The Original Award Winning Wild Wicklow Tour incl. Glendalough

Wicklow gives you the Ireland many first-time visitors hope to find: rocky mountain roads, boggy high ground, lonely lakes, old stone ruins, and views that change with every bend. This 8.5-hour small-coach trip from Dublin reaches places that are awkward without a car, including Sally Gap and Lough Tay, often called Guinness Lake.

I like the route through quieter Wicklow roads, where a smaller coach can go beyond the main tourist path. I also like the balance between scenery and stops with a purpose: a short walk at Killiney Hill, a break at Avoca Handweavers, a pub lunch, and real time at Glendalough’s monastic settlement. Guides such as Patrick, Ashley, John, and Anthony are praised for making the drive lively with Irish history and local stories.

The trade-off is time. You cover a lot in one day, so some viewpoints are brief, and Glendalough can feel rushed if you want a long walk to the Upper Lake. Lunch and refreshments cost extra, and mountain weather can change the day’s timing.

The day at a glance

• Killiney Hill first: Take a short walk above Dublin Bay before heading inland.
• Avoca Handweavers: Stop for coffee and a homemade scone, or browse Irish-made goods.
• Small-coach Wicklow route: Use roads through Enniskerry and Glencree that large coaches cannot easily take.
• Sally Gap and Lough Tay: See heather-covered hills, bog, and the famous lake used as a film setting.
• Glendalough with free time: Join a guided look at the Round Tower and monastic ruins, then explore on your own.
• Whiskey to finish: Enjoy a complimentary taste of Glendalough Irish whiskey on the ride back.

Why this is a strong Dublin day trip

Dublin is easy to enjoy on foot, but the city does not show you Ireland’s open mountain country. Public transport will not give you this combination of high viewpoints, scattered rural stops, and Glendalough in a single day. Hiring a car solves that problem, but it puts you on narrow, unfamiliar roads and makes someone responsible for driving all day.

At $66.51 per person, the tour offers good value if you want Wicklow without arranging a car. Transport, a guide, the route through the mountains, Glendalough, and the whiskey taste are covered. You still pay for lunch, coffee, tea, and shopping, so budget extra for those.

The maximum group size is 37, though some departures may be smaller. That matters on Wicklow’s twisting roads and at photo stops. The coach is air-conditioned, and several people specifically appreciated the comfortable ride. This is not a private tour, but it is more personal than a huge sightseeing bus.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Patrick is often praised for his warmth, safe driving, humor, and command of Irish history. Ashley is described as strong on social, environmental, historical, and political stories. John receives praise for being friendly and accommodating, while Anthony is noted for his Irish history, charm, and humor.

You may receive a different guide, of course. The best part of the guiding style is that the day is not just a sequence of photo stops. The drive becomes a running lesson in Ireland’s geography, geology, history, and culture.

Killiney Hill and the first view of Dublin Bay

The morning begins at a central pickup point in Dublin, with options in both the north and south of the city. The first stop is Killiney Hill, where you take a short walk for views across Dublin Bay.

This is a smart opening stop. You get fresh air and a broad view before the coach turns toward Wicklow. It also lets you see how quickly Dublin gives way to coast and open country.

The walk lasts about 40 minutes, including time for the view. It is not presented as a major hike, but you should still wear shoes suited to an uneven outdoor path. If rain is falling, the hill can feel brisk and exposed. On a clear day, it gives you a fine introduction to the coast before the mountains take over.

One practical point: do not expect a long exploration of Killiney. The stop is designed to get you moving, not to fill the morning with a full hill walk.

Avoca Handweavers for coffee and Irish crafts

Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanogue is a 25-minute stop. You can buy coffee and a homemade scone, order tea, or browse handmade Irish goods.

This is partly a cultural stop and partly a comfort break. The craft shop gives you a chance to see traditional Irish-made products rather than spending the whole morning looking at scenery through a window. If you want a souvenir with a local connection, this is a useful place to browse.

