2025 Wicklow Way Itinerary

Please hold all of this lightly. Things may need to change here and there. This page will be updated with details as they are confirmed until the day John leaves for Ireland. Something missing? Feel free to text John with any questions.

Monday —

23 June 2025

Today we all meet in Bunclody. The “Getting There” page in the Pilgrim Portal will help you navigate from Dublin. Once you get off the bus, continue walking down the road for about 400 feet until you get to Meadows BnB. John should be there to greet you, but if he’s not there for some reason, you can check in with the woman who runs the BnB, “Phil.”

  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner are independent.

  • Laundry available at Kiosk.

  • ATM in Bunclody

  • Credit Cards Accepted

Tuesday —

24 June 2025

Today is a rest day to recover from your travel. Sleep in and enjoy Phil’s breakfast. Grab lunch at a local restaurant and then we have our first rehearsal at 2pm. Independent dinner and then a good night’s rest.

  • Lunch, dinner are independent.

  • Laundry available at Kiosk.

  • ATM in Bunclody

  • Credit Cards Accepted

Wednesday

25 June 2025

Walking Stage 1 - Clonegal to Boley (near Shillelagh)

Estimated Distance: 20KM

Estimated Ascent: 500m (two major ascents)

Rating: Difficult

We begin today by making our own lunches and taking a short cab ride from Bunclody to Clonegal. We’ll stop for a picture before walking north. Today we walk close to 20 kilometers. You’ll watch for the little yellow man waymarker and/or brown signs indicating the pathway. The signs can get lost in the undergrowth, so keep watch! The first third of the hike is on tarmac. Our first climb comes soon after we leave the tarmac and ascend Ureland’s Hill. Upon descending Ureland’s Hill, we’ll rejoin the tarmac for 3-4 km before our second ascent up Stokeen Hill. We’ll wind our way back down to join another road for the final 3-4 kilometers of the day. We will be joined by a cab that will return us to Meadow’s BnB for the evening.

  • Breakfast included. Lunch included, but you make your own sandwiches. Dinner independent.

  • Laundry available at Kiosk.

  • ATM in Bunclody

  • Credit Cards Accepted

Thursday

26 June 2025

Walking Stage 2 - Boley to Kyle’s Farmhouse (near Moyne)

Estimated Distance - 25KM

Estimated Ascent - 500m (3 major ascents)

Rating: Difficult

Today also begins with making our lunch, a cab ride, and walking on the tarmac. In addition, you’ll bring down your bags for the first baggage transfer. Early in the walk, we pass St. Finian’s church. After 6-7km and our first slight ascent, we’ll pass the famous Dying Cow pub before continuing on the tarmac. Our second ascent of the day takes up Muskeagh Hill and eventually across Route 747, which roughly marks the halfway point for this long day. We continue on grassy tracks and through some beech woodland as we skirt Ballycumber Hll (which is our largest ascent of the day) before finally walking the gravel road up to Kyle’s Farmhouse for dinner, expertly provided by Margaret.

  • Breakfast included. Lunch included, but you make own sandwiches. Dinner is together at Kyle’s Farmhouse, but is not included (€25). Guinness (€5) and wine (€15 per bottle) available at Kyle’s.

  • Laundry available (€5).

  • Credit Cards Accepted

  • No ATM

  • We will pay expenses with the Vox Card and you can pay for your meal, laundry, and drinks here.

Friday

27 June 2025

Walking Stage 3 - Kyle’s Farmhouse to Glenmalure

Estimated Distance- 26KM

Estimated Ascent - 800m (2 major ascents)

Rating: Very Difficult

Today is one of the harder days on the trail. We begin on some minor roads before climbing steeply into the woods, up Sheilstown Hill. We’ll aim to reach the Iron Bridge for lunchtime and a short break before making one of our major ascents of the entire hike up Carrickashane Mountain, or as it is known amongst Vox pilgrims, “shit-fuck hill.” In less than 3 km, we’ll ascend roughly 300 meters before continuing upward another 100 meters over the next 4-5km. The final 6 km or so will bring us into the valley of Glenmalure. This is technically the halfway point, indicated by a marker. We’ll stay the Glenmalure Lodge where we can have dinner and pints!

  • Breakfast, lunch included. Dinner is Independent.

  • Dinner: downstairs from 7:00pm. Last orders at 8:30pm. We have tables being held for us, so you’ll want to indentify yourself as part of our group.

  • No Laundry.

  • Credit Cards Accepted

  • No ATM

Saturday

28 June 2025

Walking Stage 4 - Glenmalure to Glendalough

Estimated Distance - 13KM

Estimated Ascent - 520m (1 major ascent)

Rating: Medium Difficult

We are joined by the members of the Irish Camino Society today! Breakfast begins at 8am and we’ll try to leave at 9am. Today’s shorter hike is in two halves. The first half is a long, steady ascent out of the valley as we walk toward Lugduff Gap. Then the way drops steadily as we descend into Glendalough for 8-9 KM. Be prepared to stay closer together as we navigate through the crowds visiting the old monastic site and make our way to the comfortable Glendalough Hotel for a much-needed time of sabbath and a full day rest.

