Hiking the Spinc and the Wicklow Way
Read our guide on Spinc and the Wicklow Way, one of the best hikes in Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Includes a trail description and tips on when to go, what to pack, and how to get.
Thanks to its stunning landscape and easy access from Dublin, Wicklow Mountains National Park is a must-visit place while in Ireland.
There are plenty of great hikes within the national park, so it took us some time to figure out which one to pick.
After a very quick research, we decided to do the Spinc and the Wicklow Way, one of the more challenging trails in the national park.
We chose this track for several reasons.
It's the most challenging trail that starts from the Upper Lake, it offers dramatic views, but it's still relatively short and can be completed in a few hours.
Without any doubt, Spinc and the Wicklow Way is one of the best hikes in the Wicklow Mountains.
On top of that, it can also be found on most lists of top hikes in Ireland.
And we were more than happy that we included it in our Ireland road trip itinerary.
So here's everything you need to know about this fantastic trail before you go.
Spinc and the Wicklow Way Trail
As mentioned above, this is one of the finest walks in the national park. On the other hand, it's not the easiest and requires time and effort from your side.
Spinc and the Wicklow Way trail is 11.5 kilometers round trip, with a 500 meters elevation gain.
Therefore, we would rate it as a moderately challenging path. The trail is well-maintained and well-marked.
Each trail has an assigned color, and this is the red one.
Keep in mind that some walks share the same path, and certain sections have multiple colors as a result.
In case you want to explore the miner's history, pick the Spinc and Glenealo Valley hike (white trail) instead, which also includes the most scenic part of this track.
Clockwise or Counterclockwise
In our opinion, it's better to do the Spinc and the Wicklow Way trail clockwise.
If hiking clockwise, this way has a more gradual incline at the beginning and a fairly steep descent at the end.
The views of the valley from this direction were incredible, and we were really happy to be taking this route downhill.
Also, we believe it's better to walk through the forested area first and save the scenic part for the second part of the hike.
The main reason to hike Spinc and the Wicklow Way counterclockwise is to get to the viewpoint as fast as possible or if you choose to continue to Glenealo Valley instead.
Parking
We left the hostel (see why we chose this accommodation down below) super early in the morning and decided to drive to the designated upper parking at the main park entrance, only to find out that it was too early and parking was still closed.
So we had to drive back to the hostel, leave the car there, and, this time, walk the 1.2-kilometer path from our accommodation to the entrance.
Luckily, it was just a minor inconvenience that added about 30 minutes to our trip.
Nevertheless, the upper parking costs €4, and even though it's pretty large, it fills up quickly in the peak season.
It seems that the parking usually opens at 8 AM.
At the time of the visit, the sign on the barrier showed that it closes at 10 PM. However, the opening time changes throughout the year.
Alternatively, you can leave your car at the lower parking in Glendalough (also €4) and walk to the trailhead from there.
While this parking is about 1.7 kilometers from the trailhead, it allows you to explore the Glendalough Monastic Site along the way.
By the way, you don't have to walk on the road.
Instead, use the Wicklow Way trail (and later Green Road Walk), which is much nicer and safer and takes you along the charming Lower Lake.
Visitor Center
If you're still not sure whether this is a hike for you, you can head first to the Visitor Center, only a short walk from the parking.
Here, you should find more inspiration and advice on what to do in this area.
In our case, the visitor center was still closed, so we didn't get a chance to go inside. However, we knew our plans, so we didn't mind that.
Moreover, you can find a detailed map with all trails in this area right next to it.
You can also find it online on the official Wicklow Mountains National Park website.
Trailhead
Spinc and the Wicklow Way trailhead is about 50 meters west of the Visitor Center.
Mind you, this is a starting point for pretty much every hike in this part of the national park, so it's hard to miss.
Poulanass Waterfall
The hike starts at the bridge over Lugduff Brook, and the first part of the hike leads to Poulanass Waterfall (a pink trail).
The climb to the waterfall is short, but the trail is relatively steep for an easy path.
The waterfall is nice and very different from the Powerscourt Waterfall we saw the day before.
Poulanass Waterfall is a lovely trail also for families with kids or people short on time.
