How to Visit the Sally Gap and Old Military Road
Here's our guide on visiting the Sally Gap and Old Military Road in Wicklow County, Ireland. Includes tips on how to get there, when to go, and what to expect.
Sally Gap is a mountainous pass in the Wicklow Mountains National Park and a must-see place on every Ireland road trip itinerary.
It's also a crossroad on Old Military Road, which is considered to be one of the best scenic drives in Ireland.
Without any doubt, it's one of the most beautiful places that you can visit near Dublin.
Its dramatic scenery and proximity to Ireland's capital city make it an excellent place to visit on a day trip from Dublin or when touring the Emerald Isle.
In our case, it was one of the first places we visited on our journey around the island.
As soon as we started navigating the narrow road to Sally Gap, we quickly realized this would not be an ordinary road trip.
So here's everything you need to know before visiting Sally Gap.
Road-Tripping the Sally Gap and Old Military Road
After leaving Dublin behind, our first steps led us not directly to the Old Military Road but to Powerscourt.
We left Dublin Airport earlier than we expected, so we changed our plans a bit.
Enniskerry
It was a spontaneous decision we hadn't planned back home, so we missed the first part of the R115.
On the other hand, we had an opportunity to explore the lovely Powerscourt House and Gardens and the nearby beautiful Powerscourt Waterfall.
From Enniskerry, we then followed the L1011 to Glencree.
The road to Glencree is one of those typical rural Irish roads that's very green, narrow, and has this corridor-like feel.
And technically, it's one of the side arms of the Old Military Road, so we didn't miss that much.
Old Military Road
Here, we finally joined the R115, and the breathtaking views instantly opened up.
So what is the R115, known as the Old Military Road, famous for?
The 60-kilometer Old Military Road stretches from Rathfarnham (in Dublin) to Aughavannagh via Sally Gap across the entire Wicklow Mountains.
It was built by soldiers between 1801 and 1809 after the 1798 rebellion to help the British army travel quickly across this area, fight against the rebels, and restrict their movement.
Today, this road is mostly used as a scenic route by tourists on their journey to explore this amazing part of Ireland.
And even though this area is on every itinerary, the road was mostly deserted, and we met only a few cars while there.
Lower Lough Bray and Upper Lough Bray
Not that far from Glencree, we had the opportunity to explore the lovely Lower Lough Bray and Upper Lough Bray.
The lakes are a bit in the distance, so you might consider exploring this area on foot to get better views.
Then we continued to Sally Gap.
Sally Gap
The crossroad itself is obviously not very impressive, but it's an important point on your journey that will present you with multiple choices (four, to be precise).
Once you reach Sally Gap, you need to decide on what's your next move.
You can continue to Glendalough, turn left to Roundwood, turn right to Blessington, or travel back to Dublin.
Apart from that, there is no reason to stop at Sally Gap.
P.S. I Love You Bridge
Here we decided to turn left and drove to P.S. I Love You Bridge and Lough Tay.
Before we reached the lake viewpoints, we made a quick stop at the P.S. I Love You Bridge, less than three kilometers from Sally Gap.
This is just a quick stop, mostly for movie fans or those who want to stretch their legs once again.
Even if you are not keen on doing either, we still recommend visiting the Lough Tay.
Lough Tay
Honestly, this was probably our favorite part of the entire trip.
This stretch of the road is incredibly scenic and features one of the most beautiful lakes in Ireland.
Also known as Guinness Lake, Lough Tay is best seen from the scenic viewpoints along the R759.
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most beautiful places in County Wicklow.
By the way, this lake nestled between Djouce Mountain and Luggala was also used as a filming location for Kattegat in the TV show Vikings.
As you can clearly see from the photo below, Lough Tay has the best viewpoints in the Sally Gap area.
After seeing the lake, we decided to turn around and drive back to Sally Gap, where we turned left and joined R115 once again.
You could also explore the road leading to Blessington with places such as Seefin Passage Tomb, but we didn't have time for that.
Glenmacnass Waterfall
The rest of the journey to Laragh was also very scenic, and we especially enjoyed Glenmacnass Waterfall.
Unlike the one in Powerscourt, you can visit this one for free, which is great, if you're visiting Ireland on a budget.
If you still have time, you can explore the area at the top of the waterfall on foot, just be careful and stay away from the edge of the waterfall.
Here you will also find some tips on staying safe in Ireland.
In Laragh, we turned left onto R576 and finally arrived in Glendalough.
Glendalough
At the end of the day, we arrived at Glendalough, a small village in the countryside.
Even though it was already pretty late, we decided to explore the renowned Glendalough Monastic Site.
Founded by St. Kevin, this early 6th-century Christian monastic settlement is one of the top attractions in Ireland, especially the Round Tower is the highlight of this site.
We stayed in the village overnight and the next day hiked the Spinc Trail, one of the best trails in the Wicklow Mountains.
How to Get There
The easiest way to visit Sally Gap is by car or with a tour. Unfortunately, there is no public transport to Sally Gap.
Here you can read our tips on how to get around Ireland.
Depending on your pace and itinerary, it takes about one to two hours to visit Sally Gap and drive the Old Military Road.
By Car
In our opinion, renting a car in Ireland is not only the best way to see the Sally Gap but also to explore the entire Emerald Isle.
It gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace and make as many stops as you want along the way.
