The Original Award Winning Wild Wicklow Tour incl. Glendalough

Wicklow is closer than you think. This small-coach day trip turns Dublin into a launchpad, then sends you into County Wicklow for coastline views, national-park scenery, and the monastic ruins of Glendalough. I especially like the way the route gets you past the usual main roads, so you spend more time looking out at wild views and less time stuck in transit.

My second favorite thing is the mix of guided stops and breaks to actually look, not just rush. You get a proper guided visit at Glendalough, plus at least an hour to roam around the lakes area on your own. One possible drawback to plan for: it is a full day, and lunch is on your own dime, so you will want to budget time and money for a pub meal in Lynhams of Laragh.

Key highlights that make this tour a smart pick

• Killiney Hill short walk with Dublin Bay views, no car rental required
• Sally Gap and Lough Tay (Guinness Lake) stops inside Wicklow Mountains National Park
• Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanogue for Irish crafts and a tea-and-scone style break (at your cost)
• Glendalough monastic settlement with a guided tour of the Round Tower area
• At least 60 minutes free time at Glendalough plus an optional walk toward the Upper Lake
• Complimentary Glendalough whiskey taste at the end, to close the day right

Getting out of Dublin fast, without giving up comfort

This is the kind of day trip you take when you want out-of-city nature but still want the ease of door-to-door pickup. You board at convenient Dublin pickup points in both North and South Dublin, then settle into an air-conditioned small coach.

With a maximum group size of 37, it has the feel of a real tour, not a cattle-car day. You still get commentary from a professional Wild Wicklow guide, but you can also hear the details instead of relying on guesswork. And because the tour uses smaller roads at points, it can feel more like a road trip with stops built in, rather than a checklist driven by big coach schedules.

If you are the type who likes to see one or two big regions deeply, this does that. You get coastline near Dublin Bay, upland bog and heather at Sally Gap, and then Glendalough’s glacial valley before returning to the city.

Killiney Hill: the easy morning leg stretch with real payoff

After pickup, the coach heads out and brings you to Killiney Hill for a short walk. This stop is built for views. You walk just enough to feel you are on the landscape, then you get a look over Dublin Bay from a high point.

What makes this stop useful is timing. Early in the day, your senses are still fresh, and you are not scrambling for photos while everyone else is deciding where to stand. If you are visiting Dublin and thinking the city is the main event, Killiney Hill quietly resets your expectations.

Practical note: wear shoes with grip. Even on a short walk, Wicklow weather can go from mild to damp quickly, and a coastal hill can get slick.

Beyond the usual route: Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanogue

Next comes a cultural and shopping break at Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanogue. This is where the day turns from scenery to something you can bring home.

You have time to grab coffee and a homemade scone if you want that classic Irish tea-shop moment, or simply browse and shop for handmade crafts. The stop is also a mental reset. You get back on the coach when you feel ready, not when you are running out of energy.

Why I like this as a stop, even if you are not a shopper: it is a chance to slow down for a real pause. The tour gives you that break without eating into the best mountain hours later.

Wicklow Mountains National Park: Sally Gap and Lough Tay, the Guinness Lake

Now the scenery starts doing the heavy lifting. The coach heads into Wicklow Mountains National Park and toward Sally Gap. Here you are looking at upper slopes blanketed in heather and bog, the kind of textures that make Ireland feel remote even when you are only a short drive from Dublin.

Then comes the star moment for many people: a stop at Lough Tay, often called the Guinness Lake. You get the view from the right place, not just from the road, and the day gives you time to soak it in.

One extra reason this stop gets mentioned again and again is pop culture. Lough Tay has served as a film location, including for Braveheart, plus titles like P.S. I Love You and Vikings. Even if you do not care about filming trivia, it helps explain why the lake looks so instantly recognizable once you are standing there.

Tip for your photos: clouds can change the whole look of the lake. If the sky breaks even a little, you might want to take another look before everyone piles back onto the coach.

Lynhams of Laragh pub lunch: convenient, but plan for your own wallet

Lunch is in a traditional Irish pub at Lynhams of Laragh. You get about an hour here, which is a good amount of time for eating without making you feel like the rest of the day vanished.

The pub meal is described as Irish home cooking, and there is even a creamy Guinness moment as part of the lunch experience. Since lunch is not included in the tour price, you should expect to pay for your own food and drink.