We turned left at the first major junction and used a couple of bridges to cross two creeks.
At the next fork, we kept walking on the right path (the pink trail to the left leads back to the visitor center).
Wicklow Way
After we left the pink trail behind, we continued for another 700 meters until we reached another junction.
Here, we abruptly turned right and followed the red markers for another five kilometers.
Not that far from here, we saw the Upper Lake for the first time through the forest and saw a herd of goats.
We mentioned earlier that it's better to do the Spinc and Wicklow Way clockwise, and here's another reason why this is a good idea.
Honestly, this part of the hike was not that exciting. At least at this moment (and probably for the next few years).
There are lots of conservation efforts and logging in this area, and the (hopefully positive) results will be seen someday in the future.
On the other hand, there were no people around, so early in the morning, we had the trail just for ourselves.
We walked fast and really enjoyed the serenity of the forests in the Wicklow Mountains.
Some might say that this part is boring, but we are used to walking through the forested (and logging) areas without views from our home country, so we didn't mind.
It was a steady climb up the mountain, but the incline was not steep in this direction.
After emerging from the forest, we arrived at another crossroad with Mullacor Mountain (661 meters) on the left and Lugduff Mountain (652 meters) on the right.
This time, we turned right once again and continued across the vast bog fields.
Luckily, this section has wooden boardwalks, which makes this part easy to navigate. Without them, it would be a completely different story.
However, the boardwalk ended as we started to traverse the hillside of the Lugduff, and this part was quite muddy.
The landscape dominated by blanket bog was simply breathtaking.
Spinc Ridge
The trail took us to a subsidiary summit, the Lugduff SE Top (637 meters), the highest point on this hike.
From here, the trail winds along the Lugduff ridge and leads downhill for the rest of the walk.
This section features several amazing viewpoints and is the highlight of the hike.
We could admire the dramatic views of the Glenealo Valley, Camaderry Mountain, Upper Lake, and even the Lower Lake in the distance.
It's easy to see why the Wicklow Mountains are one of the most beautiful national parks in Ireland.
As we were descending back into the valley, we had the views the entire time in front of us.
There were lots of wooden steps on the way down, and the lower part of the trail also included some zigzags.
By the way, if you're short on time, you can consider taking the short route of the Spinc (blue trail), which also features this scenic part.
After descending back to the valley, turn left at the junction and immediately turn left once again to connect to Wicklow Way.
St. Kevin's Cell
At the next fork, we turned left just before we reached Poulanass Waterfall again.
Here we joined the Bronze Route, known as Poulanass and St. Kevin's Cell Walk.
We had already seen the waterfall, so now was the time to explore the second part of this path.
Following the easy trail to the west brought us to lovely woodlands with a scenic Upper Lake viewpoint and the remains of Reefert Church.
From here, it was just a short walk back to the lake shores and parking.
How Much Time Do I Need
In general, allow yourself three to four hours for Spinc and the Wicklow Way.
It took us under two and a half hours to complete the loop, including photo stops and a few short breaks.
Admittedly, we walked relatively fast as we usually aim to stay fit while traveling, and we decided that this hike would replace our daily exercise.
Entrance Fee
There is no entrance fee to Spinc and the Wicklow Way, as the entire Wicklow Mountain National Park is free of charge.
However, you will most like need to pay for the parking.
Still, the Wicklow Mountains are a great place to visit, especially if you're visiting Ireland on a budget.
How to Get
The easiest way to get to Spinc and the Wicklow Way trailhead is by car. In our opinion, it's the best way to get around Ireland.
Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus to Glendalough from Dublin.
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Car
The parking at the Upper Lake is about 50 to 70 kilometers from Dublin, depending on the route you choose.
First, you need to reach Laragh. The fastest way follows M50, M11, N11, and R755 via Kilmacanogue and Roundwood).
In Laragh, turn right onto R576, which will take you to Glendalough.
From the village, stay on the R576 all the way to the Upper Lake parking. Once you reach the lake area, the road ends here.
Depending on the traffic, it takes about an hour and a half to get there.
If you drive via the Old Military Road and Sally Gap, you will probably need to add some extra time as there are many stops along the way.
It's easy to rent a car in Ireland, and here you will find more tips on this topic.
