RoadAtlas
Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland — Scenic
Europe

Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains

Ireland

Point-to-point
Dublin Bray

In short: Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains is a 137 km scenic road trip in Ireland, typically driven over 1 day, best in Apr–Sep. Highlights: Dublin, Enniskerry, Sally Gap.

Distance
137 km
Duration
1 day
Best Season
Apr–Sep
IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

From Dublin's Georgian streets into the granite mountains of the Wicklow interior, through Sally Gap's bare moorland, the oak forest of Glenealo Valley, mirror lakes, and stone ruins. The Emerald Isle's most accessible wilderness drive, returning via the coast at Bray.

Practical notes
The Bray–Greystones cliff walk remains closed as a through route; recheck the official closure page and never instruct users around barriers. Use the open Bray Head/promontory option or seafront. Check Wicklow Mountains National Park and Bray alerts the same morning. This one-day plan chooses Powerscourt Gardens—not the waterfall—then Sally Gap and a defined Glendalough block. Choose legal Upper or Lower Lake parking based on the planned walk and verify current trail works/closures before naming a path.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Dublin / Enniskerry via Sally Gap and Glendalough to Bray

Powerscourt Estate and Gardens · Sally Gap scenic drive · Poppies

Stops along the route

Dublin — Departure — Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland
Departure
Dublin
Ireland's Georgian capital. Cross the Grand Canal south and watch the city thin as the Wicklow hills rise ahead on the horizon.
Hotels
Enniskerry — City — Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland
City
Enniskerry
A photogenic estate village below Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest in Ireland. The Powerscourt Estate gardens are among the finest in Europe.
Hotels
Bray — Arrival — Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland
Arrival
Bray
A Victorian seaside town where the Wicklow coastal road meets Dublin Bay. The Harbour Bar is the traditional last stop before the final run back to the capital.
Hotels

Things to Do

Sally Gap — Landmark — Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland
Landmark
Sally Gap
The high moorland crossroads at Wicklow's heart. Bare peat bog stretches to every horizon; the Military Road built after the 1798 rebellion crosses here.
Glendalough — Landmark — Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland
Landmark
Glendalough
A 6th-century monastic settlement in the Valley of Two Lakes, with a round tower, cathedral ruins, and oak forest. Ireland's most atmospheric early Christian site.
Powerscourt Estate and Gardens — Gardens — Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland
Gardens
Powerscourt Estate and Gardens
Choose the gardens; omit the separate waterfall on this one-day version.
Sally Gap scenic drive — Mountain road — Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland
Mountain road
Sally Gap scenic drive
Use signed viewpoints and check weather/road status.
Glendalough Monastic City and Green Road — Heritage and short walk — Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland
Heritage and short walk
Glendalough Monastic City and Green Road
Allow a defined block, choose suitable parking and use the trail only if current notices show it open.
Bray seafront or open Bray Head loop — Coastal walk — Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland
Coastal walk
Bray seafront or open Bray Head loop
Use the open alternative; the Greystones through cliff walk remains closed.

Where to Eat

Poppies — Irish café — Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland
Irish café
Poppies
Use the Enniskerry lunch around the gardens visit.
The Martello — Irish pub food — Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains — Ireland
Irish pub food
The Martello
Verify the Bray dinner/kitchen hours.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains drive?

The Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains covers 137 km from start to finish.

How long does the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains take to drive?

Most travellers spend 1 day on the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains?

The recommended season for the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains is Apr–Sep.

Where does the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains start and end?

The Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains runs from Dublin to Bray.

What are the main stops on the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains?

The Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains passes through Dublin, Enniskerry, Sally Gap.

How difficult is the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains to drive?

The Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains in a regular car?

Yes — the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains EV friendly?

Yes — the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains safe to drive?

The Bray–Greystones cliff walk remains closed as a through route; recheck the official closure page and never instruct users around barriers. Use the open Bray Head/promontory option or seafront. Check Wicklow Mountains National Park and Bray alerts the same morning. This one-day plan chooses Powerscourt Gardens—not the waterfall—then Sally Gap and a defined Glendalough block. Choose legal Upper or Lower Lake parking based on the planned walk and verify current trail works/closures before naming a path.

What scenic tier is the Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains?

The Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.