4 Spectacular Itineraries travelling South to North
If you need a good Wild Atlantic Way Itinerary, you have come to the right place.
Embark on a journey filled with breathtaking landscapes, charming coastal villages, and unforgettable experiences.
Welcome to the adventure of a lifetime along the stunning Wild Atlantic Way on the West Coast of Ireland!
We have curated four unique itineraries to help you maximise your exploration along this rugged coastline. These routes do not take you to all the Discovery Points but are designed to take you to the main highlights in the limited time you have available. So the routes do not exactly follow the Wild Atlantic Way, but they take you to all the areas worth seeing.
All itineraries can be completed assuming an arrival at Dublin or Shannon airport. As Shannon is already on the West Coast, it requires less driving than if you fly to Dublin.
It is recommended to check the local internet sites of the locations before visiting, as some may be closed out of season. Mizen Head for example is closed in 2024 until the Spring.
1. Wild Atlantic Way 7-Day Itinerary. The Southern Counties
Begin your adventure at the Old Head of Kinsale and journey north along the Wild Atlantic Way up to Galway. Visit the 6 Signature Points of the Old Head of Kinsale, Mizen Head, Dursey Island, Blasket Island View, Loop Head and the Cliffs of Moher.
The journey travels the Mizen, Beara, Iveragh and Dingle Peninsulas. It passes through the counties of Cork, Kerry, Clare and Galway. Famous Discovery Points such as Slea Head Drive, Conor Pass, Inch Beach, Ring of Kerry, the Gaps of Mamore and Ballaghbema, and the Burren Coast Road are included on this route.
This trip is about 22-25 hours of driving time and includes about 20 hours of exploration time to stop at places along the way. Explore ancient abbeys, swim in the surf beaches, enjoy the scenic views and the stunning Cliffs, and savour fresh seafood along the way. You will love this journey.
2. Wild Atlantic Way 7-Day Itinerary. The Northern Counties
This itinerary begins in Galway and takes you as far as Letterkenny in Donegal. The route passes through 7 Signature points; Derrigimlagh, Killary Harbour, Keem Beach, Downpatrick Head, Mullaghmore, Slieve League and Fanad Head. You will pass through the Counties of Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal. (It also passes through a very small part of Leitrim, but there are no Discovery Points from the Wild Atlantic Way in Leitrim). The total driving time is a little over 23 hours and the stopping time is about 18,5 hrs.
This route takes you past interesting Discovery Points such as Dog’s Bay, Connemara, Clifden, Kylemore Abbey, Aasleagh Falls, Doolough Valley, Achill Island, Keem Beach, Benwee Head, Gleniff Horseshoe, Classiebawn Castle, Rossnowlagh Beach, Malin Beg, Assaranca Waterfall, Errigal, Glenveigh National Park and Doe Castle, to name but a few. The route does not completely follow the WAW and misses out on the Mullet Peninsula.
The scenery along this route, especially in Connemara, Mayo and Donegal is really astoundingly beautiful.
Which itinerary is best if you only have 7 days to explore the Wild Atlantic Way? It is very difficult to decide whether to choose from itinerary 1 or 2. Everyone has their own preferences. But if I were to choose I would probably prefer this route over route 1, even though I live in county Clare. And pray for some good weather to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
3. Wild Atlantic Way 10-Day Itinerary.
This journey, also starting in Galway, passes through the same locations as the first 7-day itinerary and goes as far as Burtonport in Donegal. So it passes through 8 of the Wild Atlantic Way counties. This journey does not get completely to the top of Donegal however. Driving time is about 40 hours in total, with approximately 27 hours of stopping time on locations.
This route brings you to 12 of the 15 Signature points along the Wild Atlantic Way.
4. Wild Atlantic Way 14-Day Itinerary.
This journey passes through all the same locations as the first two 7-day itineraries. The difference is that the extra days allow for an excursion in Kerry to Valentia Island and the Bray Head Signature Point. There is also a full rest of day built into the itinerary in Galway, halfway through the journey. This allows you to explore the wonderful city of Galway. Or maybe you could even fly out to the Aran Islands, or just have a rest. You could also use the extra time to explore more of Connemara.
This Itinerary will take you to ALL the Signature Points on the Wild Atlantic Way. It is about 47 hours of driving and about 2,600 km in total. But there are about 47 hours of stopping time along the way which means you can see a lot more than on the other trips.
Whether you are seeking coastal marvels, hidden gems, cultural heritage, or the ultimate adventure, our curated itineraries offer something for every traveller along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Prepare to be enchanted by the beauty of Ireland’s west coast as you embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery. It will be a journey you will never forget.
Click below to get to find out more information on these routes.
7-, 10- and 14-day Self Drive Itineraries.
Before you travel, make sure you have read this article about driving in Ireland.
Last Updated on June 15, 2024 by Gav
