Wicklow Mountains National Park is situated just south of Dublin. It is the largest of Ireland’s six National Parks and the only one located in the east of the country. The Wicklow Mountains form the largest continuous upland area in Ireland. They occupy the whole centre of County Wicklow and stretch outside its borders into Counties Carlow, Wexford and Dublin.
Where the mountains extend into County Dublin, they are known locally as the Dublin Mountains. Their highest peak is Lugnaquilla at 925 metres (3,035 feet).
The National Park extends over much of the Wicklow mountains. Flowing streams go into the deep lakes of the wooded valleys and continue their way into the surrounding land.
Each year, more than one million visitors are said to explore this region. Two routes cross from east to west: the Wicklow Gap and the Sally Gap. The most visited area found along the Wicklow Gap is the scenic Glendalough Valley where the ancient monastic settlement of St. Kevin is located. Founded in the late 6th century, this was an important centre of the Early Church in Ireland.
Another popular attraction in this region is the Powerscourt Waterfall. The tallest waterfall in Ireland, it spans at 121 metres (397 feet). It’s a favorite destination for family picnics and is located just 5km from Powerscourt House & Gardens.
Wicklow Mountains National Park is an outdoor enthusiasts dream come true with plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, running, climbing and more. Nature lovers enjoy being on the lookout for local birds like the chaffinch, cuckoo, raven and the willow warbler. An easy way to access so much of what the Wicklow Mountains National Park offers is the Wicklow Way. This self-guided walking trail is filled with beautiful scenery, so you’ll want to have your camera ready at all times. It’s comprised of upland lakes, steep-sided glacial valleys, forests, and of course, the mountains, themselves. The path begins in Dublin’s suburb Rathfarnham and continues south-west through to Clonegal.
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