Wicklow Mountains
Glendalough: a valley beneath two lakes
Glendalough is one of the places most often named as a destination in the Wicklow Mountains. But it is more than any single thing: a valley, monastic remains, two lakes, and a road running through them.
Photograph: Superbass (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
Glendalough — the glen of the two lakes — is a valley holding two lakes, one upper and one lower. It lies within a nature park among the woods of the glen, and it matters in several different ways at once: as landscape, as history, and as a destination for people who come to walk and to travel.
What often surprises people is how enclosed the place is. The valley is fairly narrow, and the lakes sit one behind the other in a manner simpler than a grand description would suggest.
There are two lakes in the valley, and the upper one lies further in. The lower one is closer to the part where the historic buildings stand.
The round tower is the structure most readily recognised. It rises high and is built of stone. It forms part of the setting of monastic remains that reach a long way back.
Wicklow Mountains landscape, on the way to the valley. Photograph: Rob Hurson (CC BY-SA 2.0).
The road to the valley
The way to Glendalough is not a motorway route. You come by regional roads, and some stretches are narrower than others. The result is that the journey takes longer than it would elsewhere in Wicklow.
If you are coming from Dublin, the simplest route is to go south through the city and on into the wooded glen. There are signs to direct you.
What matters most is the time it takes, not the distance. It is often slower than people expect.
What you will see nearby
The mountains around the valley are among the highest parts of Wicklow. There are walking routes, and some of the finest views are to be had from high ground. We do not give walking directions — official signs and guidelines are in place.
Sally Gap lies halfway between the valley and the far side of the mountains, and it can be added to the trip if you have the time.
Parking and crowds
The place is busy through the summer and at weekends. Check official sources for parking before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How many lakes are there?
The valley has two lakes — one upper and one lower.
Can you see the valley without walking?
Some of the views can be had from points close to the car park, but seeing the valley properly calls for walking.
Is the place suitable for families?
Some routes are easy, but others are harder. Use the signs and choose according to the abilities you have with you.
Is it always open?
Check official sources. Access can be restricted according to season or events.
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Contact
m50nline, 73 Clontarf Rd, Clontarf East, Dublin 3, D03 EP93, Ireland
+353 1 833 6364