Where is Slea Head Drive?

Where is Slea Head Drive?

Ireland, europe

Length

47 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're in Ireland, ready for an adventure, and someone whispers, "Slea Head Drive." Trust me, you need to do it. This loop starts and ends in the adorable town of Dingle, and it's like someone took all the best bits of the Dingle Peninsula and strung them together.

We're talking about the far west of County Kerry, so get ready for some wild Atlantic views. The R559 is about 30 miles long, a full circle that brings you right back to Dingle. The pavement is generally good, but keep your eyes peeled for the odd pothole trying to jump out and surprise you. Insider tip: go clockwise, especially in summer, to avoid meeting tour buses head-on on the narrow bits.

Speaking of narrow bits, yeah, this drive isn't for the faint of heart. It's all twists and turns, and sometimes the road gets a little *too* close to those dramatic cliff edges. But hey, that's what makes it exciting, right? Plus, the views are absolutely worth it. Think endless ocean, the mysterious Blasket Islands looming in the distance, and a coastline so green it looks like it's straight out of a fairytale.

You'll find incredible beaches, hidden coves, and even a cool religious site along the way. The Blasket Islands are a must-see, and the towns of Dunquin, Ventry, and Dingle itself are all begging to be explored. National Geographic once called the Dingle Peninsula "the most beautiful place on earth," and honestly, they might be right. It's a photographer's dream.

My advice? Go early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the crowds. Weekdays are your friend here. Give yourself at least three hours to really soak it all in – you'll want to stop a *lot*. Oh, and if you're a "Star Wars" fan, keep an eye out – parts of "The Last Jedi" were filmed here! So, buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable Irish road trip. You won't regret it.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Ireland
Continent
europe
Length
47 km
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in europe

The road to Col de Saluces is not for the faint of hearthard

The road to Col de Saluces is not for the faint of heart

🇫🇷 France

Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Col de Saluces is calling your name, way up in the French Alps (Hautes-Alpes department, to be exact). We're talking a lofty 2,445 meters (8,021 feet) above sea level, so be prepared for some serious altitude. This isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. It's a rugged, unpaved rollercoaster of bumps and patches that demands a 4x4. Think steep climbs, tight hairpin turns, and sections that have seen better days. Winter? Forget about it. This pass is snowed in until late June, maybe even July some years. It's more of a service road for ski lift maintenance and mountain lodges. Oh, and did I mention it's windy up there? The adventure starts in Vars, and it's a 13.9 km (8.63 mile) climb to the top. You'll be facing some serious gradients, hitting 10.5% in places, so be ready to put your vehicle to the test. But trust me, the views are worth it! You'll be treated to stunning vistas of the Queyras, the Embrunais, and the majestic Pelvoux Massif. Get ready for some unforgettable photo ops!

Col de Gembrehard

Col de Gembre

🇫🇷 France

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Col de Gembre in the Hautes-Pyrénées, France, is calling your name. This high mountain pass tops out at a cool 1,635m (5,364ft) – are you ready for those views? The road starts out smooth in Nistos, a cute little mountain town. Cruise along for 14km on asphalt until you hit the Nistos ski resort, sitting pretty at 1,600m. But that's where the real fun begins! The pavement ends, and the road turns to gravel for the final push to the summit. Word of warning, though: this gravel road is steep and narrow. But don't let that scare you away – it's all part of the experience! Get ready for some seriously epic scenery. Plus, you'll be driving along Route de Thiéry, a balcony road with views for days as you head towards Col de la Madone. What are you waiting for? Time to add this one to your bucket list!

Col de la Bataillehard

Col de la Bataille

🇫🇷 France

# Col de la Bataille: A Thrilling Alpine Climb Tucked away in the Drôme department of southeastern France, Col de la Bataille is a mountain pass that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Sitting at 1,313 meters (4,307 feet), this beauty is all asphalt—you'll be cruising on the D199—but don't let that fool you. The road is seriously steep with plenty of hairpin bends to keep things interesting. Fun fact: the actual highest point hits 1,336 meters right inside the Tunnel du Col de la Bataille, so you'll literally reach the peak while driving through! Ready to tackle it? You've got options depending on where you're starting from: **From Saint Jean en Royans**: This is the long game—30.3 km of climbing with 1,063 meters of elevation gain. You're looking at a mellow 3.5% average gradient, perfect if you want to take it easy and soak in the scenery. **From Oriol en Royans**: A solid middle-ground route at 23.7 km with 1,028 meters of elevation gain and a 4.3% average grade. Still challenging but more manageable than the first option. **From Leoncel**: The hardcore route. Just 8.3 km but absolutely punchy—400 meters of climbing with a steep 4.8% average grade. This one'll test your nerve. **From Les Trois Routes**: The gentle approach at 16.6 km and only 1.2% average gradient—basically a warm-up compared to the others. However you approach it, Col de la Bataille delivers an unforgettable Alpine experience.

Where is Bwlch Pen Barras?hard

Where is Bwlch Pen Barras?

🇬🇧 Wales

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Denbighshire, Wales, in the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You stumble upon Bwlch Pen Barras, or Old Bwlch as the locals call it – a fully paved but seriously narrow mountain pass that’ll get your heart pumping. This baby climbs to 360m (1,181ft) and stretches for 5.6km (3.5 miles) from Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd to Tafarn-y-Gelyn. Cyclists, get ready for a workout! There are two ways up, but the west side is a real beast. From Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd, you're gaining 260 meters (853 feet) in just 2.25km (1.4 miles). Brace yourself for sections hitting a whopping 25% gradient, including a crazy steep hairpin turn. The east side is a bit gentler, but the reward? A mile-long, dead-straight downhill run from the summit – perfect for an adrenaline-fueled descent after all that climbing. Plus, its location makes it a sweet spot for linking up with other climbs in the area. Get ready for stunning scenery and a serious challenge!