The Glenealo Valley Scenic Walk climbs past the tumbling Poulanass Waterfall, opens out at a high viewpoint above the Upper Lake, then drops into the quiet, rugged Glenealo Valley to explore the atmospheric ruins of a 19th-century lead mine, a beloved wild swim spot, and the roofless stone walls of the old Miners’ Village — before an easy return along the lakeshore.
Glenealo Valley Scenic Loop: A Complete Walking Guide Through Glendalough’s Mining Valley
Distance: 9.36 km | Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous | Region: Wicklow Mountains National Park, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
This guide covers the practical details you actually need on the ground: where to park, what the terrain demands, what you’re looking at along the way, and how to stay safe on a route that mixes gentle lakeside path with genuinely rough mountain ground. Glendalough is one of Ireland’s best-loved beauty spots, and this loop shows you why — without dragging you over the full Spinc ridge crowds.
Glenealo Valley Scenic Walk Map
Recommended Walking Gear
- 🥾 Waterproof Walking Boots
- 🧦 Merino Walking Socks
- 🎒 Lightweight Daypack
- 🧥 Waterproof Jacket
- 🥤 Insulated Water Bottle
- 🥾 Walking Poles
Table of Contents
Places to stay in Glenealo
Quick Facts
| Start/Finish | Wicklow Mountains National Park Upper Lake car park, Glendalough |
| Distance | 9.36 km |
| Difficulty | Moderate to strenuous |
| Terrain | Woodland path, stone steps, rocky mountain trail, riverside track, lakeshore path |
| Toilets | At the Upper Lake car park (start/finish only) |
| Refreshments | Food trucks/kiosk at the Upper Lake car park; cafés in Laragh village nearby |
| Parking | Paid car park at Upper Lake (small fee) |
| Nearest village | Laragh |
| Best for | Waterfalls, mountain and lake views, mining history, a quieter alternative to the full Spinc ridge |
Getting to the Start
The walk begins and ends at the Upper Lake car park in Glendalough, reached via the R756 through Laragh. It’s a large, well-signposted car park with a small all-day parking fee, toilets, and usually a food truck or two — genuinely useful, since there’s nowhere else to buy food or drink once you’re on the trail. Arrive early on weekends and in summer, as the car park fills quickly and Glendalough is one of the busiest sites in the Wicklow Mountains.
Why This Walk Is Worth It
Glendalough — “the valley of the two lakes” — is best known for its early monastic settlement, but the landscape above the Upper Lake tells an equally compelling and lesser-known story: industrial mining. From the 1850s, the Mining Company of Ireland worked lead deposits high in the Glenealo Valley, in workings so remote from Glendalough village that the miners nicknamed the site Van Diemen’s Land, after the old name for the isolated Tasmanian penal colony. The name stuck, and the ruins up there are still known by it today.
Ore was carried down from the upper workings to a processing site by the river now known as the Miners’ Village — though calling it a “village” is a bit of a stretch: it was a working industrial site, not a settlement, and most of the men who laboured here actually walked in each day from Glendalough or Laragh rather than living on-site. Mining continued in this valley on and off for roughly a century before finally ending in the 20th century, leaving behind stone ruins, spoil heaps, and old tramway routes that are still clearly visible from the trail today.
Along the way you’ll also pass Poulanass Waterfall, a series of cascades tumbling through mixed woodland, and reach a high viewpoint over the Upper Lake before descending into the valley — genuinely one of the best panoramas in Wicklow for the effort required.
Route Description
From the car park: Head up through the woodland path signed for Poulanass Waterfall. This first climb is steady and well-maintained, with stone steps easing the gradient as you gain height alongside the cascading falls — a good spot to pause and catch your breath while looking back through the trees.
To the viewpoint: Continue climbing until the trees open out and you reach a viewpoint looking back down over Glendalough’s Upper Lake. This is one of the best photo stops on the route: the lake, the wooded valley sides, and the cliffs of the Spinc laid out below you. Take your time here — it’s a well-earned pause before the ground gets rougher.
Into the Glenealo Valley: From the viewpoint, the trail heads west into the open, boggy upland of the Glenealo Valley. The path becomes noticeably wilder here — expect rougher, sometimes wet ground underfoot as you cross the high valley towards the old workings. This is genuinely different terrain from the woodland below, exposed to the weather and much quieter underfoot.
Van Diemen’s Land Mine: The trail brings you to the remains of the Van Diemen’s Land mine workings, one of the most atmospheric spots on the route. Look for the stone ruins of mine buildings and the scars of old spoil heaps on the valley sides — the faint horizontal lines you can see cut into the slopes above are the remains of the barrow ways once used to cart waste rock away from the mine adits.
Glenealo Valley swim spot: Continuing down alongside the Glenealo River, you’ll reach a popular wild swimming spot where the river widens into a calmer pool. It’s a genuinely lovely place to stop, though the water is cold year-round and there are no lifeguards — swim only if you’re confident and the conditions look calm.
Miners’ Village: The trail follows the river down to the Miners’ Village, the old processing site where ore brought down from Van Diemen’s Land was crushed and sorted before onward transport. Substantial stone ruins remain here, along with rusting mining equipment scattered around the site — well worth twenty minutes of exploring before you finish the loop.
Back to the car park: From the Miners’ Village, the route joins a good, wide track along the northern shore of the Upper Lake, passing through forestry, and returns you easily to the car park. This final stretch is flat, well-surfaced, and a welcome contrast to the rougher valley section.
Terrain and Difficulty
This route mixes two very different kinds of walking, and it’s worth knowing that going in:
- A well-maintained, stepped woodland climb up to the viewpoint
- Genuinely rough, sometimes boggy open mountain ground through the Glenealo Valley
- Loose, rocky underfoot conditions around the old mine workings
- An easy, flat lakeshore track for the return leg
Proper walking boots with good grip and ankle support are strongly recommended — trainers are not suitable for the valley section, particularly after rain. Trekking poles are genuinely useful on the descent past the mine workings, where the ground is uneven and can be slippery.
Recommended Places to stay Nearby
When to Go
This walk is rewarding in any season, but conditions change the experience considerably. In summer, the swim spot and open valley are at their best, though the car park gets busy early. In autumn, expect boggy underfoot conditions in the Glenealo Valley. In winter, the exposed upland section can be genuinely cold and occasionally icy — check conditions before you go, and be prepared to turn back if visibility drops. Whatever the season, this is mountain terrain once you leave the woodland, and Wicklow’s weather can change quickly.
What to Bring
- Sturdy walking boots with good grip
- Waterproof jacket, regardless of forecast
- Trekking poles, especially for the mine workings descent
- Food and water — nothing is available once you leave the car park
- Swimwear and a towel if you’re planning to stop at the swim spot
- A map of the area, since phone signal can be patchy in the valley
Nearby Facilities
Toilets, parking, and food are available at the Upper Lake car park. For a wider choice of cafés, pubs, and shops, the village of Laragh is just a few minutes’ drive away. If you have time afterwards, Glendalough’s monastic city and Lower Lake — a short walk or drive from the Upper Lake — are well worth a visit and add real historical depth to the day.
Recommended Walking Gear
- 🥾 Waterproof Walking Boots
- 🧦 Merino Walking Socks
- 🎒 Lightweight Daypack
- 🧥 Waterproof Jacket
- 🥤 Insulated Water Bottle
- 🥾 Walking Poles
A Note on Safety
The Glenealo Valley section of this route is genuine mountain terrain: exposed, remote, and rougher underfoot than the woodland approach suggests. Conditions can change quickly in the Wicklow Mountains, and mist or heavy rain can make the upland section harder to navigate and the descent near the old mine workings more hazardous. Wear proper footwear, carry warm and waterproof layers even on a fine day, and let someone know your planned route and expected return time. If you’re swimming at the Glenealo pool, be aware the water is cold year-round and there’s no lifeguard cover — never swim alone or after dark.
Always check the weather forecast for the Wicklow Mountains before setting out, carry a map in addition to any GPS device, and be prepared to shorten or adjust your route if conditions deteriorate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wildlife might I see?
The Glenealo Valley is home to sika deer, wild goats descended from those left behind by the miners, mountain hares, and birds including red grouse and ravens.
Can I shorten the walk?
Yes — many walkers do a shorter there-and-back to the viewpoint above the Upper Lake, or to Poulanass Waterfall alone, without continuing into the full Glenealo Valley loop.
Is the walk dangerous?
Not if you’re properly prepared. The main risks are slippery, rocky ground near the old mine workings and changeable mountain weather in the open valley section. Proper footwear, warm layers, and telling someone your plans reduce the risk considerably.
What will I see at the Miners’ Village and Van Diemen’s Land Mine?
Substantial stone ruins from 19th-century lead mining operations, including old processing buildings, spoil heaps, and rusting equipment. Van Diemen’s Land, named after the old name for Tasmania due to its remoteness, was the uppermost part of the workings.
Are there toilets or food along the route?
Only at the Upper Lake car park, where you’ll usually find toilets and a food truck. There are no facilities anywhere else on the loop, so bring what you need.
Can I swim at the Glenealo Valley swim spot?
Yes, it’s a popular and picturesque wild swimming spot, but there’s no lifeguard, the water is cold year-round, and conditions can vary — swim with caution and never alone.
Is the route well marked?
Yes, the wider Glendalough trail network is waymarked with coloured arrows, though it’s still worth carrying a map, especially through the open Glenealo Valley section where paths can be less obvious underfoot.
Where do I park for this walk?
At the Upper Lake car park in Glendalough, reached via the R756 through Laragh. There’s a small all-day parking fee, and it’s the closest car park to the trailhead.
Is this walk suitable for beginners?
Parts of it, but not the whole route. The woodland climb and lakeshore return are accessible to most reasonably fit walkers, but the Glenealo Valley section is genuine rough mountain terrain and isn’t recommended for complete beginners or young children.
How long does the Glenealo Valley Scenic Loop take?
Most walkers complete the 9.36km loop in around 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on fitness, photo stops, and time spent exploring the mine ruins and swim spot.
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