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- Glendalough Monastic City & Round Tower — A compact slice of 6th-century Ireland: stone churches, high crosses and the iconic round tower that survived Viking raids. It’s the cultural heart of the valley, where the hush between the trees and mossy graves gives the place a real sense of history you won’t get on more commercial trails.
- Poulanass Waterfall — A pretty, mossy cascade tucked into a wooded ravine just a short walk from the monastic site. The sound and close-up view of tumbling water feel unexpectedly wild for such an accessible spot, and it’s a great place to cool off and listen to the forest for birds and the odd clap of sheep bells.
- The Spinc Boardwalk & Cliff Viewpoint — A dramatic ridge walk with wooden boardwalks that leads to jaw-dropping panoramas over the Upper Lake and
- Glendalough Monastic City & Round Tower — A compact slice of 6th-century Ireland: stone churches, high crosses and the iconic round tower that survived Viking raids. It’s the cultural heart of the valley, where the hush between the trees and mossy graves gives the place a real sense of history you won’t get on more commercial trails.
- Poulanass Waterfall — A pretty, mossy cascade tucked into a wooded ravine just a short walk from the monastic site. The sound and close-up view of tumbling water feel unexpectedly wild for such an accessible spot, and it’s a great place to cool off and listen to the forest for birds and the odd clap of sheep bells.
- The Spinc Boardwalk & Cliff Viewpoint — A dramatic ridge walk with wooden boardwalks that leads to jaw-dropping panoramas over the Upper Lake and the Wicklow Mountains; steep drop-offs and granite crags give the route serious theatre. It’s my personal favorite — best at golden hour and rewarding if you like wide, expansive views that feel bigger than the map.
- Upper Lake — Wilder and quieter than the Lower Lake, the Upper Lake sits in a glacial corrie that makes for moody reflections and prime solitude when the mist rolls in. Hike the shore paths for photo opportunities and the chance to spot more solitary wildlife — foxes, various birds and, if you’re lucky and quiet, sika deer sightings.
- Glenealo Valley & Corrie Scenery — Rougher terrain and steep-sided corries give this part of Glendalough a more mountainous, alpine feel compared with the lake walks. Pebbly streams, scree slopes and open expanses make it stand out from gentler wooded trails, and it’s where you really notice the glacial shaping of the landscape.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.