Dublin’s mountain playground: the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive over the Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap, taking in Glendalough, Lough Tay and Powerscourt.
- Route difficulty ratings
- Safety tips
- Food and pub recommendations
- Dublin Airport access guide
The Wicklow Mountains scenic drive is the finest day out from Dublin, a loop into the wild upland known as the Garden of Ireland, all heather-clad moorland, glacial lakes and two of the highest mountain passes in the country. In a single day it takes in the iconic Sally Gap, the ancient monastic city of Glendalough, the dark waters of Lough Tay and the gardens of Powerscourt, barely an hour from the capital.
With the mountains right on Dublin’s doorstep, the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive is the easiest of all Ireland’s great drives to reach, yet it feels a world away from the city. A hire car is the only sensible way to explore it, letting you pause at every viewpoint, waterfall and lake along the way. This guide covers the full route, the best stops, where to eat, and how to get there.
Table of Contents
The Wicklow Mountains Scenic Drive at a Glance
The full Wicklow Mountains scenic drive from Dublin is around 120km and takes a relaxed full day with stops, crossing both the Sally Gap and the Wicklow Gap with Glendalough in between. Here are the key stretches of the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive at a glance, with the main stops on each.
| Stretch | Distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin to Powerscourt | Approx 25km | Glencullen, Enniskerry, Powerscourt Estate |
| The Sally Gap | Approx 25km | Lough Tay, Sally Gap, Glenmacnass Waterfall |
| Glendalough | Approx 10km | Monastic city, round tower, two lakes |
| The Wicklow Gap | Approx 30km | Laragh, the Wicklow Gap pass, Glendasan |
| Return via Roundwood | Approx 30km | Roundwood, Enniskerry, back to Dublin |
Interactive Wicklow Mountains Route Map
⬇ Download route (GPX for sat nav)Tap any numbered marker for the stop details, a photo of the main sights, road numbers and drive time to the next stop. The red line follows the full Dublin loop over both mountain passes. Download the GPX to load the route into Google Maps, a sat nav or a phone app.
What You Need to Know Before Driving the Wicklow Mountains
IMPORTANT: The mountain roads over the Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap are narrow, with blind summits, sharp bends and few barriers, and they cross open moorland where sheep wander freely onto the road. Keep your speed down, use the lay-bys to let faster traffic and cyclists past, and take particular care in mist, which can descend quickly at altitude. Lough Tay sits on private land owned by the Guinness family, so it is admired from the roadside viewpoint above, not from the shore.
Driving is on the left, and in the Republic of Ireland distances and speed limits are in kilometres. The route is not always well signposted up on the open mountain, so a good map or sat nav is useful, and a full tank before you leave the city is wise, as there are no filling stations up in the hills.
The Wicklow Mountains are popular at weekends and through the summer, when the car parks at Glendalough and Lough Tay fill early, so an early start is well worth it. Mountain weather is changeable and cooler than the lowlands, so pack layers and a waterproof, and if you plan to walk at Glendalough, bring proper footwear. For park information see Wicklow Mountains National Park and National Parks & Wildlife Service.
Stop 1: Dublin to Powerscourt
Leaving the south of Dublin, the route climbs quickly into the hills around Glencullen, home to Johnnie Fox’s, one of Ireland’s most famous pubs and a fine spot to bookend the day. The road drops into the pretty estate village of Enniskerry, all stone cottages around a triangular green, the gateway to the Wicklow Mountains.
Just beyond lies Powerscourt Estate, with its magnificent 18th-century house and one of the finest formal gardens in the world, laid out with terraces, statuary and views to the Sugarloaf mountain. A few kilometres south, the separate Powerscourt Waterfall is the highest in Ireland at 121m, tumbling down a rock face into wooded parkland, a lovely place for a picnic before the climb into the high mountains.
Powerscourt has appeared in countless films, from Barry Lyndon to The Tudors, and its Japanese gardens, walled garden and tree-lined avenues reward a wander. Many visitors choose to spend a couple of hours here at the start of the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive before heading up onto the open mountain, where the landscape changes completely.
Stop 2: The Sally Gap and Lough Tay
Now the drive enters its wildest stretch, climbing onto the Old Military Road towards the Sally Gap, one of the highest mountain passes in Ireland at around 500m. Built by the British army after the 1798 rebellion to flush out rebels, this stretch of the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive the road runs dead straight across vast blanket bog and open moorland, with hardly a building in sight, some of the most remote-feeling scenery within an hour of any European capital.
The Old Military Road was built between 1800 and 1809 to give the army access to a region that had sheltered rebels, and today it carries only a trickle of cars, cyclists and the occasional flock of sheep across the empty bog.
