Clifden to Aasleagh Falls Route
Wild Atlantic Way Route Galway
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
You can see the Connemara ponies, follow nature trails or recover from your walk in the cafe with a nice cup of tea.
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.
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.
It can be visited and tours are available. There is a large car park and they also cater for busses.
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.
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.
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
Another Lough along the Connemara Loop with spectacular views.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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Last Updated on July 6, 2024 by Gav