Escape the city and discover the beauty of the Garden of Ireland on a private day tour from Dublin to Wicklow Mountains. This full-day journey brings you into one of Ireland’s most scenic landscapes, where mountain roads, glacial valleys, ancient monastic ruins, grand gardens, waterfalls and cinematic viewpoints come together in one unforgettable day.
Visit the world-famous Glendalough Monastic Site, walk beside the lakes in a valley shaped by ice and legend, explore the elegant Powerscourt House & Gardens, feel the spray of Powerscourt Waterfall, and stop above Lough Tay, the famous “Guinness Lake” viewpoint.
With private transport, your own driver-guide and flexible pacing, this tour is ideal for visitors who want to experience the Wicklow Mountains in comfort, without worrying about routes, parking, tickets, timing or mountain-road driving.
Tour Highlights
✅ Wicklow Mountains National Park – Travel through Ireland’s largest National Park and the only National Park in the east of the country. The park stretches across almost 23,000 hectares south of Dublin, with wide-open vistas, winding mountain roads, streams, wooded valleys and deep lakes.
✅ Glendalough Monastic Site – Explore one of Ireland’s most atmospheric early Christian landscapes. Heritage Ireland describes Glendalough as the foundation of St Kevin, which became one of the most famous religious centres in Europe, with a round tower, medieval stone churches and decorated crosses.
✅ Glendalough Lakes and Valley Walks – Enjoy time by the Lower Lake and Upper Lake, with options for a gentle lakeside stroll or a longer walk depending on your pace. The National Park lists nine way marked trails in Glendalough, ranging from short walks to longer hikes.
✅ Powerscourt House & Gardens – Visit one of Ireland’s most beautiful estates. Powerscourt describes its gardens as 47 acres of landscaped gardens with formal gardens, terraces, ornamental lakes, statues, hidden hollows and walking paths.
✅ Powerscourt Waterfall – Experience Ireland’s highest waterfall, set in beautiful parkland and rich in local wildlife. Powerscourt notes that the waterfall is a separate destination from the gardens and is about 6 km from Powerscourt Estate.
✅ Lough Tay / Guinness Lake Viewpoint – Stop above one of Wicklow’s most photographed views. Visit Wicklow notes that Lough Tay is famous for its dark water, bright white northern beach and mountain setting, but also states that the lake itself is private property and cannot be visited directly.
✅ Private and flexible experience – Travel at your own pace, with time for photos, coffee, lunch, short walks, extra time at Glendalough, or optional scenic stops depending on weather and your interests.
Tour Overview
Duration: Usually around 8 hours, depending on pickup location, traffic, walking pace, lunch, attraction access and optional stops.
Start / End: Dublin hotel, Dublin Airport, Dublin Port or another agreed Dublin pickup and drop-off point.
Route: Dublin → Powerscourt House & Gardens → Powerscourt Waterfall → lunch stop → Glendalough Monastic Site and lakes → Sally Gap / Lough Tay viewpoint → optional Glenmacnass or scenic mountain stop → Dublin.
Transport: Private comfortable vehicle with professional driver-guide.
Pace: Easy to moderate. Powerscourt Gardens involve gentle walking, Glendalough has uneven surfaces around the monastic site and lakes, and mountain viewpoints may be exposed to wind, rain or changing weather. Heritage Ireland lists uneven walkways at Glendalough, while the National Park notes that Glendalough has trails ranging from short walks to longer hikes.
Best for: First-time visitors, couples, families, senior travellers, photographers, garden lovers, nature lovers, history enthusiasts and visitors who want a classic Wicklow Mountains private tour from Dublin.
Because this is a private tour, the day can be adjusted depending on weather, daylight, mobility, opening times and your preferred pace.
Detailed Itinerary
Morning – Dublin Pickup and Journey South to Wicklow
Your private Wicklow Mountains day tour begins with pickup from your Dublin hotel, airport, port or agreed location. After meeting your driver-guide, we leave the city and travel south towards County Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland.
As Dublin fades behind us, the landscape begins to change. City streets give way to green hills, woodland, mountain roads and the softer pace of rural Wicklow.
