A Little Adventure… Navigating Conor Pass & Hiking Mount Brandon

Last updated on August 1, 2025 by Shannon

In addition to Ireland’s most scenic coastline and sights: Slea Head Drive, and Dingle town, there are two other parts of the Dingle Peninsula that I really loved. I spent several days listening to Irish music and soaking in the good vibes in Dingle town.

I also drove through a lot of the Dingle Peninsula. These days were among my favorite experiences in Ireland (and the sites on Dingle rival that of the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara in a big way).

Those days included two sites that are easy to pair into the same outing—driving Conor Pass and hiking Mount Brandon. In my case, I did them my last morning on the Dingle Peninsula as it was a sunny and gorgeous day.

Driving Conor Pass in Dingle

My photos from Conor Pass don’t even look real, and I swear to you they are unaltered. I was emphatically warned about attempting the Conor pass since I’m not particularly skilled driving on the left side of the road (sue me, I’m an American, we don’t drive on that side!).

I almost considered skipping this part of the Dingle Peninsula based on the warnings from locals. Conor Pass is the highest mountain pass in all of Ireland, sitting at nearly 1,500 ft (456 m) and looking out over impressive coastline.

Truthfully, it’s not all that bad! OK, it is bad—but it could have been worse. A few other backpackers piled into my tiny rental car and I drove through narrow Conor Pass during good weather—if you do the same and you’re a shaky driver, then also time the drive well!

Ireland gifted me unseasonably dry skies during my time in Dingle, and a smattering of clouds bathed the pass in sunlight. It created stunning contrasts between Ireland’s famous greens pastureland, blue glacial lakes, and cornflower colored skies from Conor Pass.

Conor Pass narrows to a thin road wide enough for one car at a time. Then, we literally forged a small river while hugging a precarious “protective fence barrier”—a sneeze would have blown it over!

Despite jittery nerves, we made it through the confined mountain passage and were able to creep down the steep, winding road.

But you know, once you get through all that you’re totally fine! My only regret is that I was the driver and therefore didn’t get to gawk at the beautiful landscape as we descended the combe, or rather the amphitheater-like valley formed across the glaciated landscape.

That said, there are some great stops and viewpoints. And given that it takes less than 10 minutes to drive from Dingle Town, it’s an easy addition to your Ireland road trip.

Clamber Up to Peddlar’s Lake

One of the better viewpoints along Conor Pass is found at Peddlar’s Lake, formally called Lough Doon. This location offers a unique vantage point for observing the pass’s grandeur without the crowds that often gather at the summit viewing areas.

To get here, you’ll need to navigate the steep, winding roads that characterize the Conor Pass, keeping an eye out for the small parking area near the waterfall that signifies you’re near Peddlar’s Lake. Parking is limited, so aim to arrive earlier in the day, especially during peak season.

Once you’ve parked, a relatively straightforward but steep and slippery walk—no more than 15 minutes—brings you to the lake itself. The water’s surface often mirrors the sky, framed by mountains that look as if they’ve been painted by the gods. While the lake alone is a spectacle, it’s also your gateway to some of the most breathtaking views of the Conor Pass.

For photographers, this is your moment—Peddlar’s Lake and its surrounding vistas offer some of the best frames in the region, capturing the raw beauty that makes the Dingle Peninsula a place of wonder.

If it’s foggy or rainy, the steep hike over rocks isn’t worth it because you’ll have no good views once you’re there.

Park at the Summit of Conor’s Pass

Situated at the zenith of the pass, the Conor Pass parking area is more than just a convenient spot to leave your vehicle; it’s the gateway to a world where green valleys unfurl like carpets and craggy peaks cut into the sky. The lot itself is relatively modest in size, and during the summer months or weekends, it fills up quite quickly. Start your day early if you’re planning to secure a spot.

Once your car is safely parked, the environment around you becomes your playground. The car park is often the starting point for several walks that vary in difficulty, but each offers a unique perspective on the surrounding landscapes.

Signposted paths lead you to viewpoints that look like they’ve been lifted from a postcard. There’s a sense of being on top of the world here, as you take in sweeping vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see, from Dingle Bay’s sparkling waters to the distant silhouettes of mountains.

Wandering away from the central area usually rewards you with quieter spots where the natural splendor feels like your own little secret.

Tips for Driving Conor Pass

Drive Early or Late: To avoid the midday congestion common in peak tourist season, aim to drive through Conor Pass either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This will also gift you the magic of softer light for your photos.

Know Your Vehicle: The road through Conor Pass is narrow and winding, with some tight squeezes. Make sure you’re comfortable with the dimensions of your vehicle, especially if you’re driving a larger car or van.

Check Weather Conditions: Fog and rain can significantly reduce visibility on the pass. Always check the weather forecast and consider postponing your drive if conditions are poor.

Use the Passing Places: You’ll encounter several designated ‘passing places’ along the route. Use these to safely allow oncoming vehicles to pass, especially if they’re larger than yours.

