Traditionally the Wicklow Way is walked from north to south, beginning at Marlay Park in south Dublin and ending in Clonegal, Co. Carlow.

Although our description outlines the route in this direction, south to north has the advantage of a couple of days getting leg muscles loosened up on the low-level terrain before heading into the more taxing mountain region.

Marlay Park is on Grange Road and is served by Dublin Bus route No.16 from Santry through Dublin city centre (O'Connell Street). A bus stop is conveniently located almost opposite the Park entrance gate.

If planning to begin at Clonegal and walk to Dublin, then the Bus Eireann Expressway service from the Dublin city-centre bus station (Busaras) at Store Street to Waterford will leave you at the village of Kildavin, just 3km from Clonegal. Alternatively, continue to the larger town of Bunclody (Clonegal 5km) to make final preparations and purchases.

Anyone setting out to walk a long distance trail such as the Wicklow Way is embarking on a serious test of physical endurance. Our Advice page contains some useful safety tips and pointers and we strongly recommend that everyone considering embarking on this walk should spend a few moments to read them and incorporate them in their pre-hike planning.