Guide To Glendalough: Scenery & History In The Wicklow Mountains

If scenery, history, woodlands, archaeology, and nature are your thing, then Glendalough is the place for you! And all of it is within easy reach of Dublin.

Glendalough is a beautiful glacial valley located in County Wicklow. It’s known for its stunning scenery and rich history.

It’s a haven for hikers and home to the remains of an early medieval monastic settlement. It was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century.

Surrounded by mountains, two lakes, and woodlands, Glendalough is a super popular spot for hiking and nature walks.

On weekends, you may have to fend off fellow tourists to get your snaps. But once you escape to the upper lake, peace and calm will wrap you like a blanket.

In this guide to Glendalough, I tell you everything to see and give you must know tips for visiting and hiking.

>>> Click here to book a guided tour from Dublin

Mini History Of Glendalough

Sometime in the 6th century, a local lad called Kevin was believed by his parents to have some divine power.

So, they packed him off to become a monk. This was apparently the medieval equivalent of summer camp.

Years later, Kevin discovered Glendalough. He decided it was so tranquil and beautiful that it was the ideal place to commune with god.

Kevin lived as a hermit. He spent a lot of his time in a cramped man made cave now now as St. Kevin’s Bed.

The rest of the time, he talked to the local wildlife. But he inspired plenty of other monks to move there and a community sprang up. The monastic site at Glendalough flourished for six centuries and became an important place of pilgrimage.

Unfortunately, it also became an important place for the Vikings, who raped and pillaged the area. In fact, oak from Glendalough was used to build the second largest Viking longboat on record.

In 1128, St Lauren O’Toole became Abbott of Glendalough. He oversaw a great period of rebuilding.

Unlike the shy hermit, Kevin, he was famous for his hospitality and like to throw big shindigs. But he would then atone for his sins by taking up residence in St. Kevin’s Bed during Lent.

Glendalough became so famous that it was considered just as holy to be buried in Glendalough as it was to be buried in Rome.

The monastery flourished up until 1398 when it was destroyed by English forces.

But even after that, it remained an important pilgrimage site. By the time Glendalough’s influence began to wane, there was a whole raft of monastic buildings. The ruins of many of them can be seen today.

Things To See At Glendalough

Visitor Center

Before you start your visit, head into the modern Visitor Center. There’s an excellent exhibit on St. Kevin and the Glendalough monastery.

There’s an audio visual show. And you’ll find a model of what archaeologists think the whole site once looked like, complete with long gone peanut huts, walls, and farming enclosures.

If you like, you can arrange guided tours of the monastery at the center.

Monastic Sites

There’s a unique granite Gateway into the monastic village. It originally had two stories. But the upper story has long vanished.

The paving is all original though, so you are literally walking in the footsteps of monks.

The Round Tower is one of Ireland’s most recognizable images. There are lots of similar ones dotting the countryside. But few with such an impressive setting.

The tower is almost 100 feet high. It was used as a bell tower and place to hide from Vikings. This explains why the entrance is 13 feet above ground.

The 10th century Cathedral is the largest of the ruins at the monastic site. By later standards, it’s quite small. But 1,000 years ago, it was considered massive.

The main part was built around 960. The roof is long gone. and it’s mostly a shell But the nave is pretty much intact.

A stone’s throw to the south is one of the best preserved buildings, a small oratory called St. Kevin’s Church or St. Kevin’s Kitchen.

Its skillfully constructed roof is made from overlapping stones and it has a mini round tower. You can’t go inside. But you can peak in through a gate.

Other ruins are speckled about the place — Trinity Church, St. Mary’s Church, The Priest’s House, etc.

The are even more ruins in the Upper Lake, including Reefert Church. There’s also a small church on the southern side of the Upper Lake that can only be reached by boat.

To the east of that is St Kevin’s Bed. A sign for “Kevin’s Bed View” leads you to a viewpoint that looks across the river to the cave.

It’s just a cramped man-made hollow cut into the cliff face. You can almost imagine poor Kevin starving himself there while sitting on pointy rocks.

Graves

The Glendalough graveyard is part of the historic monastic site. It’s one of the most atmospheric locations in the valley, with all the moss covered headstones.

Scattered throughout the graveyard, you’ll find numerous Celtic crosses, many of which are worn by time. Many of the graves are believed to belong to monks or those closely associated with the early monastic community.

But there’s a mix of ancient and more recent graves.

