Gadalough is a region defined by its dramatic U-shaped glacial valley, surrounded by high mountains and ancient woodlands. The landscape features two iconic lakes, the Upper and Lower Gadalough Lake, which are central to the valley's natural beauty. This area offers diverse terrain, from open moorland to dense forests, making it suitable for several sports like hiking, road cycling, and touring cycling. The region's varied topography provides a range of outdoor experiences for visitors.
Gadalough…
22
Routes
4.7
(22)
Average rating
172
People visited

5.0
(7)
40
hikers
4.11km
01:03
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
5
hikers
17.4km
05:05
400m
400m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
2
hikers
4.53km
01:37
240m
240m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
27
hikers
2.10km
00:59
220m
220m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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11
riders
32.5km
01:23
200m
200m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

9
riders
60.0km
02:30
410m
410m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
5
riders
42.6km
01:51
250m
250m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

1
riders
40.7km
01:56
260m
260m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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51.9km
03:02
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

160km
09:53
1,350m
1,350m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
84.8km
05:08
590m
590m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
riders
51.7km
03:06
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Gadalough is a region offering diverse outdoor activities, primarily hiking, road cycling, and touring cycling. The area features a U-shaped glacial valley, high mountains, and ancient woodlands, providing varied terrain for exploration. Over 200 visitors have shared experiences, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars for routes in the region.
Gadalough offers nine waymarked hiking trails, from short strolls to challenging mountain climbs. Popular options include the Spinc and Glenealo Valley Walk, as well as sections of the Wicklow Way, St. Kevin's Way, and the Miner's Way. For more information, refer to the Hiking around Gadalough guide.
Yes, Gadalough provides trails suitable for beginners and those seeking easier walks. These routes often lead through ancient woodlands and along the lakes. The Easy hikes around Gadalough guide offers specific recommendations for less strenuous options.
Gadalough is known for its two iconic lakes, Upper and Lower Glendalough Lake, which are central to the valley's beauty. Other notable natural features include the Poulanass Waterfall and surrounding mountains that rise over 2,100 feet (650 meters). The region also contains some of the best-surviving native broadleaved woodlands in Wicklow.
Gadalough is home to a significant early Christian monastic settlement, founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. This 'Monastic City' features a superb round tower, medieval stone churches, and decorated crosses. These historical structures provide a unique cultural dimension to the natural landscape.
The Gadalough region offers varied road cycling routes, particularly in the higher elevations of the Wicklow Mountains. Routes often feature scenic views and lead to areas like the Wicklow Gap, Glencree, Enniskerry, and Sally Gap. Cyclists can find detailed routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Gadalough guide.
Gadalough is suitable for touring cyclists, with a network of minor roads and diverse landscapes. These routes offer scenic views and opportunities to explore the region at a more leisurely pace. The Cycling around Gadalough guide provides options for touring cyclists.
Gadalough is characterized by a dramatic U-shaped glacial valley surrounded by mountains rising over 2,100 feet (650 meters). The terrain varies from open heather moorland to dense broadleaved woodlands. This diverse topography provides a range of challenges and experiences for outdoor activities.
Gadalough is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 270 visitors having explored the region. Routes in Gadalough have an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, indicating a high level of satisfaction among users. This reflects the quality and variety of outdoor experiences available.
Komoot offers several guides to help plan adventures in Gadalough. These include Hiking around Gadalough, Road Cycling Routes around Gadalough, Cycling around Gadalough, and Easy hikes around Gadalough.
Official information for Gadalough, particularly regarding the visitor center and monastic site, can be found on the Heritage Ireland website. The official website for the region is glendalough.ie. For direct inquiries, the visitor center can be reached by phone.
The Gadalough Visitor Centre can be contacted by phone at +353 (0) 404 45325 or +353 (0) 404 45352. This number can be used for general inquiries or to book tours of the Monastic Site.

