Dublin · Roundwood · Laragh · Glendalough
Glendalough day from Dublin: over the Sally Gap, up the Spinc above the Upper Lake
A day in the Wicklow Mountains from Dublin: the Military Road over the Sally Gap, Lough Tay and Glenmacnass Waterfall, St Kevin's monastic city at Glendalough, the Spinc and Glenealo loop above the Upper Lake, a late lunch in Laragh, and back before dark. No car? The St Kevin's Bus runs daily from St Stephen's Green.
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- 8:30 am 1Drive the Military Road to the Sally GapDublin
South through Rathfarnham onto the R115 Military Road, over open bog to the Sally Gap crossroads, then a few minutes east on the R759. The road is narrow, unlit and can be icy or foggy in winter; if it is, go down the N11 instead. No car: the St Kevin's Bus leaves St Stephen's Green North at 11:00 daily (€23 return, €14 single) and drops you at Glendalough, skipping the first two stops; check its winter return times, around 16:30.
26 min by train or taxi · 26 km - 9:45 am 2Lough Tay from aboveRoundwood
The dark lake with a pale sand beach far below the road, nicknamed the Guinness Lake; pull in at the roadside viewpoint. The estate below is private, so look from the road. Free.
9 min by train or taxi · 5.8 km - 10:30 am 3Glenmacnass WaterfallLaragh
Back to the Sally Gap and south on the R115: the river drops off the edge of the plateau beside a small car park at the head of the valley. Stay back from the top of the falls; the rocks are slippery. Free.
10 min by train or taxi · 6.1 km - 11:15 am 4St Kevin's monastic city and the Visitor CentreGlendalough
The 6th-century monastery: the 30 m round tower, the roofless cathedral and St Kevin's Kitchen, free to wander. The OPW Visitor Centre's exhibition and film cost €5; winter hours 9:30-17:00 (last admission 16:15), summer to 18:00, closed 23-29 December. Paying for its car park includes one admission. There are no ATMs in the valley, so carry some cash.
8 min by train or taxi · 2.3 km - 12:15 pm 5Spinc and Glenealo loop via Poulanass WaterfallGlendalough
Walk the Green Road past the Lower Lake to the Upper Lake, climb beside Poulanass Waterfall, then the White Trail along the boardwalk on the Spinc ridge high above the Upper Lake, round the Glenealo valley and down past the old Miners' Village. About 9 km and 3-4 hours. Upgrade works on the White Trail's zigzags began on 20 July 2026 and run 5-6 months, so check the National Park office by the Upper Lake for diversions and wear boots. Shorter option: the Poulanass and St Kevin's Cell loop. Free; the Upper Lake car park charges.
8 min by train or taxi · 4.1 km - 4 pm 6Late lunch in LaraghLaragh
The village a couple of kilometres down the valley has pubs and cafes for soup, a toastie or a stew after the hike. About €20.
3 min walk · 0 m - 5 pm 7Drive back to Dublin before darkLaragh
From November to January the sun sets around 16:15-16:30, so come back by the R755 and the N11 rather than over the unlit Sally Gap. About an hour, more in Friday traffic.