Swim or paddle at the cove
Glen Strand is a short pebble beach of clear water tucked below the trailhead, with gentle waves that suit a quick dip or paddle. There is no lifeguard, so take care, and water shoes help on the stones.
Trá Cille Aoil (Glen Strand)
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About
A small, quiet pebble cove just south of Wicklow Town, reached by the waymarked Glen Beach Cliff Walk and watched over by a resident colony of grey seals.
Things to Do
Walk the Glen Beach Cliff Walk
The waymarked route drops from the car park past the golf course to the beach, then climbs south along exposed clifftops towards the lighthouse road. It is rated moderate: roughly 4 km and 1.5 hours, with short steep sections and uneven, rocky ground.
Watch grey seals and seabirds
Grey seals haul out at Lime Kiln Bay, and the clifftop viewpoints at Bride's Head (Ceann Bhríde) are the safe place to watch them; coves are closed when pups are present, and dogs must stay on a lead. Fulmars, guillemots and peregrines also breed along this stretch.
Follow the archaeology
The southern half of the trail passes a rock shelter where prehistoric flints were found, the lime kiln that gives the bay its name, the ruins of a small church, the holy well Tobar Bríde, and traces of a 19th-century rifle range.
Continue to Wicklow Head Lighthouse
At the far end of the walk the Old Wicklow Head Lighthouse, built in 1781, comes into view. The tower is private holiday accommodation, but it makes a fine photo stop before you retrace your steps.
Picnic at the car park
If you only want the view, the free clifftop car park has picnic tables, bins and wide coastal views over the bay, and needs no walk at all.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: Open access at all times; the trailhead car park is free and open 24/7 with no gate.
- Parking: Free car park at the trailhead, space for at least 60 vehicles, just under 2 km south of Wicklow Town past the golf club. It can fill quickly on fine days.
- Food: No café or shop on site. Nearby in Wicklow Town you have Firehouse Bakery for food and The Good Life Coffee Shop for coffee, both handy after the walk.
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