Why this road
Here the main road is the scenic road. Past Oughterard the houses thin out, the road winds between lakes and bog, and from Recess the Twelve Bens rise right next to you. Clifden is the reward at the end, and the Sky Road loop just outside town gives you the Atlantic islands from above. Take your time: the beauty here is in the stops, not the speed.
The route
- AGalway
Leave the city north-west on the N59 towards Moycullen.
- 1Moycullen
Farmland and stone walls, with Lough Corrib off to your right.
- 2Oughterard
A small town on Lough Corrib, called the gateway to Connemara. A good coffee stop, with a waterfall in the village.
- 3Maam Cross
A crossroads in open bog, with mountains on all sides. From here the road gets lonely.
- 4Recess
A scattering of houses among lakes. The Twelve Bens tower to the north, and the Lough Inagh valley road turns off nearby.
- BClifden
The last town before the Atlantic, with two church spires and a lively centre. The Sky Road starts just west of town.
Stops worth it
Twenty minutes for coffee and a walk to the river and the falls in the village.
A loop of about half an hour west of Clifden, high above Clifden Bay and the islands. Best in the evening light, park only in the lay-bys.
Light and the best time
You drive west, so in the morning the sun is behind you and the lakes and mountains are front-lit. The Twelve Bens lie north of the road, so their slopes facing you get the sun most of the day. In the afternoon the sun is ahead of you and the glare on the wet road can be strong. Leave Galway by about 9 am, and come back to the Sky Road in the evening, when the sun sets over the Atlantic.
April to September is best, with long days and fewer storms. Connemara is lovely in autumn too, when the bog turns brown and gold. The road is open all year, but in Atlantic weather fog and rain come and go quickly.
By vehicle
Easy and relaxed on the N59. Watch for sheep on the road and slow tractors.
Wonderful on a dry day, with the smell of the bog in the air. Keep a jacket handy.
Gentle, flowing curves rather than hairpins. Take the Lough Inagh road or the Sky Road for more.
Fine on the N59. The Sky Road is narrow, so use a small camper or leave yours in Clifden.
Good to know
No tolls. The N59 is a good two-lane road, but narrow in places with roadworks from time to time. Fuel up in Galway, Oughterard or Clifden, the stretch between has few stations. Parking in Clifden is usually easy outside high summer. Ireland drives on the left.
Route checked against OpenStreetMap on 2 November 2026. Roads, closures and rules change: always check before you go and follow local signs.
Questions
How long does it take from Galway to Clifden?
About 1 h 15 without stops. With a coffee in Oughterard and the Sky Road, plan half a day.
What is the Sky Road?
A narrow scenic loop just west of Clifden, with an upper and a lower road high above Clifden Bay and the Atlantic. It takes about half an hour.
Is there a more scenic way back?
Yes. You can return via the Lough Inagh valley and Kylemore Abbey to Leenaun, or along the coast through Roundstone and Spiddal.
Is Connemara worth it in bad weather?
Yes, the light and mood change quickly and rain often moves on fast. But the Sky Road is best on a clear day.