The Original Award Winning Wild Wicklow Tour incl. Glendalough

Wicklow gives you the Ireland many people hope to find beyond Dublin: rocky coast, open mountain country, bog, heather, dark lakes, and an old monastic valley. This small-coach tour reaches places that are awkward without a car, including the scenic roads through Enniskerry, Glencree, Sally Gap, and Lough Tay.

I like the short walk on Killiney Hill, which gets your day moving with wide views across Dublin Bay. I also like the route itself. The coach takes smaller roads into the Wicklow Mountains instead of sticking to the main highway. The main consideration is time: you see a fine range of places, but you cannot linger everywhere.

Key points to know before booking

• Killiney Hill starts the day with a 40-minute walk and Dublin Bay views.
• The small coach reaches mountain roads that larger buses cannot use.
• Lough Tay, known as Guinness Lake, is one of the day’s best photo stops.
• Glendalough includes a guided look at the Round Tower and free time by the lakes.
• Lunch is not included, but you can choose a pub meal or a deli-style option.
• Patrick, Ashley, John, Niall, and other guides are known for lively stories and strong local knowledge.

Why Wicklow is worth leaving Dublin for

Dublin is an enjoyable city, but Ireland’s countryside begins quickly once you leave its streets. This outing is a practical way to add mountains, coast, archaeology, and rural pubs to a Dublin stay without renting a car.

The price is $66.51 per person, which is fair for an 8.5-hour day with transport, a small group, guiding, several scenic stops, and a whiskey tasting. You still pay for lunch and anything you buy at Avoca, so allow extra money for those.

The headline rating is 4.8 from 3,443 ratings, with 96 percent of people recommending the experience. More important than the numbers is the pattern behind them: the strongest praise goes to the guides, the comfortable air-conditioned coach, the scenery, and the balance between driving and walking.

You should expect a social group outing, not a private tour. The maximum group size is 37, though some departures are much smaller, with around 20 people. That gives you a better chance of hearing the guide and getting on and off the coach without a long wait.

Killiney Hill begins with a coastal view

The morning starts at one of the central pickup points in north or south Dublin. After leaving the city, the coach follows the coast toward Killiney Hill.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes a short walk. From the hill, you can look across Dublin Bay and see the city from a more open setting. It is a good first stop because it is active without being demanding, and it gives you an early taste of the contrast between urban Dublin and County Wicklow.

Wear shoes with a decent grip. The tour data does not describe a strenuous hike, but this is still a walk outdoors, and Irish weather can make paths wet. You will also want a waterproof layer. A clear morning can turn into rain in the hills, and the day continues outdoors at several points.

One useful detail: the guide usually keeps the group moving on schedule. That matters later, since Glendalough is the stop where most people want extra time. If you are hoping to spend a long morning wandering, this first walk is deliberately compact.

Avoca Handweavers is a short refreshment stop

The coach then reaches Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanogue. You have about 25 minutes here for coffee, tea, a homemade scone, or shopping.

Avoca is best understood as a pleasant break rather than a major sightseeing stop. You can browse Irish-made crafts and fine handmade goods, stretch your legs, and get something warm before the mountain roads. The stop also adds a small dose of traditional Irish retail culture to a day otherwise focused on scenery and archaeology.

Because the stop is short, decide what matters most before you get off the coach. If you want a coffee and scone, go straight to the café. If you hope to shop, you may have only enough time for a quick look. I would not plan on doing both at leisure.

This is also one place where the tour’s value depends on your interests. Craft shoppers may enjoy it. If you mainly want mountain views, you may see Avoca as a useful rest stop rather than a highlight.

The small coach takes the back roads

After Avoca, the route turns toward Enniskerry and Glencree, then heads through the Wicklow Mountains and Sally Gap. This is one of the tour’s most useful features.

Large coaches are limited on narrow mountain roads. A smaller vehicle can take a more scenic route through the interior, giving you access to open uplands and viewpoints that a standard city excursion may skip. The coach is air-conditioned and described as comfortable, which helps because much of the day is spent moving between stops.

