Sally Gap
4.5
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4.5
305 reviews
Excellent
235
Very good
56
Average
11
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Chantelle
Ireland101 contributions
June 2020 • Couples
Drove through Sally Gap on our way back from Wicklow to Dublin, absolutely stunning drive. Lots of beautiful natural scenery that is honestly breathtaking. Roads are very steep and bendy, however I only passed my test in March and I drove it fine. Lots of spots to pull in to park and take pictures. Definitely recommend!
Written 30 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gillian F
Alnwick, UK38 contributions
Oct 2021
In Ireland to plan a car club tour so couldn't leave experiencing Sally Gap out. Lovely twisting roads with some amazing scenery. Lots of passing places along the roadside.
Written 25 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
egwanderlust
Hampton, NH1,855 contributions
Sept 2019
Unfortunately we came here in late September. I was looking forward to the view but the weather did not cooperate. When we arrived to the parking spot the entire valley was enclosed in fog.
There were only a few cars along this route which made me feel more comfortable driving. If I had one suggestion I would say that a visitor should come during midday after the fog has cleared up.
There were only a few cars along this route which made me feel more comfortable driving. If I had one suggestion I would say that a visitor should come during midday after the fog has cleared up.
Written 29 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca B
Nottingham, UK176 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
Let me be clear from the start, this review is nothing to do with the scenery of the area. The Wicklow Mountains are beautiful and spectacular. We saw them in rain and shine and were amazed by the ever changing colours and bleak majesty of the place. It is definitely worth visiting.
However, we had an experience that marks Sally Gap out as the worst place we visited in our week in Wicklow. Having already visited Sally Gap and driven from Blessington Lakes, down the Military Road, we wanted to return on our way back from a few hours in Dublin. We drove via some great viewpoints and finally, just north of Glencree, stopped overlooking Upper Lough Bray. Beautiful. So beautiful that we decided to scramble down a well-worn footpath to see if we could get a better look at the lake.
Having discovered that we couldn't get as far as the lake edge, we returned to the car about fifteen minutes later to find two windows smashed and the only valuable object we'd left in the car - a mobile phone, not visible in the door pocket - stolen. A friendly hiker who had just arrived looked after us and called the Garda but also told us it was quite common in that area - for tourist cars to be targeted. Our hire car made us an easy target. Of course, being a hire car, we had to pay the insurance excess too - so being a victim of crime cost us money too.
Everyone we spoke to after the incident was mortified and very kind but they also told us that it's not uncommon for this to happen in the Sally Gap area. So, I recommend you don't leave your car here to go for a hike. It's not safe. Even without valuables on display, our case proves there are opportunists out there who will break two car windows just to see if there's anything worth stealing. And then you're stuck in the middle of that barren landscape with windows missing, a car full of broken glass, and feeling vulnerable.
We loved Wicklow and will definitely visit the mountains again. But we won't feel safe stopping in the Sally Gap area.
However, we had an experience that marks Sally Gap out as the worst place we visited in our week in Wicklow. Having already visited Sally Gap and driven from Blessington Lakes, down the Military Road, we wanted to return on our way back from a few hours in Dublin. We drove via some great viewpoints and finally, just north of Glencree, stopped overlooking Upper Lough Bray. Beautiful. So beautiful that we decided to scramble down a well-worn footpath to see if we could get a better look at the lake.
Having discovered that we couldn't get as far as the lake edge, we returned to the car about fifteen minutes later to find two windows smashed and the only valuable object we'd left in the car - a mobile phone, not visible in the door pocket - stolen. A friendly hiker who had just arrived looked after us and called the Garda but also told us it was quite common in that area - for tourist cars to be targeted. Our hire car made us an easy target. Of course, being a hire car, we had to pay the insurance excess too - so being a victim of crime cost us money too.
Everyone we spoke to after the incident was mortified and very kind but they also told us that it's not uncommon for this to happen in the Sally Gap area. So, I recommend you don't leave your car here to go for a hike. It's not safe. Even without valuables on display, our case proves there are opportunists out there who will break two car windows just to see if there's anything worth stealing. And then you're stuck in the middle of that barren landscape with windows missing, a car full of broken glass, and feeling vulnerable.
We loved Wicklow and will definitely visit the mountains again. But we won't feel safe stopping in the Sally Gap area.
Written 30 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicky M
38 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
Although I live only 20 minutes drive from here I had never visited the lakes and woods around the Wicklow Way. I had took a trip up on Monday, it was too windy by the lakes so we parked by the entrance to the Wicklow Way woods and went for a lovely walk. When we returned my back window had been smashed & they pulled down the back seats to access the boot, a lot of items were taken from the boot. When the Guards came they said this happened 3/4 times a week in the Summer months and that there is a gang who target women knowing their handbags are more than likely left covered in the boot. They apparently are looking for cash & will dump the bag nearby as they do not want to be caught with them. It totally ruined my experience of this beautiful area & it has cost a lot, financially and otherwise. I would never visit here again and had I known how common break ins were I would not have visited. It is likely we were being watched, we were only gone for 50 minutes as it was so cold we retreated to the car.
When we looked around where we were parked there was glass everywhere from other cars who had been broken into.
Leaving your car unattended at the lake or woods is not safe.
When we looked around where we were parked there was glass everywhere from other cars who had been broken into.
