Ring of Kerry Skellig Michael Approach Track
Medieval monks, Jedi masters, Atlantic mysteries.
This backcountry approach to the Skellig Michael viewing points follows forgotten farm tracks and coastal paths that wind through the wild Kerry countryside toward Ireland’s most famous offshore islands. The route connects Waterville to Portmagee via high mountain passes and valley floors where stone circles predate recorded history, ending at the boat launch points for the iconic monastery islands where Luke Skywalker met his destiny and 6th-century monks built impossible stone beehive cells on vertical rock faces 700 feet above the Atlantic.
Easy to moderate difficulty suits most vehicles, though narrow sections between stone walls demand attention and reversing skills when meeting oncoming traffic. Any vehicle with decent clearance manages the route in fair weather; winter rains turn some farm tracks into proper Irish bog. Late spring through early autumn provides the best boat conditions for Skellig visits. What makes it worthwhile: approaching one of Europe’s most isolated early Christian sites via tracks that haven’t changed much since monks first rowed these waters 1,400 years ago.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 25 mi / 40.2 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 984 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle |
| Nearest town | Waterville, County Kerry |
| Land manager | Kerry County Council |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can I drive this in a regular rental car or do I need 4WD?
Any vehicle can handle this route — it's rated easy with mixed surfaces but nothing that requires clearance or 4WD. A standard rental hatchback is fine, though some coastal track sections are narrow and uneven, so go slow.
What months is this route actually worth doing?
April through October is your window. Atlantic weather is brutal and unpredictable outside those months, and Skellig Michael itself is only open to boats from May to September — outside that, you're driving to a viewpoint of a closed island.
Are there any permits or fees to drive this route?
No permit needed for the approach track itself. If you're planning to land on Skellig Michael, boat trips require advance booking and landing fees — those fill up months out, especially in peak summer.
What's the hardest part of this drive and what should I actually expect?
The route is genuinely easy — the challenge is the narrowness of Irish coastal roads, not technical terrain. Passing spots are sparse, tourist traffic can be heavy mid-summer, and some sections hug cliff edges with no barrier, which rattles first-timers more than the surface itself.
How's cell service out there and should I download offline maps?
Service is spotty throughout — expect dead zones along the coastal sections away from Waterville. Download offline maps before you leave town; Google Maps or Maps.me both work fine for this route offline.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
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