Still, keep your expectations in check. The stop is short, and one guide described it as mainly a rest break. You will not have time for a leisurely meal and serious shopping unless you move quickly. I would treat the coffee and scone as a pleasant pause, not a central reason to book the tour.

Food and drinks here are at your own expense. The same applies to lunch later, so this is a good point to decide how much you want to spend during the day.

The smaller roads into Wild Wicklow

After Avoca, the coach leaves the more familiar routes and travels through Enniskerry and Glencree toward the Wicklow Mountains and Sally Gap. This is one of the tour’s best features.

The smaller vehicle can use roads that large coaches cannot comfortably manage. That gives you a closer look at Wicklow’s rougher, less developed side. Expect winding roads, open mountain views, heather, bog, and changing weather rather than a tidy series of attractions.

The drive itself is part of the tour. A well-informed guide can explain what you are seeing and fill the longer stretches with stories about Ireland. Patrick, Ashley, John, and other guides have been praised for making these rides entertaining as well as educational.

There is a minor downside. If you are prone to motion sickness, the twisting mountain route may be tiring. The supplied information does not mention a specific motion-sickness policy or seating arrangement, so plan ahead according to your needs.

Sally Gap and Lough Tay, the Guinness Lake

At Sally Gap, you stop for around 30 minutes to view the upper slopes of Wicklow Mountains National Park. The hills are covered with heather and bog, creating a stark, open setting that feels far removed from Dublin.

The stop is about the view, not a long hike. You should have time for photographs and a short look around, but not for walking deep into the hills. Mountain conditions can be wet, windy, and cold even when Dublin feels comfortable. One January group encountered heavy rain in the mountains, and the guide adjusted the timing to keep the day workable.

Lough Tay is the visual star of this section. Its dark water and pale beach give it the nickname Guinness Lake. It has also been used as a setting for Braveheart, PS I Love You, and the Vikings television series.

The film connection is fun, but the lake is worth seeing without it. The setting feels remote and dramatic, and the stop gives you a classic Wicklow photograph. You may find that the coach pauses at nearby viewpoints rather than taking you on a long walk around the lake. The attraction here is the outlook, not a full lakeside circuit.

Take care near viewpoints. One account raised concerns about people getting too close to cliff edges, walking through other people’s photographs, or behaving carelessly near the water. Follow the guide’s instructions and give other people room.

Lunch at Lynhams of Laragh

The group stops at Lynhams of Laragh for about an hour. This is a traditional Irish pub where you can order home-style food and a Guinness.

Lunch is not included, but there are alternatives if pub food does not suit you. The village stop can also offer a deli sandwich option, according to the tour details. This flexibility is useful, especially if you want to control your spending or prefer a lighter meal.

An hour gives you enough time to eat without turning lunch into a long break. You should still avoid ordering something that takes a very long time if you want to make the most of Glendalough afterward.

The pub lunch adds a bit of everyday Ireland to a day otherwise shaped by mountains and monuments. It is less polished than a formal sightseeing stop, which is exactly the point. You can sit down, warm up, and have a local meal before the afternoon’s main visit.

Budget for lunch and drinks separately. The tour price is attractive, but it does not cover this part of the day.

Glendalough’s Round Tower and two lakes

Glendalough means the valley of the two lakes. Its monastic settlement was founded in the sixth century by St. Kevin and grew into a working religious center with manuscript rooms, an infirmary, guest houses, and a monastery.

Today, the main draw is the group of stone remains, including the Round Tower. The guide leads you around the historic sights, explaining what the buildings were used for and how the settlement functioned. That context makes the ruins far more meaningful than a quick stop for photographs.

You have about 90 minutes here, with at least 60 minutes set aside for independent exploration. That is enough for the central monastic area and a short look toward the lakes. You also have the option to walk toward the Upper Lake through ancient forest.

This is where the schedule can feel tight. Glendalough is not just one monument. It is a valley with ruins, water, woodland, and walking routes. If you want to reach the Upper Lake and linger there, you may need to move at a good pace. If your main interest is the Round Tower and monastic remains, the time works better.

