The roads through Wicklow Uplands have been a playground and proving ground for generations of Dublin's motorcyclists with runs on a variety of road surfaces. The east-west Wicklow Gap road is one of the smoothest and quickest, while the north-south Military Road from Killakee to Aghnavannagh is notorious for its irregular road surface, hidden cambers, potholes and deep roadside ditches.
Three Rock Mountain, a 450m 'peak' is familiar for residents and visitors to Dublin City less than 10 kilometres from the city centre. South of 3 Rock lie the Wicklow Uplands, an area of land roughly 40 kilometres wide west to east, and 80 kilometres long north to south rising to peaks of 700m-900m and divided by narrow valleys.
Many of the roads across the Uplands date from after the 1798 Rising and the French Invasion threat. Work began on a road along the backbone of the Uplands with roads into the heads of each valley. Five military barracks were planned ~ Glencree, Glenass, Drumgoft and Aghnavanagh, with room for 100~200 soldiers in each. By 1810 the invasion threat was over with the destruction of the French fleet, and after 1815 the military lost interest and handed upkeep of the road to Wicklow county council. Apart from rare surfacing of 'tar & gravel chips', the alignment and foundations of the Military Road are original. It is one great motorcycle ride!
The village of Laragh, at the meeting of five valleys, with its hotels, cafes and hostels is probably the hub of most runs. Nearby is Glendalough, an attractive monastic site with 11th century church ruins, 1,000-year-old round tower and lake walks. Loughs Tay and Dan are set in desolate countryside and the road, set high on the hillside, has spectacular views south on a good day. The exposed highlands bring extreme weather, dense fog and freezing rain, the glaciated features blanket bog and abandoned turf cutings a danger to hill walkers and off-roaders.
Wicklow's 'Romantic' road runs south-east from Laragh by 'The Vale of Clara' to Rathdrum and the Meeting of the Waters in Avoca, made famous by poet Thomas Moore. The road and river reach the sea at Arklow.
The Uplands are bounded by the M50 motorway on the north, the N81 and N80 roads on the western side, and the N11 dual carriageway to the east. The N80 joins the N11 near Enniscorthy.
For Riders with limited time to spare or seeking an alternative route from Rosslare ferry-port to Dublin I have set out two routes with maps.