Wicklow Gap Military Road

Built by British forces after the 1798 Rebellion, this granite-carved military road cuts through the spine of the Wicklow Mountains from Glencree to Laragh. The route climbs past the ruins of Glencree Barracks before crossing exposed moorland at 1,600 feet, where Atlantic gales can pin your vehicle sideways against weathered stone walls. The descent through Sally Gap offers views across Lough Tay’s glacial waters, while bog crossings near Lough Dan test your line choice on soft, centuries-old peat.

Moderate difficulty requires high-clearance vehicles for loose stone sections and waterlogged bog tracks. Spring through autumn offers the best conditions, though mist can roll in without warning any time of year. Stock 4WD handles most sections, but winter ice makes the exposed plateau treacherous. The reward is driving through Ireland’s most dramatic mountain landscape, where ancient rebellion history meets raw Celtic wilderness just an hour from Dublin.