I would use the guided portion to learn the essentials, then spend your free time on the part that matters most to you. Some people will choose the Upper Lake walk. Others will stay near the ruins and take in the setting slowly.

The site also has historical and archaeological importance, but the appeal is not only academic. The combination of stone buildings, mountain slopes, lakes, and woodland gives Glendalough a strong sense of place.

The whiskey taste on the ride home

After Glendalough, you return to the air-conditioned coach for a complimentary taste of Glendalough Irish whiskey. It is a small closing touch, but it fits the day well.

You have seen a traditional craft stop, a pub, mountain scenery, an old monastic center, and now a local spirit. It gives the ride back a relaxed finish and lets you talk through the day.

The experience is a tasting, not a distillery visit. Do not book this expecting a full whiskey tour or production demonstration. It is simply a free sample before the return to Dublin.

Weather, pace, and what to bring

Wicklow weather can change quickly. Rain does not automatically ruin the day, and the route can still look striking in wet conditions, but you need to dress for the mountains rather than the city.

Bring a waterproof layer, warm clothing, and shoes suitable for the Killiney Hill and Glendalough walks. A phone or camera is useful at Killiney Hill, Sally Gap, Lough Tay, and the lakes. If you plan to buy coffee, lunch, or crafts, carry a payment method for personal purchases.

The schedule mixes coach time with short walks and longer stops. It suits you if you want to see a lot in one day without hiking for hours. It is less suited to you if you want a slow mountain walk, extended time at every viewpoint, or a full day devoted only to Glendalough.

The tour requires good weather and minimum numbers, especially during winter. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If too few people book, the same alternatives apply.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Who should book this Wicklow tour

I would choose this tour if you have one free day in Dublin and want countryside without the work of renting a car. It is especially useful for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who want a guide to handle the mountain roads.

It also suits people who like variety. You get a coast view, crafts, mountain scenery, a pub, ancient ruins, lakes, and whiskey in one outing. The guides add value by explaining what you pass between the stops.

Families can participate, since most people can take part, but children should stay close at viewpoints and near the lakes. The tour is not presented as an intense hike, yet it does include outdoor walking and uneven ground.

I would look elsewhere if your top priority is a long Glendalough walk or a quiet, unhurried day. The route covers a lot, and the best scenery sometimes gets only a short stop.

FAQ

How long is the Wild Wicklow Tour?

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

Where does the tour depart from?

You meet the guide and coach at a central Dublin pickup location. Convenient pickup points are available in the north and south of Dublin city.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is at your own expense. You can choose a pub lunch at Lynhams of Laragh, and alternative options such as a deli sandwich are available.

Does the tour visit Lough Tay?

Yes. The route includes Sally Gap and a stop with views of Lough Tay, also called Guinness Lake.

How much time do you get at Glendalough?

The Glendalough visit lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes. At least 60 minutes is available for independent exploration, with an option to walk toward the Upper Lake.

Is the whiskey tasting included?

Yes. The tour includes a complimentary taste of Glendalough Irish whiskey on the coach during the return journey.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 37 people. The experience is operated as a smaller-group tour using a premium, air-conditioned coach.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a practical, well-priced escape from Dublin that reaches real mountain country, not just the nearest easy viewpoint. The route through Glencree and Sally Gap, the views of Lough Tay, and the time at Glendalough make it a strong choice for a first look at Wicklow.

The main question is pace. You will see more places than you could comfortably arrange by public transport, but you will not have unlimited time at each one. For most people, that is a fair trade for safe driving, a comfortable coach, strong guiding, and a full day outside the city.

At $66.51, it is good value for a no-car day trip, provided you are happy to pay separately for food and drinks. Wear sensible clothes, stay aware near viewpoints, and let the guide handle the winding roads. If that sounds like your kind of Irish day out, this is an easy tour to choose.