity to see the ruins of St. Peter and St. Paul's Cathedral or the restored St. Kevin's Church.
Without any doubt, Glendalough Monastic Site is one of the top attractions in Ireland.
In the peak season, the monastic city gets busy during the day, so try to arrive early or late to beat the crowds.
There is no entry fee to the Glendalough Monastic Site.
Visit Glendalough Visitor Center
Before heading to the monastic settlement, you might want to stop at the local visitor center to learn more about this area's past.
Knowing some parts of the Glendalough history will help you really understand this area better.
The museum is a great source of information on the monastic history and local life during medieval times.
And if you have time, there is no better place to start your day than the local visitor center.
The museum also includes a movie and a model of how the entire village appeared during medieval times.
The entrance fee to Glendalough Visitor Center is €5.
Walk the Lower Lake and Upper Lake Loop
If you have time, then you should consider walking the 4-kilometer Lower Lake and Upper Lake Loop.
This easy trail connects the monastic site in Glendalough with two beautiful lakes and allows you to enjoy the stunning landscape of the Wicklow Mountains without too much effort.
The hike can be easily completed in about an hour, but you should allow yourself some extra time at the Upper Lake to soak up the views.
This is a fairly easy hike on a well-maintained trail for all ages and abilities.
The Upper Lake, with the mountains in the backdrop, is especially worth seeing.
It's also a starting point for several more challenging hikes.
Hike along the Spinc Ridge
For even better views and more epic scenery, consider including the Spinc hike in your itinerary.
We didn't know much about this hike before arriving at Glendalough, but it turned out to be one of our favorite hikes in Ireland.
The views of the mountains and the lake from the ridge are simply breathtaking. It's easy to see why this is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland.
There are currently three trails that include Spinc mountain.
We opted for the most challenging Spinc and the Wicklow Way (red trail) and really enjoyed this route, as it also features forests and bogs.
The white trail goes along the lake shore to Glenealo Valley and allows you to learn more about the local mining history before climbing up the mountain.
It's a bit shorter and easier, but not by much.
The blue trail is the shortest one, and it's perfect for hikers pressed for time.
It's a short version of the previous hikes but includes the most scenic part of the trail.
Explore the Waterfalls
If you want to see more natural sights, Poulanass Waterfall, Jacksons Falls, or Glenmacnass Waterfall are great places to visit while in this area.
Poulanass Waterfall is just a short walk from Upper Lake.
Jacksons Falls are located in the nearby Laragh, while the Glenmacnass Waterfall can be seen from the Old Military Road.
It doesn't take long to see the waterfalls, so it would be a shame not to include them in your itinerary.
And unlike the Powerscourt Waterfall, you can visit all these waterfalls for free, which is great if you're traveling around Ireland on a budget.
Walk the Wicklow Way
One of the finest walks in Ireland, the 130-kilometer Wicklow Way connects Dublin with Clonegal.
However, not many international travelers hike this long-distance trail because it usually takes about five to seven days to complete.
Luckily, the Wicklow Way passes the ancient monastic site at Glendalough, allowing you to sample this challenging trail, even if it's just for a few kilometers.
If you leave your car in Laragh, you can walk to Glendalough via the 8-kilometer Derrybawn Woodland Trail (orange trail), which also shares a path with the Wicklow Way.
Drive the Old Military Road
There are several ways to get to Glendalough.
The iconic Old Military Road that leads across the Wicklow Mountains National Park and passes through the Sally Gap is the most scenic one.
Once you leave the M50 on the southern edge of Dublin, you will have more than 40 kilometers of a stunning landscape ahead of you.
The first impressions are quite inconspicuous, but once you climb above the tree line, the views open up and stay that way for most of the journey.
The road has plenty of twists and turns, but it's fairly narrow, so drive slowly while there.
Don't also forget to visit the Lough Tay, a stunning lake on R759 along the way to Roundwood.
Stay in Glendalough Overnight
As we've already mentioned, Glendalough is a great starting point for the Wicklow Mountains National Park.
And even though you can see the monastic site and hike around the lakes in a couple of hours, you might want to consider staying in Glendalough overnight.
Staying here after the day trippers leave will allow you to really soak up the tranquil atmosphere of the Wicklow Mountains.