Don't also forget to read our guide on tips for driving in Ireland, which includes helpful tips.
Tours
The most popular day tours from Dublin usually include Glendalough, Sally Gap, and other sites in the Wicklow Mountains.
However, you will have only time to do one of the shorter hikes around Upper Lake.
Here you can reserve a Wicklow Mountains Tour in advance.
Bus
If you don't want to drive to Glendalough, you can take a shuttle bus run by St. Kevins Bus Services instead.
The bus departs from St. Stephen's Green North in Dublin City Center, about a kilometer south of Trinity College Dublin, and drops you off at Glendalough Visitor Center.
The main drawback of this service is that you won't be able to explore the Old Military Road and Sally Gap.
The return ticket (Dublin - Glendalough - Dublin) costs €20 per person.
The bus leaves the capital city at 7:00 AM and goes back at 4:30 PM (Monday to Friday) or 5:40 PM (weekends).
Where to Stay
We decided to stay directly in Glendalough as we wanted to head out to the park as early as possible.
For this reason, we picked the Glendalough Hostel, which is close to the village and the national park entrance.
Alternatively, you can stay in the nearby Laragh, a small village only a few kilometers from Glendalough.
Obviously, if you're visiting the Wicklow Mountains on a day trip from Dublin, you should look for lodging in the capital city.
Here are some tips on the best hotels in this area.
Glendalough | Glendalough International Youth Hostel - This affordable hostel has a fantastic location, basic dormitories, private rooms, free parking, and a shared kitchen. The main reason why we stayed here was the location, as the hostel is less than a 15-minute walk from the trailhead.
Glendalough | The Glendalough Hotel - Situated in the heart of Glendalough, this lovely hotel offers en suite rooms with the countryside and mountain views, a restaurant serving local food, and a traditional Irish pub. The hotel has an excellent location for exploring the national park.
Laragh | Tudor Lodge - Situated in the quiet village of Laragh, this lovely bed and breakfast features stylish rooms, a welcoming host, a lush garden, an excellent location, and even self-catering cabins within a riverside setting.
Dublin | Leonardo Hotel Dublin Parnell Street - Located on Dublin's Parnell Street, Leonardo Hotel has a perfect location for exploring the city center and its top attractions. The hotel has contemporary rooms with comfy beds, welcoming staff, and an on-site restaurant and bar. A buffet breakfast is available.
When to Go
The best time to hike the Spinc and the Wicklow Way is during the summer, late spring, or early autumn.
We did the Spinc and the Wicklow Way in May, and the weather was better than we expected.
Even though the morning was cloudy, it didn't rain.
Once we reached the main lake viewpoints, even the sun popped out of the clouds from time to time.
However, you can visit the Wicklow Mountains all year round. The winters are usually cold and wet, with short days.
Always make sure to check the weather forecast before you go to stay safe while in Ireland, and remember that the weather in the mountains is always more severe.
Here you will find more tips on when to visit Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Pack
The weather in the Wicklow Mountains is unpredictable, regardless of the season.
Be prepared that it can change abruptly and without too much warning, even in the summer.
Wear multiple layers, good rain gear, proper footwear, and a comfortable daypack.
The upper part of the trail that leads across open areas was quite muddy, and we were glad we had our hiking boots.
A good rain jacket and rain pants are a must-have.
In summer, don't forget to bring sunscreen and insect repellent.
If you have bad knees, bring trekking poles to relieve stress on your joints when going downhill.
Here you will find more tips on what to pack for Ireland.
Is It Worth Hike the Spinc and the Wicklow Way
Even though the first part of the hike is a simple forest walk, the second part of the trail offers dramatic landscapes and breathtaking views.
Therefore, we believe Spinc, and the Wicklow Way is worth the time and effort.
In fact, it's one of the best things to do in County Wicklow.
Furthermore, Spinc and the Wicklow Way trail is very different from other national parks we visited on our Ireland road trip.
If you've enjoyed hiking in Connemara National Park or Burren National Park, we have a feeling that you will have a great time in the Wicklow Mountains as well.
And if you have only a few days in Ireland, this trail allows you to see some of the finest Irish scenery.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
