Sprawling around Glendalough, this hilly national park is popular with hikers walking the Wicklow Way, a trail that cuts across the park. In the high season, you’ll find an information station at the Upper Lake at Glendalough where you can get maps and route guides. Behind the center is a sweet little “sensory garden” (free admission), containing a variety of plants chosen for their scent, texture, and even the sounds of the wildlife they attract. The closest parking is at Upper Lake, where you’ll pay a couple of euro per car; or just walk up from the visitor center at Glendalough, where the parking is free. Note: The Irish National Parks and Wildlife Service warns that ticks carrying Lyme disease are known to live in the hills. Although the risk of contracting the disease is small, you should dress in long sleeves, wear a hat, avoid hiking in shorts, and check for ticks afterward. Don’t panic too much if you find one, though; ticks need to be attached for at least 24 hours for infection to take place, and there has never actually been a reported case in Wicklow. In the Service’s reassuring words, “remember, be aware, but don’t worry.”