Sky Road
4.5
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Top ways to experience Sky Road
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6 within 3 miles
Attractions
18 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- KiamomPittsburgh, Pennsylvania349 contributionsPretty DriveMy husband and I enjoyed our drive along the Sky Road. We travelled on both the lower and upper roads. We stopped several times to enjoy the scenery. There is a nice viewpoint with a wide pull off where you can take photographs. The road is narrow in some places.Visited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 12, 2023
- Anuj_MithaniMumbai, India4,512 contributionsPanoramic driveThis is a circular (~10 miles) route that takes you from and back to Clifden via the Kingston peninsula with panoramic views over Clifden Bay and its offshore islands. We drove the Upper Sky Road which offers the better views. Lots of places to pull over and stop for photos and soak in the views.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 13, 2023
- lobo b12 contributionsGreat little Roadside tripThe views were amazing was a little nervous as it is a narrow road and if you’re not used to driving on the left-hand side, it’s a little scary at times. Definitely worth it beautiful scenery. Try to choose a good weather day to go.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 1, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
2,151 reviews
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3
Mary L
Ballina, Ireland32 contributions
Nov 2021
Just took the sky route on impulse. we had a beautiful day & got the most out of the scenery on display. Would highly recommend doing this route. A lot of people walking & on bikes & seemed to be enjoying the terrain though it was very steep in places
Written November 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allison H
Lakeland, FL488 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
What a view from the viewpoint! It was well worth the winding and often single lane road. People are very courteous along the road so just keep going. It will pay off. It was a very cold and windy day so make sure you bring a jacket if you go on a similar day. The wind is very strong.
Written September 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland11,397 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
The Sky Road is a 15km looped drive just outside Cliffden. There's a brilliant viewing point high above the water a little less than halfway round. The coastal side is the most picturesque I think, but the landward side is not too shabby either.
The road are windy and narrow at times so be careful! It's a must do though if you're in the area.
The road are windy and narrow at times so be careful! It's a must do though if you're in the area.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaimee G
Urbana, IL452 contributions
Jun 2022
By the time we got to Clifden we had already driven the Ring of Kerry and the Slea Head Loop on Dingle Peninsula, so the wow factor had worn off a bit for us. But it is still the Wild Atlantic Way and it is still stunning and a much shorter drive than other loops, offering Clifden Castle ruins and several look out points including Pointe Amharc Atlantach Fiáin Sky Bothar on the Upper road. Definitely worth the 30-60 minutes it takes to drive all or a portion of this road.
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curlybob2010
18 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Beautiful drive .. well worth seeing just take your time and be ready to pull in for other vehicles. We did this drive when we were leaving Clifden after our visit and heading toward Westport and it joined up with that road after about 25 minutes so it was perfect.
Written August 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anuj_Mithani
Mumbai, India4,512 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This is a circular (~10 miles) route that takes you from and back to Clifden via the Kingston peninsula with panoramic views over Clifden Bay and its offshore islands. We drove the Upper Sky Road which offers the better views. Lots of places to pull over and stop for photos and soak in the views.
Written November 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gavin Murray
Edenderry, Ireland75 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Great drive around clifden. You can do a short loop that will include the high and low road. Fantastic views. If going to the national park take the sky road for a longer but more enjoyable drive
Written July 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan
London, UK251 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
The Sky Road is an absolute must do for anybody touring the west coast or completing the Wild Atlantic Way. It is one of the most naturally beautiful views you will experience and needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. As is suggested in many other reviews, the roads and narrow with some sharp turns, but so long and you take your time you shouldnt have any problems.
Written June 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
machinmad
Yaxley, UK2,629 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
This short stretch of the WAW is absolutely breath taking. Once you reach the pinnacle of the narrow road the views cross the surrounding landscape have to rank as amongst the best in the world. Islands, fiords, peninsula, sandy beaches, lighthouses and of course the wild Atlantic Ocean crashing against every land mass.
Words don’t do it justice, you have go visit this beautiful slice of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Words don’t do it justice, you have go visit this beautiful slice of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrendanOBrienIRL
Galway, Ireland69 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
The views from the Sky Road are beautiful. I've walked it a couple times and even on a wet day it's still stunning. It can be steep at parts but it's worth it for sure. There are two routes up the first section so it's definitely worth trying both, the one that follows the coast is a nicer walk initially but is much steeper once you reach the beach. The two paths meet at the path to the castle ruins. I've always walked up and down but I'd imagine it's a lovely one to do in a car, although the road is a bit narrow if you aren't used to country roads.
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long should I plan on for driving Sky Road & stopping to take pictures? I have 2 full days in Cliften (3 nights). I want to see Sky Road, Kylemore Abbey, hike Diamond Hill, and probably see the beaches around (Roundstone, Dog Bay, Mannin Bay). Could I do Sky Road + Kylemore Abbey one day and then do a hike and see Roundstone and a few beaches on the 2nd day? Before Clifden I have 3 nights in Galway. After Clifden I will drive to Westport for 3 nights. Thank you! Oh, this will be in July, so long days.
Written December 19, 2019
We had a similar itinerary this past late summer. We did Kylemore Abbey (wonderful and worth 4+ hours), the Sky Road (1-2 hours with stops) and several of the roads north of the Sky Road (around the Cleggan area) all in one unhurried day.
