📌Between 1.5 and 3 hours of driving per day for 5 days
👍The highlight: Spectacular spots between mountains, cliffs, and wild beaches
📍Stops: Howth, Wicklow, Glendalough, Burren Way, Cliffs of Moher Wild Atlantic Way
WEEK-LONG ROAD TRIP : DUBLIN → WICKLOW → GLENDALOUGH → THE BURREN → CONNEMARA
DEPARTURE : From the Dublin Agency, take the R105, which connects Dublin city center to Howth. The drive along the bay is very pleasant.
ARRIVAL : To reach Wicklow, take the N11 / M11
Here we are in Dublin, ready to embark on a sensational road trip. From mountains to cliffs, the natural spots you're about to discover hold a touch of magic and mystery that's hard to explain. Yet they are very real: the land of Howth and the Cliffs of Moher, formed 358 million years ago, remind us that we are preceded by an ancestral history. So embark on a magnificent journey along the ancient roads of Ireland ✨
DAY 1 : DEPARTURE FOR THE CLIFFS OF WICKLOW
DUBLIN → HOWTH → WICKLOW → GLENDALOUGH (APPROX. 110 KM - 2.5 TO 3 HOURS)
It's time to put on some good hiking boots and wrap up warm because today we're venturing into the high mountains! We recommend setting off early in the morning to enjoy the peace and quiet of the peaks before lunch. That way, you'll reach your second point of interest in the early afternoon. The Howth Cliff Path is a 2-hour (7.1 km) hiking trail that offers breathtaking views of the sea as you make your way to the lighthouse, but there are many other trails that allow you to circle the peninsula. Starting from the harbor, there are multiple hiking loops, so it's important to estimate how long it will take you to complete them. The paths are marked but remain wild for the enjoyment of the more adventurous. Before heading back to Wicklow and its gigantic cliffs, here are our recommendations for tasty places to eat :
👉 In Howth, you can enjoy high-quality seafood and fish & chips:
- The Pier House offers cuisine made with fresh local produce, 12 West Pier, Howth D13 T1X6 Ireland
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Octopussy's Seafood Tapas Bar, located at the fishing port, 7-8 West Pier, Howth Ireland
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King Sitric Seafood Bar, a restaurant that has been around for over 50 years and serves the best seafood cuisine. Large outdoor terrace. 6 East Pier, Howth D13 F5C6 Ireland
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Nicky's Plaice, the ultimate family restaurant. A fishermen's restaurant passed down through three generations, in short, the kings of fish. 6 West Pier, Howth, Ireland
Forests, streams, and mountains—all the elements are there to make you feel like you're in a medieval fairy tale. Not far from Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains, home to the Glendalough Valley, alternate between hills and mountain ridges. If you're a nature lover, the Wicklow Mountains National Park is home to 23,000 hectares of mountain trails, with the valley being one of the most popular destinations in the area. Among the nine hiking trails available, each one offers breathtaking views of the glacial lake.
👉 OUR FAVORITE WALKS :
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THE WHITE ROUTE OR THE GLENEALO VALLEY CROSSING
9.5 km, or 3 to 3.5 hours from the Upper Lake parking lot
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THE BLUE ROUTE
5.5 km, or a 2-hour hike. Take the Poulanass Waterfall stairs that lead to the cliffs.
- THE VIOLET ROUTE
5 km, or 1.5 hours, along the lake, passing by the old mining road. Pass along Upper Lake.
Finally, to discover the Wicklow Mountains, take the road known as Sally Gap, which runs alongside the village of Roundwood. You will pass above Lough Tay, a lake of rare beauty, and Glenmacnass with its impressive waterfall.
👉 WHERE TO STAY ?
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Glenmalure Valley (15-20 minutes from Glendalough)
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Laragh Woods (quiet spot in the forest)
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Upper Lake car park (Glendalough) (overnight parking is tolerated outside of peak season)
DAY 2 : BETWEEN ROCK AND LEGEND IN THE BURREN
The Burren is a rocky plateau where stones meet the Atlantic Ocean. It is an authentic place that perpetuates the tradition of winterage, a type of agriculture specific to limestone environments that allows for winter grazing. It is in the midst of this oceanic climate that beautiful flowers and rare plants can be seen blooming, even in winter! To contemplate the richness of the vegetation and enjoy the best temperatures, we recommend visiting at the end of May.
