Conor Pass (An Chonair)

About

The Conor Pass is one of the highest surfaced mountain passes in Ireland, a single-track road on the R560 that climbs out of Dingle north over the spine of the peninsula towards Cloghane and Brandon Bay. The drive is the attraction: a narrow, twisting ribbon with sheer drops, a summit car park with a panorama back over Dingle Bay, and the corrie lake of Lough Doon, Pedlar's Lake, below the road. There is a waterfall a little down the northern side worth the short scramble. Vehicles longer than about 7.2m are banned, so no coaches or large campervans, and it can close in ice, so check before you drive it in winter. Free.

Highlights

• ✓One of the highest surfaced mountain passes in Ireland
• ✓Summit car park with a panorama over Dingle Bay
• ✓Pedlar's Lake (Lough Doon), a glacial corrie below the road
• ✓A free public road, but closed to vehicles over about 7.2m and in ice

Tips

• →No coaches or large campervans: the road bans vehicles over about 7.2m.
• →Check the forecast in winter; the pass closes in ice.
• →Pull in only at the marked laybys; the road is single-track in places.

Best Season