| Wild Atlantic Way |
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In a nutshell
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Start
Finish
Countries
Stages
Rest days
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Dublin, Ireland
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Ireland, Northern Ireland
18 stages
Cork, Galway
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Total distance
Average distance
Total climbing
Average climbing
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1.900 km
105 km
20.000 meters
1.100 meters
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1.200 miles
66 miles
65.000 feet
3.600 feet
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Road condition
Period
Accommodation
Price
Discount
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100% paved
Wednesday May 4th, 2022
Monday May 23rd, 2022
21 nights
Mainly hotels, plus one or two B&B's or
hostels
€ 3.895,-
€ 200,- for early registration
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Description
Everything you've heard about Ireland is true: it's a stunner.
The locals need little prodding to proclaim theirs the
most beautiful land in the world, and can support their
claim with many examples. Everyone will argue over the
must-sees, but you can't go wrong if you put the
loneliness of Connemara, the fabulous ruins of Ireland's
rich monastic past, the dramatic wildness of Donegal,
the majestic Cliffs of Moher, the world-famous scenery
of the counties of Kerry and Cork, the breath-taking
monuments of prehistoric Ireland and the celebrated
Causeway Coast in the North in one cycling tour. A tour
that follows mainly Ireland's spectacular coastal road,
which is nicknamed the
Wild Atlantic Way.
We start our tour in
Dublin,
the multi-cultural capital and creative hub of Ireland.
When we leave the relatively small capital, the
landscape changes dramatically. The route along the
spine of the
Wicklow Mountains crosses vast moors, bogs
and hills, dotted with small lakes. In one of the deep
glacial valleys we pass
Glendalough with its old
churches and monastery.
Quiet country roads bring us along historic sites like
the Medieval Mile of
Kilkenny,
the rock of Cashel
and the castle of
Blarney,
before we end up in Cork. The second city of Ireland is
a liberal, youthful and cosmopolitan place with artisan
coffee bars and snug pubs with live music on every
corner. Ideal for a first rest day.
We cycle for the first time over the marked route of the
Wild Atlantic Way in
Kinsale.
This town is with its picturesque yachting harbour one
of many colourful gems strung along the Irish coastline.
The cycling route doesn't always stick to the coastal
road in the County of
Kerry,
but tries to find an enjoyable combination between the
best scenic roads along the coast, and some challenging
climbs over quiet winding roads a bit more inland.
One of the highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way is the
ride over the
Dingle Peninsula. In the
shadow of sacred Mount Brandon lies an ancient landscape
of prehistoric ring forts and beehive huts, early
Christian chapels, holy crosses and wells, picturesque
hamlets and abandoned villages. It's where the land
meets the ocean in optima forma.
We head further north, to one of Ireland's blockbuster
sights: the Cliffs
of Moher. The entirely
vertical cliffs rise up from the swells of the great
Atlantic Ocean like petrified bulwarks of stone. On top,
they are covered with the island's trademark meadows of
verdant green grass, while the waters of Galway Bay
crash and froth against the stones below.
A second rest day is planned in
Galway,
which marks the halfway point on the Wild Atlantic Way.
The city is wild and bohemian, and at the same time full
of culture, artistry, exceptional food and music. Galway
is also the gateway to Connemara. This beautiful region
is a kaleidoscope of rusty bogs, lonely valleys
and shimmering black lakes. At its heart are the Maumturk
Mountains and the pewter-tinged quartzite peaks of the
Twelve Bens mountain range. In the west of Connemara we
pass the lively town of Clifden where we cycle over the
Sky Road. Simply put, it's stunning. Very few places in
Ireland can match the rugged beauty and range of scenery
that can be seen from this loop of just 15
kilometres.
The route winds through the less visited counties of
Mayo
and
Sligo.
Mayo is the more rocky of the two, with scraggy peaks,
sheer cliffs, heather-covered moors and beautiful
offshore islands where life is dictated by the elements.
Sligo is more pastoral with lush fields, fish-filled
lakes and flat-topped mountains.
We arrive in the northern part of Ireland,
Donegal.
Untouched and virtually unexplored. It's no wonder
Donegal was named the "Coolest Place on the Planet for
2017" by National Geographic Traveller. Nature is
spectacular and bracing here. We stay near the sheer
granite walls of
Sliabh Liag, some of
Europe's highest sea cliffs plunging 600 meters to the
ceaselessly churning sea.
Almost without noticing we pass a border, the road signs
change into miles and the prices into pounds sterling.
We are still on the same island, but in another country.
This is
Northern Ireland, and part
of the United Kingdom. A relatively short stage brings
us to Derry
where a lot of history is to
absorb. From a stroll over the 17th century city walls
that encircle the city to the memorials and wall
paintings which remind on the partition of the island.
The last two stages we cycle completely along the
North-Irish coast where we don't miss out on the Giant's
Causeway. This spectacular rock formation is one of
Ireland's most impressive and atmospheric landscape
features, a vast expanse of regular, closely packed,
hexagonal stone columns looking for all the world like
the handiwork of giants.
We finish our tour at the shipyards of
Belfast.
The capital of Northern Ireland was once a powerful
ship-building centre and the birthplace of the famous
doomed ocean liner, the Titanic. A memorable place to
finish a memorable cycling journey.
The whole route follows neatly paved and quiet roads.
You don't need to expect a lot of long climbs, but
Ireland is definitely not flat. The whole route rolls up
and down. It"s probably not the daily profile that will
scare you, but it might be the strong sea wind that can
change an "easy day on paper" into a hard day on the
bike. The tour is not without reason called the WILD
Atlantic Way. We have planned the tour clockwise, to
benefit mostly from the mainly south western winds which
blow straight from the Atlantic.
We have chosen to organize the tour in the middle of
spring when Ireland shows its best side with a myriad of
fresh green colours. Of course we hope for nice sunny
days with pleasant temperatures, but rain is never far
away. Luckily it are mainly short showers which are
followed by a bright sun. You can expect a temperature
between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius and it is always wise
to have a raincoat handy. Good or bad weather
conditions; we make sure that your engines keep on
running and that every day a comfortable room with
a warm shower is waiting.
The 1st edition of the "Wild Atlantic Way" starts
Wednesday May 4th,
2022 in Dublin. The
finish lies after 20 days, 18 stages and 1.900
attracting kilometres at the harbour of Belfast.
The Wild Atlantic Way is a sensational cycling journey
past towering cliffs and lively villages and towns, past
hidden beaches and beautiful bays. The tour tries to
combine the natural beauty and the interesting history
of Ireland. But probably you will remember the most the
friendly Irish people when they play their folklore
music in the bars. So, don't forget to drink a Guiness
after the ride in one of the many Irish pubs. You will
deserve it after a day out on the bike on the Emerald
Isle. Cheers.
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The credo of Bike-Dreams is : "Life is not the
dreams you have, but the dreams you realize".
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