Cycling the Wild Atlantic Way and Western Ireland - Cicerone Press

Boasting deserted beaches, towering sea-cliffs and tiny harbours – not to mention rich cultural and historical interest – the west of Ireland has much to entice the visitor, and with many miles of quiet roads, it's a cyclist's paradise. The Wild Atlantic Way is a driving route along Ireland's Atlantic seaboard, covering over 2,350km of coastline and showcasing the region's breathtaking landscapes. This guide adapts the route for cyclists – and throws in a couple of other highlights (such as the Aran Islands and Killarney) for good measure.

Since relatively few people are likely to have seven weeks to spare for a full Wild Atlantic Way tour, the book presents six self-contained cycle tours, each offering 7–10 days of riding. For the full Wild Atlantic Way experience, these distinct routes can be linked together into a 44-stage trip from Derry/Londonderry to Cork. Each route includes detailed advice on accommodation and facilities, plus optional detours and shortcuts and points of interest. The routes themselves are presented as 'route cards': ideal for use with a cycle computer, these pages provide 'at a glance' information for when you're on the road, covering navigation, facilities and local highlights.

The guide covers all the practicalities – including transport, equipment and general tips on cycling in Ireland – and also offers background information on geology, plants and wildlife, history and culture to enhance your journey. The result is an ideal companion to discovering western Ireland, where magnificent scenery, a vibrant music scene and a warm Irish welcome await the turn of your pedals.

THE TOURS

Route 1 Tour of Donegal
Stage 1 Derry/Londonderry to Culdaff
Stage 2 Culdaff to Clonmany
Stage 3 Clonmany to Letterkenny
Stage 4 Letterkenny to Portsalon
Stage 5 Portsalon to Downies
Stage 6 Downies to Bunbeg
Stage 7 Bunbeg to Portnoo
Stage 8 Portnoo to Carrick
Stage 9 Carrick to Donegal Town
Route 1 Route cards

Route 2 Into the Atlantic
Stage 1 Donegal Town to Ballyshannon
Stage 2 Ballyshannon to Sligo
Stage 3 Sligo to Ballina
Stage 4 Ballina to Belmullet
Stage 5 Belmullet to Achill
Stage 6 Tour of Achill Island
Stage 7 Achill to Foxford
Stage 7A WAW link from Newport (Stage 7) to Westport
Stage 8 Foxford to Sligo
Route 2 Route cards

Route 3 Tour of Connacht
Stage 1 Westport to Roonah Quay
Stage 2 Tour of Clare Island
Stage 3 Roonah Quay to Tully
Stage 4 Tully to Clifden
Stage 5 Tour of Inishbofin
Stage 6 Clifden to Kilkieran
Stage 7 Kilkieran to Galway
Stage 8 Galway to Cong
Stage 9 Cong to Westport
Route 3 Route cards

Route 4 The Aran Islands and the Burren
Stage 1 Galway to Inishmore
Stage 2 Tour of Inishmore
Stage 3 Tour of Inisheer
Stage 4 Round the Burren
Stage 5 Doolin to Kilrush
Stage 6 Kilrush to Ennis
Stage 7 Ennis to Limerick
Stage 7A WAW link from Limerick to Tarbert
Route 4 Route cards

Route 5 The Dingle and Kerry Peninsulas
Stage 1 Tarbert to Tralee
Stage 2 Tralee to Dingle
Stage 3 Tour of the Dingle Peninsula
Stage 4 Dingle to Killorglin
Stage 5 Killorglin to Portmagee
Stage 6 Portmagee to Caherdaniel
Stage 7 Caherdaniel to Kenmare
Stage 8 Kenmare to Killarney
Stage 9 Killarney to Tralee
Route 5 Route cards

Route 6 The Fuchsia Coast
Stage 1 Kenmare to Allihies
Stage 2 Allihies to Glengarriff
Stage 3 Glengarriff to Schull
Stage 4 Schull to Clonakilty
Stage 5 Clonakilty to Kinsale
Stage 6 Kinsale to Cork
Route 6 Route cards