Glendalough Upper Lake Loop

The Glendalough Upper Lake Loop starts at the Upper Lake car park in Wicklow Mountains National Park, reached by driving through the Glendalough valley past the monastic site, or via the St Kevin's Bus service from Dublin; a parking fee applies at the National Park car park and no permit is needed to walk the trails. The loop covers roughly 9km with about 300m of elevation gain, taking around three hours at a steady pace. Waymarked paths alternate between packed gravel and boardwalk sections through boggy ground, with a rockier, rooted stretch along the lake's southern shore beneath the old mining village ruins; there is no significant exposure and shade is plentiful under the ancient oak woodland that lines much of the route. Highlights along the way include the 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St Kevin at the valley entrance, the Poulanass Waterfall reached by a short spur, and views across the Upper and Lower Lakes framed by the steep glacial valley walls. The old miners' village on the lake's far shore, remnants of a 19th-century lead and zinc works, makes a natural landmark and turn-around point for those wanting a shorter walk. There are no water sources safe for drinking along the trail, though the visitor centre near the Lower Lake has toilets and a cafe. Walkers seeking a shorter option can turn back at the waterfall spur for roughly a 5km round trip.