👉 THINGS TO DO
The Burren National Park, located in County Clare, covers 1,800 hectares and has seven marked trails. Nestled in the heart of this land, you can discover :
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CAHERCOMMAUN FORT
Dating back to the Iron Age. It impresses with its carefully stacked dry stone architecture and evokes Celtic heritage. Here, you can immerse yourself in Irish history and culture.
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FANORE BEACH
A beautiful wild beach. It is a little corner of paradise for swimmers, surfers, and those who enjoy walking near the dunes.
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AILWEE CAVE
Made up of stalactites and stalagmites, it is one of the largest in Ireland.
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THE BURREN WAY HIKE
A 43 km trail that will immerse you in a unique, atmospheric lunar landscape. The site is idyllic, crossing heathland and fields. You will pass through Rathorney, Formoyle, Doolin, Ballinacken, and the magnificent Cliffs of Moher. A hike to the Cliffs of Moher takes about 4 hours round trip (14 km). By van, scenic routes allow you to travel through these exceptional places: the Wild Atlantic Way and the R477 coastal road.
👉 In keeping with tradition, here are our recommendations for pubs and restaurants in the Burren region :
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Vaughan's Anchor Inn, Main St, Liscannor, Co. Clare, V95 FN5R. Located 10 minutes by van from the Cliffs of Moher. This pub-restaurant serves seafood (mussels, oysters, fish, etc.).
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McGann's Pub, Main St, Teergonean, Doolin, Co. Clare. Friendly and rustic atmosphere in a traditional pub, 15 minutes from the cliffs.
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The Roadside Tavern, Kincora Rd, Rathbaun, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, V95 T85K. It is also a microbrewery where you can enjoy good craft beers. 20 minutes away.
👉 WHERE TO STAY?
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In the vicinity of Kinvara or Dunguaire Castle, where there are magnificent views of Galway Bay. You can also visit this charming town, where you will find numerous lakes and beautiful hiking trails, including Diamond Hill, which is part of the Twelve Bens mountain range.
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Lough Bunny, a small, quiet, isolated lake perfect for a restful night surrounded by nature.
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Carron or Corkscrew Hill, north of the Burren. The landscapes are magnificent.
And if you want to travel to Connemara along beautiful coastal roads, we recommend the following route :
Cliffs of Moher → Doolin → Ballyvaughan → Kinvara → Galway → Maam Cross → Leenane / Clifden.
The route to take is as follows : R478 → R477 → N67 → N18 → N59
DAY 3 : HEADING FOR CONNEMARA !
Connemara is a unique wilderness area in southwestern Ireland. It is characterized by three main natural areas: lakes and mountains around Maam Cross, Recess, and Clifden; beaches and coves along Sky Road and Renvyle, Peninsula (to the west); and mountain ranges: the Twelve Bens and the Maumturk Mountains. The latter offer magnificent hikes, undoubtedly the most beautiful in the area. These include:
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GLENCOAGHAN HORSESHOE
15-18 km, or 6 to 8 hours
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BEN LETTERY
2 to 3 hours round trip with an amazing view of Roundstone Bog
and
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MAYMEAN PASS
1.5 to 2 hours round trip, a trail from which you can see the statue of Saint Patrick
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MAUMTURKS CHALLENGE
25 km along the ridge
The highlight of Connemara is undoubtedly its National Park, which offers incredible views and hiking trails that cross the region's imposing mountain ranges. There is also Kylemore Abbey, a neo-Gothic monument steeped in history. Mweelrea Mountain is the highest peak in Connemara. This route is challenging and takes 6 hours round trip, but it promises spectacular views.
If you prefer a more peaceful hike, the trails around Killary Fjord are ideal. As you walk along the calm waters, you can enjoy the silence of the surroundings. Here, facing the immense cliffs, you feel very small. This raw, sometimes rugged nature soothes the spirit. There is something spiritual about it that invites contemplation✨ On the Leenane side, you can go kayaking or paddleboarding (Killary Fjord or Lough Corrib). The Sky Road or Renvyle Peninsula are ideal routes for a mountain bike getaway. Don't hesitate to visit the local farms and their sheep or try your hand at crafts such as tweed making!
👉 WHERE TO EAT?
