Mizen Head to Mayo

Welcome to Ireland! Fáilte go hÉirinn!

Arrive in Cork and make your way to the hotel, where you’ll meet the guides and your fellow riders. That evening, we’ll have a welcome briefing and group dinner, with plenty of time to get to know everyone before the riding begins. There’ll also be a chance to fettle your bike ready for the early-morning transfer and your first day in the saddle.

If you arrive in time, Cork is a lively and very manageable city to explore. We can organise extra nights at the hotel if you’d like to spend a day or two here before the tour starts.

Sightseeing highlights:

• English Market & Cork city centre – Browse the stalls at Cork’s famous covered food market, dating back to 1788, then explore the compact city centre around the River Lee, with plenty of cafés, pubs and restaurants to choose from.
• St Fin Barre’s Cathedral & Elizabeth Fort – Two of Cork’s most impressive landmarks. Visit the spectacular Gothic cathedral before heading up to the 17th-century Elizabeth Fort for panoramic views across the city.
• Shandon & Cork City Gaol – Head up to Shandon and climb the tower of St Anne’s Church, where you can even ring the famous bells, or visit the former Cork City Gaol for a glimpse of life in a 19th-century prison.
• Blarney Castle – About 8 km from Cork, making it a good option for a half-day cycle if you fancy getting on the bike before the tour begins (we can help with route files if helpful, but this is not a guided ride). Explore the castle and gardens and, of course, decide whether you want to kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the gift of the gab.

Approx. 90 km / 56 miles & 998m / 3,275 feet ascent

Our Wild Atlantic Way adventure starts with an early-morning transfer to Mizen Head, the far south-western tip of Ireland. From here, we saddle up and head north, following the EV1 EuroVelo route as far as Bantry, taking in some of the wildest scenery in County Cork. There’s an early challenge at Priest’s Leap, with a short, sharp climb of up to 13%, but the effort is rewarded with some of the most rugged scenery of the day. The narrow road winds into the hills, with far-reaching views across the wild landscape and very little sign of civilisation.

From here, we drop back towards the coast and continue through the hills to Dunmanus Castle and Bantry. We’ll stop for lunch overlooking Bantry Bay, close to the ferry to Whiddy Island, before continuing towards Glengarriff. After a coffee stop at Glengarriff Nature Reserve, we tackle the final climb over Caha Pass, which climbs to almost 1000 feet but in broad sweeping curves. At the summit, the road disappears into the mountain through the atmospheric Caha Pass tunnel, before a great descent takes us into Kenmare and the end of our first day in the saddle.

Highlights / sightseeing en route:

• Mizen Head – Ireland’s far south-western tip. Take the short walk down the famous 99 steps and across the iconic arched bridge to the Signal Station before setting off. Keep an eye out for whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds.
• Dunmanus Castle & Bantry – The atmospheric ruins of this 15th-century castle sit right on the edge of Dunmanus Bay. In Bantry we can explore the 18th-century Bantry House and Gardens if time allows.
• Glengarriff Nature Reserve – A good spot for a leg stretch, with beautiful woodland and views from Lady Bantry’s Lookout. You may even spot a freshwater pearl mussel in the river.
• Kenmare – a great little town with a well-deserved culinary reputation.

Approx 97 km / 60 miles & 1,113m / 3,650 feet ascent

We have changed the route from 2026 by adding an extra day to properly take in the Dingle Peninsula (no buses involved in 2027!!) and you will soon learn why. Because today is another spectacular day in the saddle, as we leave Kenmare and cross the Kerry mountains towards the Dingle Peninsula.

The first challenge is the climb to Moll’s Gap, following the N71 as it winds steadily upwards through increasingly wild mountain scenery. At the top, we’re rewarded with huge views across  MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. From Moll’s Gap, we head towards the Gap of Dunloe and into the Black Valley. The road narrows as we pass between the mountains, with a series of lakes and stone bridges making this one of the most memorable sections of the route. There can be plenty of walkers, cyclists and jaunting cars here, so it’s a section to take at a relaxed pace and enjoy. We then head north and west towards Castlemaine, before joining the EV1 and following it west towards Dingle.

The road from Castlemaine to Inch is busier than much of the day, following the R561 with no dedicated cycling infrastructure, so care is needed on this section, but we leave this road as soon as we can. From our cafe stop at Inch Beach onwards, the route becomes quieter again as we follow the coast towards Annascaul and Dingle, with Minard Castle and Dingle Bay providing a spectacular finale to the day.

