{"id":1947,"date":"2026-07-02T18:24:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T17:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/?p=1947"},"modified":"2026-07-02T16:18:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T15:18:30","slug":"what%ca%bcs-the-best-month-to-walk-the-full-wicklow-way-without-the-crowds-the-answer-surprises-most-first-timers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/what%ca%bcs-the-best-month-to-walk-the-full-wicklow-way-without-the-crowds-the-answer-surprises-most-first-timers\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u02bcs the best month to walk the full Wicklow Way without the crowds \u2014 the answer surprises most first-timers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most hikers chase long summer<\/strong> days and guaranteed brightness<\/strong>, then wonder why the trail feels busier than a city park. The quiet secret? The sweet spot for solitude<\/strong> and satisfaction<\/strong> arrives earlier than most expect. On Ireland\u2019s first waymarked trail, the 130 km route from Marlay Park<\/strong> to Clonegal<\/strong>, timing is everything \u2014 and choosing smart<\/strong> beats chasing heat<\/strong> every time.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why March quietly wins<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

The best month to walk the full route without crowds<\/strong> is March<\/strong>. It\u2019s the month when daylight<\/strong> stretches, but tourist traffic<\/strong> hasn\u2019t. The hills feel open<\/strong>, the bogs are breathing<\/strong>, and you\u2019ll meet more robins<\/strong> than ramblers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cPick March and you\u2019ll hear your footsteps<\/strong> again,\u201d one seasoned walker<\/strong> told me. That simple line captures the atmosphere<\/strong>: bright, crisp, and mostly empty<\/strong>. It\u2019s not a guarantee of blue skies<\/strong>, but it is a near-certain escape from summer bottlenecks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Weather that works with you<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

In March, temperatures hover around single digits<\/strong> Celsius, which keeps you moving comfortably<\/strong>. You won\u2019t be baking<\/strong> on exposed ridges, and you\u2019re less likely to overpack water<\/strong>. Showers roll through, but with layers<\/strong> and waterproofs<\/strong>, they\u2019re just part of the rhythm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Daylight is the real gift<\/strong>. By mid-month, you can stretch a 16\u201324 km<\/strong> day without headlamp panic<\/strong>, and after the clock change<\/strong>, evenings feel generous<\/strong>. \u201cMarch gives you time<\/strong>, without the traffic<\/strong>,\u201d as a local guide once quipped<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Landscapes that feel alive<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

March paints Wicklow in gorse gold<\/strong> and moss green<\/strong>, a quiet prelude<\/strong> to April\u2019s bigger bloom<\/strong>. The heather is smoky<\/strong>, forests smell resiny<\/strong>, and the high bogs feel wild<\/strong> but walkable<\/strong>. You might catch a dusting of snow<\/strong> on Djouce<\/strong>, yet the valleys are soft<\/strong> with birdsong<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The usual summer midges<\/strong> are virtually absent<\/strong>, which turns lunch stops from a wince<\/strong> to a linger<\/strong>. Streams run full<\/strong>, waterfalls sound thicker<\/strong>, and the wind carries that clean Atlantic<\/strong> edge that makes tea taste better<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Crowds and costs fall away<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Beds in Roundwood<\/strong>, Glendalough<\/strong>, and Laragh<\/strong> are far easier to book<\/strong> in March, often at more sensible rates<\/strong>. Buses are less packed<\/strong>, caf\u00e9s feel more local<\/strong>, and trail junctions \u2014 especially around Glendalough<\/strong> \u2014 don\u2019t bottleneck with coach groups<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Do note the St Patrick\u2019s<\/strong> window around March 17 can add festive noise<\/strong> in Dublin, but the Wicklow Way stays largely calm<\/strong> beyond the first day<\/strong>. If you want absolute quiet<\/strong>, start just after the holiday<\/strong> and savor the calm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Trade-offs worth knowing<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

You will meet mud<\/strong>, especially on forestry roads<\/strong> and peaty sections<\/strong> near Luggala<\/strong>. A few high paths can be wind-bitten<\/strong>, and short icy patches may linger<\/strong> in the mornings. These are not deal-breakers<\/strong>; they\u2019re simply March realities<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The upside dwarfs the downsides<\/strong>. \u201cI\u2019d rather stride through puddles<\/strong> than weave through people<\/strong>,\u201d a Dublin hiker laughed<\/strong>. With proper boots<\/strong> and gaiters<\/strong>, you\u2019ll spend more time walking<\/strong> than worrying<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How to plan a March traverse<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n
  • Pack reliable waterproofs<\/strong> and gaiters<\/strong>, plus warm layers<\/strong> and a light hat<\/strong>. Consider microspikes only if a cold snap looks stubborn<\/strong>.<\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Check Coillte and NPWS for forestry closures<\/strong> and any trail diversions<\/strong> before you go.<\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Book key stays in Roundwood<\/strong>, Glendalough\/Laragh<\/strong>, and Glenmalure<\/strong> a week or two in advance<\/strong>.<\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Carry a small headlamp<\/strong> and an external battery<\/strong> \u2014 early starts are still dusky<\/strong>.<\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

  • Use OS maps or a solid GPX<\/strong> and don\u2019t rely solely on waymarks<\/strong> in mist.<\/li>\n

    \n<\/ul>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Route notes that shine in March<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    The ascent toward Djouce<\/strong> offers wide horizons<\/strong> without the usual conga line<\/strong>. Boardwalk sections are pleasantly quiet<\/strong>, and wind-scoured views of Lough Tay<\/strong> feel extra cinematic<\/strong>. The oak woods near Glendalough<\/strong> are almost private<\/strong>, and the Monastic City wakes slowly<\/strong> in cool light<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    South of Glenmalure<\/strong>, the trail shifts to a more rural<\/strong> mood \u2014 farms, lanes, and hedgerows<\/strong> \u2014 where March\u2019s stillness<\/strong> lands like a gift<\/strong>. You\u2019ll finish with that contagious quiet<\/strong> stuck under your skin<\/strong>, the kind that makes bus rides feel oddly loud<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    If March won\u2019t work for you<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Second-best for space<\/strong> and good footing<\/strong> is late September<\/strong>. You\u2019ll get rich colors<\/strong>, steady temperatures<\/strong>, and fewer midges<\/strong>, though weekends can still feel popular<\/strong>. Early May<\/strong> is also lovely, but expect bright weekend<\/strong> traffic and higher prices<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Still, March keeps staking the claim<\/strong>. It offers real miles<\/strong>, real weather<\/strong>, and scarcely any queues<\/strong>. If you want the Wicklow Way to feel yours<\/strong>, pick the month that most first-timers<\/strong> skip \u2014 then let the hills<\/strong> do the talking<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1954,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1947","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1947"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1958,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1947\/revisions\/1958"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1954"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}