Wicklow Mountains Private Day Tour including Glendalough

Green hills are only the beginning. This private day trip trades Dublin’s city streets for glacial lakes, quiet mountain roads, old monastic ruins, and the dramatic scenery of County Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland. I especially like the small-group format, which keeps the day personal, and the chance to combine Glendalough with the Sally Gap, Lough Tay, and the Guinness family estate.

The traditional pub lunch and one-hour guided hike also give the outing more character than a simple drive-by sightseeing trip. The main consideration is time: eight hours sounds generous, but Wicklow covers a wide area, and a full itinerary can feel busy if you want long walks or extra stops.

Key points to know before booking

• Glendalough is the main event: Explore a sixth-century monastic settlement with its round tower, two lakes, and mountain trails.
• Sally Gap brings the big views: A short guided walk offers striking views of Lough Tay and the Guinness family estate.
• The tour begins with Dublin’s coast: Depending on your pickup, the route can pass through Dun Laoghaire, Sandycove, and Dalkey.
• You travel in a private air-conditioned minivan: The group is advertised for up to six people, with a vehicle carrying a maximum of seven passengers.
• Brian is a particularly accommodating guide: His careful attention helped a family traveling with two 77-year-old parents, including assistance around the vehicle.
• The route can be adjusted: Powerscourt Waterfall, Glenmalure, and other Wicklow sights may be added by arrangement.

Why Wicklow makes a strong day trip from Dublin

Wicklow is close enough to reach from Dublin in a day, yet it feels far removed from the city. The county has broad mountain passes, lakes left by ancient ice, streams, wooded valleys, and open stretches where the view can change quickly with the weather.

That variety is the real reason to choose a private tour. You are not simply visiting one attraction. You are moving from the coast to the mountains, then into one of Ireland’s best-known early Christian sites. The route gives you a sense of how quickly Dublin gives way to open countryside.

I also like that the day begins along the South Dublin coastline rather than heading straight inland. Dun Laoghaire, Sandycove, and Dalkey each bring a different setting before the mountain portion begins. The exact stops depend on the chosen pickup and the guide’s route, so you should think of this as a suggested plan rather than a fixed bus schedule.

The trip lasts eight hours, although one description refers to a six-hour private tour. For planning purposes, use the stated eight-hour duration and confirm the starting time when you check availability. With hotel, port, and airport pickup offered, the tour can work well for a short Dublin stay or a cruise stop.

Starting along Dun Laoghaire, Sandycove, and Dalkey

Your pickup can be arranged from a Dublin hotel, Dublin Port, or Dublin Airport. That flexibility matters if you are traveling with family, arriving by ship, or trying to fit Wicklow into a limited visit.

The coastal section may pass through Dun Laoghaire, Sandycove, and Dalkey. This opening portion is less about checking off major sights and more about watching Dublin change around you. The city gives way to seaside communities before the road turns toward Wicklow’s hills.

Do not expect this to be a dedicated coastal tour. The primary purpose is the mountains and Glendalough. Still, the coastal route adds useful context and breaks up the drive. It also gives your guide a chance to tailor the early part of the day around your pickup point and interests.

The tour uses an air-conditioned minivan, with a maximum of seven passengers. The advertised price is $670 per private group of up to six, so the value improves sharply when several people share the cost. For one or two people, it is a premium day out. For a family or group of friends, the private vehicle, guide, and flexible route make the price easier to justify.

A morning stop at Avoca Handweavers

The route includes a coffee break at Avoca Handweavers, described as Ireland’s oldest wool mill. You can take a pause, look at Irish handcrafts, and browse for quality wool and other local products before heading deeper into the mountains.

This stop will appeal most if you like practical souvenirs rather than standard tourist merchandise. It is also a sensible break early in the day, especially before the mountain roads and walking sections begin.

The tradeoff is time. Shopping is not compulsory, but a stop at Avoca may reduce the time available elsewhere. If Glendalough is your priority, tell the guide how much time you want to spend here. A private tour gives you more room to make that choice than a large scheduled group.