Keep an Eye on Livestock: It’s not uncommon to see sheep or other livestock near or on the road. Drive at a moderate speed and be prepared to stop or slow down.

Hiking Dingle’s Stunning Mount Brandon

Arguably the most impressive hiking route along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Mount Brandon was something I added in at the last minute and I should have made this a priority—it’s a must visit.

Gentle green hills cover most of the Dingle peninsula, meaning the views from Mount Brandon are particularly beautiful—the side of the mountain with the walking path looks out over the ocean at the Three Sisters (visited on the Slea Head Drive) and the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean glitter in the near distance.

It has religious significance too, as pilgrims have long walked the path to the top, following the 14 Stations of the Cross, in search of cures for their ailments.

My last day in Dingle was the start of some magnificently warm and unnaturally sunny weather that followed me up the entire Western coast as I explored the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, and more.

Since we had such gorgeous weather, at the recommendation of the fabulous owners of the Hideout Hostel, several of us took advantage of the clear day and walked/hiked Mount Brandon on our last morning on the Dingle Peninsula.

This was a moment I was so glad to have not gone the backpacker route and just bused around Ireland, because my rental car came in handy for spontaneous adventures.

Three other women joined me on our Mount Brandon and the day-long drive to Doolin, so it was a tight squeeze in my tiny Nissan Micra, but what we lacked in space we made up for in bodily contortions, backpacker enthusiasm, and a thirst for travel adventures.

There are two key paths up Mount Brandon, The Saints’ Road (the easier of the two lasting three to four hours) and The Pilgrims’ Path (scenic but harder and takes four to five hours).

Stations of the Cross mark the route up the mountain, interestingly enough, and every Easter locals (children, grandmas, and everyone) hike to the last station on Mount Brandon for Easter celebrations.

My ragtag group and I only made it to the sixth station. That makes me feel out of shape because even grandmas can make it to the top of Mount Brandon (which comes in at 3,122 ft (952 m)).

I am only glad that I wasn’t our weakest link—our whole group turned around at the halfway point (station six is about halfway since the crosses don’t start for a mile up!).

We just weren’t making good enough time to finish the hike in the anticipated five hours round-trip, which would have prevented us from catching the last ferry over the Shannon River and the drive from there to Doolin.

Do I regret hiking the mountain even though I had to turn around? Not one bit. We lunched at the sixth station and had sweeping, panoramic views of the surrounding country. I welcomed sunshine warming my bones as I munched away on my lunch.

Dingle’s just about one of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen, so I was a bit sad to leave it behind. Since I would love to make it to the top, and because this area has left me completely charmed, I will be back one day.

When to Hike Mount Brandon

Mount Brandon is a challenging hike and is best hiked during the summer months—May to September—when the weather is generally milder and more predictable. And although it’s fairly easy, there are a few things you should know.

Where to Start the Mount Brandon Hike

There are several hiking routes up Mount Brandon, depending on your fitness level and experience. The most common starting point is the village of Cloghane, located on the northern side of the mountain.

Another option is to start from the village of Brandon, on the southern side. Both routes offer stunning views but vary in difficulty and duration.

Once you’ve chosen your starting point, follow the designated trail markers or signage. The routes are well-defined, but it’s still essential to pay attention and stay on the designated path to avoid getting lost or damaging the fragile ecosystem.

What to Bring on Your Hike

For your walk, you certainly can wing it with whatever you have handy, but note that you’ll likely prefer waterproof shoes, a nice rain jacket (that can double as a windbreaker), and walking sticks to help with the rocky descent.

Staying in Dingle Town

There are a surprising number of things to do in Dingle, and many travelers I’ve met were disappointed they had only booked a day trip or a single night in Dingle. It’s seriously charming and you’ll never regret the extra nights when you can listen to traditional music at a local pub and soak in the Irish culture.

Where to Sleep

For budget travelers, Hideout Hostel in Dingle, Ireland is one of the best hostels from my trip. If the Hideout is booked, then Rainbow Hostel is a great alternative.

The Hillgrove Guesthouse is ideal on a midrange budget, and or splurge on the An Capall Dubh B&B.

Where to Eat

Vegetarians will find two options at Marina Inn, a full menu at Adh Danlann Gallery Cafe, my dorm mates loved the chowder at John Benny’s Pub, and seafood lovers will drool over the recommendations in this piece from Saveur on Dingle’s best cuisine.

What to Do

You should absolutely spend an entire day seeing the best sights on Slea Head Drive—it is, in my humble opinion, even prettier than the more popular and visited Ring of Kerry, and almost as intimate and charming as the Ring of Beara.

While you can no longer visit Fungie the Dolphin in the harbor, you should still independently go down to the harbor to enjoy the views.

How to Navigate Dingle

Although I carried the Ireland Lonely Planet, Laura had the Rick Steves Ireland and hers was better—it had a lot of fun suggestions and provided heaps of history and facts we would have otherwise missed.

And for an enchanting travelogue, pick up a copy of McCarthy’s Bar: A journey of discovery in Ireland—it will make you doubly fall in love with the country.