Wild Atlantic Way — Ireland's West CoastHighlights.
Distance
2,500 km
Duration
5 days
Climb
12,500 m
Rating
4.9 / 5
612 reviews
Wild Atlantic Way — Ireland's West Coast Highlights.
Five days on the world's longest defined coastal route — 2,500km of Ireland's wild Atlantic edge. From the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula in the south through the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, Achill Island, County Donegal, and to Malin Head — Ireland's northernmost point. Ancient stone walls, pub sessions, green lanes, and the raw Atlantic on the left at all times.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance2,500 km
Days5
Total climb12,500 m
Fuel stops1 along route
DifficultyModerate
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5 days, 5 moods.
A suggested split across 5 days with 29 waypoints to discover along the way.
KinsaleStart · Start in Kinsale — Ireland's gourmet capital. The Wild Atlantic Way officially begins here. Fill up and head west.
Mizen HeadPhoto Spot · Ireland's most southwesterly point. Dramatic cliff-edge signal station connected by an arched bridge. Powerful Atlantic views.
Beara Peninsula — Healy PassMountain Pass · The Healy Pass (334m) cuts across the Caha Mountains between Cork and Kerry. Sweeping views north and south from the summit cross.
Ring of Kerry — Ladies ViewPhoto Spot · The famous viewpoint over the Upper Lake in Killarney National Park. Queens Victoria's ladies-in-waiting admired this in 1861.
KillarneyOvernight · Overnight in Killarney — the most tourist-friendly town in Ireland. Great pubs, good food, jaunting car rides.
KillarneyStart · Morning start west toward the Dingle Peninsula — Ireland's most dramatic peninsula.
Connor PassMountain Pass · Highest mountain pass in Ireland at 456m. Near-vertical drops either side. Views over Dingle Bay and the Blasket Islands.
Dingle TownRestaurant · Lunch in Dingle — Ireland's finest seafood and the most densely packed pubs per capita. Fungie the dolphin has his own statue.
Slea Head DriveScenic Point · The Slea Head loop — ancient beehive huts, Blasket Islands views, and the Dingle Peninsula's most dramatic coastal road section.
Cliffs of MoherPhoto Spot · 214m vertical cliffs stretching 8km. Ireland's most visited site. Go early or late to avoid the buses. At sunset: magical.
DoolinOvernight · Overnight in Doolin — world capital of traditional Irish music. Nightly sessions at O'Connor's, McDermott's, and Gus O'Connor's.
DoolinStart · Morning start through the Burren — Ireland's extraordinary limestone karst landscape.
The Burren National ParkScenic Point · Vast limestone pavements with Mediterranean, Arctic, and Alpine wildflowers growing side by side. Otherworldly and geologically unique.
Galway CityFuel Stop · Fuel and coffee in Galway — Ireland's cultural capital. Shop Street is always buzzing. Head north into Connemara after.
Connemara — Maam CrossScenic Point · The heart of Connemara — bog, lake, and mountain. The Twelve Bens mountain range dominates. The light here is unforgettable.
Kylemore AbbeyPhoto Spot · Victorian Gothic castle reflected in the lake. One of Ireland's most photographed buildings. Benedictine nuns still live here.
WestportOvernight · Overnight in Westport — Mayo's charming Georgian market town. Excellent restaurants and lively pubs. Croagh Patrick mountain towers above.
WestportStart · Head northwest to Achill Island — Ireland's largest island and one of the most dramatic Atlantic landscapes.
Achill Island — Atlantic DriveScenic Point · The Atlantic Drive on Achill's south shore — sheer cliffs, deserted beaches, and the abandoned Deserted Village on Slievemore.
Keem Bay BeachPhoto Spot · Ireland's most beautiful beach hidden in a dramatic bowl beneath Croaghaun — Europe's highest sea cliff. Completely secluded.
SligoRestaurant · Lunch in Sligo — W.B. Yeats country. Benbulben flat-topped mountain is immediately north. Great food scene for a small city.
Benbulben MountainPhoto Spot · The dramatic flat-topped 'tablecloth' mountain that dominates northwest Ireland. Yeats is buried in Drumcliff churchyard below it.
Donegal TownOvernight · Overnight in Donegal Town. Diamond Square has good pubs and restaurants. Donegal Castle is worth an evening visit.
Donegal TownStart · Final day — north through Ireland's wildest county to Malin Head.
Slieve League CliffsPhoto Spot · Europe's highest accessible sea cliffs at 601m — nearly three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher. Far fewer crowds. Genuinely wild.
Glenveagh National ParkScenic Point · Wild Donegal highlands. Red deer, golden eagles, and a Victorian castle on a remote lake. Dramatic highland riding.
Malin HeadPhoto Spot · Ireland's most northerly point. 'Éire' signs from WWII remain. The wild Atlantic crashing on rocks below. The Wild Atlantic Way ends here.
Inishowen Peninsula Coastal RoadScenic Point · The drive south from Malin Head around the Inishowen Peninsula with sweeping Lough Foyle and mountain views.
Londonderry / DerryEnd · End in Derry — Ireland's walled city. The complete Wild Atlantic Way highlights circuit concludes here. Take the Foyle ferry or continue to Belfast/Dublin.
From riders.
612 verified rides logged on this route.
4.9/ 5
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612 verified rides
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