The Sky Road is a 13 km looped road west of Clifden that climbs onto the Kingstown Peninsula and traces its sea-edged ridgeline before dropping back to town. It is one of the most consistently spectacular short drives in Ireland: the road rises quickly enough that you are soon level with the offshore islands, looking down at the tidal inlets and across the Atlantic with nothing between you and Newfoundland.
The route is narrow, one-car-wide in places, and not suitable for large vehicles. Cyclists do it in both directions; walkers can do the full loop in about three hours on foot. The ruined tower of Clifden Castle — seat of the d'Arcy family who founded Clifden in the early 19th century — stands near the highest point with views in every direction. Drive it at sunset if at all possible.