500 miles, 800 km

of rugged, unspoilt, natural beauty; a sub-set of the Wild Atlantic Way. Comparatively traffic free roads, stunning views, sparsely populated countryside, pretty villages and towns, great people and a great craic.

The route takes in the 5 southern peninsulas of south west Ireland: Mizen, Sheep's Head, Beara, Iveagh and Dingle; land  that has been ravaged and shaped by the forces of the Atlantic Ocean into which they jut. You'll travel on fast sweeping main roads, cliff edge hugging single track roads and over mountain passes that rival the best in the Alps. However, do not think for one moment this route can be done in a day, or even 2 days. The Wild Atlantic Way is more than a coastal route it is a way of life and you really ought to consider at least 3 days and ideally 5 days to really enjoy it and soak up the atmosphere.

You can do the SWI500 as part of the entire Wild Atlantic Way and join it from the north or the south and exit on the other side with journeys from A to B each day or you can 'set up camp' somewhere like Kenmare and do the SWI500 in stages each day, returning to the comfort of the same accommodation each afternoon/evening; the choice is yours.