The R574 climbs out of Adrigole on the south side of the Beara Peninsula, snakes through twelve hairpin bends to a saddle at three hundred metres, and drops down the north side to Lauragh on the Kenmare River. It is one of the most dramatic short drives in Ireland, with views east across the head of Bantry Bay and west to the lakes and rock of the Caha mountains.
From Bantry it is about forty minutes' drive north-west to the foot of the pass. Allow at least half a day for the full loop back through Kenmare and Glengarriff. The road is narrow and exposed; in mist or driving rain it loses its point entirely, so go on a clear day or not at all.