The R574, over the Caha Mountains

Healy Pass

From Adrigole to LauraghOne of the very best roads for 15 miles round

Length: 7.9 mi
Climbing: 1,726 ft
Highest point: 942 ft
Steepest: 14%

Map of Healy Pass, from Adrigole to Lauragh, on its contours. — Contours from open elevation data. Road © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Its bends, along ittwistiest at the dashed line

The R574 crosses the Caha Mountains on the Beara Peninsula, between Adrigole in County Cork and Lauragh in County Kerry, with the county line at the top. It was begun as famine relief in 1847 and finished in 1931, when it took the name of Tim Healy, the first Governor-General of the Irish Free State.

From Adrigole it climbs above Bantry Bay in a run of tight bends, and from the top the Kerry side opens out over Glanmore Lake. It's narrow, with sheep on the road and walls close to the edge, and well worth the time it takes.

Twisty, hairpins and all
Hills either side

More roads

The N71, between Kenmare and Killarney
Moll's Gap
From Kenmare to Ladies View
The R584, in the Shehy Mountains
Pass of Keimaneigh
From Kealkill to Ballingeary
The Skellig Ring, on the Iveragh Peninsula
Coomanaspig Pass
From St Finian's Bay to Portmagee

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