Cassandra W.

This is such a beautiful place to coming visit! The trails are well marked, and it's fairly easy to get to the lakes and cemetery/monastic site. There are also food trucks available if you've worked up an appetite after your hike or just need some caffeine from the coffee truck. I had a wonderful breakfast sandwich with a hash brown and sausage. If you're in Dublin, make sure you stop here for a day trip!

Navin K.

This review is for the lower lake, not the monastic site, which I've reviewed separately. When we arrived at Glendalough on Day 2 of our Ireland trip earlier this year, we found the monastic site crowded with tourists. So my clever wife suggested we walk up to the lower lake and return once the crowds abated - "Glendalough means the valley between the two lakes, after all," she said. The walk up to the lower lake was an easy one. We sat on rocks by the lakeside, enjoying the refreshing breeze gently ruffling the surface of the water, watching the sun play hide and seek with the dark storm clouds that had been our constant companions all day. A mama duck and her ducklings swam around the reeds and headed straight for us. They fearlessly wandered right into our midst, taking a liking to both our girls, pecking at their shoelaces. They were delighted! After a refreshing hour by the lakeside, we decided to head back, expecting the tourist rush to have subsided by now. We walked back slowly, enjoying the lush green countryside, listening for wildlife. Just before crossing over a stream to the now empty monastic site, we spent 15 minutes watching a heron fish for its supper! Thank you Ireland, and Glendalough, for a magical and memorable experience.

Georgie M.

Glendalough was our first historical site after leaving Dublin and it is a beautiful place to visit. In walking the Glendalough grounds and it's valley of the two lakes, we were struck and reminded of the quote by John Whittier: "Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, of what might have been." Glendalough must have been an enchanting and spiritual place in its day. It's settlement was founded back in the 6th century, by St Kevin as a "Monastic City" But first came the Vikings and then The Norman Conquest and so, Glendalough has endured much hardship. Glendalough is consider the home to one of the most important monastic sites, along with it's famous Round Tower, in all of Ireland. The Glendalough Valley is located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, see Link below for more information. The main group of monastic buildings lies downstream near the Round Tower. We entered through the Gateway, which has two round headed granite arches. Its scenic lakes and valleys is beyond, as well as a selection of walks and trails in the area including The Wicklow Way we would recommend to all visitors to Ireland. It's less than an hours drive from Dublin. www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie/

Kat J.

A really beautiful area and a great walk. Some good information on sights around the area too. The lake are gorgeous and it's great for kids, dogs or anyone really. Nice little spots to grab tea or a snack too.

Neluta G.

The MOUNTAIN RESORT OF IRELAND!!!!!!! Ireland is a flat country so there are very few places with a higher altitude. This is one of them. There are several trails and options that you can take here or just stay at the bottom, walk for about 0.5 miles and enjoy the beautiful lake near by, an old cemetery and the ruins of an old Irish home, possibly the pall bearer's home. The level of steepness and difficulty of the trails is color coded. If you want the great views at the top you have to take the "white" trail which is the double diamonds version for snowboarders and skiers. If you think that you are in great shape this trail will show you quite the opposite. Make sure you have hiking boots, half of the trail is steps up, made of wood and metal, that will make the hike very uncomfortable without the right shoes. Is it worth it?????? yes, but you have to have the right shoes, plenty of water, dress in layers and be in great physical shape.

Cydney M.

Glendalough is once of those places that makes you wonder if you are awake or just dreaming. It is that beautiful. The name means the Glen of two Lakes. It is also one of the most important sites of monastic ruins in Ireland and was founded in the 6th century. It is a nice place to stroll on the foot paths or hike amongst the trees. I saw backpackers walking through there and I can imagine that camping would be nice if you don't get too soaked from the rain. There is the Glendalough Hotel right there or more B & B's in the Wicklow Mountains if camping isn't your thing. It is located inside the Wicklow Mountains National Park and it isn't too far from Dublin.

Meditations For The A.

Where to begin... I arrived at Glendalough at 11am this morning expecting a challenging day full of negative thoughts and difficult terrain. Instead I was met with views that were so stunning I started to feel like I was having a spiritual experience. How DARE Glendalough try to change how I feel. I tried to speak to a manager but there was no one on site. To counteract the positive feelings I stole a bottle of coke from the newsstand (at €3.50 a go, who are the real criminals?) Then I poured it over some magic mushrooms a gang of German hipsters were fawning over. (I'm legally not allowed to use drugs anymore so if I can't have fun no one else should be either) After I restored equilibrium to glendalough, and thus returned back into my semi-conscious state of unawareness, I felt my job here had been done and I went home on my electric scooter. Dear glendalough, if you are reading this. You have GOT to do better! Mountains are so boring. If you've seen one you've seen them all. Why not throw something new into the mix ? Drop a serial killer in there and put 12 B-list celebrities into glendalough and make a tv show out of it. I'll even sign up myself. I would run the risk of getting murdered for a half hour slot on TV3. If you can find 11 other celebrities who would get on board then that would be very impressive, but I will go in myself if needs be Namaste , Your narcissistic spirit guide, Frankie (Instagram: @meditationsfortheanxiousmind)

Melanie M.

