a view of a valley with a river running through it

Glendalough

Walk among early Christian ruins, then follow trails beside two lakes in a glacial valley in County Wicklow.

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Glendalough is a glacial valley in County Wicklow, in Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains. Its early Christian monastic settlement is associated with St. Kevin, who founded it in the sixth century. The remains include a round tower, stone churches and a graveyard near the valley’s two lakes. Walking trails run through woodland and climb the slopes around the valley, so a visit can include both the historic site and time outdoors.

A short stop can cover the monastic remains, while a longer visit leaves time for a lakeside walk or a hillside trail. Plan on several hours for the ruins and a walk by the water; a full day gives you time for a longer route. Glendalough can work as a day trip from Dublin, but transport and your chosen walk affect how much you can fit in. Check current access and transport information before you set out, especially if you are relying on a particular route.

Glendalough in five

Park at Laragh when the valley fillsLaragh's free car park is open 8am to 8pm, and the Green Road runs 3 km from it to the Upper Lake. The valley car parks charge, and the road to the Upper Lake has double yellow lines.NPWS parking guide
Take a bus instead of the carThe privately run St Kevin's service, route 181, links Dublin city center with Glendalough. Local Link routes 183 (Arklow) and 895 (Sallins) also serve the valley; check timetables for the return.Wicklow Mountains National Park
Check the Spinc trail works firstThe White Trail (Spinc and Glenealo Valley) is being upgraded from 20 July 2026 for an expected 5 or 6 months. Trails stay open apart from one or two helicopter days, with short slow sections.Trail works notice
Give the monastic site 1 to 1.5 hoursHeritage Ireland lists an average visit of 1–1.5 hours at the visitor center and monastic city, adult entry €5. The round tower, churches and crosses are spread along the valley floor.Heritage Ireland
Do not plan on swimmingThe national park says there are no lifeguards or approved safe swimming spots in its lakes and rivers. Camping is limited to wilderness camping under the park's guidelines.

Things to do in Glendalough

See all attractions in Glendalough

An ancient graveyard with stone crosses and church

Historic site · GlendaloughReefert Church

Historic site · GlendaloughGlendalough Cathedral

Sight · GlendaloughSt Kevin's Kitchen

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to GlendaloughPut the places you like in Glendalough on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Dublin (DUB), then bus or car
Getting there: St Kevin's bus 181 from Dublin; Local Link 183 and 895
Getting around: On foot: Visitor Centre to Upper Lake is a 20-minute walk
Admission: Park free; visitor center and monastic site adult €5
Time needed: Half a day for the site and lake; a full day with the Spinc

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh8°Low5°Cold, icy paths
FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Cold, quiet
MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Longer hours
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Fresh, green
MayRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Long days
JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Busy weekends
JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Busiest, parking
AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Busiest, parking
SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Quieter, clear
OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Autumn color
NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Short days
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low6°Closed 23–29 Dec

Average daily high and low in Glendalough, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Glendalough

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 4°
Humidity: 89%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Glendalough

08:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today11°6°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue11°6°49%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 49%.
Wed10°7°35%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 35%.
Thu8°7°20%Thursday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 20%.
Fri7°5°20%Friday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 20%.
Sat10°4°31%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 31%.
Sun9°3°22%Sunday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 22%.

Updated 08:10 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Glendalough

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Dublin, IrelandSt Patrick's Festival DublinMar 13 – 17, 2027 · Read the event guide

Day trips by train

Military Road and Sally Gapa scenic drive through the parkThe park's own pick for wide mountain scenery on a historic road.
Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardenabout 15 km by roadThe National Botanic Garden of Ireland's Wicklow site, listed by Heritage Ireland as nearby.
DublinSt Kevin's bus 181 from the city centerThe usual base for a Glendalough day, with museums and pubs for the evening.Read the guide

Before you go to Glendalough

Glendalough day tripsCoach tours with time at the lakesCompare tours

Car hire for WicklowReach Sally Gap and the Upper LakeCompare cars

eSIM for WicklowBus times and trail maps offlineRead the guide

Insurance for GlendaloughCover for hill-walking injuriesRead the guide

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Rules for Glendalough, checked

Visitor center and monastic site: adult €5; open daily 9:30–18:00 from mid-March to 14 October (last admission 17:15); closed 23–29 December.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Park free in Laragh (8:00–20:00) or pay at the Visitor Centre and Upper Lake car parks; parking on the Upper Lake road is not allowed.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source

Plan around Glendalough

Dublin

Museums and pubs, with buses to the valley

Read the guide County Dublin

Howth, Dalkey and Malahide by DART

Read the guide All of Ireland

Regions, rail, driving and entry rules

Read the guide Trains, buses and cars

Getting out of Dublin without a car

Read the guide Insurance for Ireland

Cover for hill walks and weather

Read the guide

Glendalough FAQ

Can you visit Glendalough as a day trip from Dublin?

Yes. St Kevin's route 181 runs from Dublin city center to the valley, or you can drive and park at Laragh. Leave early at weekends, because traffic and parking are the main problem in sunny weather.

How long do you need at Glendalough?

Heritage Ireland lists 1–1.5 hours for the monastic site and visitor center. Add a 20-minute walk to the Upper Lake from the visitor center, and several more hours for a hill walk such as the Spinc.

Is Glendalough free?

The national park is free, though parking charges may apply. The visitor center and monastic site charge €5 for adults, and paying for parking at the Visitor Centre car park includes one free admission.

Is it safe to swim in the Glendalough lakes?

The park advises against it: there are no lifeguards or approved safe swimming spots in the lakes and rivers. The lakes are deep and glacier-carved, so treat a paddle on a hot day as the limit.

When is the best time to visit Glendalough?

Weekday mornings and shoulder months. The park says traffic and parking can be an issue in sunny weather, especially at weekends, so arrive early or park at Laragh and walk the Green Road.