Please note NPWS visitor services will be curtailed due to industrial action on 14th October and National Park visitor centres will not open to the public on the day. National Parks will remain accessible but certain amenities, and public facilities, such as toilets, will not be available.
Wicklow is home to a large population of wild deer. They are particularly impressive in autumn during the ‘Rut’ or breeding season. National Park staff shall have telescopes set up on the Spinc walking trail between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Anyone walking on this route is welcome to stop by, view the deer through
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, has today (Friday 24th July 2026) announced his intention to develop a National Parks Bill which will place Wicklow Mountains National Park on a dedicated statutory footing and establish nature conservation and restoration as the primary purpose of its management. The proposal to develop
From Monday 20th July, work shall commence to upgrade our White Trail (Spinc and Glenealo Valley). This work is expected to take 5 or 6 months. The area affected is known as the ‘White Zig Zags’, from the Miners’ Village up to the footbridge. Occasionally, there might also be some disruption along the Blue Trail
As Ireland basks under a yellow high temperature warning, people flock to water to swim and cool down. Please be aware that there are no lifeguards or approved safe swimming spots within Wicklow Mountains National Park. The lakes throughout the park have been carved out by glaciers thousands of years ago, and are deep, dark
Glendalough is the most visited site within the National Park. In sunny weather, especially at the weekends, traffic and parking can be an issue. There are three public car parks that serve the valley. Wicklow County Council operate a FREE car park in Laragh, beside the Woollen Mills and the G.A.A. pitch. There is a
Help us to protect our precious upland habitats. Summer is here. The hills are dry and at extreme risk of fire. This is the breeding season for upland ground-nesting birds. Fire destroys habitats and kills nests and chicks. Fire can be catastrophic for local populations. Solid fuel BBQs are not permitted in the National Park.
We are delighted to announce that our trail works on the Spinc are now completed. All three trails that go along the Spinc are now open without a detour. The Spinc trails are: Our new upgraded trails feature stone steps and gravel trails, replacing the old narrow boardwalk. Sections of boardwalk still exist in the
Ministers O’Brien & Noonan confirm agreement to purchase Dowth Hall demesne, Co Meath and establishment of a new National Park Noting it as a once-in-a-generation opportunity, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O Brien, TD, today confirmed the State’s purchase of the World Heritage lands of Dowth Hall and demesne, including Netterville, in
All dogs must be on a lead at all times within the National Park. We ask you not to bring your dog to the National Park at busy times (10 am to 5 pm). There has been an increase in negative incidents involving dogs on our sites. We have had reports of and witnessed an