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Paddy Coyne’s Pub, Tullycross, Renvyle, Co. Galway
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Connemara Greenway Restaurant, Main Street, Fough West, Oughterard, Co. Galway
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Bláth Fiáin, High Street, Spiddle West, AnSpidéal, Co. Galway, H91 WY0X
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Little Fish, 31 North Quay, Douglas IM1 4LB
👉 WHERE TO STAY ?
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Diamond Hill for camping in the hills
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Mauméan Pass, a secluded and peaceful spot
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Lough Inagh Valley to enjoy a beautiful sunset by the water. A romantic night guaranteed ♥️
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Glassilaun Beach, an amazing spot on a turquoise beach
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Killary Fjord Valley
DAY 4 : WILD ATLANTIC WAY TO DONEGAL
The beauty of a road trip lies in the time spent traveling along wild, remote, or little-traveled roads. We recommend following the Wild Atlantic Way via the northern route of Mayo to reach Donegal Town. You will pass through Doolough Valley, Louisburgh, Achill Island with Keem Bay, where there is a magnificent beach. Next, continue on to the Bellmulet Peninsula, located at the northernmost tip of County Mayo. Then, visit the spectacular cliffs of Downpatrick Head and finally, Donegal. Here, there are many natural attractions that will make you fall in love with Ireland.
👉 THINGS TO DO
Slieve League and its impressive cliffs. They are nearly three times the size of the Cliffs of Moher, and the stones found in the area suggest that it was once an ancient monastic or pilgrimage site. Between the expanse of blue sky and the sea below, the path is truly beautiful. Glenveagh National Park offers six hiking and walking trails :
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LAKESIDE WALK : 3.5 KM
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DERRYLAHAN NATURE TRAIL : 2 KM LOOP
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THE GARDEN TRAIL : 1 KM LOOP
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BRIDLE PATH WALK : 8 KM
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LOUGH INSHAGH WALK : 7 KM
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VIEW POINT TRAIL : 1 KM LOOP
The castle and park gardens are lush and feature a multitude of plant species to discover. You can fish, camp, and cycle to your heart's content.
👉 WHERE TO EAT ?
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Yellow Pepper, 36 Lower Main Street, Letterkenny F92 K125 Ireland. Local produce and modern cuisine.
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The Lemon Tree, Lower Main Street Unit 32-34, The Courtyard Shopping Center, Letterkenny F92 EK13 Ireland. Irish meat and fish, typical Irish and French cuisine. Excellent wine list.
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Brewery Bar and Restaurant, Market Square, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland.
👉 WHERE TO STAY?
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Glencolumbkille, a pretty coastal village. There is a camper van area and parking near the beach. Really convenient and authentically charming!
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Maghera Beach (Ardara), a wild beach with real relief. Caves and dunes provide the backdrop for your nighttime campsite.
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Malin Beg or Silver Strand is an exceptional beach. Nestled in the heart of a bay, it is surrounded by cliffs, dunes, and hills. The natural setting is protected, raw, and wild. The water is turquoise, the sand is fine, and the atmosphere is romantic... truly sumptuous.
DAY 5 : EXTEND YOUR STAY AROUND THE ATLANTIC
You can continue to enjoy the charms of Connemara National Park and immerse yourself in this place rich in landscapes. To discover the Atlantic from new perspectives, the Sky Road and Clifden offer beautiful panoramic views. Venture to the village of Cong, which has retained its old-world charm, nestled between forests and lakes. Lush plains stretch out here. Here you will find the immense Ashford Castle and its vast grounds, which are home to a falconry school and a golf course. Located on the River Corrib, you will also find the ruins of an ancient abbey.
Fun fact: the movie The Quiet Man was filmed here. In fact, the museum of the same name traces its history and that of the film's production. Next, we recommend heading to Letterfrack (near the coast) to visit its impressive Victorian castle and, a little further north, the Renvyle Peninsula, where you'll find beautiful wild beaches such as Leetergesh, White Strand, and Glassilaun. It's the perfect place to enjoy a swim in the heart of Connemara.
When your journey comes to an end, you can return the van via the Galway–Athlone–Dublin route. You can follow the N59 to Galway or take the M6 (highway, 300 km) to Dublin. If you feel like it, stop at the Hill of Uisneach, a mythological site nicknamed “the sacred center of Ireland.” If you want to explore further, the R446 will offer you more natural folklore. It takes 4.5 hours via the M6 and about 5.5 hours depending on the breaks you take if you take a slightly longer but more nature-oriented route.
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