Leaving your car unattended at the lake or woods is not safe.
Written 23 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jessie
68 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We did this drive 1st thing in the morning. Our plane landed at Dublin airport at 6am and we were on our way to Sally's Gap drive. This worked out really well as all attractions were not yet open and we could not check in to our accomodations. I used the following 4 Googlemaps locations to get us around:
- Lough Tay Viewing Point, Ballinastoe
- Sally Gap, Powerscourt Mountain
- Glenmacnass Waterfall, Carrigeenduff
- Wicklow Heather Restaurant, Glendalough Road
You can take as much time as you want going around. There are many photo stops or you can leave the car behind and hike. There were sheeps on the road in spots which added to the charm and peacefulness of the place. Would highly recommend especially if you are so lucky to get a sunny day as we did.
- Lough Tay Viewing Point, Ballinastoe
- Sally Gap, Powerscourt Mountain
- Glenmacnass Waterfall, Carrigeenduff
- Wicklow Heather Restaurant, Glendalough Road
You can take as much time as you want going around. There are many photo stops or you can leave the car behind and hike. There were sheeps on the road in spots which added to the charm and peacefulness of the place. Would highly recommend especially if you are so lucky to get a sunny day as we did.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ErrollEwing
Portavogie, UK2 contributions
July 2017 • Family
Just spent the week in Bray, Wicklow with the family. The local tourist attractions, sallys gap, sugarloaf mountain, etc, are well worth the trip. But this comes with a big warning. There is currently one or more thieves targeting parked cars at the isolated parking areas used by walkers/climbers/sightseers. Their MO is to smash the rear window and pull forward the rear seats to steal the boot contents believing that the car owner has concealed valuables out of site.
We climbed sugar loaf this morning, luckily we had read a number of warnings like this on trip advisor, and left our car so that it was obvious that the boot and back seat were empty. When we returned the vehicle belonging to another family parked beside us had had their car broken into.
There are tell tale piles of glass fragments all over this carpark and other car parks across the mountains where multiple vehicles have been broken into.
I phoned the local police with info regarding a blue transit acting suspiciously in the area but the call taker didn't really seem that interested and didn't even note down my name and number. This problem will deter tourists until the local garda get on top if it.
Hope this warning helps and thanks to previous reviewers.
We climbed sugar loaf this morning, luckily we had read a number of warnings like this on trip advisor, and left our car so that it was obvious that the boot and back seat were empty. When we returned the vehicle belonging to another family parked beside us had had their car broken into.
There are tell tale piles of glass fragments all over this carpark and other car parks across the mountains where multiple vehicles have been broken into.
I phoned the local police with info regarding a blue transit acting suspiciously in the area but the call taker didn't really seem that interested and didn't even note down my name and number. This problem will deter tourists until the local garda get on top if it.
Hope this warning helps and thanks to previous reviewers.
Written 7 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Civilou
Bath, UK4 contributions
Nov 2015
I would highly recommend hiring a car while in dublin to drive through these mountains/moors/forests! Best feature : Lough Tay lake which is visible from the R759. You could make a loop, taking the R755-R759-R115.
Written 5 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen V
Tampa, FL3,161 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
You have to take a tour or drive to the Wicklow Mountains to understand how awesome it really is. There's such a nice breeze as you're taking in the stunning views that surround you. The mountains, the valley, and the lake that is shaped like a pint of Guinness beer. Getting there is an adventure in itself. It's paradise for anyone who likes taking pictures of the natural landscape. It's absolutely breathtaking! Don't miss it when visiting County Wicklow. Make it an all day excursion. It was our final stop after visiting Powerscourt, Glendalough, and the Mill at Avoca Village. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day.
Written 8 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colm M
Armagh21 contributions
Feb 2014 • Family
This is a must see - wild and rugged it takes you through wide open heather-land with panoramic views of the Wicklow Mountains. There is plenty of hill walking and signposted walks.I was driving but stopped many many times to absorb the views and take photos. You can see why films like Braveheart and Escalibur were filmed in this area.
Written 23 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a place to have a picnic lunch along the Sally Gap drive
Written 29 April 2019
No benches or tables, bring a picnic blanket...
Written 30 April 2019
Hello, if you are driving straight thru it could be done in 45 mins but allow plenty of time to take in the beautiful scenery, there are places along the way to pull in & take pictures. well worth the trip on a nice sunny day . !
Written 17 November 2015
Has anyone had experience in driving Sally Gap in a classic car.
Written 16 April 2015
The road surface is a bit uneven, and bumpy in places, although regularly maintained, there are problems associated with flooding and freezing temperature in places on the road from Sallygap to Laragh and Glendalough, the route from Blessington to Roundwood is OK, and the route back to Dublin is also bumpy, with some potholes to negotiate. Best time to drive is between 11:00 am and 3:30 pm, ( Monday to Friday ) there is little traffic on the road at this time and one can enjoy the scenery. Weekends are busy as are rush hour periods as the road is used as a "rat run" to avoid congestion on the main routes. Allow yourself plenty of time, but be wary of other drivers who may be in a hurry to get somewhere. Warning, do not leave valuables or personal belongings on view in the car, best advise is to park where you can see it, and do not leave it unattended for long spells of time as sadly, opportunistic thieves do drive up here regularly, and many tourists have lost valuables and cars have been damaged.
Written 17 April 2015
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