We went after tourist season so there was very minimal traffic and no traffic delays. If you're going in Summer, allow some extra time, particularly for the Sky Road because everyone has heard about that drive. If traffic does seem to create a problem, head for any of the other local roads. The scenery is comparable.
We took another day for the roads south of Clifden (Roundstone, the nature trail at the Alcock and Brown landing site, the local beaches, etc). Again, unhurried, all tiny lane driving, and we had plenty of time since days are long.
We took a third day for hiking in Connemara National Park. Lovely vistas and the hikes meet a variety of enthusiasm levels.
I don't know if you've picked your accommodation yet. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Abbeyglen Castle. I know, it's not really a castle (but few of them are). We splurged on a beautiful suite, and thoroughly enjoyed the warm fires, good food, castle-like ambience and great hospitality. My one caution would be to splurge at least a bit and avoid the cheapest rooms. Those tend to be small and placed near the pubilc areas.
Written January 10, 2020
Hi
I would be grateful for your opinion.... I am the tour manager for Lotus Drivers Club. Our cars are wide, very low to the ground and almost impossible to reverse.... based on that information would you consider this loop to be worthwhile and safe for us to undertake.
I greatly appreciate your first hand knowledge.
Kind regards
Jennie Wilson
Tour Manager
Lotus Drivers Club
Written April 8, 2019
The road is definitely narrow, but I think as long as you look ahead, and be prepared to pull over to make room for another car when necessary, you should be absolutely fine
Written May 16, 2019
lorrainefazilleau
Niort, France
bonjour, je pars à galway dans quelque jours, je souhaite visiter également clifden. je serai sans voiture. la sky road part de clifden ? j'ai du mal à comprendre sur les sites ? si je suis à pied je peux faire la sky road à partir de clifden?? ou la sky road est bien plus loin?
merci
lorraine
Written June 8, 2018
lorrainefazilleau
Niort, France
bonjour à tous
je pars à galway dans quelque jours, je souhaite visiter également clifden. je serai sans voiture. la sky road part de clifden ? j'ai du mal à comprendre sur les sites ? si je suis à pied je peux faire la sky roas à partir de clifden?? ou la sky roas est bien plus loin?
merci
lorraine
Written June 8, 2018
michi382017
Hamamatsu, Japan
クリフデン城を目的地にして、サイクリングで行こうと思います。行と帰りで、スカイロードから行くか、ビーチロードから行くか、迷っています。アップダウンを思うと、どちら周りが良いですか?
Written August 7, 2017
Hi will I still be able to see views if I paas the \Sky road @ 19:3opm in September or will it be already dark?
Written July 2, 2017
The time tables for 2017 put sunset around 8:14pm on September 1 and 7:08pm by the end of the month.
Written July 10, 2017
Hi there,
Is it possible to cycle the Sky Road? How safe is it? Also where is the best base to see Connemara from?
Thanks
Written March 27, 2017
Hi to you too... I am not a cyclist but the road is good but narrow so care needed with cars as always.
Were are you coming from please? From Galway, take the Clifden road to reach the heart of Connemara, then see what you seek to visit. It is all utterly lovely. A favourite route is taking a right soon after going through Recess on the Clifden road from Galway, signed Letterfrack and Kylemore Abbey, . Across miles of moors and past a lake.Inagh. Quiet road and I think good cycling with little traffic. When you come to the main road then, left will take you to Kylemore, then Letterfrack, to Clifden, RIGHT to Killary Fjord I would go right! Then in Leenane, take the narrow right to Maam and Maam Cross for glorious scenery. Form there Cong maybe! So many lovely places. If you settle for Clifden, try the Old Bog road to Roundstone.. Enjoy!
Written March 29, 2017
We are hoping to do walks in the area, but aren't clear whether we would be able to walk sections of the Sky Road or whether there are walks nearby. We will not have a car and will rely on buses and possibly taxi's to get to and from walks. Any info about where to walk would be welcome. We are also deciding where to stay --probably Roundstone and/or Clifden. What suggestions do you have in terms of walks we can access without a car and choice of where to stay? BTW we are in our early 70's, in very good shape, prefer walks in the 2-4 hour range --but can do up to 7 hours depending on the situation. Our trip will be in late May.
Written December 3, 2016
I would get a B&B or Hotel in Clifden if you are going car-less as the public transit is hit or miss and the distance don't look bad on maps but roads are small, curvy and in season crowded. And I second the comment above the Sky road is beautiful but probably not safe for walking. A nice walk in the area is from Clifden town to the beach it is modestly challenging about 2-3 hours roundtrip. If you can get ahold of this book it may help "Walking in Connemara: Shorter Walks to Explore the Hidden Connemara’, Connemara Tourism 1996 I saw it when staying in area. Sorry do not remember any of the walks but our hosts used it to describe walks to guests. The B&B i stayed in the area has closed so can't recommend specific accomodation. .
Written February 21, 2017
I was wondering how far/difficult a climb to the monument is?
Written July 28, 2016
Which monument? The Sky road is a long road so I'd need more details to help you.
Written October 26, 2016
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