The drive is not dead time. Guides such as Patrick, Ashley, John, Niall, and Anthony are praised for explaining Irish history, geography, geology, politics, and local stories along the way. The quality of the commentary will depend on who leads your departure, but the guiding is clearly a major part of the experience.

Patrick receives especially warm praise for his humor, safe driving, and ability to keep in touch with people across the group. Ashley is noted for explaining social and environmental subjects as well as the places outside the windows. John is described as friendly and accommodating. These details matter because the tour involves several hours together on one coach.

A minor group-outing issue can arise when people talk loudly, wander farther than instructed, or delay the schedule. Stay aware of the guide’s directions, particularly near water and viewpoints. The scenery is beautiful, but cliffs, roads, and uneven ground still require ordinary care.

Sally Gap and Lough Tay show Wicklow at its wildest

The Sally Gap portion takes you into the upper reaches of Wicklow Mountains National Park. Heather and bog cover the open slopes, creating a stark, windswept setting quite different from Dublin Bay and the wooded areas around Glendalough.

You stop for about 30 minutes, including a view of Lough Tay. The lake’s dark water and pale beach have earned it the nickname Guinness Lake. It has also appeared in Braveheart, PS I Love You, and the television series Vikings.

The stop is mainly about looking, photographing, and listening to the guide. Do not expect a long hike here. The value comes from reaching the viewpoint and taking in a large sweep of mountain country without having to navigate unfamiliar roads yourself.

Weather can change the mood completely. On a dry day, the open views are crisp and dramatic. In rain, mist and low cloud may hide parts of the hills, but Wicklow can still look atmospheric. One January outing faced heavy rain in the mountains, and the guide adjusted the timing to keep the day workable. That flexibility is useful, though no guide can guarantee clear views.

You may notice that some scenic stops offer similar views from different angles. That is not necessarily wasted time, but it does mean the tour favors a series of viewpoints over one long, quiet walk. If you prefer to settle into one place for hours, consider renting a car or staying overnight in Wicklow instead.

Lunch at Lynhams of Laragh keeps the day grounded

The next stop is Lynhams of Laragh, a traditional Irish pub near Glendalough. Lunch lasts about an hour and is not included in the tour price.

The pub option suits anyone who wants a proper hot meal and a pint of Guinness in a classic Irish setting. You can relax indoors before the final major stop, and the food has been praised as satisfying home cooking. If a pub lunch does not appeal to you, the guide can point you toward alternatives, including a deli sandwich.

That flexibility is helpful, but remember that your meal choice affects how much free time you have. An hour is enough for lunch, yet a busy group may need to order promptly. The food stop is practical rather than leisurely.

I also like the placement of lunch. By this point, you have already seen the coast and mountains. Eating in the village breaks up the day before you walk around Glendalough, rather than leaving you hungry during the archaeological portion.

Glendalough combines ruins, woods, and two lakes

Glendalough is the day’s main cultural stop. Its name means valley of the two lakes, and the site is known for both its mountain setting and its early Christian monastic settlement.

St. Kevin founded the monastery in the sixth century. It later included places for writing and copying manuscripts, an infirmary, guest houses, and other buildings. Today, the remains offer a clear look at how an important religious center once functioned.

Your guide leads you around the principal sights, including the Round Tower. The tower is the unmistakable landmark of the settlement, but do not stop there. Pay attention to the layout of the ruins and the relationship between the buildings, paths, woodland, and valley. The guide’s explanation helps turn scattered stone walls into a picture of a working community.

You receive about 1 hour and 30 minutes at Glendalough, with at least 60 minutes of free time to explore. You can walk through the monastic area, take photographs, or choose the option of walking toward the Upper Lake through ancient forest.

This is where the tour can feel rushed for people who want to see every corner. Glendalough is large enough to reward a longer visit, and the Upper Lake walk may compete with time at the ruins. Decide early if you want the forest and lake walk, the monastic site, or a little of both.