Some graves date back to the early medieval period, while others are still in use today. Modern gravestones stand alongside centuries-old headstones.

Hikes

Glendalough is often considered a hiker’s heaven due to its stunning natural beauty, diverse trails, and peaceful atmosphere.

There are a whole bunch of trails around the lakes, suitable for everyone whether you’re feeling lazy or a fitness fanatic.

There are 9 color coded routes and you can pick one that suits you. The White Route is the most popular, and that’s what I did. They include:

1. Purple Route (Miners’ Road Walk)

Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
A lakeside walk along the Upper Lake, perfect for a peaceful, scenic stroll. It’s flat and family-friendly.

2. Green Route (Poulanass Walk)

Distance: 1.6 km (1 mile)
Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
This short walk loops around the Poulanass Waterfall and offers forested views, making it ideal for a quick, scenic outing.

3. Blue Route (Lower Lake Walk)

Distance: 1.4 km (0.87 miles)
Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
A gentle lakeside walk along the Lower Lake, offering tranquil views of the water and surrounding forest.

4. White Route (Spinc and Glenealo Valley)

Distance: 9.5 km (5.9 miles)
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
One of the most popular and challenging trails, this route takes you up steep climbs and along a boardwalk with incredible views over the Upper Lake and Glenealo Valley.

5. Red Route (Poulanass to St. Kevin’s Cell)

Distance: 1.6 km (1 mile)
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
A beautiful forested walk passing Poulanass Waterfall and St. Kevin’s Cell, combining nature with historical sites.

6. Orange Route (Derrybawn Woodland Trail)

Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
Time: 2.5-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
This peaceful trail takes you through dense woodland with fantastic views over the valley and mountains, ideal for a more serene hike.

7. Yellow Route (Upper Lake View Walk)

Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
A lovely route that provides excellent views of the Upper Lake and surrounding valley, offering a balance of nature and history.

8. Brown Route (Derrybawn Ridge)

Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard
A more strenuous route that offers stunning views from Derrybawn Ridge over Glendalough Valley.

9. Grey Route (Spinc Short Walk)

Distance: 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
A shorter but still challenging version of the White Route, offering many of the same views from the ridge but with a shorter distance.

Whichever route you choose, you’ll see a good bit of wildlife, including feral goats, badgers, red deer, red squirrels, and rabbits.

There are also various bird species and herons in the rivers and lakes.

Glendalough Viewpoint

The Glendalough Viewpoint, also known as the Spinc Viewpoint, is one of the most popular scenic spots in Glendalough.

To reach the viewpoint, follow the White Route. This involves a steep climb up through forested areas and along a boardwalk.

While it’s not an easy stroll, you don’t need any special mountaineering skills or equipment— just sturdy shoes, a good level of fitness, and plenty of water.

Once at the top, the viewpoint provides breathtaking vistas of Glendalough’s glacial lakes, lush green forests, and rugged mountains.

The name “Spinc” comes from the Irish word for “pointed hill.” It reflects the shape of the ridge you hike along to reach the viewpoint.

Practical Guide & Tips For Glendalough

How To Get There From Dublin

By Car:

Drive south on the N11/M11 and take the R755 exit for Roundwood/Glendalough. Follow the signs to Glendalough through the scenic Wicklow Mountains. The journey takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.

By Bus:

Bus Éireann offers a service (Route 133) from Dublin to Glendalough with a transfer in Wicklow or Rathdrum.

St. Kevin’s Bus offers a direct service from Dublin city center (outside St. Stephen’s Green) to Glendalough, with a journey time of around 1.5 hours.

By Tour:

Several tour companies offer day trips from Dublin that include transport to Glendalough and other stops in the Wicklow Mountains. This is a convenient option if you don’t fancy driving in Ireland.

For example, you can choose between:

Tickets:

You do not need to buy a ticket to visit Glendalough itself. The monastic site, lakes, and hiking trails are free to access.

However, if you’re driving, there is a parking fee at the main car park near the Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center also offers exhibitions and guided tours for which there is an optional admission fee.

Pro Tips:

To avoid crowds, I would go in the early morning or later afternoon. I would plan to spend about a half day, depending on how much hiking you do.

If you want to rest your feet after hiking, head to the tiny village of Laragh nearby. There’s a nice selection of pubs.

I hope you’ve enjoyed may guide to everything to see and do in Glendalough. You may find these other Ireland trade guides useful:

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