Highlights / sightseeing en route:

• Kate Kearney’s Cottage – A 150-year-old family-run pub, restaurant and craft shop at the entrance (or for us exit) to the Gap. It has been welcoming travellers for generations and is a great place to stop for an early lunch after our exertions!
• Gap of Dunloe – Look out for the Wishing Bridge, an old stone bridge where local tradition says wishes really do come true. The five lakes along the Gap were carved by glaciers, creating the distinctive landscape you see today.
• Inch Beach & Minard Castle – Inch is a huge sandy beach stretching into Dingle Bay, while the ruined Minard Castle sits dramatically on a grassy hill above the coast.
• Dingle – A colourful harbour town with a strong fishing heritage and a famously lively traditional music scene. The narrow streets are packed with character, independent shops, cafés and traditional pubs.

Approx 88 km / 54.5 miles & 1006m / 3300 feet ascent

After an early breakfast, we’ll head out on the spectacular Slea Head loop before the traffic gets busy. The R559 takes us west from Dingle through Ventry and out towards the exposed Atlantic coast. The road becomes increasingly wild as we round the western tip of the peninsula, with the Blasket Islands offshore and the Atlantic on one side and the slopes of Mount Eagle on the other. The narrow road and spectacular views make this a section to take slowly and enjoy, with plenty of excuses to stop for photos. For those who want an easier day, this loop can be omitted.

Back in Dingle, we’ll pause for a coffee before heading east again and tackling Conor Pass. The road climbs steeply through a narrow mountain valley before reaching the 410m summit, where the views open out across the peninsula, Dingle Bay and the mountains. From the top, we descend towards the north coast before continuing along the EV1 to Tralee through Cloghane, past Castlegregory and the Maharees, a narrow sandy peninsula separating Tralee Bay from the Atlantic. There are long beaches and views towards Mount Brandon and Kerry Head.

Highlights / sightseeing en route:

• Fahan Beehive Huts – Look out for these distinctive dry-stone clocháns around Fahan, some of the best-known examples of the ancient stone huts found across the Dingle Peninsula. They sit just off the Slea Head road and make an interesting short stop.
• Dunquin Pier & the Blasket Centre – A short detour from the main road takes you to the famous zig-zag path down to Dunquin Pier, with views across to the Great Blasket. The nearby Blasket Centre tells the story of the island community that lived out here until 1953.
• Gallarus Oratory – This tiny, remarkably well-preserved early Christian stone church is thought to date from somewhere between the 6th and 9th centuries. It’s one of the peninsula’s most distinctive historic buildings and sits close to the Slea Head loop.

Approx. 97km / 60.5 miles & 663m / 2,100 feet ascent (plus 2.5 miles in ferry)

Today has a lovely relaxed vibe after the first few days’ knockout sights. Not a ‘down day’, but one of those days where you can decompress, ride, catch a ferry, eat, explore a little and simply enjoy being on the bike. There’s a stiff wakener of a climb out of Tralee, but after that the route settles into a gentler rhythm as we head north through the Kerry countryside to Listowel. We’ll stop for coffee here and give you time to explore this charming literary town, home to Writers’ Week and closely associated with writers including John B. Keane and Brendan Kennelly.

From Listowel, we continue to Tarbert and the Shannon Estuary, where we swap bikes for the ferry to Killimer in County Clare. The crossing takes around 20 minutes, giving the legs a breather and, if you’re lucky, the chance to spot some of the estuary’s resident bottlenose dolphins. Back on two wheels, we head north through County Clare towards Lahinch.

Our destination is one of Ireland’s best-known surfing towns, sitting on Liscannor Bay beneath the Cliffs of Moher. After a relatively gentle day in the saddle, it’s a great place to kick back, grab a drink and, weather permitting, watch the sun set over the Atlantic.

Highlights / sightseeing en route:

• Listowel – A small town with a surprisingly big literary heritage. Look out for the Writers’ Square and John B. Keane’s pub, or visit the Kerry Writers’ Museum if you fancy delving a little deeper.
• Tarbert–Killimer ferry – The 20-minute crossing of the Shannon Estuary is a welcome change of pace. Keep an eye on the water for bottlenose dolphins, which live in the estuary year-round.
• Lahinch – One of Ireland’s best-known surf spots, with a lively little town built around its long beach. It’s an ideal place to relax after the day’s riding. If the weather cooperates, head down to the beach in the evening and watch the sun disappear into the Atlantic.

Approx. 109km / 68 miles & 1021m / 3,350 feet ascent

A cycle route that brings together some of the most varied riding of the Wild Atlantic Way. We leave Lahinch and head north towards the coast, with the first big landmark of the day appearing as we approach the Cliffs of Moher. From here, we follow the Atlantic north through Doolin and along the exposed coast towards Black Head, keeping an eye out for the empty cottage reminders of the famine. The road is relatively open and rugged here, with the sea constantly competing for your attention with the landscape inland.

At Black Head we turn east and head into the Burren. The riding becomes more undulating as we cross the limestone karst plateau, with the scenery changing from open Atlantic coastline to an extraordinary lunar landscape of exposed rock, small fields and ancient stone walls. We’ll have time to stop at Poulnabrone Dolmen before continuing across the Burren towards Galway Bay.