There are plenty of stops along the way, so having a car in this area is a huge advantage.
Just don't forget that the roads in the Sally Gap area, such as the Old Military Road, are narrow. Therefore, here are the tips for driving in Ireland.
A rule of thumb is that you need to drive slowly and pay attention to oncoming traffic.
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Cycling
The road offers a beautiful but relatively hard climb to Sally Gap, perfect for all enthusiast cyclists.
Just make sure to be prepared for cycling in windy conditions and cooler weather, and be careful when going downhill.
Tour
Alternatively, you can consider taking a tour departing from the capital city. Some of them also include Glendalough or Powerscourt, so pick the one according to your preferences.
For instance, this Glendalough and Wicklow Tour from Dublin is quite popular.
The tours to Sally Gap are a great and quite affordable way to see the Wicklow Mountains in case you don't want to rent a car.
Directions
Sally Gap is technically a crossroad in the middle part of the Wicklow Mountains. Therefore, there are four different access points to this area.
Obviously, most visitors arrive at Sally Gap from Dublin, which lies north of here.
Sally Gap is about 30 to 40 kilometers from Dublin City Center, depending on your preferred route.
From M50, take the Firhouse exit (Junction 12) and connect to R115 past Woodstown Village.
Alternatively, from the city center, follow the R137, R114, and R115 all the way to Sally Gap.
While this route is shorter (and without toll), it usually takes about the same time as the M50 route, as you need to navigate through the entire city.
Glendalough is a small village 22 kilometers south of the crossroad. For most visitors, this is the next stop on their itinerary.
However, you will probably follow this direction if you're road-tripping Ireland counterclockwise.
You can also drive to Sally Gap from Blessington in the west (18 kilometers) or Roundwood in the east (12 kilometers).
When to Go
Sally Gap can be visited all year round, but there are a few things you should know about the local weather before you go.
Firstly, we recommend you read our guide on when to visit Ireland to get a better idea of what to expect.
When it comes to Sally Gap, keep in mind that this is still a mountainous pass, even despite the relatively low elevation.
The weather in Ireland is unpredictable, and this fact is doubly true in this area.
Even in summer, you can expect rain and fog, making the driving conditions challenging.
Still, summer is considered to be the best time of the year to visit Sally Gap and Old Military Road.
We visited Sally Gap in May and lucked out on the weather.
Honestly, we couldn't have wished for better weather. Unlike our trip to Dingle Peninsula, it was perfect.
However, the situation gets more unpredictable between October and May, basically the period that ranges from late autumn to early spring.
In fact, Sally Gap might even be closed in winter as the roads become impassable.
Therefore, always check the local news, which has the most up-to-date information on this area. And don't underestimate the local warnings.
Even if the road is open, negotiating twisting (snow-covered or icy) roads around Sally Gap can be challenging, so make sure to drive slowly.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Pack
For exploring the Sally Gap and Old Military Road area, we recommend packing breathable layers that you can add or remove depending on the weather.
Always make sure you have proper rain gear, such as a good rain jacket or rain poncho.
In summer, you might want to bring sunscreen and insect repellent.
Remember to stay hydrated throughout the day. Bring a water bottle.
Even though this trip includes plenty of driving, you should still have comfortable walking shoes.
Here you will also find some tips on what to pack for Ireland.
Where to Stay
There is no accommodation at Sally Gap, so you need to look elsewhere.
If you're visiting the Wicklow Mountains on a day trip from Dublin, you will most likely stay in the city center.
Another good starting point for Sally Gap is Enniskerry, a lovely village on the northeast border of the national park.
However, most visitors decide to stay in Glendalough, in the heart of the national park.
As we traveled across the Sally Gap from Dublin, we decided to stay in this village as it made the most sense.
There are also some accommodations along the way in case the suggested places are booked out or if you're looking for quieter locations.
Here are the best hotels to stay in when visiting the Sally Gap.
Dublin | Leonardo Hotel Dublin Parnell Street - Located on Dublin's Parnell Street, Leonardo Hotel has a perfect location for exploring the city center and its top attractions. The hotel has contemporary rooms with comfy beds, welcoming staff, and an on-site restaurant and bar. A buffet breakfast is available.
Glendalough | The Glendalough Hotel - Situated in the heart of Glendalough, this lovely hotel offers en suite rooms with countryside and mountain views, a restaurant serving local food, and a traditional Irish pub. The hotel has an excellent location for exploring the national park.
Enniskerry | Summerhill House Hotel - A charming country-house hotel situated just outside of Enniskerry, Summerhill House Hotel features a peaceful location, stylish rooms, a restaurant serving local cuisine, and free parking.
Is Sally Gap Worth Visiting?
Unless you're pressed for time or don't want to include the Wicklow Mountains in your travel itinerary, there is no reason to avoid this scenic drive.
Honestly, driving from Dublin to Glendalough via Sally Gap is a fantastic experience that will allow you to quickly leave the urban areas behind and enjoy some of the finest Irish scenery right from the start of your trip.
One of the best things we liked so much about driving the Old Military Road and visiting Sally Gap is that you can enjoy the stunning views for a big part of the trip.
Another great reason to visit Sally Gap is that the scenic drive is very different from the ones you can find in the coastal areas, such as the Ring of Kerry or Beara Peninsula.
Therefore, we believe that Sally Gap is definitely worth visiting.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
