Glendalough — Valley of the Two Lakes★★★
Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch, "Valley of the Two Lakes") is one of Ireland's most magical places — an early Christian monastic settlement in a U-shaped glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains, surrounded by steep, wooded mountains and two dark lakes. Here, in this seclusion, Saint Kevin founded a monastery in the 6th century, which became one of the most important centers of learning in early Christian Europe.
The monastic ruins cover a large area and include a perfectly preserved round tower (30 m high, 10th century), a cathedral, several church ruins, a stone Celtic cross, and the romantic cemetery with ancient tombstones under moss-covered trees. The round tower is the landmark and served the monks as a bell tower, watchtower, and refuge from Viking raids.
The hiking trails around the lakes are delightful: The Upper Lake Walk (6 km, 2 hours) leads along the upper lake, past the Miners' Village and through oak forests. The shorter Green Road Walk to the lower lake offers the classic postcard view of the round tower in front of the lake and mountains. The Visitor Centre (€5) provides historical context with an exhibition on monastic life and Celtic book art.
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Come early in the morning (before 10 am) or late afternoon — then mist lies over the lakes, and the atmosphere is mystical. Glendalough is Dublin's most popular day trip and can be crowded on weekends. The hike to the Upper Lake is less visited than the main area near the monastic ruins.
