The Slea Head Drive is one of the most beautiful routes in Ireland. It is spotted with quaint villages, gorgeous vistas, and cultural landmarks. It is a short route that is packed with a lot of attractions. There are towns where you can go to restaurants and stay overnight and enjoy Northern Ireland whisky. There is stunning scenery, but a drawback is that this road isn’t the safest. Large buses and motorcycles use the narrow route in the summer, and in the winter the weather can be unpredictable. If you are thinking about using the region on the Dingle Peninsula for a vacation, it is important to plan ahead using these tips.
Go in the Right Season
According to the personal injury firm McGinley, a company that helps clients make personal injury claims, choosing the right season to take a drive on the Slea Head Drive is key to making it as safe and easy as possible. While the summer will have the best weather, it is the time when the road is the most vehicles will be on the road. Furthermore, people love to ride bicycles on the road, you will have to watch out for them.
Winter, on the other hand, is the opposite. There won’t be many people on the road, but the weather can be unpredictable and unpleasant. It is vital to check the weather before you leave and make sure that it’s clear. These roads are narrow and there are steep cliffs with rocks. You’ll want to be very careful driving in bad weather. Since the summer and the winter have their drawbacks, it is best to go in the spring or autumn. These two seasons are the best of both worlds, fewer cars than summer but better weather than winter.
Narrow Road
Not only are the roads on Slea Head Drive narrow, they consist of some of Ireland’s highest mountain passes. The road can be long and winding, sometimes with only one lane. In addition, if you are not from the United Kingdom you’ll want to remember that drivers are on the right side of the car and the car is on the left lane of a two lane highway. Since these roads are narrow, the summer can crowd the roads with buses, motorcycles, and bicycles. It can make the ride slower, but it is very important to take it slow.
Driving Slowly
Whenever you go, you will want to drive slowly to avoid accidents. Not only is the route dangerous, it is gorgeous. Go slow and enjoy the scenery. Stop often and take photos. It is the best way to experience the Dingle Peninsula and the Slea Head Drive is to take it all in. The road is only 47 km, or 30 miles, but it will take a longer than it sounds. At least half a day is recommended. Stay overnight on the route and you will be able to take in all the beauty without having to rush or worry.
Drive Clockwise
The Slea Head Drive is a looped route. It is recommended to take the road clockwise to go with traffic. It will be much more dangerous to go against the grain, you will have vehicles coming towards you. The circular route forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way, which begins and ends in the town of Dingle. Slea Head Drive is clearly labelled by road signs through the full length of the road, with many stops along the way that are indicated with signs.
Attractions
Once you have decided how best to be safe, you can take a look at attractions you are interested in. The town of Dingle is a great place to use as a base. Here you have restaurants and bars, hotels and shops. Here locals mix with tourists. It is a great place to stop for a meal or a break. There is a Celtic settlement of five stone huts that makes for a fascinating stop. There is a 4,000-year-old sphinx carved into a rock along Slea Head Drive. Finally, Slea Head Beach is a gorgeous spot that is great for a stop to take some photos and enjoy the gorgeous Irish scenery. If you plan ahead and take the proper precautions, riding Slea Head Drive can be one of your more memorable adventures.
