The Original Award Winning Wild Wicklow Tour incl. Glendalough

Wicklow gives you the Ireland many visitors hope to find beyond Dublin: mountain roads, boggy high ground, coastal views, and an ancient monastery packed into one day. This tour reaches places that are awkward without a car, including Sally Gap and Lough Tay, while a small coach handles the narrow roads.

I like the smart mix of stops. You get a short walk at Killiney Hill, a break at Avoca, broad mountain views, pub time, and a proper visit to Glendalough. I also like the guides’ role. Patrick, Ashley, John, Anthony, and Niall are repeatedly praised for lively stories, safe driving, and a warm style.

The tradeoff is time. With roughly 8 hours and 30 minutes, you cover a lot of ground, but Wicklow could easily fill several days. Some stops feel brief, and bad weather can shorten outdoor time, especially in the mountains.

Key points to know before booking

• Small coach access: The vehicle can use roads that larger tour coaches avoid, including routes through Enniskerry, Glencree, and the Wicklow Mountains.
• A full Wicklow sampler: The day combines Killiney Hill, Avoca, Sally Gap, Lough Tay, Laragh, and Glendalough.
• Glendalough gets real time: You have about 90 minutes for the monastic settlement and the option to walk toward the Upper Lake.
• Lunch is not included: You can eat at Lynhams of Laragh or ask your guide about a deli sandwich and other alternatives.
• The guides matter: Patrick is often singled out for history and humor, while Ashley, John, Anthony, and Niall have also earned warm praise.
• Good value for a car-free day: At about $66.51 per person, transport, guiding, mountain access, and the whiskey tasting are bundled together.

Why Wicklow makes a better day trip than another day in Dublin

Dublin is easy to explore on foot, but its city streets do not show you the Ireland of open moorland, glacial valleys, and mountain lakes. Wicklow begins just south of the city, yet the scenery changes quickly once the coach leaves the urban area.

You also avoid the work of renting a car. Wicklow’s narrow roads, quick bends, and changing weather demand attention. A local guide can concentrate on the driving while you watch the views. That matters most on the less direct roads used by this tour, where the route itself becomes part of the day.

The tour is limited to a maximum of 37 people, with some departures much smaller. That is not a private excursion, but it is more manageable than a large coach. A smaller vehicle also makes the mountain roads practical and lets the guide keep the group together at short walking stops.

The company has a strong overall rating of 4.8 from 3,443 reviews, with 96 percent of visitors recommending it. Those numbers do not guarantee perfect weather or a perfect group, but they fit the main strengths of the day: scenery, guiding, and a well-planned route.

Killiney Hill opens the day with Dublin Bay

Your first stop is Killiney Hill, where you take a short walk for views across Dublin Bay. It is a good choice for the morning because it gets you out of the coach early without demanding a long hike.

This stop also gives the day a useful sense of place. You begin with the city and coast behind you, then head toward the mountains. On a clear day, the view helps you understand how close Dublin is to open countryside.

Allow about 40 minutes here. Wear shoes that can handle a short outdoor walk, and bring a waterproof layer. Even a pleasant morning in Dublin can turn cool or wet on an exposed hill.

Avoca is a coffee break with Irish craft shopping

At Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanogue, you have about 25 minutes to buy handmade goods or stop for coffee and a homemade scone. This is less a major sightseeing visit than a comfortable pause between the coast and the mountains.

I would treat Avoca as a practical break rather than a reason to book the tour by itself. The stop gives you a chance to stretch, use facilities, pick up a small Irish-made gift, or have something to eat before the longer mountain section.

The short timing means you will need to choose. If you want a proper look at the shop, do not linger too long over coffee. Lunch comes later, but it is not included in the tour price.

Sally Gap and Lough Tay show you Wild Wicklow

After Avoca, the route leaves the main roads and passes through Enniskerry and Glencree toward Sally Gap. This is one of the tour’s best features. The coach can use a route that larger vehicles cannot, taking you into the quieter mountain interior.

Sally Gap is high, open, and shaped by heather, bog, and weather. This is not manicured parkland. The scenery feels spare and exposed, which is exactly why it works so well as a picture of rural Wicklow.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes views of Lough Tay, known as the Guinness Lake because of its dark water and pale beach-like shore. The lake has also appeared in Braveheart, P.S. I Love You, and the television series Vikings.

Film connections may bring you there, but the setting is the real reason to pay attention. Look beyond the lake itself to the surrounding slopes and the way the road opens onto wide views. The weather can change quickly here, so keep your coat handy even if the day began in sunshine.

This is also the part of the trip most affected by rain, wind, and mist. One departure faced heavy rain in the mountains, and the guide adjusted the timing to preserve as much of the experience as possible. That flexibility is useful, but no guide can promise clear views.

Laragh provides a proper Irish pub lunch stop

The group stops at Lynhams of Laragh for about an hour. Lunch is your own expense, with Irish home cooking and a pint of Guinness available. If a pub meal is not your preference, ask the guide about alternatives such as a deli sandwich.

This stop breaks up the day well. You have been sitting on mountain roads and making short outdoor stops, so an hour indoors gives you time to eat without rushing. It also gives you a taste of an ordinary village setting rather than another scenic viewpoint.

Budget separately for lunch and a drink. Since the tour price does not include food, you should not expect the $66.51 fare to cover the meal. The upside is choice: you can decide how much to spend and whether you want a full pub lunch or something lighter.

