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Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland — Scenic
Europe

Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry

Ireland

Point-to-point
Malin Head Ring of Kerry

In short: Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry is a About 1,450 km scenic road trip in Ireland, typically driven over 10 days, best in May–Sep. Highlights: Malin Head, Slieve League, Sligo.

Distance
About 1,450 km
Duration
10 days
Best Season
May–Sep
LegendaryEasyScenicEV-friendly

A linear ten-day journey from Malin Head through Donegal, Sligo, Achill, Connemara, Galway, Clare, Dingle, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry.

~2 refuels
~5 charges
Practical notes
This is a linear northern-and-western selection ending after the Ring of Kerry, not the full official 2,500 km Wild Atlantic Way to Kinsale. Check weather, road and cliff-path conditions daily. At Slieve League use the main viewing platforms by default; One Man’s Pass is an experienced-hiker-only option in dry, calm weather with proper footwear, and everyone else turns around at the viewing area or uses the bypass. Drive Slea Head clockwise from Dingle through Ventry/Ceann Trá, obey one-way visitor signage, use lay-bys and never block local access. On remote peninsulas refuel early, carry water and offline maps, and pre-plan EV charging with a working fallback before leaving the larger towns; mobile coverage and open services are not guaranteed.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Malin Head and Inishowen

Banba’s Crown and Malin Head · Nancy's Barn

Day 2Malin/Donegal to Slieve League

Slieve League main viewing platforms · The Rusty Mackerel

Day 3Donegal to Sligo

Sligo coast and Yeats country · Eala Bhán

Day 4Sligo to Achill Island

Keem Bay and Achill viewpoints · Gielty's Clew Bay Bar & Restaurant

Day 5Achill via Westport to Clifden / Connemara

Westport and Connemara transfer · An Port Mór

Day 6Clifden via Galway and the Burren to Doolin

Galway old centre and Burren landscape · Vaughan's Anchor Inn

Day 7Cliffs of Moher to Dingle

Cliffs of Moher visitor experience · The Boatyard

Day 8Clockwise Slea Head Drive

Slea Head and Dunquin · Out of the Blue

Day 9Dingle to Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park and Muckross · The Mad Monk by Quinlans

Day 10Clockwise Ring of Kerry

Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring · The Moorings

Stops along the route

Malin Head — Departure — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Departure
Malin Head
Ireland's most northerly point. Wind-scoured headland cliffs and a battered signal tower face the full fury of the open Atlantic.
Westport — City — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
City
Westport
A Georgian planned town on the shores of island-studded Clew Bay. Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy pilgrimage mountain, dominates the skyline to the south.
Hotels
Ring of Kerry — Arrival — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Arrival
Ring of Kerry
The classic 180-km circuit of the Iveragh Peninsula takes in MacGillycuddy's Reeks, stone forts, and offshore views of the monastic rock of Skellig Michael.

Things to Do

Slieve League — Nature — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Nature
Slieve League
Europe's highest accessible sea cliffs at 601 m, three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher. Almost entirely free of crowds and fences.
Sligo — Nature — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Nature
Sligo
Yeats Country, where Benbulben's flat-topped mountain looms over the Mullaghmore Head and Streedagh coastline, a big-wave surfing spot with wide Atlantic views.
Achill Island — Nature — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Nature
Achill Island
Ireland's largest island, reached by bridge. Keem Bay's horseshoe of white sand backed by towering cliffs is the most beautiful beach in the country.
Cliffs of Moher — Nature — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Nature
Cliffs of Moher
Eight kilometres of 200 m vertical Atlantic sea cliffs. The defining image of the Irish coast, best seen on foot from the path beyond O'Brien's Tower.
Dingle Peninsula — Nature — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Nature
Dingle Peninsula
The Slea Head Drive loops Ireland's westernmost point past beehive huts, Iron Age forts, and sheer sea views. The finest short coastal circuit in the country.
Banba’s Crown and Malin Head — Headland walk — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Headland walk
Banba’s Crown and Malin Head
Use signed viewpoints and remain back from cliff edges.
Show 9 more
Slieve League main viewing platforms — Cliff viewpoints — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Cliff viewpoints
Slieve League main viewing platforms
Use the main platforms as the standard visit; One Man’s Pass is only an advanced dry/calm alternative.
Sligo coast and Yeats country — Coastal heritage — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Coastal heritage
Sligo coast and Yeats country
Choose one signed coastal stop and one compact heritage visit.
Keem Bay and Achill viewpoints — Island scenery — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Island scenery
Keem Bay and Achill viewpoints
Use signed roads and avoid overloading the island day.
Westport and Connemara transfer — Scenic drive — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Scenic drive
Westport and Connemara transfer
Use one Westport stop and signed Connemara viewpoints before Clifden.
Galway old centre and Burren landscape — City and karst landscape — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
City and karst landscape
Galway old centre and Burren landscape
Keep Galway compact, then use official Burren roads and paths.
Cliffs of Moher visitor experience — Cliff visit — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Cliff visit
Cliffs of Moher visitor experience
Use official paths and allow wind/traffic margin before the long transfer.
Slea Head and Dunquin — Scenic loop — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Scenic loop
Slea Head and Dunquin
Drive clockwise, obey visitor traffic signs and use lay-bys without blocking residents.
Killarney National Park and Muckross — National park — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
National park
Killarney National Park and Muckross
Choose the house/gardens and one short open walk.
Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring — Scenic loop — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Scenic loop
Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring
Use a full day, signed viewpoints and weather/traffic margin; finish without backtracking north.

