Glendalough Upper Lake

The famous round tower, gateway and graveyard sit further down the valley near the Lower Lake, and they are a separate visit. Up here the mood is mountain rather than monument, though the early story still touches the shore: St Kevin's Bed, an artificial cave in the cliffs, can be picked out across the water, and Reefert Church and Templenaskellig lie close by.

Walk the shoreline and let the valley do the work; there are picnic areas at the Upper Lake if you want to stop and eat. The Miners Road skirts one side of the lake and continues to the old Miners Village, a there-and-back that is flatter and much lower effort than the steep Spinc routes. The Education Centre is about 200 m up the Miners Road, beside the Upper Lake. The park has nine waymarked trails, and the Spinc and Glenealo routes climb steeply on rocky ground and boardwalk and are not a beginner outing, so treat them as a separate plan with boots and rain gear, not a spontaneous add-on.

Swimming is permitted in the Upper Lake, but official warnings flag sudden changes in depth, and there is no lifeguard. Boating, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, jet-skiing, scuba diving and inflatables are not permitted. Fishing is shore-only with artificial lures, 15 March to 30 September, with size rules in force. Dogs must be kept on a lead. Drones and commercial photography need a permit.

Watch the crags for peregrine falcons and the slopes for feral goats; deer are more likely on the higher ground. Officials warn of midges on warm humid days and ticks away from the tracks, which carry a risk of Lyme disease, so use repellent, stay on paths, and check yourself afterwards.

Midday at peak season the car park and shore get busy, and the shoreline is a popular through-route rather than a private spot. Bring warm layers, spare clothes, water and food, midge repellent, and proper footwear if you plan to go beyond the flat shore paths. Plan your parking early in the day and the rest is straightforward.