Wicklow Mountains National Park

National Park ·🇮🇪 Ireland

Area 201 km²

Time zone Europe/Dublin

Official website www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie

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Explore Wicklow Mountains National Park

Irish Mountain Peaks

The Wicklow Mountains comprise Ireland's largest continuous upland area, characterized by rounded granite peaks and deep glacial valleys. This range includes Lugnaquilla, the highest point in the country outside County Kerry, and Kippure, which marks the border between Dublin and Wicklow. Notable features include the Turlough Hill hydroelectric station and diverse terrain ranging from heather-covered moors to steep quartzite scree slopes, providing varied hiking routes across the Arderin and Vandeleur-Lynam scaled summits.

16 places

Historic Ruins and Monuments

The Wicklow Mountains hold a diverse collection of historical sites, ranging from Neolithic passage tombs to 19th-century industrial ruins. This list features the extensive early Christian monastic settlement of Glendalough, including its unique medieval gateway and cathedral. Visitors can also find remnants of the region's mining heritage at the Glendalough and Luganure lead mines, alongside high-altitude memorials and ancient hermitages like Saint Kevin's Bed.

20 places

Lakes and Waterfalls

The Wicklow Mountains contain a diverse range of glacial water features, including the 121-meter Powerscourt Waterfall, Ireland's second-highest cascade. This collection highlights the heart-shaped Lough Ouler and the dark waters of Lough Tay, known for its white sand beach. The list spans the monastic valley of Glendalough, home to the Poulanass Waterfall and Upper Lake, as well as the high-altitude corrie lakes of Lough Bray. These sites showcase the region's granite geology and historical associations with 6th-century monastic settlements.

11 places

Climbing and Cliff Adventures

The Wicklow Mountains offer some of Ireland's premier granite climbing and technical scrambling. This collection focuses on key routes and access points concentrated around the glacial valleys of Glendalough and Glenmalure. It includes the multi-pitch challenges of Great Gully Ridge and the dramatic glacial cirques of the North and South Prisons on Lugnaquilla. These sites provide varied terrain, ranging from established approach paths to steep cliff faces suitable for abseiling and technical ascents.

10 places

Sacred Sites and Shrines

This collection features significant religious landmarks within the Wicklow Mountains, centered primarily around the monastic settlement of Glendalough and surrounding rural areas. It includes the 12th-century stone-roofed oratory known as Saint Kevin’s Kitchen and the ruins of the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul. The list also highlights historical sites of clandestine worship, such as the Mass Rock, alongside traditional Roman Catholic grottos and parish churches that reflect Ireland's spiritual heritage and architectural evolution.

5 places