Trail talk

The Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) is a scenic coastal route that runs for approximately 2,500 kilometers along Ireland’s rugged western coastline, spanning from the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork. Offering breathtaking views of cliffs, beaches, and historic sites, the WAW is a paradise for hikers, looking for natural highlights and Irish cultural experiences. Along the Wild Atlantic Way drive there’re many hiking trails ranging from day-hike to long-distance trails, suiting all different kind of hikers no matter your experience.

The Wild Atlantic Way is divided into five distinct regions: Donegal, Mayo, Clare, Kerry, and Cork, each offering unique landscapes and hiking experiences. The route passes through charming coastal villages, peninsulas and beautiful nature  such as the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and Connemara. Along the way, hikers can enjoy the local culture, traditional Irish music in local pubs, exploring ancient ruins, and the always tasty regional cuisine.

Trail Highlights and Suggested Routes

The WAW is not a single linear trail but you can find an extensive collection of trails along the way, so hikers can choose various segments based on their fitness levels and time they have. Some of the most popular trails include:

Transportation and Access Points

Especially great of the Wild Atlantic Way is that you can very easily fly from the UK (and many other airports) to the local airports in the west of Ireland (5 airports!), making it very accessible with short flight times, especially great for a long weekend if you want to do a small part of the way time by time. Check out all flights and airports here. 

📍 Donegal Airport – Carrickfinn 🇮🇪
✈️ EIDL | CFN

📍 Ireland West Airport Knock – Charlestown 🇮🇪
✈️ EIKN | NOC

📍 Shannon Airport – Shannon 🇮🇪
✈️ EINN | SNN

📍 Kerry Airport – Farranfore 🇮🇪
✈️ EIKY | KIR

📍 Cork Airport – Cork 🇮🇪
✈️ EICK | ORK