The Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland)

"Soaring cliffs, buzzing little fishing towns and a way of life forever inspired by the sea. It's easy to feel the wild that defines this coastline; it's everywhere."

Céad Míle Fáilte. The Wild Atlantic Way ... the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry … the powerful Atlantic Ocean and the emerald, green pastures. Stretching from west Cork to the very northernmost tip of County Donegal, the Wild Atlantic Way is one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world.

Live Out Loud Adventures will hike this spellbinding coast over the course of 2 years … Baltimore to Galway in 2025, and Galway to Donegal in 2026. Let the magic of Ireland unfold. We’ll head out in May when the wild rhododendrons are running a pinky, purple riot all over the southwestern coast. We’ll stay in Inns dotted along the coast in the colourful towns of Baltimore, Killarney, Dingle, and Doolin. And … we’ll have our bags transported from Inn to Inn so that we can hike our 12-15kms/day unencumbered by the weight of a heavy pack. With Liam as our guide, we’ll escape, explore, and enjoy an “off-the-beaten” adventure on the very edge of Europe.

Thursday May 22 to Sunday June 1, 2025

Thursday May 22
Meet at the train station in Cork city where we’ll enjoy lunch before setting off to the west Cork village of Baltimore, a charming harbour town on the very southern tip of Ireland. In the business of fishing and maritime trade for the last 400 years, Baltimore also marks the start of the West Atlantic Way. With a tasty creamy pint in hand, we’ll toast to health and friends. Slainte!

Friday May 23 – Sheep’s Head Peninsula – 12km, ascent of 287m/descent 278m
The start of the West Atlantic Way, this relatively unknown peninsula juts out into the Atlantic between Mizen Head and the Beara Peninsula. Raw, rugged, and stunningly beautiful, the Sheep’s Head Peninsula won the Best Walk in Ireland when it was opened in 1996 by the then President of Ireland, Mary Robinson. Running along cliff tops & skirting lake and sea shores, this hike utilizes century-old sheep runs and fisherman’s paths to create a day of unrivalled hiking.

Saturday May 24 – Ring of Beara – Ardgroom to Eyeries – 14km, ascent of 167m/descent 152m

“One of Ireland’s best kept secrets! You could spend days here and never be found again, with any luck!”

Another hidden gem that Liam will help us to discover. The Beara Peninsula they say is just like Ireland was 20 or 30 years ago, totally tranquil and unspoiled. With dark folded mountains and colourful painted villages, the geology is unique with more prehistoric monuments than anywhere else in Ireland not to mention home to the Uragh Stone Circle, the tallest and most beautiful Standing Stone Circle in Ireland.

Sunday May 25 – Killarney National Park – 13km, ascent of 307m/descent 330m
Welcome to Killarney National Park, an expanse of rugged mountainous country that sweeps down to the world famous Lakes of Killarney in southwest County Kerry. Described as the “jewel in Kerry’s crown”, we’ll hike and absorb as much as we can in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve ending with a delightful boat ride to our final destination for the day … a private estate on the edge of Killarney National Park. “The best secrets are in the most hidden places.” Welcome to your hotel.

Monday May 26 - The Kerry Way and transfer to Dingle – 13km, ascent of 357m/descent 407m
Looping around the Iveragh Peninsula, the Kerry Way goes anti clockwise passing through some of the most isolated and dramatic countryside in the country. Broken down into nine different stages, we’ll do one stage today passing through landscapes featuring forests, lakes and moorland along charming rural footpaths to the Atlantic ocean. We’ll spend the night and the next few days in Dingle, yet another colourful, busy, welcoming town in yet another area described as “the most beautiful place on earth.”

Tuesday May 27 – The Dingle Peninsula
A day of rest. A day of beauty. A day to stroll along the iconic “Inch” beach, to enjoy the ocean, the dolphins, puffins & seals and … to listen to Irish music and hang with locals in one of the lively 52 pubs serving world famous Dingle Gin and Whiskey.

Wednesday May 28 – Stradbally Bay Beach to Annascaul – 18.3km, ascent 463m/descent 424m
A stunning day of hiking as we start on the north coast of the Dingle Peninsula and hike through the heart of the peninsula, up and over the mountain pass into the village of Annascaul, home to the South Pole Inn. A cozy little pub full of friendly atmosphere, we’ll listened to the stories of Tom Crean, a famous Antarctic explorer who took part in 3 expeditions from 1901 to 1927 when he finally came back to his hometown to open a bar that is still as captivating as ever.

Thursday May 29 – Ventry to Slea Head, Transfer to Clare – 10.8km, ascent 226m/descent 183m
One last hike on the Dingle Peninsula, this one hugging the coast. Starting at Ventry Beach, one of the most attractive beaches on the west coast of Ireland, we’ll enjoy a beautiful and historic walk around Slea Head with the Blasket Islands in full view and the wild Atlantic air in full embrace.

Friday May 30 – Burren National Park – 5.5km with an ascent of 161m/descent 161m
Another peninsula, another unique and majestic landscape. The Burren National Park is a captivating natural wonder located in County Clare. With its very distinctive flora and limestone “pavement”, we’ll spend the day exploring the natural beauty of this National park.

Saturday May 31 – Cliffs of Moher – 12.6km with an ascent of 634m/descent 682m
We end our trip on the Wild Atlantic Way with one of the most awe-inspiring natural landscapes … the Cliffs of Moher.

“Out-of-this-world scenery … On a clear day, the views are tremendous with the Aran Islands etched on the waters of Galway Bay. From the cliff edge, you can hear the booming far below as the waves crash and gnaw at the soft shale and sandstone.” - Lonely Planet

Mesmerizing and memorable … an invigorating trek to fill our souls until we meet again.

Sunday June 1 – Transfer to Galway and depart

The Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland)

Reserve Your Spot or Enquire