The drive from Dublin to Glendalough along Sally's Gap and the Wicklow way is just lovely, and you will no doubt meet lots of people cycling this route, usually crazy Europeans on holiday! Glendalough itself is a big area consisting of a visitor centre with toilets and video and visual displays, a grave yard, the famous round tower, a chapel, lakes, rivers, forests and walk ways, as well as a miners town, lots of walks and hikes. There are two car parks and snack vans to feed the hungry hikers and it is perfectly fine to bring your dog along too!

Etienne B.

This place is just magical ! I knew that the Ireland's countryside is beautiful but there... I just fall in love with that place! Everything is so quiet and pure! You feel like in a movie of the middle age with amazing landscapes! You can try the trails in Wiclow Way according to you level of sportivity but every walks are accessibles. You just have to follow the arrows and to enjoy the air, the atmosphere and the nature. After a big walk, you can have a picnic on the border of one of the two lakes or in the the middle of the mountains! At night, enjoy the warm atmosphere of a typical restaurant or a bed a breakfast... Excellent to have a break during your busy year of work !!!!

Petra B.

One of my favourite nature spots in Ireland. Unfortunately not just for me, so the carparks (and sides of the road) can be very busy, especially on a sunny weekend. But the charme is, as soon as you go just a bit away from the cemetery or lakes you can enjoy the peace of the place. And even the cemetery or lakes are not THAT overcrowded. But it is a tourist attraction and locals love it so to be there on your own you should go very early in the morning or late in the evening. But then the carparks are closed. As mentioned I love the peace in Glendalough. It's quite clear to me why St. Kevin chosed to settle down here. And the amount of walks around Glendalough cater for every occasion, need, circumstamce. Easy around the lakes and cemetery, longer walks up at the waterfall and then following the signs rather to the left, manageable with some level of fitness to do Spinc or it's a very good base for a full days hike across the mountains. The latter rather in a group as that's often off track through bog but everything else you can even walk on your own - provided you have the fitness for your chosen way.

Tiffany T.

This is one of my favorite places in Ireland. I loved the scenery and calming atmosphere. Got super unlucky with the weather and it rained on and off the entire hike but once I reached Upper Lake..the sight was well worth the soaked clothes. The sun peaked out of the clouds and it was perfect. Just beautiful. I put my feet into the cold water and it was so relaxing! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone visiting Ireland.

Maire B.

Glendalough is always one of those places I recommend in Ireland when people ask me. Its in Wicklow so its not too far from Dublin. The name means Valley of the Two Lakes, and its a historic monastic settlement in a glacial valley. Its very beautiful and there's a series of marked walks around the lakes, with greater and lesser steepness. There's a visitor centre and free parking. Feeling just about fed up with being couped up for the winter, we decided to hit the road today and head to Glendalough. It was one of those lovely crisp, non raining days that you sometimes get at this time of year. We got a map in the visitor centre for 50c and asked for walk recommendations. As we said we'd like to go for about 2 hours, they suggested the orange walk. It took us a little over two hours and was quite steep in parts, but we got fantastic views of the valley and monastry from above. There's a good few shorter, flatish walks if you prefer less exertion, but there's also serious hikes if you feel that way inclined. You still get beautiful views down by the lakes even if you don't take a walk up the mountainside. You'll see lots of people especially on weekends - families, couples, ramblers and people just walking their dogs. Definitely a high point of 'the Garden of Ireland'

Alexandra M.

Every tourist and inhabitant in Ireland should find the time to visit Glendalough in Wicklow. And I don't mean that you should squeeze it into your busy schedule. Instead, make a day trip out of it so you have the time to appreciate this site. The Irish name Glendalough can be translated into English as the "Glen of the two lakes". Situated in the Wicklow Mountains, it takes two hours by bus to get here. Driving is perhaps preferable because you can take a more scenic route. This glen is rich in beauty and history. There are a number a nature trails, a river and two lakes. When the weather is good, it's the ideal retreat for people who like relaxation and the outdoor. In the summertime, many people have picnics and go for a swim. The Monastic site and the Round Tower are world famous and date back to the 6th Century when Ireland was introduced to Christianity. St. Kevin settled in this glen and there are many traces of his occupancy. Today, the site is in ruins and curious visitors can inspect Celtic crosses, gravestones and the old foundation of churches.