Your guide will introduce the story of the day: the great estates of North Wicklow, the ancient monastic world of Glendalough, the landscape of Wicklow Mountains National Park and the mountain passes that connect some of the county’s most beautiful places.
This is not just a transfer from Dublin to Glendalough. It is a full scenic journey through gardens, waterfalls, valleys, lakes and viewpoints.
First Stop – Powerscourt House & Gardens
Our first major stop is Powerscourt House & Gardens, one of the most elegant estate landscapes in Ireland. The setting is immediately memorable: a grand house façade, formal terraces, sweeping lawns, mountain views and carefully designed garden spaces.
The gardens cover 47 acres and include a variety of landscaped features such as formal gardens, terraces, statues, ornamental lakes, secret hollows and rambling walks. Powerscourt also describes the estate as conveniently located about 30 minutes from Dublin, which makes it a natural first stop on a Wicklow Mountains private day tour.
During your visit, we can explore the parts of the gardens that interest you most:
Italian Garden and terraces – classic views back towards the house and across the gardens.
Japanese Garden – a quieter, more intimate section with winding paths and seasonal colour.
Walled Garden – ideal for guests who enjoy plants, flowers and garden design.
Tower Valley and Pepperpot Tower area – a more exploratory section of the estate.
Pet Cemetery – one of the more unusual and memorable corners of the gardens.
Avoca Terrace Café and shops – a good place for coffee, light refreshments or Irish design browsing.
This stop works especially well early in the day because it gives the tour a graceful opening before we continue deeper into the mountains.
Late Morning – Powerscourt Waterfall
Next, we continue to Powerscourt Waterfall, a dramatic natural stop located separately from Powerscourt House & Gardens. Powerscourt states that the waterfall is about 6 km from the gardens and is best reached by car or local transport, which is why it fits so well into a private tour.
The waterfall is described by Powerscourt as the highest in Ireland, set in beautiful parkland with local wildlife, walking space, picnic areas and visitor facilities.
This is a different type of experience from the gardens. The house and gardens feel elegant and designed; the waterfall feels wilder, louder and more elemental. Guests usually enjoy time for photos, a short stroll, and a few quiet moments listening to the sound of the water falling through the wooded valley.
For families, this can be a very enjoyable stop because there is space to walk and move around. For photographers, it offers one of the strongest natural images of the day.
Lunch Stop – Enniskerry, Laragh, Roundwood or a Traditional Pub
After Powerscourt, we pause for lunch or refreshments. Depending on timing, weather and your preferences, your guide may recommend a stop in Enniskerry, Laragh, Roundwood or another suitable village or pub on the route.
This break keeps the day relaxed and gives you time to enjoy the local atmosphere before the afternoon section of the tour. Some guests prefer a traditional pub lunch, others prefer a café, and some prefer a quicker stop so they can spend more time walking at Glendalough.
Because this is a private tour, lunch can be planned around your pace rather than a fixed coach-tour schedule.
Afternoon – Glendalough Monastic Site
After lunch, we continue to Glendalough, one of the most famous and atmospheric places in Ireland.
Glendalough means the “Valley of the Two Lakes” and the setting is part of what makes it unforgettable: a glaciated valley, ancient stone buildings, wooded slopes, mountain views, rivers and lakes. Heritage Ireland explains that St Kevin founded a monastery here in the sixth century and that Glendalough became one of the most famous religious centres in Europe.
At the monastic site, we explore the main features of the old “Monastic City” including:
The Round Tower – one of the most iconic sights in Glendalough.
St Kevin’s Church – often called “St Kevin’s Kitchen” because of its small stone belfry.
The Cathedral ruins – a powerful reminder of Glendalough’s religious importance.
Decorated crosses and graveyard – details that connect the site with pilgrimage, memory and devotion.
The old gateway area – part of the historic entrance to the monastic settlement.
Stories of St Kevin – the hermit, saint and founder whose legend still shapes the valley.
Heritage Ireland also highlights St Kevin’s Bed, a small cave above the Upper Lake traditionally associated with the saint, while noting that it may actually be a much older prehistoric burial place.
