How long is the Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way: Killarney to Donegal route?

This route takes 10 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Killarney to Donegal in Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to June and September.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Easy-going. Easy-going and accessible for most fitness levels.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Hotels accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Coastal, Scenic, Classic road trip, Nature.

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way: Killarney to Donegal

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The route · 6 stops

1
Killarney
2 nights
Ireland's most visited national park surrounds the town with three glacial lakes, ancient oakwood and the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Drive the Ring of Kerry (180km loop) on day one. On day two, cycle around Muckross Lake on the lakeside path and walk to Torc Waterfall. The park is best seen on a bike or horse-drawn jaunting car.
Ireland's most visited national park surrounds the town with three glacial lakes, ancient oakwood and the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Drive the Ring of Kerry (180km loop) on day one. On day two, cycle around Muckross Lake on the lakeside path and walk to Torc Waterfall. The park is best seen on a bike or horse-drawn jaunting car.
Drive the Ring of Kerry clockwise to avoid tour coaches coming the other way. Start before 10:00 to get ahead of the daily convoy from Killarney. Bikes for hire in the town centre.
2
Cahersiveen
2 nights
The Kerry Cliffs rise 260 metres above the Atlantic and are far less visited than the Cliffs of Moher. Drive to Valentia Island via the Portmagee bridge; walk to Cromwell Point lighthouse and the disused slate quarry. The Skellig Heritage Centre tells the story of Skellig Michael, visible on clear days from the island's western cliffs.
The Kerry Cliffs rise 260 metres above the Atlantic and are far less visited than the Cliffs of Moher. Drive to Valentia Island via the Portmagee bridge; walk to Cromwell Point lighthouse and the disused slate quarry. The Skellig Heritage Centre tells the story of Skellig Michael, visible on clear days from the island's western cliffs.
The Kerry Cliffs viewpoint is free and 8km north of town. Valentia Island is reached by bridge at Portmagee. Skellig Michael boat trips sell out months ahead — book online well in advance.
3
Lahinch
2 nights
Lahinch is the surf capital of Ireland and 12km from the Cliffs of Moher. Spend day one at the cliffs: 214 metres of limestone face running 8km above the Atlantic. Day two is for the Burren — 250 km² of limestone plateau with Poulnabrone dolmen and Caherconnell stone fort.
Lahinch is the surf capital of Ireland and 12km from the Cliffs of Moher. Spend day one at the cliffs: 214 metres of limestone face running 8km above the Atlantic. Day two is for the Burren — 250 km² of limestone plateau with Poulnabrone dolmen and Caherconnell stone fort.
Cliffs of Moher car park is pay-and-display; arrive before 10:00 to beat tour buses. Surf hire and lessons available on Lahinch beach year-round.
4
Clifden
2 nights
Clifden is the capital of Connemara, a landscape of blanket bog, granite mountains and island-studded bays. Drive the Sky Road (11km clifftop loop) for views over the bay, and visit Kylemore Abbey reflected in its lake. The N59 north towards Westport passes some of the most intact bog landscape in Europe.
Clifden is the capital of Connemara, a landscape of blanket bog, granite mountains and island-studded bays. Drive the Sky Road (11km clifftop loop) for views over the bay, and visit Kylemore Abbey reflected in its lake. The N59 north towards Westport passes some of the most intact bog landscape in Europe.
Kylemore Abbey fills quickly by midday; arrive at opening. The Sky Road is free and best driven anticlockwise as an afternoon loop with the light behind you over the bay.
5
Westport
1 night
Georgian Westport sits at the head of Clew Bay, dotted with 365 islands. Drive the 16km causeway to Achill Island for Atlantic-facing cliffs and the deserted village on Slievemore Mountain. Croagh Patrick (764m) is Ireland's holiest mountain and an easy ascent on a clear day. Westport's pubs have lively traditional music most evenings.
Georgian Westport sits at the head of Clew Bay, dotted with 365 islands. Drive the 16km causeway to Achill Island for Atlantic-facing cliffs and the deserted village on Slievemore Mountain. Croagh Patrick (764m) is Ireland's holiest mountain and an easy ascent on a clear day. Westport's pubs have lively traditional music most evenings.
Achill Island is 50km from Westport. Allow a full afternoon. The Great Western Greenway cycling trail (42km) runs from Westport along the old railway to Achill — bike hire available at both ends.
6
Donegal
1 night
County Donegal has the most remote scenery on the route. The Slieve League sea cliffs reach 601 metres — among the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe. Drive the loop from Teelin for the clifftop views. Glenveagh National Park (28,500 hectares of mountain and bog) adds a lakeshore castle and red deer herds.
County Donegal has the most remote scenery on the route. The Slieve League sea cliffs reach 601 metres — among the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe. Drive the loop from Teelin for the clifftop views. Glenveagh National Park (28,500 hectares of mountain and bog) adds a lakeshore castle and red deer herds.
Slieve League is best on a clear day. Drive to Bunglass car park for the clifftop viewpoints — the Teelin road is narrow. Glenveagh Castle is shuttle bus only from the visitor centre.

