If you’ve ever dreamed of a hiking holiday along Ireland’s breathtaking West Coast, you’re in the right place. The world renowned Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,500km (1553 miles) coastal route which offers some of the most stunning hiking trails in the world. Thundering Atlantic waves have sculpted this coastline for millennia. You can explore the towering sea cliffs, golden beaches and incredible vistas while you hike to some of the unique local towns and villages that make Ireland so special.
One of the top choice for hikers is the Dingle Way, often regarded as the most popular trail along the Wild Atlantic Way. Hikers from around the world are drawn to its rugged coastline, quaint villages with their own atmosphere and ancient historical sites that can be found across the peninsula. Another must-hike trail is the Burren Way & Cliffs of Moher where you can marvel at impressive cliffs which dominate the County Clare coastline and discover the Burren’s unique otherworldly limestone landscape.
For those seeking a more quiet, off-the-beaten-path experience, the Beara Way is an excellent choice. We often refer to it as Ireland’s best kept hiking secret! With rugged hills, hidden inlets and tranquil bays, the Beara Peninsula offers a quiet less-travelled route for those looking to indulge in Ireland’s wild beauty. The Kerry Way is another standout hiking trail with a variety of landscapes. Beginning in Killarney, this trail takes you through the National Park with its famous lakes, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, the Black Valley which eventually leads to the Iveragh Peninsula with it’s fabulous coastline and the famed Ring of Kerry.
For unspoiled beauty, the Connemara & West of Ireland is a perfect Wild Atlantic Way hiking option. The region showcases wild landscapes, serene coastal paths and rich cultural heritage. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore Inis Mór the largest of the Aran Islands. It’s windswept beauty and ancient sites will leave you with a lasting sense of Ireland’s mystique.
Each tour listed here has something unique to offer, showcasing the very best of the Wild Atlantic Way. Choose your trail and your dates and we’ll take care of the rest. No matter which experience you pick, an unforgettable adventure awaits as you explore Ireland’s western shores.
Looking for an unforgettable adventure along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way? The Dingle Way, a 179km (112 miles) National Waymarked Trail circling the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, offers just that. This stunning trail has some amazing contrasts from the windswept cliffs of Slea Head to the peaceful beaches of Castlegregory and the verdant farmland below the towering shoulder of Mount Brandon. Along the way, you’ll encounter curious sheep and cattle as well as ancient archaeological sites that speak to Ireland’s rich past. The Dingle Way also offers a cultural journey with stops in towns like Tralee and Ballyferriter where traditional Irish music and local hospitality await. Dingle town has a feel all its own and is as special as they say. The combination of the rugged coastal beauty, rich history and vibrant culture makes this one of the Wild Atlantic Way’s premier hiking experiences. Whether you are a seasoned trekker or casual walker, the Dingle Way promises breathtaking scenery and an adventure that captures the untamed essence of Ireland’s Atlantic coast.
For a memorable hike along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, the Burren Way and Cliffs of Moher offer a dramatic and unique experience. This 114km (71 miles) trail takes you through the Burren’s karst landscape, where rock formations and rare wildflowers create a landscape and local ecology unlike any other in Ireland. The Burren’s rich and ancient history which dates back to the Ice Age has ancient tombs, ring forts and centuries-old stone walls scattered throughout the trail. There is also the wonderfully mysterious Poulnabrone dolmen situated on one of the region’s most desolate and highest points. It still proudly dominates the landscape and dates to the early Neolithic period, with estimates from 4200 BC to 2900 BC. The Cliffs of Moher is one of the signature points on the Wild Atlantic Way. With the 700-foot drop to the sea below they stretch out to the Atlantic’s horizon. It is a memorable sight to behold. To add to the region’s enchantment it is not uncommon to find some traditional music being played in local pubs. Clare is one of the last counties where music has its rightful place as the centre of entertainment for locals and tourists alike. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a memorable walking route, the Burren Way & Cliffs of Moher has so much to offer and is a highlight along the Wild Atlantic Way.
The Beara Way, a 206km (128 miles) loop along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, offers an unforgettable hiking experience through one of the country’s most rugged and remote landscapes. This trail on the Beara Peninsula, leads you along dramatic coastal cliffs, tranquil bays and across exposed mountain passes, with views stretching across the Atlantic out to the islands. The Beara Way is steeped in history and mythology, featuring ancient stone circles, ogham stones and old mining relics that tell the story of Ireland’s past. The vibrant villages of Allihies, Castletownbere and Glengariff along the route provide rest stops filled with traditional Irish charm and hospitality. The Beara Way offers walkers a perfect blend of wild natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Its remote, unspoiled scenery and the peaceful solitude of the peninsula make it one of the Wild Atlantic Way’s most captivating hiking trails, promising a true escape into Ireland’s rugged wilderness.
For a spectacular hiking adventure along the Wild Atlantic Way, the Kerry Way is an unmissable trail. Stretching 214km (133 miles), this long-distance route loops around the Iveragh Peninsula, offering stunning views of dramatic coastlines, peaceful lakes and some of Ireland’s tallest mountains. The trail winds through the heart of Killarney National Park, home to lush forests, sparkling lakes and the towering peaks of the MacGillycuddy Reeks. The Kerry Way then takes you through quaint Irish villages like Glenbeigh and Sneem where walkers can experience the warmth of the local culture and maybe even the sounds of traditional Irish music. The trail is also steeped in history, with ancient stone forts, standing stones and old country estates dotting the landscape. The trail being one of our longest is full of variety satisfying those who love the mountains and lakes as well as those who prefer the coastal trails. A memorable holiday is assured as you walk through some of Ireland’s most picturesque scenery.
Our Connemara & West of Ireland gives you a first hand taste of what makes the West of Ireland so different to other parts of the country. This tours offer an incredible hiking experience along the Wild Atlantic Way visiting iconic locations like Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. A short ferry ride from the mainland, it offers unique walking routes along limestone cliffs and ancient fortresses like Dún Aonghasa, perched high above the Atlantic Ocean. A Gaelic speaking island, when you hear the language in its living form it is like a window on the past. The region is famed for its wild, unspoiled landscapes – from the Twelve Ben mountain range to the shimmering lakes and winding paths of the Connemara National Park. The trail also leads to the sight of St Patrick’s shrine in Mamean where his statue over looks the rocky valley below. Along the route you will encounter lakes, forests, wetlands, mountain ranges, rivers and waterfalls as well as Ireland’s only fjord. You finish your hike in Westport, one of the best places to live in Ireland, which boasts great restaurants and famous pubs full of music and the ‘craic’.
Match the type of hiking adventure you are looking for by reading through our ‘Best For’ guides below.
Hillwalk Tours has over a decade of experience in organising self-guided hiking holidays. We take pride in specialising & crafting unique and unforgettable hiking tours across Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Spain and Portugal. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, we have a huge range of tours to match all fitness levels and interests, ensuring a walking holiday with Hillwalk Tours will be an experience of a lifetime.
Furthermore, our core purpose at Hillwalk Tours is to “create experiences that make people happy”, and we strive towards fulfilling this purpose in everything we do. The following are just some examples of what you can expect with Hillwalk Tours as standard: