As people who cherish sustainable living and spending our time outdoors, the Bank Holiday weekend is at your fingertips, so we wanted to encourage you to get outside and explore.

Now of course, you could go to most places in Ireland and be covered in stunning scenery but there is something special about the hills and woods of Wicklow.

Can You Hike the Wicklow Mountains?

You might have heard the forests in Wicklow described as enchanting. And that’s not just because parts of Disney's Enchanted was filmed in Enniskerry. Hiking in Wicklow is ideal regardless of the weather because the landscape is steeped in history and a round tower.

So whether you’re in search of a tough challenge or a tranquil walk, Wicklow offers trails that suit all hiking preferences, all surrounded by stunning natural beauty. The Wicklow Way is a 131km trail starting in Marlay Park Dublin and runs through the heart of the Wicklow mountains and ends in Clonegal, Co. Carlow.

The Wicklow Mountains feature a ton of trails whatever your fitness levels. These mountains are not just about the physical paths—they are a place to connect with nature, offering diverse landscapes from gentle hills to dramatic, rugged terrain, and rewarding every hiker with breathtaking views and rich, natural biodiversity. And so, this inspired our Wicklow Collection including:

• Wicklow Hills T-shirt
• Wicklow Hills Hoodie
• SugarLoaf t-shirt in our new Khaki and steel grey (last few sizes remaining!)

What is the Hardest Hike in Wicklow?

If you want a real challenge, Lugnaquilla is the peak to conquer. As the highest mountain in Wicklow, standing at 925 meters (3,035 feet), to conquer Lugnaquilla you'll need a good fitness level and be prepared to navigate in fog. The route to the summit can involve navigating through peat bog and boulder fields, making it quite the adventure. Your effort will be rewarded though with expansive views over the Irish Sea, the mountains of South Leinster, and even into Wales on clear days.

Where is the best place to hike in Wicklow?

Glendalough is arguable one of the most popular hiking spots in all of Ireland, not just in Wicklow and we can see why. But what is the terrain like? Is Glendalough a hard hike?

Famed for its serene lakes and 1,000 year old round tower, Glendalough provides a range of hiking experiences from easy to moderate difficulty. The Spinc and the Wicklow Way loop is among the most favoured trails, stretching about 9 to 11 km and these are great trails and tend to be super popular, especially when the sun is shining.

But this is what we really wanted to share with you....

Beyond the popular trails lie hidden gems that are often overlooked.

So let's explore two secret trails that offer stunning scenery without the crowds.

St. Kevin’s Way / Miners’ Way

The route traces the path of St. Kevin to find his church in Glendalough. Now, St. Kevin’s Way is a known trail and the trail runs 30km but the part of the trail we want to share with you is a section that runs parallel with the Glendasan River over the summit and loops back down the other side. 

If you're starting the loop by the trailhead at the river, there should be a trail up the embankment of trees until you come across a clear path parallel to the road. Follow the trail up grassy switchbacks as you make your way to the ruins of a stone house

The section towards the summit can be prone to fog and mist so bear this in mind if you’re heading out.

This route offers more than just a hike—it’s peace and quiet where every tree can tell a piece of history.  And on a hot day hikers have been known to cool off in a rock pool in the river on the way down. Now you just have pretty a flat walk, over the bridge as the river guides you back to the round tower just around the corner.

The other secret trail we wanted to share with you is......

The Hike to Guinness Lake Through Ballinastoe:

I’m sure you’ll have seen photos of this place on Instagram and the reality is that so many people drive to get a glimpse of Guinness Lake rather than hike to it.

A real hidden treasure, this trail begins in the Ballinastoe Woods and leads to the stunning Lough Tay, nicknamed Guinness Lake due to its dark waters and distinctive white sandy shore at the north end, reminiscent of a pint of Guinness. This hike covers about 10 km and is considered moderately difficult. It winds through dense woodland and open mountain trails, offering some of the most spectacular views of the Wicklow Mountains. While cherished by locals, it remains relatively unknown to most tourists but keep an eye out for designated mountain bike trails.

You can use apps like AllTrails or Hiker to keep you on trail.

Hiking in Wicklow isn't just about physical activity, but also about engaging with the stories and natural beauty these mountains preserve. As a brand dedicated to sustainability, we urge you to explore these paths responsibly. Dress in eco-friendly hiking gear, leave no trace behind, and immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of Wicklow. We’ve been so inspired by hiking in Wicklow we launched our Wicklow Collection of tee’s and hoodies.

About Due South:

Due South is a sustainable and responsible fashion brand based in Dublin. Our unique designs are produced by our founder Paul and showcase all of the beauty and wonders that Ireland has to offer. All our products are made from either 100% organic cotton or 100% recycled materials and are certified vegan friendly.