Route highlights

Scenic Drive
Ring of Kerry Drive
The 180km circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula takes in mountain passes, Atlantic views, fishing villages and the Skellig Ring detour to Portmagee. Allow a full day; start clockwise before 10:00.
Viewpoint
Kerry Cliffs and Valentia Island
The Kerry Cliffs (260m above the Atlantic) are taller and far less visited than the Cliffs of Moher. Drive to Valentia Island via the Portmagee bridge for Cromwell Point lighthouse, the 19th-century slate quarry and the Skellig Heritage Centre with its scale model of Skellig Michael.
Viewpoint
Cliffs of Moher
214 metres of sheer limestone face running 8km along the County Clare coast. Best seen from the viewing platform at O'Brien's Tower or the cliff-edge walking path that heads north from the visitor centre.
Culture
Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden
A neo-Gothic castle built in 1868 for a Manchester merchant, now a Benedictine monastery set on a lake in the Connemara mountains. The restored Victorian walled garden is the most complete of its kind in Ireland.
Scenic Drive
Sky Road, Clifden
An 11km clifftop loop above Clifden Bay giving sweeping views over Connemara's coast, offshore islands and the Atlantic horizon. Best driven anticlockwise in afternoon light.
Scenic Drive
Achill Island Atlantic Drive
A looped road around the southern shore of Ireland's largest island, passing sea stacks, Atlantic-facing cliffs and the deserted village of Slievemore — 80 stone houses abandoned during the 1845–52 Famine.
Viewpoint
Slieve League Sea Cliffs
At 601 metres, Slieve League is nearly three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher and far less crowded. The clifftop walking route to the summit offers perspectives that rarely appear in the tourist brochures.
Culture
Traditional Music in Killarney and Westport
Both towns have active traditional music scenes. In Killarney, the pubs on High Street and New Street play most evenings. In Westport, Matt Molloy's pub (owned by the Chieftains' flute player) is the epicentre.
Viewpoint
The Burren, County Clare
A 250 km² limestone karst plateau east of Lahinch, carpeted in alpine and Mediterranean wildflowers growing through the cracked rock. The Burren Way walking trail follows the coast; Poulnabrone dolmen is a 5,500-year-old portal tomb.
Activity
Lahinch Surf and Atlantic Swells
Lahinch is Ireland's surf capital, with a beach break consistent in all seasons and a famous links golf course above the dunes. Lahinch Surf School offers all-levels lessons. The town's fish-and-chip cafes and Atlantic views make it the most relaxed stop on the Clare coast.

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way: Killarney to Donegal

The route · 6 stops

Killarney

Cahersiveen

Lahinch

Clifden

Westport

Donegal

Route highlights

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Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way: Killarney to Donegal

The route · 6 stops

Killarney

Cahersiveen

Lahinch

Clifden

Westport

Donegal

Route highlights

Photos & videos · 0

No photos yet

Frequently asked questions

Ratings & reviews

Comments · 0

No comments yet

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