Glendalough is the day’s main historic stop

Glendalough means the valley of the two lakes. Its monastic settlement was founded in the sixth century by St. Kevin and once included spaces for writing manuscripts, an infirmary, guest houses, and a monastery.

Today, the Round Tower and other remains give you a clear sense of the site’s importance. The tour includes a guided look at the historic area, followed by free time to explore independently. You get about 90 minutes here, with at least 60 minutes set aside for the site and lakes.

That timing is much better than the quick photo stop offered on some long-distance excursions. Still, you cannot see every path in the valley in an hour and a half. If you want to walk toward the Upper Lake through the old woodland, keep an eye on the clock. You may need to choose between a longer walk and a slower look at the monastic buildings.

The guide’s explanation adds useful context. Without it, the Round Tower can look like an isolated stone structure. With the story of the settlement, the valley becomes a place of worship, work, shelter, and travel over many centuries.

Glendalough is also the stop where comfortable footwear matters most. The information does not promise a strenuous hike, but you will be walking outdoors over uneven ground. A waterproof jacket is sensible in every season.

The whiskey tasting finishes the road trip on a local note

After Glendalough, you return to the coach for a complimentary taste of Glendalough Irish whiskey before heading back to Dublin. It is a small touch, but it gives the return journey a pleasant finish and connects the day to a local product.

The tasting is brief, not a full distillery visit. Think of it as a sample and a chance to chat with the guide and fellow passengers. If you do not drink alcohol, the main value of the moment is the relaxed close to the day.

The return trip also gives you time to rest. The schedule is full, with several stops and a long drive through the county, so the air-conditioned coach is more than a minor comfort.

The guides shape the experience

This tour depends heavily on the person in the front seat. Patrick is praised for history, humor, safe driving, and personal attention. Ashley is described as strong on social, environmental, political, and historical details. John is noted for a friendly and accommodating manner, while Anthony is praised for Irish history and charm.

You should not book on the assumption that one particular guide will lead your departure, since several guides operate the tour. But the pattern is encouraging. The guides are expected to talk throughout the drive, not simply deliver a few facts at each stop.

That can make the long stretches between viewpoints feel useful rather than empty. It can also be a lot if you prefer silence. One point to remember is that group energy varies. A few loud passengers or people who wander far from the group can slow the schedule and distract from the scenery.

Please stay aware near cliff edges and lakes, watch children closely, and return to the coach on time. The day works best when everyone treats the outdoor places with care.

Is $66.51 a fair price?

For a full day outside Dublin, I consider the price good value. You receive transport from central Dublin pickup points, a professional guide, a small air-conditioned coach, access to routes beyond the main roads, guided time at Glendalough, the mountain portion, and a whiskey tasting.

The price does not include lunch, coffee, a scone, or shopping at Avoca. Add those costs before you compare this with a self-drive day. You would also need to account for car rental, fuel, parking, and the stress of driving unfamiliar mountain roads.

A rental car gives you more freedom to stay longer at Lough Tay or walk farther at Glendalough. The tour gives you local stories, a fixed plan, and someone else at the wheel. For a first visit or a solo trip, that tradeoff makes sense.

Who should book this Wicklow tour?

I would choose this tour if you have one free day in Dublin and want mountains, coast, culture, and a historic site without renting a car. It suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to County Wicklow rather than a single long hike.

It also works well for solo visitors and couples. The coach creates a social setting, but the schedule still gives you short periods to explore on your own. Families can participate, though adults should keep children close at viewpoints and around the lakes.

You may prefer a longer Wicklow stay if your main goal is hiking. The timetable samples several places but cannot provide hours at each one. You might also prefer a private car if you want complete control over stops and pace.

The tour operates in English, uses mobile tickets, and most people can participate. It is close to public transportation, with pickup points in both north and south Dublin. Winter departures require minimum numbers, so a cancellation is possible if too few people book. In that case, you are offered another option or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can also lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want an efficient, well-guided escape from Dublin and you value seeing the less accessible parts of Wicklow. The strongest reasons are the small coach route, the mix of scenery, and the generous Glendalough stop.

Skip it if you want a quiet private day, a serious hike, or long stays at every viewpoint. For most visitors with only one day to spare, though, this is a sensible way to reach Killiney Hill, Sally Gap, Lough Tay, and Glendalough in one well-filled outing.

FAQ

How long does the Wild Wicklow tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes, including the journey from Dublin, sightseeing stops, lunch time, Glendalough, and the return trip.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a professional guide, transport by air-conditioned small coach, pickup from convenient Dublin locations, the Wicklow Mountains route, Sally Gap, Lough Tay, guided time at Glendalough, free time at the lakes, and a complimentary taste of Glendalough whiskey.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is your own expense. The main lunch stop is at Lynhams of Laragh, with pub food and Guinness available. Your guide can also provide information about alternatives such as a deli sandwich.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $66.51 per person. Food, drinks, and purchases at Avoca are not included.

What places does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes Killiney Hill, Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanogue, Enniskerry and Glencree by coach, Sally Gap, Lough Tay, Lynhams of Laragh, and the Glendalough monastic settlement.

How much free time do I get at Glendalough?

You have approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes at Glendalough. This includes a guided visit to the historic sites and free time to explore, with the option to walk toward the Upper Lake.

What size group should I expect?

The tour has a maximum of 37 travelers, and some departures may be smaller. It uses a premium smaller-group coach rather than a large sightseeing bus.

Is the tour available in other languages?

The tour is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or insufficient numbers cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.