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so the morning coffee is an out-of-pocket purchase. The same applies to handcrafts and other local items.

Sally Gap and the view toward Lough Tay

The road into Wicklow brings the most open scenery of the day. At Sally Gap, you can take a short guided walk and look across the mountains toward Lough Tay and the Guinness family estate.

This is one of the places where the tour’s private format pays off. You can pause for photos, ask questions, and set a comfortable walking pace without trying to keep up with a large crowd. The walk is described as short, but it still calls for proper footwear, especially in damp weather.

Lough Tay is famous for its dark water and pale beach-like shore, though the viewing conditions will depend on the day. The Guinness estate provides another point of interest, linking the scenery with one of Ireland’s best-known families. The area has also been used as a setting for the Vikings series and films including Braveheart and P.S. I Love You.

Those screen connections are fun, but they should remain a bonus. The reason to visit Sally Gap is the open mountain view, the fresh air, and the feeling of being far from Dublin. If the weather turns wet or cloudy, the atmosphere changes, and distant views may be limited. Bring a light rain jacket, even if the morning starts dry.

A traditional pub lunch in the middle of the day

Lunch takes place at a traditional Irish pub, where you can order local dishes such as beef and Guinness stew. Food is not included, so budget separately for the meal and drinks.

I like this arrangement because it lets you choose what suits you. A pub stop is also more relaxed than eating from a fixed tour menu. You can use it as a proper break before the afternoon visit to Glendalough.

The menu and prices are not specified, so you should not assume that beef and Guinness stew will be available every day or that lunch is included in the $670. Ask the guide about the available dishes if you have dietary needs or a strong preference.

The pub lunch also gives the day a welcome local touch. After a morning spent looking across mountain passes, sitting down for a hearty meal makes the outing feel less like a race between attractions.

Glendalough’s sixth-century monastic settlement

Glendalough is the emotional center of the tour. Set in a glacial valley, the site began as a monastic settlement associated with St Kevin, a hermit priest who came to the area in the sixth century.

The most recognizable feature is the round tower. The settlement also includes the remains of early religious buildings and sits near the lower and upper lakes. You can walk among the ruins, then continue into the valley for a stronger sense of the site’s setting.

The value of Glendalough comes from the meeting of place and history. The ruins are not isolated behind city walls. They sit beside water, woodland, and mountain slopes, helping you understand why a religious community might have chosen this remote valley.

The one-hour guided hike runs from the lower lake toward the upper lake. The route includes one of the less-used mountain trails and gives you views back across the glacial valley. This is more satisfying than arriving, taking a quick photo of the round tower, and leaving.

Still, you should be realistic about the walking. Comfortable shoes are essential, and Ireland’s rain can make paths wet. The tour does not promise a long-distance hike, but the hour on foot is a meaningful part of the day. If you have walking limitations, discuss them with the guide in advance.

Brian, one of the guides, received especially strong praise for working around the needs of a family traveling with two 77-year-old parents. His clean, well-maintained vehicle and practical assistance were also singled out, including helping the family get loaded after one of the activities. That detail suggests the guide pays attention to the small logistics that can make a private day much easier.

The return route through Wicklow National Park

The return to Dublin uses an alternate route through the national park. This matters because you are not simply retracing the same road, and the scenery can look very different from the opposite direction.

The exact return route is not fixed. Powerscourt Waterfall and Glenmalure are named as other possible points of interest in Wicklow. Since this is a suggested itinerary, you can ask about adding one of them when you contact the provider.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s strongest features, but it requires clear communication. You cannot reasonably expect every possible Wicklow stop, Glendalough, a long hike, a pub lunch, and the coast within one eight-hour day. Choose your priorities before departure.

If Glendalough is your main goal, protect enough time for the monastic site and the lake walk. If you have already seen Glendalough and want more scenery, ask about giving additional time to Powerscourt Waterfall or Glenmalure instead.

What the private price really buys you

At $670 per group of up to six, this is not the cheapest way to see Wicklow. It is a private day tour, so you are paying for the vehicle, guide, pickup service, and the ability to shape the route around your group.

