Clifden to Aasleagh Falls

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Clifden to Aasleagh Falls Route

This Wild Atlantic Way driving route from Clifden to Aasleagh Falls, just over the border in Mayo, is not too far to drive, but there are plenty of distractions along the way, and detours that are worth taking, which will make your journey longer than you thought.

The Sky Loop road is a great drive with spectacular sea views. Kylemore Abbey is off the WAW, but well worth a visit to see its super location and maybe do a tour if that is your thing.

And Connemara National Park is great if you are into hiking and like walking up big hills or wild camping.

The Loughs and views of the Twelve Bens seem to be ever-present. It is a spectacular drive, whichever road you take.

Wild Atlantic Way Route Galway

Approx. 79km distance, 1hr 52 minutes driving time

Clifden

A great town to stop for a bite to eat or to stay the night. I have stayed at the local campsite here a couple of times which is fantastic. 

clifden camping, wild atlantic camping, wild atlantic camp, wild atlantic way camping, wild atlantic way campsites, camping wild atlantic way

Alcock and Brown hotel in Clifden, clifden town ireland, clifden accomodation, clifden map ireland, clifden irland, clifden county galway, clifden hotel, clifden ireland
Alcock and Brown hotel, Clifden

There is a statue of Alcock and Brown in the middle of town.

The restaurant Darcy Twelve did a great beef bourguignon when I was there last.

Beef Bourguignon at Darcy Twelve in Clifdon
Beef Bourguignon at Darcy Twelve

Find other Clifden accommodation here:

Sky Loop Road

This is a stunning loop road you can take just outside of Clifden.

It is about 15km long and will take you about 30 minutes to drive, and the views are really spectacular.

Sky Loop Road near Clifden, sky road connemara, sky road clifden, sky road ireland, clifdon, sky loop clifden, clifden sky road loop
Sky Loop Road
Sky Loop Road

Sky Loop Road

Sky Loop Road Clifden, clifden road
Sky Road Discovery Point

Sky Loop Road

Some of the road is quite narrow so you have to look ahead to allow for cars coming in the other direction. I have travelled this road twice in a clockwise direction which I would recommend.

This is a fun road to drive, especially on a bike, with super views.

Watch me ride the full length of the Sky Road Loop:

Video: The Sky Road Loop

Omey Island

Omey Island is a tidal island that you can reach at low tide by foot or car. But be careful that you do not get stranded when the tide comes in. 

Omey Island tide times here.

Cleggan Harbour

Cleggan Harbour is where you can catch the ferry to Inishboffin Island.

There are normally 3 ferries per day during the summer which reduces in the winter.

In 1927 twenty-five men drowned while fishing in the bay in heavy seas, leading to the abandonment of the village of Rossadillisk which lost 16 men in the accident.

Cleggan harbour
Cleggan Harbour

Inishbofin

Inishbofin Island is seven miles off the coast of Galway. There are some nice walks around the island with great views of the WAW scenery. There are several festivals held throughout the year. You can get to the island on the ferry from Cleggan Pier.

Connemara National Park

At this location, there is a visitor’s centre for this National Park. The park is popular with hikers that wish to climb up Diamond Hill or explore the park.

Diamon Hill View from the Top, wild atlantic way connemara
Hiking up Diamond Hill [Credit L.S]
Connemara National Park reception
Connemara National Park reception

You can see the Connemara ponies, follow nature trails or recover from your walk in the cafe with a nice cup of tea.

Diamond Hill
Looking towards Diamond Hill from outside the Park

Entry is free and wild camping is allowed in some locations with some restrictions.

Kylemore Abbey

This amazing building has been the home to a Benedictine Community of Nuns (that originated in Brussels in 1598) for the last 100 years. Though not located on the WAW it is not far off and is a great detour if you have time. 

Kylemore Abbey Connemara, galway wild atlantic way, wild atlantic way route
Kylemore Abbey

The Abbey is located on the Connemara Loop drive which is renown for its wonderful scenery.

It was built as a castle in 1868 and is built in quite a spectacular location on Pollacapall Lough.

Kylemore Abbey

It can be visited and tours are available. There is a large car park and they also cater for busses.

Kylemore Abbey

Diamond Hill
Diamond Hill

You can book tickets online here: 

Island’s View / Renvyle Beach

Located at Renvyle Beach, Island’s View looks out to some of the small Islands in the bay.

Island's View
Island’s View
Island's View

Island's View

Island's View
Lads on tour at Island’s View

Grace O’Malley used to live in Renvyle Castle after marrying the local chief Donal O’Flaherty in 1546.

There is a small car park accessible via a single-track road. You can see Crump Island from the beach.

Lough Muck

This Lough is also located on the Connemara Loop which is one of the most spectacular roads along the WAW.

Lough Muck, connemara loop
Lough Muck
Lough Muck, wild atlantic way

Although this part of the Connemara Loop does not run along the Atlantic, it passes a few Loughs and mountains with wonderful views.

Lough Fee

Lough Fee, connemara loop
Lough Fee

Another Lough along the Connemara Loop with spectacular views.

Lough Fee, wild atlantic way

This road driving towards Killary Harbour is a fantastic driving route. It is worth driving just for the views.

Connemara Loop

This road heading towards Killary Harbour is spectacular, with great views of the Twelve Bens and the surrounding Connemara landscape. One of the best roads along the WAW.

Connemara Loop - google maps
Connemara Loop
Connemara Loop

Connemara Loop, twelve bens

Killary Harbour

Killary Fjord is one of Ireland’s three fjords, formed by glaciers which carved out the valley, many years ago, which is now flooded by the ocean.

Spectacular views.

Killary Harbour, Killary Fjord
Killary Harbour

Killary Harbour, Killary Fjord

Killary Harbour, Killary Fjord

Killary Harbour, Killary Fjord

Killary Fjord from Leenaun
Killary Fjord from Leenaun

Gaynor’s Bar, Leenane (the Field)

This bar in Leenane (or Leenaun) was used as a filming location during the famous film ‘The Field‘, (1990) a brilliant Irish movie starring Richard Harris, John Hurt and Sean Bean.

Gaynor's Bar Leenane
Gaynor’s Bar

The Field

Location of the actual field from the 1990 movie. It is not well marked so I challenge you to find the actual spot – I struggled! The location is about 7km away from the WAW.

The Field
The Field

The Field

The Field

Aasleagh Falls

Aasleagh Falls are located on the Erriff River, just over the border in county Mayo, and are one of the obstacles that Atlantic salmon face when swimming up the river to spawn.

Today however there is a fish pass, or fish ladder, located at the right-hand side of the falls, looking upstream.

Aasleagh Falls in Mayo
Aasleagh Falls Discovery Point

At the right time of year you can still see the salmon jumping or waiting in the water.

Despite their ability to find their way back to the same river in which they were born, they still apparently struggle to find the fish ladder.

Aasleagh Falls Photos

Aasleagh Falls

Aasleagh Falls

During the 19th century (and still today) this place was a keen tourist fishing spot. There is a parking spot here and it is a short walk to the falls.

Video: Salmon Jumping at Aansleigh Falls [Credit Dan Carruthers]

I think this route from Clifden to Aasleagh Falls is one of the most scenic that I have come across along the Wild Atlantic Way. And if you have plenty of time over why not drive the Connemara Loop as well?

Previous Route – Going South

Ballyvaughan to Clifden

Next Route – Going North

Clifden to Aasleagh Falls

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Last Updated on July 6, 2024 by Gav

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