Slea Head Drive
Dingle, Ireland
A loop around the Dingle peninsula past stone beehive huts, with views to the Blasket Islands. Drive it clockwise.
The Slea Head Drive is a scenic loop around the western end of the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland, part of the Wild Atlantic Way. It starts and ends in Dingle; allow at least half a day, or several hours with plenty of stops.
Along the route you pass Ventry (Ceann Trá) with its long sandy beach, Dún Beag Fort and the beehive huts (clocháns) near Fahan, Slea Head with views to the Blasket Islands, and Coumeenole, a filming location for "Ryan's Daughter". The road continues to Dún Chaoin (Dunquin), from where ferries to the Great Blasket run between April and October according to the tourism site (check the timetable in advance), then via Ballyferriter with its regional museum to Gallarus Oratory and on to Ballydavid. On a clear day you can make out Skellig Michael on the horizon.
Practical tips: traffic drives on the left. Go clockwise to meet fewer large tour buses in summer. Parts of the cliff road are single-lane, so use the lay-bys. Follow local road signs instead of your satnav, give walkers and cyclists at least 1.5 metres of room, expect sheep and cattle on the road, and take your litter with you.
- Nearest town
- Dingle, Ireland
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 52.1096, -10.4520
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Ireland: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Barrier-free toll on the M50 around Dublin. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Motorhome stopover · DingleMotorhome stopover6 km from Slea Head DriveMotorhomes
- Campail Teach an AragailCampsite10 km from Slea Head DriveTentsCaravansShowers
- Rainbow Hostel DingleCampsite12 km from Slea Head DriveTentsShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- O'Connor's CampsiteCampsite23 km from Slea Head DriveTentsCaravansShowersToilets
- Valentia Island Caravan & CampingCampsite23 km from Slea Head DriveTentsCaravansShowersToilets
- Mannix Point Camping and Caravan ParkCampsite23 km from Slea Head DriveTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Ireland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Slea Head Drive?
Slea Head Drive is in Dingle, Ireland, at GPS 52.1096, -10.4520. It is about 24 km from Cahersiveen.
Can you camp near Slea Head Drive?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Campail Teach an Aragail, about 10 km away; within 25 km there are 6 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Slea Head Drive?
Slea Head Drive is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: The Wild Atlantic Way: Clare to Kerry.
What is there to see near Slea Head Drive?
Places worth a stop nearby: Skellig Ring (26 km), Gap of Dunloe (57 km), Dursey Sound (59 km) and Loop Head Lighthouse (61 km).
When is the best time to visit Slea Head Drive?
The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)