The Wicklow Way begins at the car park adjacent to Marlay House, with its courtyard of interesting craft workshops and a pleasant little coffee shop. The trail wanders through the delightful sylvan surroundings of this fine suburban public park, before tunnelling under the M50 motorway to begin the walk's first ascent southwards towards the Dublin hills and the first of several forest vistas (this one predominantly of communication masts!).
Passing Kilmashogue, Fairy Castle (536m), Two Rock and Tibradden mountains the trail descends to reach the Glencullen road at Ballybrack after 9 km. Walking eastwards along the road, the route then turns south (A diversion of 2km eastwards will take the weak-willed to Johnny Fox's world-famous pub and also an occasional bus service back to the city!) to cross the Glencullen River. The hike then begins the ascent towards Prince William's Seat (555m) followed by a zigzag descent to the Enniskerry road at about 17km, directly north of Knockree Hill.
The pleasant village of Enniskerry is 4km to the east and together with the Knockree area offers a number of accommodation options.
