Glendalough Green Road Walk: Easy Lower Lake Loop Guide
If you’re looking for an easy walk in Glendalough that still feels scenic, the Green Road Walk is a great option.
This short loop around the Lower Lake combines woodland paths, a lovely boardwalk section over the wetlands, and the option to add in a visit to the Monastic City. It is one of the easiest walks in Glendalough, but it still gives you plenty of what makes the valley so special. The National Park lists the route as easy, with a distance of 3 km, around 45 to 50 minutes, and about 20m of climbing.
For most people, this is the kind of walk that works really well as a relaxed half-day out. It is short, easy to follow, and doesn’t ask much of you, which makes it ideal for families, casual walkers, or anyone visiting Glendalough who doesn’t fancy taking on one of the bigger hikes.
Green Road Walk: At a Glance
| Hike Distance | 3.7 km |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Duration | 45 to 50 minutes |
| Total Ascent | 28 m |
| Trail Type | loop |
| Dog friendly | Yes, on a lead |
| Start point Direction | Upper Lake car park or Lower Lake car park |
| Dublin Drive | 60 mn |
| Hike Trail Map | |
| Best for | Families, beginners, older walkers, and anyone looking for an easy Glendalough walk |
| Beauty | Lacs, River, Forest, Valley, Monastic site, Mountain, Boardwalk |
The official trail is slightly shorter on the National Park website at 3 km with 20m climb, while your plotted route came out closer to 3.7 km, which feels realistic depending on exactly where you start and whether you include the extra link to the Monastic City.
Green Road Walk: Getting There
There are a few places you can park in Glendalough, but for this walk, I think the Upper Lake car park is probably the best option.
This is the second main car park as you arrive from Dublin. From your own visit, parking here cost €5, and there was a large toilet block and a food truck, which makes it a very handy place to start. It is also a good base for some of the other easier walks in Glendalough, including The Miners’ Road Walk.
The lower lake car park, near the Visitor Center, also works well for the Green Road Walk. This is the first main car park you come to before the Glendalough Hotel as you arrive from Dublin. It is the better option if you want to spend time around the Monastic City, as you are much closer to it from here.
That said, if you start from the lower car park, you will add roughly 1km and about 20 minutes to the walk, bringing it closer to 4.2km in total.
The National Park says public toilets are available at the OPW Visitor Centre and at the Upper Lake car park, and it recommends the Upper Lake and Visitor Centre parking areas as the main bases for visiting Glendalough.
Green Road Walk: Parking and Facilities
If you start from the Upper Lake car park, you have everything close by: parking, toilets, and somewhere to grab a coffee or a snack afterwards. That makes it the most practical starting point for the Green Road Walk and the other easier trails in the valley.
If you park near the Visitor Center, that works well too, especially if you want to combine the walk with the Monastic Ruins. There are also toilets on the way towards the monastic site, which is handy if you are visiting with kids or just want to break things up a bit.
On busy weekends, Glendalough can get packed, so getting there early is never a bad idea.
Green Road Walk: The Trail
If you are starting from the Upper Lake car park, I would recommend taking a few minutes before the walk to head down towards the shore of the Upper Lake. The views here are beautiful, looking out across the lake and back through the valley, and there are a few picnic tables here too. On a fine day, lots of people spend a bit of time here before setting off on one of the trails.
I did the Green Road Walk in an anti-clockwise direction, starting from the Upper Lake side and heading first through the Glendalough oak woodlands. This opening section is easy and pleasant, and it has that calm woodland feel that makes Glendalough such a nice place to walk. The National Park describes the route as an easy stroll through the oak woodlands before dropping to the Lower Lake wetland edge.
After around 1km, you reach the Monastic City. This is a nice point in the walk to slow down and have a wander. Even if you have been here before, it is worth taking a few minutes to look around, as it adds something extra to the route and breaks the walk up nicely.
From there, the route loops back towards the starting point, this time along the Lower Lake wetland edge and across the boardwalk. This is the highlight of the walk for me. The views open up more here, and it is a lovely stretch of trail with the lake, reeds, and valley all around you. The National Park highlights the boardwalk as the star attraction of the route and notes that you may spot lizards and dragonflies here.
Overall, this is an easy and very enjoyable loop. It is not the most dramatic walk in Glendalough, but that is not really what it is about. It is a simple scenic route that suits days when you want to enjoy the valley without taking on a harder hike.
The Monastic City
If you are parking near the Visitor Center, it is well worth taking a bit of time to explore Glendalough Monastic Ruins before or after the walk.
Heritage Ireland says Glendalough’s monastery was founded by St Kevin in the 6th century and went on to become one of the most famous religious centres in Europe. The remains of the Monastic City include the Round Tower, medieval stone churches, and decorated crosses.
Even if you are mainly there for the walk, this is one of those places that adds a lot to the visit.
Is the Green Road Walk Difficult?
No — this is one of the easiest walks in Glendalough.
It is short, easy to follow, and mostly flat, so most people should have no issues with it. I did this walk with my 80-year-old mum, which gives you a good idea of the level of difficulty.
I also think this route is well suited to kids, older walkers, and many families with prams, especially if you are taking your time and just looking for an easy outing in Glendalough.
The one thing I would say is that easy does not always mean fully accessible. The National Park says the Lower Lake boardwalk is used by many wheelchair users and families with buggies, but that the Green Road side is rougher and steeper. It says the trail is okay for buggies, but not so safe for wheelchairs.
Tips Before You Go
- Start from the Upper Lake car park if you want the easiest and most practical start point
- Start from the Visitor Centre side if you want to combine the walk with the Monastic City
- If you park at the lower car park, expect the route to be closer to 4.2km
- The boardwalk is one of the best parts of the walk, but take care after rain
- Glendalough gets very busy at weekends, so it is worth arriving early
- This is a good one to pair with the Miners’ Road Walk if you are planning an easy day in Glendalough
FAQs
How long is the Green Road Walk?
The National Park lists the Green Road Walk at 3 km, though your plotted route came out a little longer at around 3.7 km.
How long does the Green Road Walk take?
You should allow around 45 to 50 minutes for the walk itself, depending on pace and where you start.
Where is the best place to start the Green Road Walk?
For most people, I think the Upper Lake car park is the best option, as it has toilets, easy trail access, and was the most practical starting point in your notes. The Visitor Centre side is better if you want to prioritise the Monastic City. The National Park confirms both the Upper Lake and Visitor Centre areas are main visitor bases.
Is the Green Road Walk suitable for families?
Yes, definitely. This is one of the best easy walks in Glendalough for families because it is short, scenic, and not too demanding. The National Park also notes that the boardwalk section is used by many families with buggies.
Is the Green Road Walk wheelchair accessible?
I would not describe the full loop as fully wheelchair accessible. The National Park says none of the trails are officially approved for wheelchairs, although many wheelchair users use the Lower Lake boardwalk section.
Final Thoughts
The Green Road Walk is one of the best easy walks in Glendalough.
It is short, scenic, and very manageable, which makes it a great option for families, first-time visitors, or anyone who just wants a relaxed walk in the valley. Starting from the Upper Lake car park probably makes the most sense for most people, while the Visitor Centre side is the better choice if you want to include the Monastic City.
Either way, it is a really nice route and a very worthwhile addition to your Glendalough cluster.
