Located to the south of Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains National Park 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. These mountains span beautifully across the heart of County Wicklow and extend beyond its boundaries into the neighbouring counties of Carlow, Dublin and Wexford.
Whether you are a nature enthusiast or looking for a peaceful escape in the countryside, you can too be apart of the more than one million visitors who are said to explore this region annually. While it is a nature lovers paradise, it is also a movie lovers delight. You might recognize the Wicklow mountains from scenes in the movies’ “PS I Love You” and “Braveheart“.
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). Flowing streams go into the deep lakes of the wooded valleys and continue their way into the surrounding land.
You may also stumble upon historic sites here such as 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’s a favorite destination for family picnics and is located just 5km from Powerscourt House & Gardens.
Wicklow Mountains National Park is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city 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.
The Wicklow Way is self guided walking route which offers lots of picturesque views, a photographers haven, making it essential to keep your camera at the ready. Taking this trail will allow you to encounter upland lakes, steep glacial valleys and woodlands. The path begins in Dublin’s suburb Rathfarnham and continues south-west through to Clonegal.
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