The free time is still generous compared with a quick roadside photo stop. You get a guided introduction, then space to follow your own interests. That combination is one of the better features of the day.

The whiskey tasting finishes the return journey

After Glendalough, you return to the coach for a complimentary taste of Glendalough Irish Whiskey. It is a small closing touch, not a full tasting session, but it connects the day to a local product and gives the group a chance to relax on the ride back to Dublin.

The tasting is also a reminder that this is a social excursion. People often continue talking about the views and stories on the return journey. If you do not drink alcohol, the supplied information does not specify an alternative, so ask the guide about the arrangement.

What the timing means for your day

The listed duration is approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes. That makes this a full day, but not an exhausting multi-day-style expedition. You spend a fair amount of time on the road, balanced by walks at Killiney Hill and Glendalough plus several stops for views.

The schedule works best if you want variety:

• A coastal overlook
• Irish crafts and refreshments
• Mountain roads and viewpoints
• A pub meal
• Early Christian ruins and lakes
• A whiskey taste

The tradeoff is depth. You will not explore every valley in Wicklow, and you will not have unlimited time at each stop. The tour gives you a broad introduction, with Glendalough receiving the longest dedicated visit.

The coach format also removes several worries. You do not need to drive on narrow mountain roads, find parking, or plan a route between scattered locations. Several people who considered renting a car were glad to let someone else handle the driving, especially on unfamiliar roads.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this outing if you have one free day in Dublin and want to see countryside without renting a car. It suits first-time visitors who want scenery and history in the same package, as well as solo visitors who prefer a planned day with company.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy guide commentary. Patrick, Ashley, John, Niall, and Anthony are all specifically praised for humor, stories, historical detail, and safe driving. The guide can add much more than directions, especially during the longer stretches between stops.

You should think twice if you want a slow walking tour, a private vehicle, or a long visit at one location. This is a scheduled group outing with a maximum of 37 people. The small-coach format is more personal than a large bus, but it is still a group experience.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation at its pickup points. The supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications, so contact the operator if you need exact information about coach access, walking surfaces, or mobility equipment.

Weather, cancellation, and simple packing advice

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Winter departures require minimum numbers, so a departure can be canceled after confirmation if too few people book. In that case, you are offered an alternative or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

For the day itself, bring a waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and a small amount of cash or a card for lunch, coffee, a scone, and shopping. Dress for the hills rather than the Dublin morning. The temperature and visibility can shift once the coach reaches Sally Gap.

Should you book the Wild Wicklow Tour?

Book it if you want an efficient, good-value day beyond Dublin that combines dramatic scenery with Glendalough’s archaeology. The strongest reasons are the smaller coach, the back-road route, the capable guides, and the chance to see Killiney Hill, Lough Tay, and Glendalough in one outing.

Skip it if you need total control over your schedule or want several hours at one site. Otherwise, this is one of the more useful ways to get out of Dublin without driving. At $66.51, it offers a lot for one day, as long as you budget separately for lunch and accept that Wicklow will leave you wishing for more time.

FAQ

How long does the Wild Wicklow Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes, including the return journey to Dublin.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Killiney Hill, Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanogue, Sally Gap, Lough Tay, Lynhams of Laragh, and the Glendalough monastic settlement.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is at your own expense. You can choose a pub lunch or ask the guide about alternatives such as a deli sandwich.

Is the whiskey tasting included?

Yes. The tour includes a complimentary taste of Glendalough Irish Whiskey near the beginning of the return journey.

How much walking is involved?

The itinerary includes a short walk at Killiney Hill and free time at Glendalough. At Glendalough, you can also choose to walk toward the Upper Lake through ancient forest.

How large is the tour group?

The tour has a maximum of 37 people and uses a premium smaller-group coach. Some departures may have around 20 people.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather or low numbers?

If poor weather or insufficient numbers causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.