5 min read…

After over 100 days of lockdown, we decided to head for a road trip because a sunny day in Ireland is scarce and precious. After much deliberation, we zeroed in on the Wicklow mountains.

This is our 4th travel blog post. Don’t forget to check our other travel posts. Wicklow mountains offer spectacular scenery, and photos cannot do justice to its real beauty. So, here’s our itinerary, places we visited, and some photos we captured along the way.

Sally Gap –

The trip has to start at Sally Gap – a mountain pass home to one of the finest drives in Ireland. On the road to Sally Gap, you get spectacular views of the Wicklow mountains.

It is a paradise for a road trip, hiking, biking or trekking alike. Once you reach Sally Gap, drive along the Old Military Road (R115) towards Glendalough Valley.

 

Lough Tay –

Fondly called the Guinness Lake (supposedly because from the top it looks like a pint of Guinness), Lough Tay is a scenic lake set on private property. Along with Glendalough, this is the most photographed location in Ireland.

The bright white sand along its shores are imported by the Guinness family. Though there are a few viewpoints, finding a place to park your car becomes challenging during busy days.

 

Glenmacnass Waterfall –

It is an 80-metre waterfall at the head of the Glenmacnass Valley. This is more of a photostop en route the Glendalough.

There’s a visitor’s car park only 2 minutes away from the waterfall. However, I’d advise you to drive a little further down the road and you’ll find lots of places to park your car and get stunning views.

 

Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens –

This is a 52 acre garden just outside Wicklow Town. There’s a huge car park, cafe, and the entry is free. The place is open all year round (every day 9am – 5pm), except for the Christmas day. The grounds are free to explore, and you can also ask for a guided tour.

 

Lunch @ Jack Whites Inn –

Jack Whites Inn is a pub and restaurant conveniently located on the way to Brittas Bay beach. Everything from the ambiance, the food, to the service was top-notch and we highly recommend this place.

 

Brittas Bay Beach –

It was too sunny to not go to a beach. So, after lunch, we decided to stretch our legs with a stroll along Brittas Bay – a 4km stretch of beach on the Irish Sea coast. The beautiful powdery sand dunes make way for a leisurely walk along the shore.

The entry to the huge car park costs 4 euros. Remember to carry extra clothes and a towel because who knows, the beach and its ambiance might just entice you to take a dip.

 

Killiney Beach –

The day was still sunny, and our mood was still upbeat. So, knowing very well that it was a bit of a detour, we still headed to one of our favorite beaches in Dublin.

Killiney beach is a large stony beach situated on the south side of the Killiney Hill. Killiney itself is an affluent seaside resort and suburb. There’s a dart station right at the footsteps of the beach, in case you don’t own a car.

The stony beach on one side, the hill on the other side, and a beautiful green dart sandwiched in between – there’s a lot in here to mesmerize you.

 

We missed quite a few prominent spots in Wicklow due to various reasons (either the place was crowded, it was closed for visitors, or we didn’t have time.) So, here are a few more places worth visiting:

1. Glendalough
2. Powerscourt waterfall and gardens
3. Luggala
4. The Sugarloaf Trail
5. Victor’s way – Indian sculpture Park

 

Also, if you are looking for places to visit near Killiney, check out:

1. Bray Head
2. Dun Laoghaire
3. Greystones
4. Dalkey

 

If you live in Dublin, Ireland, and looking to blend with nature; look no further –

JUST WANDER IN THE WICKLOW WONDERLAND!

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– Kavi & Ninja