The undoubted star is Lough Tay, known to everyone as the Guinness Lake. Its dark, peat-stained water and the pale sandy beach at its head look uncannily like a pint of stout, and the lake sits in a dramatic bowl beneath Luggala mountain. It lies on land owned by the Guinness family, so you admire it from the roadside viewpoint above the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive, where the view is magnificent. Fans of the television series Vikings will recognise it as the village of Kattegat.
Dropping down the far side of the Sally Gap towards Laragh, the road passes Glenmacnass Waterfall, where the river spills dramatically over a long rock face beside the road. There is a car park at the top and a short walk to the falls, a popular and well-earned photo stop on the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive.
Stop 3: Glendalough
Glendalough, the valley of the two lakes, is the cultural heart of the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive and one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. Founded in the 6th century by Saint Kevin, who came here as a hermit, it grew into a great monastic city, and its remarkably preserved round tower, churches and graveyard still stand in a setting of extraordinary beauty between wooded mountains.
Beyond the monastic site, a path leads to the Upper Lake, the more scenic of the two, with a network of walking trails ranging from gentle lakeshore strolls to the challenging climb up the Spinc with its boardwalk along the cliff edge.
The visitor centre tells the story of Saint Kevin and the monastery, and there is ample parking, though it fills fast in summer. Allow a good couple of hours here at least. The name Glendalough comes from the Irish Gleann da Loch, meaning the valley of the two lakes, and the site was an important place of pilgrimage for centuries. The distinctive round tower, around 30m tall, served as a bell tower, landmark and refuge, and remains one of the finest examples in Ireland.
Stop 4: Laragh and the Wicklow Gap
The village of Laragh, just east of Glendalough, is the natural place to pause for lunch on the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive, with a cluster of pubs and restaurants serving walkers and drivers alike. From here the route climbs the second of the two great passes, the Wicklow Gap on the R756, an easier but no less beautiful crossing than the Sally Gap.
The Wicklow Gap road climbs through the Glendasan valley past old mine workings, then over open mountain to a summit with sweeping views west across the heart of the national park. It is a gentler, faster road than the Old Military Road, and links the Glendalough side with Hollywood and West Wicklow.
Driving both passes in one loop, as this route does, is what makes the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive so rewarding. The Glendasan valley on the climb was once mined for lead and zinc, and the ruins of the old mine buildings still cling to the hillside, a reminder of the area’s industrial past amid the wild scenery.
Stop 5: Roundwood and the Return to Dublin
To complete the loop, the route heads back north towards Dublin through Roundwood, which bills itself as the highest village in Ireland, a friendly spot with a couple of excellent pubs and eateries that make a good final stop. The road winds back through the foothills, with the Sugarloaf rising ahead and Dublin Bay opening up in the distance. The Vartry Reservoir near Roundwood is a peaceful spot to pause, its still water reflecting the surrounding hills, and a reminder that these mountains have long supplied Dublin with its drinking water.
Those with more time can extend the drive south to the lovely village of Avoca, of Ballykissangel fame, with its historic handweavers, or east to the coast and the cliff walk between Bray and Greystones. However you finish, the beauty of the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive is how much it packs into a single day, and how quickly the wild uplands give way again to the city.
A Suggested Wicklow Mountains Itinerary
The Wicklow Mountains scenic drive is an ideal full-day loop from Dublin. Leave the city after breakfast and head for Enniskerry and Powerscourt, allowing an hour or two for the gardens or the waterfall. Climb the Old Military Road to the Sally Gap by late morning, stopping at the Lough Tay viewpoint and Glenmacnass Waterfall for photos.
Arrive at Glendalough for lunch in nearby Laragh, then spend the early afternoon exploring the monastic city and the Upper Lake. In the afternoon, cross the Wicklow Gap for the second mountain pass, then loop back north through Roundwood, reaching Dublin in time for dinner. The Wicklow Mountains scenic drive is an easy, unhurried day, and one of the most scenic you can have anywhere in Ireland.
Where to Eat on the Wicklow Mountains Drive
There are no shops or cafes up on the high mountain passes of the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive, so the eating and drinking is concentrated in the villages, principally Enniskerry, Laragh, Glendalough and Roundwood. Plan your stops around these, and carry water and a snack for the high stretches in between.
In Laragh, right beside Glendalough, the Wicklow Heather is the standout, an award-winning restaurant going over 50 years, famous for its slow-roasted leg of Wicklow lamb and its Irish coffee made with local Glendalough Whiskey. Lynham’s of Laragh is the cosy local pub, a favourite with walkers for hearty food and a warm welcome after a day on the trails, while Casey’s Bar at the Glendalough Hotel is handy for the monastic site.
