Escape the City: Hiking in County Wicklow

One of the best parts of living in Dublin is the ability to be outside of the city and deep into the countryside within 30 minutes. In just half an hour, the traffic lights and city buses are replaced with green rolling hills and small villages. On a sunny Sunday morning I thought it would be a great day to get in the car and explore Wicklow.

Our destination was Sally Gap, a scenic mountain pass deep in the Wicklow Mountains (map). February and March are a great time to do this drive because it coincides with the season lambs are being born. As we maneuvered narrow country roads, snow-white lambs were playfully wrestling with their siblings and mothers in the fields.

Not only is this area of County Wicklow great for a scenic drive, but its a great place to dust off the old hiking boots and enjoy the scenery. The Wicklow Way is a 132-kilometer walking trail in this area of Ireland. There are trails appropriate for a family walk or a challenging afternoon hike.

Tours of County Wicklow can also bring visitors out into the countryside – but there’s nothing quite like getting into a rental car and finding your own way. Luckily, the street signs are actually quite good, and show distances in kilometers to all attractions along the country roads.

No trip to Dublin would be complete without escaping the city as well. The spectacular countryside begins right on the doorstep of Dublin, and there are many historical attractions, scenic overpasses, and new-born lambs waiting to be seen.

Photo Credit: Jessica Colley