Cycle the Wild Atlantic Way and experience the world's longest signed coastal route, a spectacular journey along Ireland's wild and rugged west coast from Derry/Londonderry in the north to Cork in the south. Passing dramatic sea cliffs, sweeping Atlantic beaches, remote islands, and ancient landscapes, this is one of the great long-distance cycle touring adventures in Europe.

Each of the 6 cycle tours in this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook by author Tom Cooper covers between 291 and 504km (181–313 miles) and can be completed in 7–10 days by any reasonably fit cyclist. The tours can also be combined to create a single 44-stage, 2450km (1522-mile) journey from Derry/Londonderry to Cork.

• Explore Ireland's west coast through 6 self-contained cycle tours, covering Donegal, Connacht, the Aran Islands and the Burren, the southwest peninsulas, and the Fuchsia Coast, with each tour taking 7–10 days for a reasonably fit cyclist
• Link all 6 tours into a single 44-stage, 2450km (1522-mile) journey inspired by the Wild Atlantic Way driving route, from Derry/Londonderry to Cork
• Unmissable highlights along the route include Malin Head, the Slieve League Cliffs, Achill Island, Connemara, the Aran Islands, the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, and the Ring of Kerry
• Navigate with confidence using maps and route cards provided for each stage, alongside downloadable GPX files to support your planning and navigation throughout the journey
• Comprehensive practical planning information covering accommodation, food and drink, transport, and key centres including Donegal, Sligo, Galway, Westport, Limerick, Tralee, Bantry, and Kinsale makes it easy to plan your trip 

Plan your Wild Atlantic Way cycling adventure with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. Immerse yourself in the dramatic coastlines, island landscapes, and rich cultural heritage of western Ireland on one of the world's great long-distance cycle routes.

The Wild Atlantic Way and Western Ireland – Quick Facts

Guide name: The Wild Atlantic Way and Western Ireland 
Location: Ireland – west coast, Derry/Londonderry to Cork 
Start point: Derry/Londonderry 
End point: Cork 
Route covered: 2450km (1522 miles) for the full Wild Atlantic Way 
Number of tours: 6 tours (291–504km/181–313 miles each) 
Number of stages: 44 stages for the full route 
Typical duration: 7–10 days per tour; 6–7 weeks for the full Wild Atlantic Way 
Average daily stage: 55km (34 miles), taking 4–5 hours of riding 
Difficulty: Suitable for any reasonably fit cyclist 
Terrain: Coastal roads, quiet lanes, and minor roads along Ireland's west coast 
Navigation/mapping: Maps and route cards provided for each stage; GPX files available to download 
Accommodation & logistics: Comprehensive information on accommodation, transport, and key centres along the route 
Best time to go: May to September

Author Highlight

“This guide adopts and adapts the Wild Atlantic Way to suit the cycle tourist. The official Wild Atlantic Way is a driving route. As such, it includes long stretches of main road when quieter and more scenic alternatives are close at hand for cyclists. The ‘Way’ also skips two excellent cycling spots – the Aran Islands, where there are no car ferries, and Killarney, which is a sublime day-ride away from the coast.”

- Tom Cooper, author of The Wild Atlantic Way and Western Ireland

Map Key
Overview Map – Wild Atlantic Way
Route summary table – Wild Atlantic Way
Overview Map – the 6 tours
Route summary table – the 6 tours

Introduction
Geology
Wildlife and Flowers
History
What's in a Name?
Built heritage and architecture
Culture
Getting There
Getting Around
When to Go
Accommodation
Health and Safety
Food and Drink
Language
Money
Post, Phones and Internet
Cycling in Ireland
What to Take
Maps
Using this Guide

Route 1 Tour of Donegal
Stage 1  Derry/Londonderry to Culdaff
Stage 2  Culdaff to Clonmany
Stage 3  Clonmany to Letterkenny
Stage 4  Letterkenny to Portsalon
Stage 5  Portsalon to Downies
Stage 6  Downies to Bunbeg
Stage 7  Bunbeg to Portnoo
Stage 8  Portnoo to Carrick
Stage 9  Carrick to Donegal Town
Route 1 Route Cards

Route 2 Into the Atlantic
Stage 1 Donegal Town to Ballyshannon
Stage 2 Ballyshannon to Sligo
Stage 3  Sligo to Ballina
Stage 4  Ballina to Belmullet
Stage 5  Belmullet to Achill
Stage 6  Tour of Achill Island
Stage 7  Achill to Foxford
Stage 7A WAW Link from Newport (Stage 7) to Westport
Stage 8  Foxford to Sligo
Route 2 Route Cards

Route 3 Tour of Connacht
Stage 1  Westport to Roonah Quay
Stage 2  Tour of Clare Island
Stage 3  Roonah Quay to Tully
Stage 4  Tully to Clifden
Stage 5  Tour of Inishbofin
Stage 6  Clifden to Kilkieran
Stage 7  Kilkieran to Galway
Stage 8  Galway to Cong
Stage 9  Cong to Westport
Route 3 Route Cards

Route 4 The Aran Islands and the Burren
Stage 1  Galway to Inishmore
Stage 2  Tour of Inishmore
Stage 3  Tour of Inisheer
Stage 4  Round the Burren
Stage 5  Doolin to Kilrush
Stage 6  Kilrush to Ennis
Stage 7  Ennis to Limerick
Stage 7A WAW Link from Limerick to Tarbert
Route 4 Route Cards

Route 5 The Southwest Peninsulas
Stage 1A WAW Link from Tarbert to Tralee
Stage 1  Tralee to Dingle
Stage 2  Tour of the Dingle Peninsula
Stage 3  Dingle to Killorglin
Stage 4  Killorglin to Portmagee
Stage 5  Portmagee to Caherdaniel
Stage 6  Caherdaniel to Kenmare
Stage 7  Kenmare to Killarney
Stage 8  Killarney to Tralee
Route 5 Route Cards

Route 6 The Fuchsia Coast
Stage 1  Kenmare to Allihies
Stage 2  Allihies to Glengarriff
Stage 3  Glengarriff to Schull
Stage 4  Schull to Clonakilty
Stage 5  Clonakilty to Kinsale
Stage 6  Kinsale to Cork
Route 6 Route Cards

Appendix A           Useful Contacts
Appendix B           Glossary
Appendix C           Deviations from the Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route
Appendix D           Further Reading
 

Seasons

These routes are best ridden between May and September.

Centres

Derry/Londonderry, Donegal, Sligo, Achill Island, Galway, Westport, the Aran Islands, Limerick, Tralee, Bantry, Kinsale, Cork

Difficulty

The six routes are broken into stages averaging 60km. A full Wild Atlantic Way tour will take you 6-7 weeks at that pace, covering a total of almost 2400km.

Must See

Malin Head, Slieve League Cliffs, Achill Island, Connemara, the Aran Islands, the Burren, the Cliffs of Mohr, Loop Head, Dingle, the Ring of Kerry, Mizen Head, Kinsale

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