Wicklow Way landscape

Photo: Photo by Margaux Bebin on Unsplash

Wicklow Way

~6 days · 77.3 mi · hard · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance77.3 mi
Days out6
Elevation gain12,776 ft
Gain / mile165 ft
High point2,060 ft
Difficulty index38/100

What the Wicklow Way is known for

Ireland's oldest waymarked trail, climbing out of Dublin's suburbs into the Wicklow Mountains past Glendalough's monastic valley on its officially 129 km run south to Clonegal (our mapped route measures 124.5 km).

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Wicklow Way on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 154 ft to 2,005 ft over 77.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 33.6 mi · 43%
  • Downhill 25.8 mi · 33%
  • Flat 18.0 mi · 23%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the Wicklow Way?

38 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Wicklow Way scores 38/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Wicklow Way take?

Most backpackers hike the Wicklow Way in about 6 days (5 nights out) over its 77.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Wicklow Way?

The Wicklow Way climbs roughly 12,776 ft total — about 165 ft per mile, topping out near 2,060 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

Plan the Wicklow Way Plan Free →