Where to Eat

Nancy's Barn — Irish seafood and chowder — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Irish seafood and chowder
Nancy's Barn
Place this correctly on the Inishowen day and verify hours.
The Rusty Mackerel — Irish — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Irish
The Rusty Mackerel
Verify service near Slieve League and reserve if needed.
Eala Bhán — Modern Irish — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Modern Irish
Eala Bhán
Reserve the Sligo arrival dinner.
Gielty's Clew Bay Bar & Restaurant — Irish seafood — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Irish seafood
Gielty's Clew Bay Bar & Restaurant
Use this exact Achill venue and verify seasonal hours.
An Port Mór — Modern Irish — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Modern Irish
An Port Mór
Reserve this Westport lunch or early dinner; do not add another long meal.
Vaughan's Anchor Inn — Irish seafood — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Irish seafood
Vaughan's Anchor Inn
Reserve the Doolin-area dinner after the Burren transfer.
Show 4 more
The Boatyard — Irish seafood — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Irish seafood
The Boatyard
Reserve a Dingle arrival dinner.
Out of the Blue — Seafood — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Seafood
Out of the Blue
Reserve this exact Dingle seafood restaurant.
The Mad Monk by Quinlans — Irish seafood — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Irish seafood
The Mad Monk by Quinlans
Reserve the Killarney dinner.
The Moorings — Irish seafood — Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry — Ireland
Irish seafood
The Moorings
Use the Portmagee meal on the loop and verify service.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry drive?

The Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry covers About 1,450 km from start to finish.

How long does the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry take to drive?

Most travellers spend 10 days on the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry?

The recommended season for the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry is May–Sep.

Where does the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry start and end?

The Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry runs from Malin Head to Ring of Kerry.

What are the main stops on the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry?

The Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry passes through Malin Head, Slieve League, Sligo.

How difficult is the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry to drive?

The Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry in a regular car?

Yes — the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry?

Plan around 2 refuels (or about 5 EV charges) along the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry, based on its About 1,450 km length.

Is the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry EV friendly?

Yes — the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry safe to drive?

This is a linear northern-and-western selection ending after the Ring of Kerry, not the full official 2,500 km Wild Atlantic Way to Kinsale. Check weather, road and cliff-path conditions daily. At Slieve League use the main viewing platforms by default; One Man’s Pass is an experienced-hiker-only option in dry, calm weather with proper footwear, and everyone else turns around at the viewing area or uses the bypass. Drive Slea Head clockwise from Dingle through Ventry/Ceann Trá, obey one-way visitor signage, use lay-bys and never block local access. On remote peninsulas refuel early, carry water and offline maps, and pre-plan EV charging with a working fallback before leaving the larger towns; mobile coverage and open services are not guaranteed.

What scenic tier is the Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry?

The Northern and Western Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry is a legendary drive — The world's most extraordinary drives — once-in-a-lifetime road trips with cinematic scenery, legendary roads, and unmatched cultural depth.