For six people, the cost works out to about $112 per person before lunch, drinks, and purchases. For four people, it is about $168 each. For two, it becomes a costly outing, but you still gain privacy and a dedicated guide.

The value is strongest for families, friends, or anyone who does not want to manage rural transport connections. Pickup from a hotel, port, or airport can also save time and reduce the hassle of coordinating a separate transfer.

You should not book this expecting an all-inclusive day. Food, drinks, and local purchases are extra. The tour includes transportation and the guide, but not entry costs for anything that might be added to the suggested route.

Who will enjoy this Wicklow tour most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a broad introduction to County Wicklow without renting a car. It suits people who want scenery, Irish history, a modest walk, and a traditional lunch in one day.

It is especially useful for:

• Families who want a private vehicle and a flexible pace
• Small groups sharing the cost
• Cruise passengers with pickup from Dublin Port
• Visitors staying in Dublin who want more than a city break
• Film fans curious about locations linked with Vikings, Braveheart, and P.S. I Love You
• People who prefer a guide rather than navigating mountain roads themselves

It may not be right for you if you want a full day of strenuous hiking, a fixed photography itinerary, or a low-cost coach trip. The tour includes a guided one-hour walk, but it is not presented as a hiking expedition.

English is the stated tour language, and the group is private. The vehicle is air-conditioned and described as clean and well maintained. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a light rain jacket. Those are not decorative packing suggestions in Ireland.

Practical details before you go

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Dublin plans are still shifting.

Starting times depend on availability. Pickup is included from Dublin hotels, Dublin Port, and Dublin Airport, but you should confirm the exact location and time when booking.

The price is $670 for a group of up to six, while the minivan has a maximum capacity of seven passengers. Food, drinks, and shopping are extra. Since the route can be customized, contact Boru Irish Adventures before the day if you want to discuss Powerscourt Waterfall, Glenmalure, or another Wicklow stop.

The tour has an overall rating of five out of five from seven ratings. The praise focuses heavily on the guide, especially Brian’s kindness, flexibility, and care with older family members. That is important because a private tour succeeds or fails on the guide more than on the vehicle or route.

Should you book the Wicklow Mountains private tour?

Book it if you want Glendalough plus the wider Wicklow experience, not just a quick visit to the ruins. The combination of the South Dublin coast, Avoca Handweavers, Sally Gap, Lough Tay, a pub lunch, and the monastic valley gives you a full picture of the county.

The strongest reason to choose it is control. You can travel privately, ask for a comfortable pace, and discuss changes to the route. The main caution is cost and time. At $670, this makes the most sense for a group of several people, and you will need to prioritize if you want extra stops.

For a small group that values personal guiding, scenic roads, and a thoughtful visit to Glendalough, this is a strong choice. Pack for rain, wear shoes you can walk in, and tell the guide your priorities before setting off.

FAQ

How long is the Wicklow Mountains private tour?

The tour duration is eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are included from your chosen Dublin hotel, Dublin Port for cruise passengers, or Dublin Airport.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $670 per private group of up to six people.

How many people can join the private group?

The advertised group size is up to six people. The minivan has a maximum capacity of seven passengers.

Is food included in the tour price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Lunch takes place at a traditional Irish pub, where dishes such as beef and Guinness stew may be available.

Is a guide included?

Yes. The tour includes a local Irish guide, and the stated tour language is English.

Does the tour include a visit to Glendalough?

Yes. The tour includes time at Glendalough, a sixth-century monastic settlement with a round tower, two lakes, and nearby walking trails.

Is there a hike during the tour?

Yes. The itinerary includes a guided one-hour hike from the lower lake toward the upper lake at Glendalough.

Can the itinerary be changed?

The itinerary is a suggested plan, and the private format may allow additions such as Powerscourt Waterfall or Glenmalure. You should contact Boru Irish Adventures to discuss changes.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable walking shoes and a light rain jacket. These are important for the guided walk and changing Irish weather.