St. Kevin’s Way
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St. Kevin’s Way: Wicklow’s Pilgrim Trail to Glendalough
HikeList Score
St. Kevin’s Way scored 77/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.
See score breakdownHide breakdown
- Ideal length 55
- Balanced challenge 56
- Scenery & wildness 78
- Varied terrain 100
- Accommodation 100
- Food & support 81
- Path quality 89
- Season flexibility 89
Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.
St. Kevin’s Way is a 34.3 km waymarked pilgrim path in County Wicklow, Ireland, usually walked in one long day. The route runs point-to-point from Hollywood to the Glendalough monastic site, crossing the Wicklow Mountains via the Wicklow Gap. It is officially graded Strenuous because of its length, 580 m of ascent and exposed upland sections. It suits fit walkers who want a historic Irish trail with mountain terrain, quiet roads, forest tracks, farmland paths and a major monastic finish.
Route Overview
The main route starts in Hollywood village, the traditional pilgrim start, and finishes at the Glendalough monastic site beside the Upper and Lower Lakes. Walking west to east, it passes Ballinagee Bridge, where the 7.7 km Valleymount spur joins, then climbs towards the Wicklow Gap, the 475 m high point. From there the way drops into the Glendasan River valley for the final approach to Glendalough. This is a linear walk, so arrange transport between Hollywood and Glendalough or base yourself in nearby Hollywood, Laragh or Glendalough. For longer Irish trails, compare the Dingle Way, Beara Way or Causeway Coast Way.
Saint Kevin and the Pilgrim Road to Glendalough
Saint Kevin, or Caoimhín Naofa, was a 6th-century Irish hermit and abbot who, according to tradition, crossed the Wicklow Mountains and founded the monastery at Glendalough. The settlement became one of Ireland’s important monastic centres, and the route associated with Kevin developed into a medieval pilgrimage path. Today’s St. Kevin’s Way revives that old pilgrim road as a recognised National Waymarked Trail and part of Ireland’s National Pilgrim Passport scheme.
Notable highlights
- Glendalough monastic city: The trail finishes at the 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin, set between two glacial lakes. Its surviving round tower, dating from around the 11th–12th century and roughly 30 m tall, is one of the site’s defining landmarks.
- The Wicklow Gap (475 m): The route’s highest point and the main mountain crossing, between Tonelagee and Turlough Hill/Camaderry. Expect the most exposed conditions here.
- Old flagstoned pilgrim road: Sections of the original stone-flagged pilgrimage road remain visible, giving the walk a direct link to the medieval route into Glendalough.
- Saint Kevin’s Bed: A small, hard-to-reach cave-cell in the cliff above the Upper Lake, traditionally associated with the hermit saint.
- Glendasan River valley descent: The final stretch follows the river down from the mountains into the wooded Glendalough valley.
Challenges to expect
The challenge is not technical difficulty but the full 34.3 km distance, 580 m of ascent and the climb to the exposed Wicklow Gap. Surfaces vary from quiet roads and boreens to forest roads, farmland paths, open mountain foothills and boggy upland sections on raised timber boardwalk. Weather can be wet and changeable, especially outside spring to autumn. There is no accommodation on the trail itself, and dogs are not allowed.
HikeList Score
St. Kevin’s Way scored 77/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.
See score breakdownHide breakdown
- Ideal length 55
- Balanced challenge 56
- Scenery & wildness 78
- Varied terrain 100
- Accommodation 100
- Food & support 81
- Path quality 89
- Season flexibility 89
Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.
IrelandShow more data Show less
- Mountainous
- Forest
- Farmland
- River Valley
- Paved
- Forest Tracks
- Forest Roads
- Farmland Paths
- Boardwalk
- Flagstones
- Hotels
- Guesthouses
- B&Bs
- Hostels
- Family Friendly
- Pet Friendly
- Restrooms
- Water Sources
- Campsites
Photos from hikers
Taken on the trail by people who've reviewed St. Kevin’s Way.
Follow the waymarked pilgrim route from Hollywood village to Ballinagee Bridge, continue up to the Wicklow Gap at 475 m, then descend through the Glendasan River valley to the Glendalough monastic site and lakes.
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