This stop gives the tour its historical and spiritual heart. Powerscourt shows designed beauty; Glendalough shows ancient Ireland, faith, solitude and survival in a mountain valley.
Glendalough Lakes and Walking Time
After the monastic site, we include time to experience Glendalough’s lakes. This is often the part of the day that guests remember most: quiet water, mountain slopes, trees, reflections and a sense of calm that feels far away from Dublin.
The Glendalough Valley lies within Wicklow Mountains National Park and the official Glendalough visitor information describes the valley as offering a world-famous monastic site, scenic lakes and valleys and a selection of walks and trails, including the Wicklow Way.
Depending on your interests and mobility, we can choose:
A gentle Lower Lake stroll – best for a relaxed visit.
A walk towards the Upper Lake – ideal for classic scenery.
A longer lakeside route – for guests who want more walking time.
Visitor Center time – useful for guests who want more context and facilities.
Extra photo stops – for guests focused on scenery and atmosphere.
The National Park lists nine way-marked trails in Glendalough, from short walks to longer hikes so this is the easiest part of the tour to adjust around your group’s walking level.
Scenic Drive – Sally Gap, Military Road and Lough Tay
After Glendalough, we continue through the Wicklow Mountains on one of the most scenic parts of the day. Depending on the route, weather and road conditions, we may travel via Sally Gap, Military Road, Lough Tay and nearby mountain viewpoints.
Sally Gap is one of two east-to-west passes across the Wicklow Mountains. Visit Wicklow describes it as a mountain crossroads with spectacular views of blanket bog and the Wicklow Mountains, connecting roads towards Dublin, Blessington, Glendalough and Roundwood.
This part of the tour is all about the journey: wide skies, open mountain roads, heather, bogland, sheep, lakes, hidden valleys and sudden viewpoints that make Wicklow feel wild even though it is so close to Dublin.
Final Scenic Stop – Lough Tay / Guinness Lake Viewpoint
One of the most popular photo stops on this route is Lough Tay, often called Guinness Lake. Visit Wicklow describes Lough Tay as one of Wicklow’s most photographed locations, along with Glendalough. The dark water, mountain setting and bright white beach on the northern side create the famous visual comparison with a pint of Guinness.
It is important to set expectations correctly: we do not go down to the lake itself. Lough Tay is on private property and cannot be visited directly. The experience is focused on the viewpoint above the lake, especially from the Military Road area, where visitors can enjoy the classic Wicklow Mountains view.
This is a perfect final scenic moment before returning to Dublin: a dramatic mountain lake, a famous photo stop, and a reminder of why Wicklow is one of Ireland’s most loved landscapes.
Optional Stop – Glenmacnass Waterfall
If time, weather and route allow, we can include a short stop at Glenmacnass Waterfall – a scenic photo stop on the upland route between Sally Gap, Laragh and Glendalough.
Optional Scenic Route – Wicklow Gap
For some itineraries, especially if guests want a broader mountain-road experience, the Wicklow Gap can be used as an alternative or additional scenic route. Visit Wicklow describes the Wicklow Gap Road as a 26 km section between Hollywood and Laragh and one of only two routes crossing the Wicklow Mountains from east to west.
Late Afternoon – Return to Dublin
After a full day of gardens, waterfalls, mountain roads, lakes and ancient monastic history, we return to Dublin.
On the journey back, your guide can answer questions, share more local stories and recommend restaurants, pubs or evening activities for your return to the city.
Drop-off is at your Dublin hotel, airport, port or agreed location.
What Makes Each Stop Special?
Wicklow Mountains National Park – Ireland’s Ancient Wilderness Close to Dublin
The Wicklow Mountains feel remote, but they are close enough to Dublin to make a full private day tour very rewarding. The National Park stretches across almost 23,000 hectares and includes wide-open mountain views, streams, wooded valleys and deep lakes. It is also the largest National Park in Ireland and the only one in the east of the country.
Glendalough – Saints, Scholars and the Valley of the Two Lakes
Glendalough is the emotional center of the tour. It brings together history, spirituality and scenery in a way few places can match.
