Coomakista Pass

The Ring of Kerry's most celebrated viewpoint climb, rising above Derrynane Bay on the southern coastal section of the N70 between Caherdaniel and Waterville. The ascent from Caherdaniel is short and punchy — 4.5km of climbing that begins gently before hitting the 10–12% ramps in the final kilometre. The summit reveals one of Ireland's finest coastal panoramas: Derrynane Bay curves below in an arc of white sand and blue-green water, the Skellig Islands materialise on the horizon 12km offshore, and the Beara Peninsula stretches east along the Kenmare River estuary. Skellig Michael — the UNESCO World Heritage Island monastery visible from the summit on clear days — was used as a filming location for Star Wars and has become an internationally recognised landmark. The descent to Waterville is exposed to Atlantic westerlies that can provide a tailwind in one direction and a brutal headwind in the other.