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Spend a brisk winter day exploring Glendalough, Sally Gap and the iconic Lough Tay on a smaller luxury coach with a local guide. Short walks, peatland vistas and a complimentary Glendalough Whiskey tasting make this the perfect single-day escape from Dublin.
Spend a brisk winter day exploring Glendalough, Sally Gap and the iconic Lough Tay on a smaller luxury coach with a local guide. Short walks, peatland vistas and a complimentary Glendalough Whiskey tasting make this the perfect single-day escape from Dublin.
Book with Wild Wicklow Tours
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Wild Wicklow Tours · Bromley, County Wicklow
The Winter Wild Wicklow Day Tour delivers a compact, high-elevation introduction to County Wicklow’s raw winter landscapes. Based in Bromley, County Wicklow, Ireland, this seven-hour small-group tour runs from Dublin and returns in the late afternoon, making it an easy choice for a day escape. Board a smaller luxury coach designed to thread narrow mountain roads that larger vehicles avoid. An expert local Wild Wicklow guide steers the narrative, pointing out peat bogs, glacial valleys and the corrie lakes that scar the Wicklow Mountains as you pass Sally Gap and stand beneath the crags of Luggala. The tour’s signature viewpoint looks down on Lough Tay—known as the Guinness Lake—its dark water ringed by pale sand beneath Luggala’s rocky slopes. Photography and short walks are built into the schedule, with stops chosen to maximize winter light and shelter from unpredictable weather. At Glendalough you’ll follow centuries of human story: the 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St Kevin, a surviving stone round tower and ancient churches sitting in a U-shaped valley carved by ice. Guests get free time to wander woodland paths toward the Upper Lake or to linger in the valley’s quiet geometry. The itinerary also threads through remote peatlands and heather slopes, habitat for wintering birds and the occasional red deer moving through the ridge-lines. Food is left flexible: the tour pauses in Laragh with options for a cosy pub lunch or deli counter, so you can choose a hot meal before more mountain driving. The day closes with a complimentary Glendalough Whiskey tasting—an atmospheric finish that connects the landscape to local craft. Practically, the tour runs about seven hours; minimum age is five and group size is up to 37. Meeting points are listed at wildwicklow.ie/pickup-points, and the company recommends warm layers, waterproof outerwear and stable footwear for the valley paths and uneven steps at Glendalough. Weather and road conditions guide the exact route—on stormy days the operator adapts the plan to keep the experience safe while still showing highlights. What makes this trip special is its combination of accessibility and focus: smaller coaches mean access to viewpoints larger tours miss, and a local guide gives context to the geology, ecology and monastic history. For a single day from Dublin that balances walking, storytelling, scenic drives and a taste of local whiskey, The Winter Wild Wicklow Day Tour is a compact, well-curated way into Ireland’s mountain country. Departures are scheduled to return to Dublin around 4:00 pm, leaving your evening free; fares start from €45 for adults and €35 for children (5–12). The smaller-group format and expert commentary make this winter routing especially good for travelers who want big landscapes without overnight logistics or heavy scrambling and easy access.
moderate.
7 Hours.
Moderate fitness; mostly short walks and standing at viewpoints with some uneven terrain at Glendalough
Pickup locations must be selected and confirmed in advance; full pickup points and directions are listed at wildwicklow.ie/pickup-points.
Lunch is not included. The tour stops in Laragh where a pub lunch or deli options are available at your own cost.
Minimum age is 5 years old; the tour accommodates families but check mobility needs for valley walks.
Routes may be adjusted for safety; the operator will substitute accessible stops when mountain roads are unsafe due to winter conditions.
The tour is approximately seven hours and typically returns to Dublin around 4:00 pm, giving you the evening free.
The complimentary Glendalough Whiskey tasting is optional; non-drinkers can decline or taste a small sample if they prefer.
Glendalough’s monastic settlement was founded by St Kevin in the 6th century and includes a surviving stone round tower and medieval churches.
The tour travels through sensitive peatland and upland habitats—stick to paths, pack out litter and avoid disturbing wildlife to protect these carbon-rich landscapes.
Wild Wicklow Tours, based in Bromley in County Wicklow, operates guided day trips and private tours that showcase the scenic Wicklow Mountains and the monastic valley of Glendalough. The operator's flagship experience is the Original Wild Wicklow Day Tour, described in promotional material as award-winning and run on a smaller luxury coach to deliver an off-the-beaten-path itinerary. Expert guides lead guests through dramatic landscapes, historical sites, and curated stops, concluding the day with a complimentary tasting of Glendalough Whiskey. For travelers seeking a bespoke experience, Wild Wicklow Tours runs the Private Wild Wicklow Tour, a nine-hour road trip that covers authentic Irish scenery from Killiney Hill to Glendalough. The private itinerary includes a morning coffee stop at Fitzpatrick Castle, a traditional pub lunch, and a toast with Jameson Whiskey, with time allocated for photography and relaxed exploration. The business emphasizes guest comfort and local knowledge by operating small-group luxury coach transport and employing experienced local guides. Wild Wicklow Tours operates from Bromley, County Wicklow, providing accessible departures for visitors staying in Dublin and nearby areas. Booking details, meeting points, and accessibility information are available through the operator's official channels to help visitors prepare for their day and confirm departure times.
Book with Wild Wicklow Tours