When was the Old Military Road built?
Ireland, europe
38.6 km
500 m
moderate
Year-round
Hit the R115, aka the Old Military Road, for an epic trek through the Wicklow Mountains! This beauty snakes through Dublin and Wicklow, and get this – it's one of the first purpose-built roads in Ireland, dating back to the early 1800s when soldiers carved it out. Keep an eye out for the old barracks they left behind.
Clocking in at almost 40 kilometers, this paved road trip runs from Rathfarnham, just south of Dublin, down to the charming village of Laragh. But don't expect a smooth ride! This mountain route is narrow, twisty, and can get pretty bumpy. The boggy ground makes for a rollercoaster feel, with dips and sags all over the place.
While there aren’t many crazy cliffs, caution is key – blind curves are everywhere. Rally car drivers have even put the road to the test!
Give yourself 1 to 1.5 hours to drive it without stops, but trust me, you'll want to pull over. Nestled in Wicklow Mountains National Park, the views are breathtaking, no matter the weather. Be prepared for rugged terrain and some serious crosswinds, even in summer.
Heads up: at its highest point, the road crests at 500 meters. Winter can bring closures due to snow and ice, and sometimes flooding or fallen trees will block the way. Rainy weather turns the surrounding land into a boggy mess, and sometimes the road sinks a bit.
Road Details
- Country
- Ireland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 38.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 500 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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