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Wild Atlantic Way

Dramatic cliffs, endless ocean views, and the world's most beautiful coastal walks.

About This Region

The Wild Atlantic Way stretches 2,500 kilometres along Ireland's western coast, one of Europe's most dramatic seascapes. Walking holidays here take you along towering sea cliffs where the Atlantic crashes with ancient power, past ring forts and stone churches perched on impossible hillsides, through Gaeltacht villages where Irish is still spoken on the street, and across landscapes that have barely changed in centuries.

The terrain ranges from gentle coastal paths and pastoral valleys to challenging mountain traverses. You'll walk among wildflower-carpeted hillsides in summer, encounter seabirds and seals at every turn, and step through 5,000 years of human history written into the stone and soil. This is walking at the edge of Europe, where the land runs out and the ocean takes over.

Region Highlights

Length

2,500 km of coastline

Counties

Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Cork

Terrain

Coastal cliffs, mountain passes, river valleys

Culture

Gaeltacht villages, Irish language, traditional music

Our Tours in This Region

The Dingle Way, Ireland
Moderate

The Dingle Way

The westernmost loop in Ireland — 179km around the Dingle Peninsula where ancient stone churches meet…

5–10 Days

From

€595

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The Kerry Way, Ireland
Challenging

The Kerry Way

Ireland's longest waymarked trail — 215 km around the Iveragh Peninsula, through Killarney National Park,…

5–8 Days

From

€615

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The Burren & Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Moderate

The Burren & Cliffs of Moher

Europe's most unusual karst landscape — Arctic-Alpine and Mediterranean wildflowers blooming on…

5–7 Days

From

€675

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The Beara Peninsula, Ireland
Moderate

The Beara Peninsula

Ireland's wildest peninsula — 196km of remote mountains, copper mine ruins and untouched Atlantic…

5–8 Days

From

€525

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The Sheep's Head Way, Ireland
Moderate

The Sheep's Head Way

Ireland's quietest waymarked trail — a 90 km loop around one of West Cork's most unspoilt peninsulas.…

5–8 Days

From

€595

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What Makes This Region Special

terrain

Cliffs That Take Your Breath Away

The Cliffs of Moher, Slea Head, and Kerry cliffs rank among Europe's most spectacular coastal formations. Towering sea cliffs drop hundreds of metres into the Atlantic, with visibility on clear days stretching to the Aran Islands and beyond.

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Living Gaeltacht Culture

These regions are Ireland's heartland of living Irish language and culture. Walk through villages where Irish is spoken daily, enjoy traditional music sessions in authentic pubs, and experience hospitality untouched by tourism.

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Ancient History at Every Turn

Beehive huts (clocháns), ring forts, stone churches, and monastic sites dot these landscapes. Walk past 5,000 years of human history: Bronze Age settlements, early Christian monks, and medieval fortifications.

Best Time to Walk

The Wild Atlantic Way is walkable year-round, but May to September offers the best conditions. Summer months bring long daylight hours, wildflowers in full bloom, and warmer temperatures. Spring and autumn are quieter, with crisp air and dramatic skies.

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May & June

Longer days, manageable crowds, wildflowers, coastal seabirds. Ideal for walking without summer heat.

July & August

Peak season, warmest weather, busiest trails. Full-service accommodation and restaurants available throughout.

September

Quieter trails, stable weather, extended daylight. Often considered the best month for coastal walking.

Ready to Walk the Wild Atlantic Way?

Whether you choose dramatic coastal cliffs, mountain passes, or otherworldly limestone landscapes, the Wild Atlantic Way will stay with you forever. Let us handle the logistics while you focus on the beauty.

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What Our Walkers Say

★★★★★ 5.0 out of 5

Based on 12 verified reviews

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★★★★★

"We had a fabulous time walking the Barrow River Way with Walking Holiday Ireland. Beautiful scenery, wonderful B&B hosts and the detailed maps and other information provided by Cliff was most helpful. Shame we did not have the time to do a second one elsewhere in Ireland."

Steve ABE
★★★★★

"My son and I really enjoyed our Barrow Way walk. We were blessed with very good weather, and the journey gave us plenty of memorable moments together. The Woodford Dolmen Hotel was a fantastic place to begin the trip. We especially want to mention Ter Kelly - what a gem! We reall..."

★★★★★

"I was able to enjoy a wonderful walk on and around the Dingle Peninsula, thanks in no small part to the great care of Walking Holiday Ireland. The overnight stays were very good and the route information was more than adequate, including a detailed route map in a waterproof sleev..."

Paul De Marez
Belgium
★★★★★

"The Burren Way was unique and well organised from start to finish."

★★★★★

"A beautiful journey along the Beara Way with seamless luggage transfers."

★★★★★

"Excellent organisation on the Wicklow Way. Great B&Bs and clear daily routes."

Sophie Laurent
France
Wicklow Way Full 7 Days →
★★★★★

"We had a marvellous week on the 7-day Burren walk, with spectacular views and varied landscapes. Our accommodation ranged from comfortable and friendly with a good breakfast to outstanding with the best breakfast imaginable (thanks to Nicola at the Wild Atlantic Lodge in Liscanno..."

Siobhan Staunton
Ireland
★★★★★

"Cliff planned our Dingle Way trip perfectly. The app made walking easy and stress free."

★★★★★

"Connemara was stunning. Cliff handled every detail so we could enjoy the walk."

Emily Carter
USA
★★★★★

"Clear routes, welcoming hosts, and excellent planning on the Kerry Way."

Michael O'Connor
Ireland
The Kerry Way Hiking Tour 8 Days →
★★★★★

"Walking Holiday Ireland is a great outfit to work with. Their planning for our Wicklow Way and Barrow Way trip was excellent — the walking routes and distances were perfect given our limited time, and all our accommodations exceeded our expectations. Highlights were our stay at ..."

Harv Babendure
USA
★★★★★

"Walking Holiday Ireland is a great outfit to work with — planning was excellent, the walking routes and distances were perfect, and every accommodation exceeded expectations. Kyle Farmhouse and the Carlow County Museum were highlights (we're not particularly museum people bu..."

Harv Babendure
USA
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