When it comes to lodging in the village, you basically have two options: a hostel or a hotel.
We wanted to keep our expenses at bay, so we decided to stay in the hostel.
Budget | Glendalough International Youth Hostel - This hostel offers affordable rooms, a fantastic location, great facilities, and welcoming staff. It's a good value for people on a budget.
Mid-range | The Glendalough Hotel - Situated right next to the monastic site, this charming hotel has the most convenient location for exploring the Glendalough Valley.
How to Get There
There are several ways to reach Glendalough, but we believe that most travelers will travel there from Dublin.
We road-tripped the Emerald Isle clockwise, so we also arrived from the capital city. Or from the Dublin Airport, to be precise.
Anyway, the fastest and easiest way to get to Glendalough is by car.
Renting a car in Ireland is very straightforward.
Just make sure to read our guide on driving in Ireland, as there are a few essential things you should know about this topic before you go.
Car
We followed the R115, also known as the Old Military Road, for most of the journey, though we made a quick side trip to Powerscourt House and Gardens.
As we mentioned above, this is a very scenic route, but it takes longer to reach the destination.
The faster route from Dublin leads through Kilmacanogue and Roundwood, but you will miss out on the scenic road across the mountains.
The next stop on our itinerary was Kilkenny (100km) and Rock of Cashel (150km). Alternatively, you can reach Glendalough from Waterford or Wexford via M11.
The parking in Glendalough is €4 per car. Officially is known as the Lower Parking, as there is also an Upper Parking at the Upper Lake (also €4).
Alternatively, you can leave your car in designated parking for free and get to Glendalough on foot via the Green Trail.
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Bus
For those who want to visit Glendalough on a day trip from Dublin without a car, there is an option to catch Saint Kevin's Bus that leaves daily from the city center.
A round-trip ticket costs €20.
The bus departs early in the morning and returns in the afternoon back to Dublin.
This is a better option than a guided tour if you want to include Spinc Loop in your itinerary.
Tours
Otherwise, you should consider taking one of the popular tours that also include several scenic stops and attractions along the way.
This Glendalough Tour from Dublin is very popular and also includes Kilkenny Castle, giving you a chance to see more sites in one day.
When to Go
You can visit Glendalough any time of the year.
Just be prepared that, for instance, hiking in the winter will be much more challenging than during the summertime.
Speaking of which, the best time to visit Glendalough is during the summer.
The days are long, and the weather is warm, making it the perfect time for hiking in the mountains.
Just be prepared that this is a top Ireland destination that gets busy during this period.
If you want to avoid the crowds, visiting Glendalough in spring or autumn might be a better idea.
The weather should still be great, but there will be fewer people around, especially during the weekdays.
Winters in Glendalough are cold and wet and bring low temperatures.
The main upside is that you will have many places just for yourself.
Make sure to bring gear according to the weather to stay safe while in Ireland.
Here you will find more tips on when to visit Ireland.
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!
What to Pack
As usual, don't forget to pack according to the local weather forecast and activities planned.
Regardless of the time of the year, always have a good rain jacket with you, even if you don't want to do some serious hiking in the mountains.
If you plan to visit Glendalough only briefly, bring at least a travel umbrella with you in your daypack.
We brought our trusty hiking boots, rain pants, and a water bottle for the Spinc hike.
In summer, don't forget to bring sunscreen and insect repellent.
In general, the weather in Ireland can be unpredictable, so pack according to the purpose of your trip.
Here you will find more tips on what to pack for Ireland.
Is Glendalough Worth Visiting?
In our opinion, Glendalough is definitely worth visiting, as it's a great jumping-off point to the entire Wicklow Mountains area.
Unlike Connemara National Park or Beara Peninsula, this area is just at Dublin's doorstep, so it's incredibly easy to visit.
And due to its enormous popularity, Glendalough is on every Ireland road trip itinerary.
Unless you prefer driving around the remote coastal areas or exploring the bustling cities, we believe that Glendalough has much to offer to every type of traveler.
Lastly, you can start several self-guided walks and hikes in Glendalough, ranging from easy to more difficult, which is perfect for all enthusiast hikers.
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.
