Scary Good
Our Favorite Area in Ireland
Conors Pass
What They Are about
The Conor Pass, which runs from Dingle on the southern end of the peninsula towards Brandon Bay and Castlegregory in the North, in County Kerry, is one of the highest mountain pass in Ireland, at an elevation of 410 m above the sea level. This narrow road snakes through verdant vistas, and its view of the lakes below is the stuff of fairy tales.
The Conor Pass is situated in the Dingle Peninsula and offers to drivers the breathtaking, cliff hanging experience of navigating through Ireland's highest mountain pass, in a road tight and precarious, weaving its way around the sharp cliff faces. The views from the road are breathtaking, as the glaciated landscape of mountains and corrie lakes comes into view. From Dingle Town the road runs some 4½ miles rising to 1500 ft as it winds its way to the pass.
Despite the fact that this narrow and twisting road road climbs up the highest mountain pass in Ireland, this road is usually open all year, but during winter months, it can be closed when the access is not cleared of snow. Due to the nature of the road, there are length and weight restrictions, and vehicles such as caravans, camper vans and trucks can not use the pass. The surface of the road is asphalted. From the scenic carpark at the summit there are views as far as the Aran Islands off County Galway.
Our Notes
Etiquette is to anticipate cars coming at you and to wait if you see you are going to be met by one. There's quite good forward visibility along the Conor Pass. If you see a car ahead of you (travelling in the same direction) pulling into a waiting area, you should go into the first one you come to; it's easy for two cars to pass, but not so for multiple. If you find yourself face to face with a car coming towards you, it is custom for whoever is closest to a waiting area to reverse, but there will be so many other tourists on that road, local practice may not apply.
