Ireland's largest national park, a vast upland of heather bog, glacial valleys and mountain roads, with the sixth-century monastic settlement of Glendalough at its heart. Entry is free and the park is open day and night, all year.
The 3 km Green Road loop follows the Lower Lake boardwalk through oak woodland and is flat enough for most visitors; the 5 km Miners' Road Walk skirts the Upper Lake to the ruined Miners' Village. All nine trails start at the National Park Information Office.
Strenuous routes climb from the Upper Lake up to the Spinc cliffs, where a long boardwalk and more than 600 wooden steps give the classic view over the Upper Lake and Glenealo Valley. Hiking boots and rain gear recommended; herds of sika deer are common.
The round tower, ruined churches and carved crosses are testimony to 600 years as a monastic settlement. The ruins are open all year and free; guided tours run from the OPW Visitor Centre, which also has a paid exhibition and audio-visual show.
Walk 1.5 km along the Miners' Road from the Upper Lake Car Park to the ruined Miners' Village, then explore the spoil heaps and mine buildings at Glendasan beside the Wicklow Gap road. The underground mines are not accessible.
The 58 km Great Military Road, built 1801-1809, crosses the park past Kippure, Sally Gap and Glenmacnass Waterfall on the way to Laragh. Drive the whole linear route or loop part of it for wide rolling mountain scenery and blanket bog.
Deer graze the open hillsides, while raven, merlin, kestrel and peregrine falcon fly the crags. The Wildlife and Sensory Garden behind the Information Office, open spring to summer, has a pond with frogs and dragonflies.
Bicycles are welcome on hard public and forest roads and on three Glendalough trails - the Green, Purple and Orange routes. Mountain biking and off-road cycling are not permitted in the park.
Located 200 m from the Upper Lake Car Park, it offers free walking trail maps, first aid and an AED, lost property and staff advice on choosing a route; the wildlife garden sits behind it.
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