# Day trip from Dublin to Glendalough: St Kevin's ruins and the Upper Lake

St Kevin's Bus or car to Glendalough, St Kevin's monastic city, the Green Road to the Upper Lake, Poulanass Waterfall and lunch in the valley.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/ireland/glendalough/itineraries/st-kevins-ruins-by-bus · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 11:00 · Salida: 1 h 15 by bus (St Kevin's Bus from St Stephen's Green North · €23 return)
- 12:20 · Glendalough Visitor Centre (exhibition · €5)
  - 5 min on foot
- 13:00 · St Kevin's monastic city and the round tower (round tower and St Kevin's cross · free)
  - 3 min on foot
- 13:45 · Casey's Bar & Bistro, at the Glendalough Hotel (at the entrance to the ruins · kitchen open until 20:30) · Casey's Bar & Bistro, at the Glendalough Hotel, €€
  - 5 min on foot
- 14:30 · Walk to the Upper Lake along the Green Road (Green Road and boardwalk · 45 min)
  - 5 min on foot
- 15:30 · Poulanass Waterfall and St Kevin's Cell (30 min with steps)
- 16:30 · Vuelta: 1 h 30 by bus (bus from the visitor centre · back in Dublin around 18:00)

A day trip from Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains: Glendalough is the valley of the two lakes, with the monastery founded by St Kevin in the 6th century and trails through the national park. Without a car, the St Kevin's bus leaves every day at 11:00 from St Stephen's Green and gives you four hours in the valley; by car, you can arrive earlier and stay until sunset.

## The day, hour by hour

11:00 · Bus from St Stephen's Green. It stops at St Stephen's Green North, opposite Stephen Court. Return ticket €23, paid on the bus; the Leap Visitor card is not valid. By car, leave at 9:00 to park without queues.

12:20 · Visitor centre. The exhibition explains the monastery before you see it: €5, or free with your car park ticket.

13:00 · Monastic city. The round tower, the ruined cathedral and St Kevin's Cross. Free entry.

13:45 · Lunch at Casey's. The bar of the Glendalough Hotel, at the gate of the ruins, opens every day from 12:30.

14:30 · Green Road to the Upper Lake. A flat track among oaks and a boardwalk beside the Lower Lake: a 3 km circuit, 45 minutes.

15:30 · Poulanass Waterfall. Half an hour with steps up to the waterfall and a viewpoint over the lake.

16:30 · Return. The bus leaves from the visitor centre; you reach Dublin around six.

## Cómo llegar

### Without a car
St Kevin's bus from St Stephen's Green at 11:00, returning at 16:30. Or a half-day tour with Paddywagon Tours, from €33.

### By car
A little over an hour via the N11 and Laragh, estimated. Park free in Laragh and walk 3 km, or pay at the visitor centre.

## Consejos

### Don't miss the 16:30 bus
It is the only one back on weekdays and at weekends.

### Wear shoes that can cope with mud
Even the Green Road gets waterlogged.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How do I get from Dublin to Glendalough without a car?
On the St Kevin's bus, at 11:00 from St Stephen's Green, or on an organised tour.

### How much time do I need?
The four hours the bus gives you are enough for the ruins, the Upper Lake and a short walk.

### Where can I eat?
At Casey's Bar, at the entrance to the ruins, or at the Wicklow Heather, in Laragh.