  • Breakfast, lunch is included. Dinner is independent.

  • Dinner reservations made at front desk upon our arrival.

  • No Laundry

  • Credit Card Accepted

  • ATM in Laragh (20 minute walk)

Sunday

29 June 2025

Today is a sabbath day. Spend an easy morning in the wandering the ruins of Glendalough or resting at the hotel. Around 10:30am we will walk 2 KM to St. Kevin’s Church where we sing for mass at 11:30am. Then we’ll go just across the way for lunch at Lynham’s at Laragh (1pm reservation). Then we’ll walk back into town for ritual at St. Mary’s before getting ready to return to the Wicklow Way tomorrow.

  • Breakfast included. Lunch and Dinner are independent.

  • No Laundry

  • Credit Card Accepted

  • ATM in Laragh

Monday

30 June 2025

Walking Stage 5 - Glendalough to Lus Mor (near Roundwood)

Estimated Distance - 18KM

Estimated Ascent - 500m

Rating: Medium Difficult (2 major ascents)

We’re welcomed back to the Wicklow Way with two quick ascents in less than 6km. Once we’ve reached the Shelter at the top of Paddock Hill, we’ve done most of our climbing for the day. We descend on gentle tracks and roads to Old Bridge, near Lough Dan and will continue on roads to our stop for the evening, Lus Mor Bed and Breakfast. Around 6:30pm we’ll take a cab into Roundwood for a 7pm dinner at the Roundwood Inn.

  • Breakfast and sack lunch included. Dinner is together but is not included (price currently being negotiated as of 6/8). Cash bar at Lus Mor.

  • Laundry available for €10 (2023 Rate).

  • No credit cards.

  • No ATM

  • CASH NEEDED FOR HOT BREAKFAST, AND DRINKS, POSSIBLY LAUNDRY?

Tuesday

1 July 2025

Walking Stage 6 - Lus Mor to Kockree Hostel

Estimated Distance - 15KM

Estimated Ascent - 500m (2 major ascents)

Rating: Difficult

We begin today with another ascent. We’ll start on the road and climb steadily upward before turning into the forest for a climb overlooking Lough Tay. After a short rest and a picture, we’ll continue north, up White Hill. Exposed and bare, White Hill is among the more treacherous spots on the Wicklow Way. While railroad ties will aid us through the bog on the ascent, there us open trekking on rocky terrain as we descend. We eventually reach a footbridge, which is followed by another steep ascent before turning right into the Powerscourt Estate. After walking through the estate, including views of Powerscourt Waterfall, there are another 3-4KM of walking through the Crone Woods and then finally through lush ferns, by the Mother Tree, and up to Knockree Hostel, our most rustic accommodation. We may possible have an extended rehearsal in the community room (TBA).

  • Breakfast and sack lunch included. Dinner is is pizza delivered to Knockcree

  • Cards accepted

  • Towels are €3

  • No ATM

Wednesday

2 July 2025

Walking Stage 7 - Knockcree to Marlay Park

Estimated Distance - 22km

Estimated Ascent - 600m

Rating: Difficult (2 major ascents)

Today we head north, through the Curtlestown Wood and make our first big ascent of the day up Glencullen Mountain, providing views of the Sugarloaf before zigzagging downwards through the Glencullen forest. We’ll stop at Boranaraltry Bridge for a time before following busy R116 for a few kilometers and turning right, up Two Rock Mountain for our final ascent on the Wicklow Way. There is an optional out-and-back spur up to Fairy Castle, which adds some elevation and provides views of the bay. Upon reaching the north side of Two Rock Mountain, we’ll stop together for a final moment of solitude before descending into Dublin. The walk from Two Rock Mountain to Marley park is a long 6-7 km that includes a steep descent on gravel roads, then tarmac through an affluent neighborhood. We’ll cross underneath the highway and then navigate to the far end of Marlay Park to the Wicklow Way finish stone for a final picture. From here we will call taxis Taylor’s Three Rock, where our bags are waiting for us.

  • Breakfast and lunch included.

Thursday

3 July 2025

Dublin! We’ll have an afternoon rehearsal at St. James Church from 1:30-3:30pm. Today is our Final Sing. We’ll have an afternoon sing at St. James beginning at 7:30pm (an hour-ish calletime - tba) for members of the Irish Camino Society and their friends. After the Final Sing we will go across the way to Harkin’s Pub and enjoy time with each other and the Irish Camino Society. Then we say goodbye — and the real work of the pilgrimage begins upon our journey home.

People need wild places.  Whether or not we think we do, we do.  We need to be able to taste grace and know again that we desire it.  We need to experience a landscape that is timeless, whose agenda moves at the pace of speciation and glaciers.  To be surrounded by a singing, mating, howling commotion of other species, all of which love their lives as much as we do ours, and none of which could possibly care less about us in our place.  It reminds us that our plans are small and somewhat absurd.        BARBARA KINGSOLVER, Small Wonder