Seven great activities in Wicklow this winter:
- Eco-Ice Trail: Enjoy ice skating at the Wicklow Christmas Market’s Eco Alpine Skate Trail, a 300m open-air trail. Skaters can showcase their skills while taking in the beautiful views of Wicklow town and its surroundings. The trail is open until Christmas Eve and reopens on St. Stephen’s Day until January 2.
- Hot chocolate: After a long walk on Brittas Bay Beach, enjoy a rich hot chocolate at the Bay Café or visit Jack White’s Inn. Greystones South Beach and Bray Promenade Beach are also great options, with Café Grey and Glovers Café offering delightful treats.
- Mobile sauna and cool wild swims: Wicklow’s extensive coastline and mountain lakes attract swimmers, and mobile saunas offer relaxation and recovery after a dip in the open waters. The Rise At The Cove Studio in Greystones and Helios Sauna in Bray are two options to try out.
- Mountain walks: Experience the stunning views on the Glencullen to Prince William’s Seat walk, followed by a pint at Johnnie Fox’s pub. After completing the 11.5 km Spinc route in Glendalough, you can relax at the nearby Glenmalure Lodge. The Devil’s Glen walk is another option, with a cozy fireplace at the 18th-century Hunter’s Hotel in Rathnew.
- Muddy mountain bikes: The Gap in Glencullen provides 16 downhill trails and mouth-watering burgers at the GAP kitchen. Ballinastoe Mountainbike Trails offer stunning views over the Irish Sea and Lough Tay, while Belmont Bike Farm takes you through 15 km of natural routes and provides guided Fat Bike Adventure tours.
- Seeing the views from the trees: Keep the kids entertained with family-friendly walks in Wicklow. Avondale Beyond the Trees offers a Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower, while Knocksink Wood, Kindlestown, and the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ in Woodenbridge provide beautiful natural settings. The Crone Wood to Maulin mountain loop and the Blessington Greenway are also popular options, providing scenic views and wildlife.
- Skiing without an airport: The Ski Club of Ireland’s dry slopes in Kilternan offer a great opportunity to practice skiing before a big ski holiday or try something new. The Dublin Way and the Powerscourt Estate’s gardens with its distillery and waterfall are nearby attractions.
