Drive the Wild Atlantic Way via the Connemara loop that includes Sky Road, Kylemore Abbey, a hike in Connemara National Park, a drive through the Twelve Bens, and more.
Wild Atlantic Way is the world’s longest defined coastal touring route at 2,500km. It could take anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks to drive the entire route! It contours the entire West coast of Ireland and wraps slightly on the top and bottom coasts. During our time in Ireland, Pat and I drove the Wild Atlantic Way from the Cliffs of Moher all the way to Connemara. When in Connemara, we explored the route called Connemara Loop even further North. The drive on Connemara Loop within the Wild Atlantic Way takes about an hour to an hour and half depending on how long you want to make the drive. Here are some can’t miss stops along the way:
1. Sky Road Drive
Driving Sky Road Wild Atlantic Way in Connemara, Ireland
We started our Wild Atlantic Way drive in Connemara in Clifden. From Clifden we took the famous scenic Sky Road loop. You’ll drive by Clifden castle along the way, stop by the Sky Road Atlantic Viewpoint, drive by Connemara ponies, and loop back before heading further up north.
2. Letterfrack
Letterfrack is located right next to Connemara National Park making it a very popular coastal town. It’s famous for its Irish music scene and boasts beautiful views of Diamond Hill.
3. Connemara National Park and Diamond Hill
Explore Connemara National Park: Diamond Hill
Don’t let my thrilling and nail-biting story of my hike up Diamond Hill Trail in Connemara National Park deter you. In peak conditions, the views are breathtaking and a can’t miss in the area as you will see in my article. There are so many stunning hiking trails to take advantage of in Connemara National Park. Views on clear sunny days are rich in green, orange, and yellow rolling hills with the Twelve Bens and Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop. It’s a nature lovers paradise!
4. Kylemore Abbey
Following your hike you’ll drive by Kylemore Abbey a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920. You can explore the monastery and its Victorian Gardens or marvel at the abbey from across the pond.
5. Lough Inagh Valley, Maumturks, and Twelve Bens
It was getting dark so Pat and I decided to cut our drive on the Wild Atlantic Way Connemara Loop short. We headed through the eerie looking Lough Inagh Valley. The fog from before was looming over the Maumturks on one side and the Twelve Bens on the other. It was an extremely dramatic moment as we cut through the mountains. It looked like the mountains were being engulfed by a giant tsunami and the only living thing in sight was a small sheep on the top of a hill. It felt like something straight out of an ominous movie. The thick clouds washed over the mountains in this optical illusion that made Pat and I hold our breath.
We ended our drive back at Ballynahinch Castle where we got ready for dinner at the Owenmore restaurant. We might have not had the perfect conditions for a drive on the Wild Atlantic Way Connemara Loop, but we definitely saw it in a way that others may have never seen it. The ominous clouds and fog give it an eerie feel unlike anywhere else I’ve been. It’s something that stays printed in your memory forever.
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