The final section takes us through Kinvara and along the shores of Galway Bay before we arrive in Galway itself. After a day of big landscapes and open roads, the atmosphere changes completely: park the bikes, head into the city and enjoy an evening of good food, traditional music and Galway’s famously lively streets.

Highlights / sightseeing:

• Cliffs of Moher – Take a wander to the cliff-top and look out for the huge seabird colonies. The cliffs reach 214m at their highest point, while the Atlantic below is a popular spot for big-wave surfers.
• Doolin – A small characterful village with a big reputation for traditional Irish music.
• Poulnabrone Dolmen – One of Ireland’s best-known Neolithic monuments, dating back around 5,000 years. It’s a remarkably simple structure, but its isolated position makes it particularly atmospheric amidst the lunar karst landscape of the Burren.
• Dunguaire Castle & Galway – Dunguaire is a picturesque 16th-century tower house on the shores of Galway Bay near Kinvara. In Galway, explore the Latin Quarter and Spanish Arch, browse the independent shops or find a traditional pub with live music before dinner.

Approx. 101km / 63 miles & 488m / 1,600 feet ascent

We enjoy a slightly lazier start this morning, allowing the commuter traffic around Galway to ease before heading west along the coast. Outside rush hour, this is a lovely stretch of road, with Galway Bay opening out beside us as we leave the city behind. We’ll make a short detour down to Spiddal to see the beach and enjoy the views across the bay. Those keen to explore further can also ride out to Coral Beach at Carraroe. This isn’t included in the mileage above, but adds around 6 miles and is well worth the extra effort. The beach is made largely from tiny pieces of maërl, a type of calcareous seaweed, giving it an unusual pale, almost tropical appearance and remarkably clear water.

Back on the main route, we continue west with the Atlantic on one side and the Connemara mountains rising ahead. The further we go, the wilder the landscape becomes, with open roads, rocky hillsides and scattered settlements. Later, we turn inland onto the Bog Road towards Clifden, crossing wide stretches of open bog with the Twelve Bens (the Connemara Mountains) on the horizon. You haven’t really been to Ireland until you’ve seen a proper bog! We finish in Clifden, the lively little capital of Connemara.

Highlights / sightseeing en route:

• Spiddal – A great place to get a feel for the Irish-speaking Gaeltacht. The village is also home to the Spiddal Craft & Design Studios, where you can see local artists and craftspeople at work.
• Coral Beach, Carraroe – An optional detour to one of the most unusual beaches in the area. Its ‘coral’ is actually maërl, a slow-growing marine algae that forms the tiny white fragments covering the shore.
• Connemara bogs – Look out for the pools, heather and distinctive cutaway sections of peat as you cross the Bog Road. Peat has been harvested here for generations, and turf cutting is still part of rural life in the region.
• Clifden – colourful buildings, independent shops, cafés and pubs provide plenty to explore after the ride.

Approx. 92km / 57 miles & 861m / 2,825 feet  ascent

Another stunning day begins with a loop around the Sky Road, one of Ireland’s most scenic coastal routes. Those who want to conserve their legs can skip this section and rejoin the group a couple of miles north of Clifden, while everyone else gets an early dose of spectacular Atlantic views. From here, we head through the Connemara Gaeltacht, with the mountains rising to our south as we make our way towards Killary Harbour. We follow the southern shore of the lough, then loop around its eastern end and back again, with Mweelrea mountain providing a dramatic backdrop.

There’s also an optional short, unpaved detour to Aasleagh Falls at the head of the lough. We also make a short detour into the Doolough Valley, where we’ll stop for lunch on the lough shore. From here, we turn back and take the road over Sheeffry Pass, a quieter and much more remote crossing through the mountains than the road north. Our route takes a loop out to Westport harbour and its viewpoint before we end the day in Westport town.

Highlights / sightseeing en route:

• Letterfrack – If you have time to explore, there’s plenty here beyond the cycling. The Connemara National Park visitor centre and a local woodworking craft centre are both in the village, while Kylemore Abbey and its gardens are just a little further on.
• Killary Harbour & Aasleagh Falls – Killary is generally regarded as Ireland’s only true fjord. The optional detour to Aasleagh Falls is only a short distance but includes an unpaved section, so it’s best treated as a weather-dependent extra.
• Doolough – The valley’s spectacular scenery has a poignant history. During the Great Famine in 1849, starving people were required to walk from Louisburgh to Delphi to be assessed for continued outdoor relief. At least seven people died on the journey, with some accounts suggesting the number was considerably higher.
• Westport – A planned Georgian town centred around a handsome tree-lined mall and the Carrowbeg River. Its colourful shopfronts, traditional pubs and lively food scene make it particularly good for an evening wander.

Westport is a really good landing point for your shortened Wild Atlantic Way adventure, with regular direct trains to Dublin and Knock Airport less than an hour away by bus. If timings work, our guides might even be able to drop you at the airport.