The sixth-century foundation of St Kevin became one of the most famous religious centres in Europe and the surviving Monastic City includes a round tower, medieval churches and decorated crosses. The valley setting, with two lakes and surrounding mountains, gives the site a uniquely peaceful atmosphere.
Glendalough is not just a photo stop. It is one of Ireland’s great sacred landscapes — a place of saints, lakes, ruins, mountain silence and stories.
Powerscourt House & Gardens – Designed Beauty in the Wicklow Foothills
Powerscourt adds elegance and color to the tour. It is very different from Glendalough, which makes the itinerary feel balanced.
The gardens cover 47 acres and include formal terraces, ornamental lakes, statues, hidden hollows and walking paths. The estate also offers the Avoca Terrace Café and Irish design shopping, making it a comfortable and attractive stop for visitors who enjoy gardens, architecture, food and design.
A graceful opening to the day — landscaped gardens, mountain views, elegant terraces and time to enjoy one of Wicklow’s most beautiful estates.
Powerscourt Waterfall – Ireland’s Highest Waterfall
Powerscourt Waterfall gives the tour a strong nature moment without requiring a long hike. The waterfall is set in beautiful parkland rich in local wildlife and is considered as one the highest waterfalls in Ireland.
It is important to mention that the waterfall is not inside the main gardens. It is about 6 km from the gardens and is a separate destination, which makes private transport especially useful.
Lough Tay – The Famous Guinness Lake Viewpoint
Lough Tay is one of the most recognisable Wicklow views. Its dark water, white beach and mountain setting make it a favourite photo stop and according to Visit Wicklow it is one of the most photographed locations in the county.
We stop at the viewpoint above Lough Tay. The lake itself is private property and cannot be visited directly.
Why Book This as a Private Tour?
A private day tour from Dublin to Wicklow Mountains gives visitors a smoother, more personal experience than trying to combine these places independently.
The route includes several separate sites: Powerscourt Gardens, Powerscourt Waterfall, Glendalough, mountain roads and Lough Tay viewpoints. Powerscourt itself notes that the waterfall is a separate destination about 6 km from the gardens, and Lough Tay can only be viewed from above because the lake is on private property. These details are exactly why a private driver-guide makes the day easier.
With your own guide, the day can be adjusted around your interests. Garden lovers can spend more time at Powerscourt. History lovers can go deeper at Glendalough. Photographers can prioritise Lough Tay and Sally Gap. Families or seniors can keep the walks gentle. More active guests can request extra walking time at Glendalough.
This tour works because it combines four classic Wicklow experiences in one day:
Garden beauty at Powerscourt
Natural drama at Powerscourt Waterfall
Ancient spirituality at Glendalough
Mountain scenery at Sally Gap and Lough Tay
Important Booking and Access Notes
Powerscourt House & Gardens and Powerscourt Waterfall are separate visitor areas. The waterfall is located about 6 km from the gardens and is best reached by car, which makes it very suitable for a private tour itinerary.
Lough Tay is a viewpoint stop only. The lake itself is on private property and cannot be visited.
Glendalough is open year-round, but walking conditions, facilities, trail access and weather can vary.
Because Wicklow is a mountain landscape, the exact route may be adjusted for weather, road conditions, daylight and visitor comfort. Your guide will choose the best available route and viewpoints on the day.
What’s Included
Included
Private transport from Dublin
Professional driver-guide
Hotel, airport or port pickup and drop-off
Stop at Powerscourt House & Gardens
Stop at Powerscourt Waterfall
Lunch / refreshment stop planning
Visit to Glendalough Monastic Site
Glendalough lake walk or viewpoint time
Lough Tay / Guinness Lake viewpoint
Flexible pacing and local storytelling
Assistance with attraction planning and timing
Not Included Unless Stated in Your Quote
Powerscourt Gardens admission
Powerscourt Waterfall admission
Glendalough Visitor Centre admission
Lunch, snacks and drinks
Optional extra entrance fees
Optional special experiences
Gratuities
Optional Add-ons Around Wicklow
Johnnie Fox’s Pub
A traditional pub lunch or refreshment stop can be added if timing and route allow. Your existing page already lists Johnnie Fox’s as an optional experience in the Wicklow Mountains itinerary.