If pub lunch is not your style, the tour does offer alternatives like a deli sandwich option at the village lunch stop. Just ask your guide, since your exact choice depends on what is available that day.

Glendalough Monastic Settlement: St Kevin, the Round Tower, and time by the lakes

Glendalough is the cultural and historical center of the day. You arrive at the glacial valley known as the valley of the two lakes, with a reputation tied to mystical stories, archaeology, and wildlife.

The monastic settlement dates back to the 6th century, founded by St. Kevin. This is not just one building for a quick glance. The guided tour is built around the historic sight lines of the monastery, including the Round Tower, plus the broader sense of how the place worked, with areas linked to manuscript writing and copying, an infirmary, guest houses, and monastic life.

This is where the guide really matters. A good guide turns ruins into a place with rhythm, not just stone. You also get at least 60 minutes of free time to explore on your own, which is a big deal because Glendalough is best when you can choose your pace.

You also have an optional walk toward the Upper Lake through ancient forests. You do not have to do it, but it is a strong option if you like walking and want to feel the valley more directly.

What I would do if you want both viewpoints and calm: start with the guided section so you know what you are seeing, then use your free time to pick one direction and slow down. The lakes area rewards unhurried looking.

How the small coach and guide style affect the whole day

This tour is not just a list of places. The experience depends on the guide and the pacing.

One reason the tour earns such high marks is that the guides often keep the day lively while also sharing details about Irish life and the places you pass. Names you might hear mentioned include Patrick, Ashley, John, Anthony, Niall, and others. The common thread is a mix of storytelling and practical safety.

That matters on a day like this, because the scenery is beautiful and the roads can feel tight at points. The tour’s structure, with a smaller coach and frequent stops at viewpoints, reduces the stress you would feel trying to drive unfamiliar rural roads yourself.

Also, the tour includes a complimentary taste of Glendalough Irish whiskey at the end. It is a small thing, but it gives the day a proper wrap-up moment instead of ending abruptly on a bus ride back.

Weather reality: what to do when Wicklow turns wet

Wicklow can be weather dramatic. This experience is described as requiring good weather, which means plans depend on conditions.

Here is what you can control:

• Bring layers and a rain layer you can actually move in.
• Wear shoes suitable for damp ground, especially for the Killiney Hill walk and any optional Upper Lake hiking.
• Keep expectations flexible. If conditions limit certain views, the guide can adjust the pacing so you still get the day’s highlights.

It also helps to know this tour has a system for day-of problems. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you should be offered a different date or a full refund. In winter months, minimum traveler numbers can also affect scheduling, with an alternative date or full refund offered if it happens.

That is not fun, but it is better than a half-executed day.

Value check: is $66.51 per person actually fair?

At $66.51 per person, this is not an all-inclusive luxury package, but it is also not trying to sell you a “pay for everything” concept.

What you get:

• Professional guide and commentary throughout the day
• Premium smaller-group tour with an air-conditioned coach
• Key Wicklow highlights, including Sally Gap, Lough Tay, and Glendalough
• Minimum 60 minutes free time at Glendalough plus the guided component
• Complimentary Glendalough Irish whiskey tasting at the end

What you do not get:

• Lunch is your expense

So where is the value? You are paying for transport plus guided access to multiple major stops that would be harder to string together without a car. And you are not just doing Glendalough. You are also seeing coastline views at Killiney Hill, countryside textures at Sally Gap, and the well-known Guinness Lake at Lough Tay.

If you are comparing this to spending money on a rental car, fuel, parking, and the mental load of rural driving, the price starts to look like a practical trade. If you hate bus days, it still might feel busy, but the stops are designed to keep moving while still offering time to enjoy each place.

Should you book this Wild Wicklow tour with Glendalough?

Yes, if you want a day trip that feels like you left the city for real, not just visited a couple of photo stops. This works especially well if you:

• Do not want to drive in rural Wicklow
• Want both scenery and history, with Glendalough as the anchor
• Like guided storytelling, then time to wander on your own
• Prefer a smaller group size, up to 37 people

Think twice if:

• You dislike long days with multiple stops
• You would rather eat in at your own pace than handle pub lunch or a deli sandwich option
• You are visiting during a period where weather could be rough, since the tour depends on good conditions

If you line up your expectations, pack for possible rain, and plan for lunch cost, this is one of the most straightforward ways to see why Wicklow is Ireland’s escape route.