Wicklow Mountains Drive

Just an hour from Dublin lies Ireland's largest upland area - the Wicklow Mountains. This route crosses the heart of the range through glacial valleys, past pristine lakes, and over the famous Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap passes.

Why This Route?

The Wicklow Mountains deliver drama surprisingly close to the capital:

• Glacial valleys - U-shaped valleys carved by ice age glaciers
• Mountain passes - Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap offer exhilarating driving
• Lakes - Lough Tay, Lough Dan, and the Glendalough lakes
• Accessibility - Under an hour from Dublin city centre
• Film locations - Vikings, Braveheart, P.S. I Love You

Where to Stay

This 105-kilometre mountain crossing runs from Dublin through Enniskerry and Powerscourt, over the Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap passes, to finish at Glendalough. The route is linear, dropping from the northern suburbs into progressively wilder uplands, and with 1-2 days recommended you can approach it from either end. Dublin works for a morning start, but staying near Glendalough puts you closer to the best walking and the monastic valley.

Glendalough

Glendalough is the route's grand finale and sits at the heart of the Wicklow Mountains National Park. A small but growing collection of hotels, lodges, and B&Bs operates in and around Laragh village, barely a kilometre from the monastic ruins. Staying here lets you walk the Spinc trail or the Upper Lake boardwalk in the early morning light before the coach tours arrive, then drive north over the Wicklow Gap and Sally Gap with the whole day ahead.

The Landscape

The Wicklow Mountains are a granite dome, weathered over 400 million years. The highest point is Lugnaquilla (925m), but the passes and valleys are more accessible and equally dramatic.

The Route

Starting from Dublin

Head south through the suburbs or take the faster M11/M50 to join the route at Enniskerry.

Enniskerry

A picture-perfect estate village at the gates of Powerscourt. The village square is charming, with cafes and craft shops.

Powerscourt Estate

One of Ireland's greatest gardens - 47 acres of formal gardens, terraces, and woodland with views of Great Sugar Loaf mountain. The waterfall (separate entrance) is Ireland's highest at 121m.

Great Sugar Loaf

This distinctive conical peak (501m) dominates the skyline. The walk to the summit takes about an hour and rewards with panoramic views.

Glencree

A peaceful valley with a reconciliation centre in former military barracks. The German War Cemetery here contains graves of WWII servicemen.

Sally Gap

One of Ireland's most famous mountain passes. The road crosses blanket bog at 498m, with views extending to the Dublin and Wicklow coasts on clear days.

Lough Tay (Guinness Lake)

The iconic dark lake with its white sand beach - the sand was imported by the Guinness family, whose estate surrounds the lake. Best viewed from the Sally Gap road above.

Lough Dan

A more accessible lake with parking and walking trails. The scenery rivals the Scottish Highlands.

Wicklow Gap

A second dramatic pass crossing the mountains from east to west. Less trafficked than Sally Gap but equally impressive.

Glendalough

End at this famous monastic site (see separate Glendalough route for details). The valley setting is spectacular.

Walking Options

Spinc & Glendalough Loop

• Distance: 9km
• Time: 3-4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Highlights: Valley views, Upper Lake, boardwalk

White Hill from Sally Gap

• Distance: 6km return
• Time: 2-3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Highlights: Bog walk, panoramic views

Great Sugar Loaf

• Distance: 4km return
• Time: 1.5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Highlights: Easy summit, coastal views

Practical Tips

1. Sally Gap road can close in winter - Check conditions November-March
2. No fuel stations in the mountains - Fill up before leaving
3. Weather changes quickly - Pack layers even in summer
4. Lough Tay is private - View from the road only
5. Powerscourt needs 2-3 hours - Don't rush the gardens

Film Locations

The Wicklow Mountains have doubled for locations worldwide:

• Braveheart - Battle scenes at Curragh Plains
• Vikings - Lough Tay (Kattegat)
• P.S. I Love You - Sally Gap and Wicklow Way
• The Count of Monte Cristo - Powerscourt

Best Light

• Morning - East-facing valleys lit from behind
• Evening - Sally Gap and Lough Tay golden hour
• Autumn - Heather and bracken turn golden

Before You Drive This Route

The Wicklow Mountains Drive is 96km and about 3.5 hours of driving, though 1-2 days is the honest figure once you factor in the stops. Visitors who have never driven on the left should start with driving on the left in Ireland; the Irish roundabout rules guide covers the other thing that catches people out. For what a trip like this costs in 2026, from fuel to beds, see the budget guide. Automatic or manual is the decision that catches most visitors out — manual versus automatic has the honest answer for Irish roads. More drives in the same corner of the country are on the County Wicklow page, and the Glendalough & Eastern Valleys pairs naturally with this one.