Up in Roundwood, the highest village in Ireland, the historic Roundwood Inn serves excellent traditional Irish food with a German twist, and Byrne & Woods is an award-winning gastro bar much loved locally. Wicklow lamb, Irish stew and hearty bacon and cabbage are the dishes to look out for across the region, perfect mountain fare.
For a proper pint and live music, Johnnie Fox’s in Glencullen is an institution, one of the oldest and most famous pubs in Ireland, with traditional sessions, dancing and its celebrated Hooley Night. Sitting high in the hills on the Dublin side, it is the perfect place to begin or end the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive with a Guinness by the fire.
The Best Time to Drive the Wicklow Mountains
Late spring and early autumn are ideal for the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive, with settled weather and long days, though the mountains are beautiful year round. In August and September the heather turns the moorland purple, one of the most spectacular sights of the Wicklow year, while autumn brings golden colour to the woods around Glendalough.
Weekends and summer days bring crowds, and the car parks at Glendalough and Lough Tay fill early, so an early weekday start is best if you can manage it. Mountain weather is changeable and noticeably cooler and mistier than Dublin, so check the forecast, pack layers, and be ready for the cloud to come down on the high passes.
Winter has its own stark beauty, but the high passes can be icy or closed in snow, so take care and check conditions. Whatever the season, give yourself a full day for the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive, the joy of it is in stopping often, walking a little, and lingering over the views rather than rushing the loop.
Hiring a Car for the Wicklow Mountains
A hire car is essential for the Wicklow Mountains, as public transport into the high mountains is minimal and the best of the drive lies well off any bus route. Dublin is the obvious gateway, with the country’s largest airport and the widest choice of car hire suppliers, and the mountains begin barely half an hour from the city. For everything you need on collecting a car and the best rates, see our guide to car hire in Ireland.
A smaller car is an advantage on the narrow mountain roads of the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive and in the busy village car parks. The Wicklow Mountains scenic drive makes a perfect first or last day of a longer Irish trip, given how close it is to Dublin Airport, and pairs naturally with the city itself. Compare car hire deals below and start planning your Wicklow Mountains scenic drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Wicklow Mountains drive take?
The full loop from Dublin over both the Sally Gap and the Wicklow Gap, with Glendalough in between, is around 120km and makes a relaxed full day with stops. The driving itself is only two to three hours, but with Powerscourt, Lough Tay, Glendalough and lunch you will easily fill a day. It is comfortably done as a day trip from Dublin.
Can you visit Lough Tay, the Guinness Lake?
Lough Tay is admired from the roadside viewpoint above it, not from the shore, as the lake and its land are privately owned by the Guinness family. The view from the lay-by on the Sally Gap road is superb and is where the famous photographs are taken. There is no public access down to the water itself.
Is the Sally Gap difficult to drive?
The Sally Gap is a narrow mountain road with blind summits, sharp bends and open moorland where sheep roam, but it is manageable for any careful driver in good weather. Keep your speed down, use the lay-bys, and take extra care in mist, which descends quickly at altitude. It can be icy or closed in winter snow, so check conditions.
What is the best stop on the Wicklow Mountains drive?
Glendalough, the 6th-century monastic city in the valley of the two lakes, is the highlight of the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive for most visitors, combining history, lakes and superb walks. Lough Tay, the Guinness Lake, and the Powerscourt gardens and waterfall are the other unmissable stops. Driving both the Sally Gap and the Wicklow Gap passes is what makes the loop so special.
Which airport is best for the Wicklow Mountains?
Dublin Airport is by far the best gateway, with the largest choice of flights and car hire suppliers in Ireland, and the Wicklow Mountains begin barely half an hour south of the city. This makes the drive an ideal first or last day of an Irish trip. See our car hire Ireland guide for details.
Plan Your Wicklow Mountains Scenic Drive
From the gardens of Powerscourt to the dark waters of Lough Tay, the ancient round tower of Glendalough and the wild crossings of the Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap, the Wicklow Mountains scenic drive packs an extraordinary amount into a single day, all within easy reach of Dublin. The Wicklow Mountains scenic drive is the perfect introduction to the Irish countryside, or a wonderful escape from the city.
Pick up a hire car in Dublin, point it south towards the hills, and the Wicklow Mountains are yours to explore. Compare car hire deals below and start planning your Wicklow Mountains scenic drive.
For another of Ireland’s great drives, see our Causeway Coastal Route scenic drive guide.
On the west coast, the Wild Atlantic Way scenic drive is the ultimate Irish road trip.
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