The Old Military Road is a scenic road that runs through the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Part of the R115, it offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the national park, and is well worth a detour if you are travelling by hire car or bus!
For the record, the Old Military would have been built by the British around 1800 in response to the conflict with the rebellious Irish clans. This road would have allowed them to build military barracks all along the way, in charge of hunting down these enemy clans, often taking refuge in inaccessible places in the park…
The advantage of the Old Military Road is that it passes through the middle of the Wicklow Mountains Park, and then descends to the mythical archaeological site of Glendalough. Accessible by bus, or car, the road can also be surveyed by bicycle, provided it is tough and well equipped (it is impossible to cross the park by bicycle in one day).
From the north of the park, you should encounter beautiful valleys and mountains, punctuated by impressive forests and lakes. Among them are the glacial lakes of Kippure Mountain: Lower Lough Bray and Upper Lough Bray.
Then come high tourist sites, such as :
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