Sheepdog Demonstration
A sheepdog demonstration can add a strong rural-life experience to the tour. Your current page already lists an Irish working sheepdog experience as an optional Wicklow add-on.
Kilmacurragh Botanical Gardens
Kilmacurragh can work well for guests who love gardens and plants. Your current page already lists Kilmacurragh Botanical Gardens as one of the optional Wicklow day tour additions.
Beyond the Trees Avondale
This can be a good optional stop for families or guests who want a treetop walking experience. Your existing page already lists the tree-top walk as an optional Wicklow tour activity.
Russborough House
Russborough House can be added for guests interested in Georgian architecture, interiors and Blessington Lakes scenery. Your current page already lists Russborough House and Gardens as one of the possible Wicklow day tour options.
FAQ
Is this a private day tour from Dublin to Wicklow Mountains?
Yes. This is a private day tour from Dublin to Wicklow Mountains, including highlights such as Powerscourt Gardens, Powerscourt Waterfall, Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains National Park and Lough Tay / Guinness Lake viewpoint.
How long is the tour?
The tour usually takes around 8–9 hours, depending on pickup location, traffic, walking pace, lunch, attraction access and optional stops.
Do we visit Glendalough?
Yes. Glendalough is one of the main stops on this tour. The visit usually includes the Monastic Site, the round tower area and time near the lakes. Heritage Ireland describes Glendalough as a sixth-century foundation of St Kevin and one of Europe’s famous religious centres.
Can we spend more time walking at Glendalough?
Yes. Glendalough is the easiest part of the itinerary to adjust for extra walking time. Wicklow Mountains National Park lists nine way-marked trails in Glendalough, ranging from short walks to longer hikes.
Do we visit Powerscourt Gardens?
Yes. Powerscourt House & Gardens is one of the main stops. The gardens cover 47 acres and include formal gardens, terraces, ornamental lakes, statues and walking paths.
Is Powerscourt Waterfall included?
Yes, the itinerary can include Powerscourt Waterfall. It is a separate destination from Powerscourt House & Gardens and is around 6 km away, so private transport makes the visit much easier.
Do we go down to Lough Tay / Guinness Lake?
No. Lough Tay itself is on private property and cannot be visited directly. The tour includes the famous viewpoint above the lake, where visitors can enjoy the classic Guinness Lake view.
What is Sally Gap?
Sally Gap is one of the east-to-west passes across the Wicklow Mountains. Visit Wicklow describes it as a mountain crossroads with views of blanket bog and the surrounding Wicklow Mountains.
Can we add Glenmacnass Waterfall?
Yes, Glenmacnass Waterfall can be added if time, weather and route conditions allow. Visit Wicklow describes it as a scenic photo stop on the upland route between Sally Gap, Laragh and Glendalough.
Is this tour suitable for seniors?
Yes, in most cases. The tour can be paced gently, but visitors should know that Glendalough and mountain viewpoints can include uneven ground, outdoor walking and changeable weather. Heritage Ireland lists uneven walkways at Glendalough.
Is lunch included?
Lunch can be arranged as a stop during the day. Whether lunch is included in the tour price should be clearly stated in your quote or booking confirmation.
Book Your Private Wicklow Mountains Day Tour from Dublin
Discover the Garden of Ireland on a private day tour designed around comfort, scenery and storytelling. Visit Powerscourt House & Gardens, stand beside Powerscourt Waterfall, explore the ancient valley of Glendalough, and enjoy mountain views at Sally Gap and Lough Tay.
This is the perfect tour for travellers who want gardens, lakes, waterfalls, monastic history and classic Irish mountain scenery without the stress of driving, planning routes or following a large coach schedule.
Because attraction access, mountain weather and optional stops can affect the day’s timing, we recommend contacting us in advance so we can plan the best route for your group.
Contact us today to check availability and start planning your private day tour from Dublin to Wicklow Mountains